Blair O'Connor was the life of every party-popular, fearless, and always the center of attention. But behind the perfect image was an abusive boyfriend who slowly stripped away the girl she used to be.
After finally breaking free, Blair transfers...
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20th DECEMBER 2000.
As we lay in bed, Connor and I had Home Alone playing in the background, but our attention was more on each other than the movie. We were sharing a packet of black jacks and cheese & onion crisps, taking turns reaching for snacks while we talked, laughing at random parts of the movie.
The day had been hectic. We'd spent hours running around town, picking up last-minute bits for Christmas. The streets were buzzing with holiday shoppers, all with the same idea. It was hard to believe Christmas was just five days away. Now, back in the comfort of my room, it felt like all the stress had melted away. The familiar scent of cinnamon and pine from the candles I'd lit filled the air, soft and comforting as the night deepened.
"Can you believe we forgot to buy wrapping paper?" I said with a laugh, resting my head on his chest. His heartbeat was steady and calming beneath me.
Connor chuckled, gently threading his fingers through my hair, making me feel even more at ease. "Yeah, we're the worst at being organized. But honestly, it wouldn't be Christmas without a little chaos."
I smiled, looking up at him. The glow from the candles flickered, casting shadows across the room, making everything feel more intimate. Outside, the wind howled softly, occasionally rattling the window.
"You're right. But I swear, next year, we'll get everything done earlier." I teased, knowing full well we'd probably end up in the same situation.
He grinned down at me, his blue eyes soft in the dim light. "Sure we will," he said sarcastically, pulling me closer. "But at least we have snacks and Home Alone to keep us going."
We fell into a comfortable silence, just enjoying the moment, the flicker of the TV lighting up the room as Kevin set up his traps. The world outside could wait. For now, it was just us—wrapped in warmth, tangled up in each other, sharing snacks and stories as the night drifted on.
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Connor had gone home around 7 last night. He still wasn't allowed to stay over yet, and while Aunt Trish somewhat liked him, Uncle Tony had made it clear he couldn't stand him. It was always a bit tense when Connor came around. My uncle's glares could freeze a room, but I didn't let it get to me too much. We made the most of the time we had, even if it meant parting ways earlier than we'd like.
After Connor left, Eloise had swooped in to save the night. She lived just four doors down, so it was nothing for her to come over and crash at mine. We always joked that we practically lived together anyway, always going back and forth between our houses.
As usual, Eloise didn't waste any time making her presence known.
"Get your arse up!" she yelled, launching herself onto my bed like a cannonball.
