Tainted obligation

BLOODY MESS

It was a cold winters morning and Hale was standing outside waving goodbye to her mother, who was driving off in a taxi heading to the airport. Lana was heading to New York, she felt a little sad and depressed that she was leaving Hale alone for the weekend, but she was almost seventeen and it was only for two days. She knew that Hale could take care of herself she was strong and smart like her mother. Lana loved that her daughter was just like her, she was so proud and relieved that her daughter ended up being a normal teenager, and not disturbed and monstrous like her father Oliver. However Lana was oblivious to what Hale was becoming, Hale was more like her father than Lana ever knew.

Lana couldn't stop thinking about Hale, she had became very distant lately and Lana just couldn't figure out why? She tried to show Hale how much she loved and cared for her, but somehow it seemed more as if she was abandoning her. Being a mother was very difficult for Lana and she never knew what the right motherly thing to do was? But she tried her hardest and hoped for the best. Lana thought that she mustn't have been doing such a terrible job, since Hale has grown up quite well considering the circumstances. Lana was just minutes away from her live television interview on her new book "Maniac", when her assistant lightly tapped her on her shoulder. Lana was slightly annoyed, only being minutes away from live television and buzzing with nerves.

"What is it?" Lana whispered frustrated.

"Its the police" the assistant spoke quietly, "they are outside, they wish to speak to you."

Lana stood in shock, what would the police want with her, she was almost positive that she hadn't done anything illegal lately.

"What is the matter?" Lana voice spoke, crackling with fear of the unknown.

"They wouldn't say, just that it was urgent they speak to you Miss Winters." The nervous assistant spoke clicking her pen anxiously.

"Okay," Lana managed to say, "I'll be there in a minute."

Lana sighed as she approached the back door of the studio, catching a glimmer of her reflection in the mirror. She looked tired and exhausted. She made a promise that as soon as she arrived back at home she would take a couple days off work and spend some quality time with Hale. Perhaps go on a road trip or a mini holiday, her and her daughter both needed that desperately.

Hale decided to go to school in the off chance she would actually learn something. It was a cold miserable day, and Hale just wasn't in the mood for human interaction.

"Hey," a familiar voice spoke directly behind Hale.

Hale dropped her books in fright by the sudden voice behind her shoulders, "Oh, its you," hale sighed, relieved that is was just that boy Embury she had meet.

"Is that all I get?" He asked a little hurt by Hale's response.

"Umm... Sorry, you scared me a little," Hale spoke reaching down to collect her books, but Embury had the exact idea and they meet face to face, Hale could feel him breathing on her as he handed Hale her books.

"I didn't mean too, just wanted to say hello was all," He said giving Hale a friendly smile.

"Hello then," Hale said feeling a little awkward, and confused to why a guy was paying so much attention to her.

"You weren't at school yesterday?" Embury spoke concerned and worried.

"Didn't feel well," Hale quickly responded, looking around to see that all the girls around her were staring at her and gossiping.

"Hey, do you want to go out some time?" Embury asked nervously stuffing his hands in his pockets and kicking his feet around.

Hale was in shock, did a guy just ask her out? She was extremely surprised and flattered, but she hardly knew this guy and she wasn't emotionally stable for any type of relationship right now.