Free.

Chapter 2

It, the house, didn't exactly have the best 'reputation'. There were rumors, and lots of them. I was sick of rumors. Ever since I could remember, rumors surrounded me like a ring of fire. Except I didn't get burned. Not once.

She's so weird. She's such a slut. What's wrong with that child?!

I'd heard them all and the truth is, I didn't care. I never got hurt. I just preferred to keep myself to myself and carried on with life. What was the point in friends, anyway? There will come a time when your friends, the one that you thought would always stand by your side, will leave you and pretend like you never existed.

I slammed my laptop shut.

Why. Do. I. Think. So. Much

I need to stop.

I need to stop thinking and replaying every smack, every tear, every disappointment in my life. It's useless. Then again, I'm useless.

I got up and made myself some tea. I couldn't help but wander off to the softening screams and screeches of the kettle. I couldn't help picture myself in my house, doing whatever I want, having giggly conversations with actual friends. The overgrown grass surrounding the staggering white-and-black country house is a beautiful mess. It sways with the bitter wind, tangling itself into a work of art. The air is crisp and fresh. I take a step. Crunch. The ground beneath me gives way as my bare feet trample on the brittle strands of greenery.

"Erikaaaaaa!"

The distant shout snapped me out of my daydreams. I rolled my eyes. What does that old cow want now?

"I need you to get me some pimple cream," came Julie's voice, echoing through the hallway that separates us.

I was so sick of being forced to do her dirty work. I didn't want to go down to the shop. I didn't want to do her any favors. I didn't want to be her pathetic little slave anymore. The sudden anger rushed up my body and fired through my veins. I wasn't going to take this anymore. I was going to defend myself for once in my life.

I tiptoed down the hallway, avoiding the squeaky floorboards that I had so perfectly mapped out in my head. I knew Julie was going to be sitting on her usual spot on the white leather sofa in the snug, all curled up with her pink fluffy blanket watching some stupid reality show. I opened the oak door, being careful not to knock anything over. I crept across the floor, my bare feet prickled with the cold of the stone flooring. I positioned myself right behind Julie.

"What about no," I whispered slyly into her ear, causing her to jump over to the other side of the sofa.

She was scared stiff. I couldn't help but smirk.

When she turned around, her grey, lifeless eyes locked into my blue eyes, her anger showed through the bright red blotches on her skin. She looked like she could've killed me. She almost did.

Predictably, she charged at me and swung a punch with her left arm, the sheer impact throwing me to the ground, causing my head to hit the corner of the hard, wooden cabinet.

Julie began to spin. Everything went out of focus. And then, darkness.