One Plus One

Chapter Seventy

I wasn't in any mood for a party, but I owed it to Lily to go with her considering how good a friend she'd been to me over the past week. She'd kept my thoughts distracted from Harry and to be honest, I felt so much better. I felt like my own person again.

The place was bursting with teenagers. That didn't stop me from noticing one person in particular. He noticed me too, and he made his way over slowly. Choosing to stand in the corner was becoming a worse and worse idea.

"Hi, Marlie. Long time, no see." growled Jamie.

*****

I was searching hopelessly for nothing. All the while I could sense his eyes bearing down on me, his stare penetrating my skull. My hands fiddled around in my empty pockets hoping that perhaps I'd be able to pull out some excuse to get away.

"Well?" his harsh voice sounded. "Are you gonna come with me?"

I looked up and was faced with his torso, blocking any chance of an escape. I cleared my throat as I gained composure. That was when I spotted it. My bag. It was balanced on the arm of the sofa. Why hadn't I seen it before? It was exactly the excuse I needed.

"Yes, I'm coming. Wait outside while I get my bag and I'll be there in a minute."

He stared without moving, almost as if he knew my intentions.

"I'll be there in a minute, Jamie. I just need to get my bag."

I could see he was quite obviously unconvinced. His stare remained fixed on me until the very last moment when he turned out of the door and walked down the hall. I could still hear his footsteps so I calmly walked over to my bag and lifted it onto my shoulder. I then searched for the back door and began to push my way through the crowd of people in front of it. I seemed to be causing a disturbance in their drunken antics. If only they were aware of the fear that had built up inside me. Jamie had been after me all night and I'd tried unsuccessfully to get away. The more drink he poured down his throat the more aggressive he became with me, eventually ending in a threat that he'd never leave me alone if I didn't go back to his house. I needed to get away. I gripped hold of the door handle and took a deep breath before I began my break for freedom.

It didn't last long.

"Marlie!"

I didn't respond. Jamie's voice echoed through the empty street along with the sound of both of our running footsteps. He called out my name again, more harsh, and more commanding than before. It caused my breath to catch in my throat and tears formed in the corners of my eyes.

"Marlie! Stop now!"

I had no intention of stopping. Not unless I had to. My shoes were slowing me down so they were flicked off allowing me to pick up speed as I turned the corner. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted an alley. I slipped into it and hid in the darkness. Jamie's angry footsteps got closer and closer. Instincts told me to raise my hand to my mouth to stop a whimper fleeing. I heard him walk slowly past so I backed further into the darkness of the alley. It proved to be more of a hindrance. I yelped as I hit the hard, cold ground. Shooting pains raced up my spine after my backside hit the cobbles.

"Oh. There you are." he said as his head spun sharply in my direction. "Aww, did you hurt yourself, baby? Let me help you up."

His words were more intimidating than comforting.

"I'm ok, I don't need help."

"I said let me help you up."

He shoved me back towards the ground before bending down to help me stand back up. No sooner had I placed both my feet on the ground before he had me pinned against the wall.

"I like a chase." he whispered. Then he violently grabbed the wrist of my hand that I held up to push him away. "But don't you dare run away from me again. Do you hear me?"

I stared at his face. His jaw was tight and his brown eyes were almost black. When I said nothing in response to his question his grip tightened forcing a small yelp to leave my lips.

"Do you hear me?!"

"Yes!" I cried in desperation. "I won't run away. Please let me go."

The tears I had been holding in began to trickle down my cheeks. He let go of my wrist but his aggressive stare didn't break from my clouded eyes.

"Don't cry, baby. Just do as I say and no one has to get hurt."

I watched as his hand crept towards my face. He wiped away the tear that was falling. I flinched at the touch, a touch that would usually be comforting. Not from Jamie. He scared me. Not that it bothered him. He seemed to find enjoyment in it.

*****

Despite my reluctance, Jamie got me back to his. The look in his eyes told me he was not afraid to hurt me and I knew all too well that he would from previous experience. I sat on his sofa, completely tense and stared at the drink he had placed down in front of me.

"Are you going to drink that or just stare at it?" Jamie joked.

"I'd like to go home please."

"What?"

"I...I'd like to go home...please."

A smirk spread across his face as he scratched his chin.

"You're not going home. You're staying here."

I rose from the sofa.

"Please, Jamie."

"No!" his explosive shout forced me back into the chair. "You are not going home! Do you understand me?!"

I nodded as the tears crept back again.

"That's a good girl."

From behind the sofa he pulled out a pillow and a blanket and placed them on the arm. A smile crept across his face as he mouthed goodnight and he left the living room. He left me there shaking. I couldn't believe what had happened and I had never been so scared. There was no one to help me. I couldn't even help myself.

Jamie's living room overwhelmed me. I felt like a spec of dust. Pictures of him and Jasmine were pinned up on the walls, making me feel more alone. I could hear Jamie fumbling about upstairs, each noise he made making me flinch. I stayed up the entire night hoping that I would never hear Jamie's footsteps coming down the stairs. When I heard them in the morning every muscle in my body tensed up. Fight or flight kicked in. I wanted to run but the piercing stare I received from Jamie when he opened the door made me forget how to move.

"Ready to go home, baby?" he said, almost affectionately.

I nodded and rose from the sofa. Jamie remained in front of me leading the way to his car. He shut the door behind me and climbed into the drivers seat. I heard the door locks. My stare instantly turned to them. I was locked in. As we pulled up to my house his hand reached for my leg. I undid my belt before he could reach it and moved sideways. He looked annoyed but didn't proceed to do it again.

"See you tonight, Marlie. We've got a party to go to."

Knowing it was better to agree than to protest I nodded as he unlocked the door. I almost fell out of the door in my desperation to be as far away from him as possible. I clumsily searched for my keys which proved to be hard considering my trembling hands.

"Marlie, is that you?" Lily's voice came from the kitchen.

"Yes, Lily."

"Good night was it?" she joked, obviously thinking I'd been up to something.

"I'll never forget it."

I fled up the stairs and into my bedroom. The tears began to flood from my eyes as I collapsed onto my bed. I buried my head in the pillow in the hope of drowning out the memories. Instead, I merely cried myself into a dreamless sleep.