MACKENZIE SAMUELS

{ten} MACKENZIE she doesn't see how much they all care until now.

Mackenzie Samuels – 19th Feb.

Sleeping in a bed that isn't mine isn't fun. But, sleeping in a bed that isn't mine with bruised ribs is worse. After the eventful day that Wednesday was I'm temporarily staying at Sammy's house in one of the many the spare rooms. But, I have to go to a meeting later today with a few important people where we'll discuss my new living arrangements.

Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to stay here, which really sucks for me because my best friend, my Dad's best friend and the most trusted women in Hunterville all live here. This home makes me feel safe but because Amanda is too close to the case I can't stay with here with an exception of last night.

I glance at myself in a mirror hanging on the wall in the hallway as I walk past to go downstairs to find Sammy – he isn't in his room – and I see that I look like crap, without all my make-up on that I washed off last night my skin is stained with purple and blue marks and I look terrible.

I slowly walk down the stairs and I start hearing voices when I'm halfway down. I recognise Sammy, Scott, James, Emily and Kane talking in the lounge. My steps halt and I turn and start walking back up the stairs, I walk into the first door on my right to hide and I find myself in a bathroom. I sit down on the toilet lid and sigh. I know that they're only here because they care but seeing anybody right now is so hard, I look like hell and it's terribly embarrassing.

If they all know after only one night of my secret coming out it's only a matter of time till this new information hits the Hunterville Gossip Line and everyone knows. That is if they don't already know. I'm deep in thought when the door opens abruptly.

"Shit." Scott says in shock.

"You scared me." He says and laughs a little.

"Do you mind? I need to pee." He says.

"Sorry." I mumble and leave the bathroom.

"Wait out there." He says.

"Okay." I say.

Scott was quick and when he comes out we walk to the spare room where I'm currently staying. He opens up the curtains and lets a little life into the room, the sun is beaming so big and so bright today. It truly is a beautiful day. He sits on the armchair and I sit at the end of the bed and it's silent for a while.

"How do you feel?" He asks.

"Spectacular." I say sarcastically.

"I'm sorry." He starts.

"You don't-" I begin.

"No, none of that shit. We're all fucking idiots for not putting the pieces together and I'm so sorry. We're all so sorry. All of the signs were there, we all just played it off as you still being upset about your Dad that we didn't piece the puzzle together. You never wanted to go home straight away, you hate being touched by anyone that is new to you, you're moody and keep to yourself, you always said that your Mum and David hated you, and you've always hated that Sammy and basically everyone else loved your Mum. If anyone of us had thought about it for a little longer than two minutes we would have cracked the code and realised what was really going on and I'm really, really sorry that I didn't realise this was going on." He says.

"Please don't blame yourself. I didn't make it very easy for anyone." I say.

There was more silence while I pondered on what Scott just said. I guess, he's right, anyone of my friends would have been capable of putting it all together but I'm also right I'm not an approachable person no matter how many years we've known each other. So asking me any questions or confronting me on their theories would have most likely ended badly for everyone.