There's Always Second Chances

Chapter 18

I walked downstairs and realised that I slept over and spent most of the day in bed. I was glad it was a weekend and I didn't have to go to school. I couldn't face the judging glares of Delilah's little minions. "Where's Delilah?" I asked after noticing her empty room. The wardrobe was still open and some clothes were falling off the hangers.  

"She's moved out to be with Emma and Ariana. I've terminated her contract like she asked but she still has two weeks before she'll have to move everything out." Andrea responded. She set some food down in front of me and ruffled my hair. 

"Now eat, you're getting skinny." she remarked with a soft smile. And so started the 5 weeks of bliss. 

I didn't realise I had been so stressed while Delilah was around. It really was nice taking those 5 weeks away from her. It did creep me out though when we were at school. She was staring at me all the time. "Hey Emma?" I asked as soon as she picked up the phone. "Yeah?" She responded. "You want to go on a date today?" I asked her. It was amazing how much I actually like Emma. 

She was chilled out. There was no reason to act fake with her. She didn't care about my past. In fact she hasn't even asked about it yet. I presume she knows everything anyway due to Delilah always telling her friends everything. I met up with Emma at the beach and just walked along the shore, got some ice cream and had some lunch. There was pleasant conversation. At the end of it she pressed a kiss to my cheek. "Thank you, I had a wonderful time Adrian," she said to me before starting her way back home. 

I did think to ask her about walking her home but she insisted that I didn't. It was probably for the best since Delilah would just have a fit and start screaming at me for it. When I returned home, I caught up on all the schoolwork I had. "Adrian time for dinner!" called Andrea from downstairs. 

"How was your date?" asked Søren asked with a cheeky grin. Andrea nudged him. "It's okay Andi. My date was fine. Emma was really nice and I think I really like her." I responded. This only made Søren's grin widen. "Great then why don't you date her?" he asked me. I thought about it for a minute. It would make me happier. It would be on my terms. Emma did say she was happy to wait until I was ready. 

"I need to go on a walk to clear my head," I said rising from my chair. There was so much to think about. How would Delilah take it? Would Emma be fine with Delilah being angry at her? Is it wrong because Delilah is carrying my baby? Thinking of the baby, it's due anytime soon. "Get yourself some treats, they'll taste nice and they'll help take the stress away," Andrea murmured as I walked out the front door. 

I found myself sitting at the beach again. I've had a habit of doing that recently. The waves were calming as I watched them and the sound of them crashing against the sand lulled the busy thoughts in my head. "Adrian?" asked a voice. My moment of peace and silence was ruined by Delilah. What is she even doing here? 

"Delilah why are you here?" I asked when I turned to look at her. My phone started ringing. I dug it out of my pocket and answered it. I didn't even bother looking at who was calling. I just got saved and I will thank whoever it was later. "Adrian? Andrea's hurt really bad, you need to come home. We need to take her to the hospital." I heard Søren speak from the other end of my phone. 

Who attacked her? Who was doing this? First the incident years ago and all of a sudden someone's attacked her again? I really wanted to find the people who thought this was a good idea. I felt my grip on the phone loosen and I couldn't seem to stop it as it fell to the sand. I needed to get home right away. 

"Adrian?" Delilah asked again. This time her tone was more concerned. I hurried to pick my phone back up. "I'll be right over," I spoke into the phone. I hung up and started walking towards Andrea's house. I needed to be there for her. Delilah followed me all the way there. I had no time to tell her to leave me alone, I was too worried about Andrea. If she needed to go to the hospital then I needed to get there as soon as possible. 

I stepped into the house and rounded the corner into the living room. The sight before me made me feel sick to my stomach. There was cuts all over her body. Her hair had been chopped short and there were red marks all over her body that I knew would turn into shades of blue and purple in a few days. 

"Ariana," muttered Delilah. I raised my gaze to look at her. "What did you say?" I asked. If Delilah knew who did it then what's stopping her from turning her friend into the police. Søren was in front of her in an instant. His breathing ragged and his fists clenched. I knew he was beyond angry. She shrunk back against the wall behind her. "I heard Ariana say something about doing something for me. I brushed her off. I didn't think she'd do anything." Delilah said. Her voice wavered. Was she scared of us. 

I stepped between her and Søren after a minute of thinking about what to do. After getting a better look at her cuts, it was nothing I couldn't do with the med kit upstairs. "As much as I don't like the situation, I need you to step back," I muttered to Søren. He reluctantly went back to sit on the floor next to Andrea. I turned to face Delilah. If this Ariana is as dangerous as this, I don't want Delilah to be there anymore. Ariana could harm the baby. 

"I don't want you going back there, I don't like this Ariana." I stated before running upstairs to get the med kit. This was important. When I went back downstairs, I tended to her wounds. "Hey, go cool off," I said to Søren who was bouncing his leg up and down. His hair was dishevelled and he looked like a wreck. He nodded and walked off towards the front door. 

"Adrian! I'm off now," called out Delilah. I ignored her. I was still busy tending to Andrea. I knew that she'd be somewhat safe, Emma is still there after all. 

The weeks that followed were the toughest yet. Søren was upset and didn't know what to do with himself. Delilah refused to come back to Andrea's house because Ariana went on the run. I had to explain to people who asked about Andrea why she wasn't in. Delilah was also missing from school but she had a valid excuse. 

All I could think about was why would Ariana target Andrea? Did Delilah ask for it and lie to us about her brushing off Ariana? Did that Dante that I fought in New York orchestrate this?