strangers

chapter four

I woke up early the next morning, 6am to be exact. Feeling sore everywhere and run down. There was a slight chill in my room. I shivered. I turned around to seen the window was left open. I was trying to remember when I opened it when last night's events came back to me. Ethan must have climb out that way.A few tears fell but I decided to think no more of it. I looked down at myself. Mud and God knows what else was covering me and the strangers hoodie I was wearing. I got out of bed and crept to the bathroom, trying not to wake up mother. I slipped into the bathroom and switched on the shower. I took a glance in the mirror and was horrified. There staring back at me was bright red puffy eyes, a bruised up and cut cheek and forehead and a bird's nest for hair. I looked like shit. I sighed and peeled off my clothes, putting them the laundry basket and climbed in the shower.

Pools of dark water circled the drain as I washed my hair, even a few leaves. After I washed I sat down in the tub and just stayed there, with the water raining down. It relaxed me for a while.

I was disturbed by a knock on the door

"Anna, hurry up, you've been in there almost an hour" my mother shouted from outside the bathroom

"Okay" I answered weakly. I got up and threw a towel around myself . Then exited the bathroom avoiding seeing my mother.
I entered my room and threw on a plaid shirt and black jeans, I quickly applied some make up trying to cover the bruises and cuts but I had no luck. I brushed through my hair before running to the bathroom to get the hoodie. I rushed down the stairs, put on my black boots and was out the front door into the morning air before I could say goodbye to mum.

I hurriedly walked to school. Without looking up to make eye contact with anyone. At this moment in time, people terrified me. I rushed through the front doors. It was only 8 hardly anyone would be here. I slowed my pace as I walked to my locker. The few people in the hall were eye me up, probably assuming I got into a fight due to my fucked up face. I didn't like being watched. I got to my locker finally, feeling paranoid. I collected my things for the weekend, because it was friday. When I felt a tap on my shoulder

I turned round slowly to see Ethan's sad blue eyes staring down at me. He looked concerned and maybe even a bit scared.
No words were exchanged, I just handed him the jumper and nodded my thanks. As I turned around to my locker, I felt his hand cup my cheek, and he turned me to face him. His hands were warm and soft and his touch sent electricity through my body. The pad of his thumb traced the cut on my cheek and he.gave me an apologetic look. A tear escaped in eye as I realized he was the only one who knew what happened, he knew how vulnerable I had been. He knew I was weak.

He watched as the tear rolled down my cheek and ran onto his thumb. He pulled me into a surprise hug and help me tight. He smelt of cologne and peppermint. I could stay here forever in the arms of my savour. But considering we were the main attracting in the hallway I decided against it. I pulled away on for him to hold me tighter.

"I'm so sorry Anna" he croaked breaking the silence.

"It all my fucking fault" I hissed, suddenly changing mood.

"It's...n.not your fault" I blabbered. Pulling out of his hug and stared up at him

"You don't understand"he sighed and with that he turned and his heels and walked down the hall. Leaving me alone, speechless and with at least 30 pairs of eyes on me.

I closed my locker and left school instantly. I just needed to go home and not leave my room for a while, too many things have happed and its wearing me out.