Secret Diaries (Heartlake Cliche #1)

Chapter Nineteen

Err guys...Just a warning: This chapter contains scenes that aren't very child-friendly (if you understood the quote right below this note). But don't worry, I didn't make it too graphic (oh heck, don't mind me please). That's all.

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December 3, 2008

You do it when you’re ready; not when you’re heady.

 

     The moment Rachelle’s name was mentioned, eyes darted towards her. Running away had damned her in everyone’s minds. Liam Milton went after her immediately and everybody thought how unlucky he was for being connected with Heartlake’s most notorious teenager before he could even settle in his new home.

     Nick watched Rachelle’s retreating form for all of five seconds before he decided to follow his best friend. He made not more than three steps however, when Grace’s hand on his arm stopped him.

     “Don’t,” Grace warned him with a shake of her head.

     He looked at her accusingly as he blurted, “Why the hell not? Rachelle’s my best friend and she needs me right now!”

     “She might. I understand how you feel but didn’t you see the look on her face when she saw you?”

     Nick’s eyes widened, remembering Rachelle’s expression when she recognized him standing in front of her with concern marking his face.

     “I have to comfort her. I’m her best friend,” he muttered.

     “We all know that. But I think Rachelle needs some time to settle her emotions. I assume you know about it since it was clear in her eyes a while ago.” Nick felt Grace’s hand sliding away from his arm. “She most probably knows you’ll be there for her but if I knew her right, she’s the type who doesn’t want her loved ones to feel burdened by her. And she’s got lots of pride. You should know that.”

     “I guess.”

     “Besides, Liam had already chased her. I think one person is enough for her to handle right now,” Grace ended with an assuring squeeze on Nick’s shoulder.

     He didn’t feel assured at all. Nick wanted to be the one to tell her it’s alright, that they’ll find the person behind these incidents. Rachelle had Liam however. Right now, she had a boyfriend. And how he wished it was him.

*****

     I have to hide. Oh god, I feel so ashamed. I want to die. Kill me now please, Rachelle thought as she mindlessly wandered through the streets of Heartlake’s Leisure District. She heard her name being called several times but she didn’t want to look at anyone’s face so she kept half-walking, half-running away from the person trailing her.

      The footsteps sounded a lot faster and closer but before she could actually run away again, a hand had grabbed her arm.

     “Let’s go before you get yourself in more trouble,” Liam told her in an urgent yet concerned voice.

     “Please let me go, Liam. I want to be alone. I need to think,” Rachelle replied, struggling to get his hand off her arm.

     His grip tightened as he pulled her to the direction of St. James. “I can’t leave you here. Let’s go.”

     Rachelle fought back, refusing to go anywhere near the school.

     He turned to look at her with stern eyes. “If I have to carry you so we I can get you to safety, I will. So stop trying to leave off on your own.”