Chapter 2

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"America! You're moving to America!" She gave me a quizzical look. "Of course how else am I going to set up the new branch. I can't do it from the other side of the Atlantic can I?" It finally sunk in. "No of course not, I was just having a blonde moment." I smiled and sheepishly held up one of my gold curls. Harrie looked nervously at me. "You are okay with it, aren't you? I mean if your not it's totally fine we can stay here. It's just you kept telling me how great life is with Dad and his new wife Cindy, so I thought you wouldn't mind. Anyway if we do go you can come and stay with us every summer. It's based in California and there's sun, sea and sand, you're bound to get a tan. Just think how awesome that would be , having a second home out there! But I mean if you have any problem..." I cut of her rambling. "No, no, you have to go! Don't be stupid, I'll be fine! It's a great opportunity and it's not like I'll never see you again. I'll be fine, Dad, Cindy and I are getting on great..." I absentmindedly touched my split lip.

Her face transformed with an ear to ear smile. "Oh thank God! You don't know how much of a good opportunity this is for me!" She threw her arms around me and I patted her back. "I know, it is. You deserve this Harrie, more than anyone..." I pulled her into a tight hug as if she was going to vanish into thin air any second. She was all I had and she was leaving... I felt a pair of little arms wrap around my legs. I picked her up and buried my face in her straight brown hair trying to hide my fear of being alone.

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During the next couple of hours I spent every second drinking them in. Becca's dimples, Harries laugh, all the little things I wanted to make sure I knew it all so I could keep this moment alive in my mind. Harrie said that she was planning on leaving within the next two weeks and between her meetings and the arrangements for moving this would probably be the last quality time we spent together. I knew that I could visit them in America and would call each other but it wouldn't be the same. I wouldn't have the affectionate love I so desperately craved, the escape from my home I so desperately needed; and yet although them leaving was bringing me pain, the smile on Harries face when she told me brought me such joy.

By 7 o'clock that night I was covered in flour, with my head on Harrie's lap and Becca's head on mine. I looked over at the clock and reluctantly sat up. "I suppose I better get going."I sighed. Harrie's head shot up and looked at the clock. "Oh my goodness yes! Look at the time. I bet Cindy will be sending out a search party!" I scoffed. "Yeah she'll be worrying." I gently picked up Becca and placed her sleeping form on the sofa. I pulled Harrie into my embrace. "I am so proud of you! You've dealt with whatever life has thrown at you. You make sure you pass that resilience of yours to Becca!" Harrie rubbed my back. "Of course I will Addy." She pulled back and looked into my eyes. "Hey don't you be crying on me! We will see each other again! Loads of times, so much that you'll be getting sick of the sight of me!" I gave her a weak smile because in my heart I knew that it wasn't true. Deep down I knew I'd never hold my sister like this again.

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I sat on a park bench crying my eyes out until the street lamps came on. I pulled my makeup and mirror out. I wiped the mascara stains from under my eyes. I would not allow my 'parents' the satisfaction of knowing I had been crying. I got my concealer out and blended it in to my red blotchy cheek. By the time I had finished the only thing out of the ordinary was my split lip. The swelling had gone down quite a bit but it was still noticeable. I packed up my bag and started walking home. I hadn't realised how dark it was until I walked down a road with no street lamps. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I felt as though I was being followed. Sure enough when I turned around I saw a boy of about 15, the same age as me, standing directly behind me. He pushed me and I fell to the floor. "Give me your phone and money. Now!" Anger rushed through me. I had been dealing with enough bastards in my life to add this one to the list. I kicked his legs out from under him, scrambled to my feet and stomped where the sun don't shine. "You picked a really bad day to try me sunshine." I growled before turning and running as fast as I could.

I didn't stop running till I reached the gate leading to our house. I took a minute to compose myself and catch my breath. I giggled. "Did I really just do that, I think I'm turning bad ass!" Once I had caught my breath I turned to open the gate and froze. There on the drive way was a car I recognised all too well. It belonged to Slade Johnson the loan shark, gang member and all round bad guy. He was only 21 and already had a successful loaning business praying off the addicted and desperate such as my father. My dad had run into trouble with him before and had to sell all of my mums jewellery just to pay his debts. One things for sure though if Slade Johnson pays you a visit, it sure as hell isn't a social call.

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I crept into the house carefully trying not to make a sound. The last thing I wanted to be get involved with this great big mess. I took my boots off and slipped out of my leather jacket I tip-toed over to the stairs. Just before I got to the bottom step the floor creaked as I stepped on it. I held my breath and listened for anyone moving around the house. I didn't here anything so it stepped onto the first step. As I did so the living room door flew open with such force one of the pictures fell of the wall. My feet we lifted of the ground as I was picked up and carried into the living room.

I managed to wriggle out of my captors hold and look around the room. My dad was sitting in the armchair with a mug of coffee in his hand, for once he looked slightly sober. Cindy was sitting on the arm of the chair, her arms draped around my dad's neck. Next to the sofa was a man who looked almost identical to the man who had grabbed me. But what caught my attention the most a man lounging on the sofa with a crooked smile on his face. It was the man himself, Slade Johnson...

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A/n
Ooooo what do you think? Just introduced Slade into the mix. Btw I chose Chloe Moretz play Adele she's just beautiful and badass. Also she's dating Brooklyn Beckham lucky lady.

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