Escape | Updated Weekly

31

"This is such a bad idea" I said as me and Chloe pulled up outside Alice's house. It hadn't even hit me yesterday that her 'office' was actually just her home. I did a quick glance at her drive, Mac's car was nowhere to be seen. I knew it wouldn't be as Tom had already mentioned they had a 'band meeting', I just had to be sure. 

I knocked on the door and just a few seconds later Alice opened it. I didn't think I'd ever step foot in this house again, but here I was. She told us to go into the living room.

"I'll make this quick" Alice said as she said down opposite us. "I've already spoken to your professors and they've agreed" I raised my eyebrows "Yes. I went behind your back". I shook my head. "It's not that... If you needed the professor's permission then... why am I here?". Me and Chloe shared a glance between us. It was becoming clear that we may have been caught in a trap here. 

"It's not just the short stories book I want to do" she fiddled with her hands as she spoke. "I want to publish the one you showcased at your publisher's event". My mouth dropped open. I couldn't even function the words together for a sentence. 

Alice just continued  to stare at me, waiting for my response. "I don't even know what to say" I admitted. Another few seconds passed. "I can't". That was all I could manage to get out, Alice looked disapointed. "I know what it's about, or more who it's about, but it's great work. I don't think you should turn this down". Chloe reached over, touching my shoulder. "Eve, I think she's right". I turned to Chloe. How could she possibly think this was a good idea?

"Do you think Taylor Swift would be as big as she is now if she didn't write about her exes? She's a sensation and it's because she's written about what she knows" I rolled my eyes and pulled away from Chloe. "He wasn't my ex when I wrote that. It's different. It's too personal" I looked at Alice, my eyes pleading with her. "I know it's a lot" she sympathasised. "You've seen the books I've written. They're all about James' affair". 

What?

"They are?"  she nodded. "The only books I have ever written was about him. From start to finish. And you know what? They're best sellers". I was surprised that Mac had never told me that, or even that James had allowed her to publish them. "Just think about it before you make a decision". I agreed to do that, even though I was pretty sure what my answer would be. 

I couldn't wait to get out of there quick enough, as soon as I could I was off the sofa and heading straight for the door. I was relieved once we had gotten out of the house, like I could finally breath again. I closed my eyes as we headed to the car, needing time to think. I stumbled as I was walking, making me open my eyes again. I was faced with a scent I was all too familiar with. 

Mac had grabbed me by the arms, stopping me from completely falling over. He steadied me until I regained my balance, then he just stared at me. I was frozen in my place. This situation had gone from bad to worse in just a few minutes. 

"Hey" he said. He actually spoke to me. "Hi". He continued to just stand there and not say anything. I couldn't take the awkwardness anymore, so I just brushed past him and got my car as quickly as possible. It wasn't until I was actually behind the wheel that I saw Chloe talking to Mac. She didn't look like she was having a disagreement with him though. It looked like they were just... chatting? Normally, like friends would. 

I saw Chloe's eyes flicker from me in the car and then back at Mac, before she said he goodbye's and finally came to join me. "What was that about?" I asked. "Eve, He hurt you and he's a dick, but I still see him a lot because band rehearsal. I still have to be civil. She was right and I knew that I was being way over dramatic. I just didn't think \i would have to see him so soon. I watched him walk to the front door, a quick glance over his shoulder, and then it shut. 

I was dreading this show even more now.