Fields of Yellow

Chapter 13

Once again I stared at my reflection. My chestnut hair wasn't curly and it wasn't in plaits. It was dead straight and my makeup was heavy, with eye shadow above my eyelids. I needed to impress him. Reaching for the skirt I pulled it over my legs before bringing the crop top over my head. I looked like Cleo, which was exactly what I was aiming for.

"Hey Lizzie, Luke's waiting out the front," Mum yelled out.

I expected him to come in.

"Oh okay. Tell him I'll be there in a sec."

✽

I made my way out front to find Luke standing by the garden. He was looking out at the twilight lit field. My heart sank.

"It's all gone," I murmured, coming up beside him.

He nodded, "Let's go."

He didn't say a word as we drove. He barely even looked at me. When I went to get out he too opened his door.

"You're coming?" I said surprised.

"Yeah," He responded as though it were obvious.

Luke stayed by my side as we walked in. Every head turned to stare causing me to feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Hey, you two!" Judy exclaimed, coming beside us and giving me a hug.

"Hey Judy," Luke greeted.

"I'm so glad you came." She enthused, before someone knocked into her.

"Eliza!" He exclaimed, and possessively wrapped his arm around my waist.

He had a beer in his free hand.

"Tonight's going to be fun."

✽

It was like deja vu watching Tommy become more and more intoxicated. He turned to go inside leaving me alone by the porch. Someone reached for my arm, pulling me away.

"What-" I began.

"It's nearly one, Lizzie. It's time to go." He said, dragging me through the house and out the back.

"Stop," I demanded, staggering back.

He looked at me complexed, "What do you mean, stop? I'm not going to wait anymore to take you ho-"

"I'm not going home." I cut in.

His eyes narrowed. "What?"

"I'm staying with Tommy," I said.

"That is ridiculous. He's off his head. There's nowhere to sleep here anyway."

He didn't understand.

"He asked me to stay," I explained.

A bomb went off.

"HE WHAT!?"

"I'm staying," I repeated.

"Oh dear God, Lizzie. Please tell me you're joking!?" He yelled.

His tone made me shudder.

"It has nothing to do with you," I muttered.

He ignored me completely, his eyes dark and furious.

"That's all he's ever wanted. He'll get in your pants and then guess what? He'll leave you! Just like he does everyone else!"

My hands began to tremble.

"This has nothing to do with you."

Reaching forward he took me by the shoulders shaking me in jarring movements.

"Stop this. Lizzie, how could you do this to yourself?"

Suddenly it clicked. He is trying to protect me.

I shoved him back violently. "You overprotective jerk!! That's it isn't it? You don't want me to sleep with him. How dare you? I can do whatever I damn well like!" I fumed.

"How dare I?" He exclaimed, laughing sarcastically. "I've tried to keep out of it but I can't anymore. This is ridiculous! Lizzie, he has manipulated you and you don't even realise. He's an egotistical narcissist!!"

"Egotistical narcissist? You don't even know what that means."

"How could you be so stupid?" He growled.

My cheeks burned and reaching forward I slapped him across the face. He stepped back, not losing his fury.

"He doesn't deserve you, Lizzie. He let you get bitten by a snake for goodness sake and look what he's doing now? He's turning you into one of them."

"You have no idea what you're talking about." I tried to say, but he continued.

"You're not yourself. You're wearing these stupid clothes and that stupid makeup."

"I've changed." I snapped.

"Exactly."

"So what? Tommy likes it."

"Tommy!?" He bellowed. "That malicious dickhead. Listen to me Lizzie, wake up! You're being a complete imbecile. He's going to break your heart."

Rage surged through me.

"I hate you." I spat.

I expected him to continue yelling but he stopped, his face falling.

"So be it." He muttered. "As far as I'm concerned it's already broken."