Damaged

Six

6

"This is your car?" I exclaimed in disbelief when Daniel led me by the hand towards a shiny navy-blue Audi. Even in the dark, I could see my slightly dishevelled reflection in the paint.

"Yeah, guilt gift from my mum when she walked out on my dad last year," he explained, his voice slightly bitter.

We got in his luxurious car and I said, "Where are we going, Dan?"

He smiled. "You'll see." With that, he reversed away from the party and we sped off into the night. After driving for roughly twenty minutes, Daniel pulled over, killed the engine, and got out.

Following him, I asked, "Where are we?" I wasn't scared, I just didn't like not knowing what was going on.

"I'm taking you to one of my favourite places in the city. Be patient, Lettie."

I narrowed my eyes at him even though I knew he couldn't see me. "Scarlett," I corrected him.

"Right. Sorry."

The rest of the trip was made in silence, the only acknowledgement of each other's existence being when I'd slipped on a patch of moss and Daniel had grabbed my hand. He hadn't let go of it, guiding me silently through the dark.

"Here we are, just through here," he finally announced, coming to a stop outside an old building marked for demolition.

"Uh, Yo-Yo, this place is being knocked down."

"Oh really? I hadn't noticed," he replied sarcastically. With his hand still holding mine, he dragged me around the side of the building, which appeared to be an old block of flats, and ducked inside through a large hole.

We made our way up several flights of concrete stairs and emerged on the roof. The cool night air made me shiver since my leather jacket was back at the party somewhere, but the view of the stars was more than worth it. The sky was so clear, I marvelled at it for a long moment. "It's beautiful . . ." I whispered.

"It's about the only place in the city where you can actually see the sky," Daniel replied, making me jump when I realised that he was right beside me.

We sat on the edge of the roof, our feet dangling off into the air, just staring up at the stars. We had no idea what time it was and as I slowly became soberer, I grew increasingly aware of the fact that I was alone at night with a guy I barely knew. But that didn't really matter. I was enjoying being here with Daniel. I didn't feel any pressure to smile, or laugh, or be okay. It was enough to simply be here together, looking up at the night sky and feeling the cold against our skin. It was enough to be alive together.

"I get it, you know."

I looked over at Daniel, who was staring off into the distance. "Get what?"

"How you're feeling. You aren't the only one who thinks life's not fair and people are shit."

I just nodded as the realisation gently came over me that Daniel's bubbly, lively attitude may have been much the same as my devil may care one. We put up walls and painted them pretty colours, but a kindred spirit could always find a window to look through. So far, Daniel was the only one who had really seen me. It felt strange but also strangely welcome.

I shifted to lie on my back on the roof. As Daniel did the same beside me, he whispered, "I'm sorry for whatever it is that makes you angry, Scarlett."

Dozing off into sleep, I whispered back, "Call me Lettie, Dan. All my friends do."

!#!

I woke up with sharp pains in my neck and lower back. "Fuck . . ." I mumbled, rubbing my stiff and sore muscles as I sat up. The morning light made my eyes sting and as I looked around sluggishly, I realised I'd fallen asleep on the roof with Daniel last night.

But Daniel was nowhere in sight. With a sigh, I stood up, still trying to stretch the shitty night's sleep out of my body, and made my way through the building to the ground. Halfway down, I met Daniel, arms laden with fast food bags. Inhaling the heavy scent, I groaned. "If some of that is for me, you're my new best friend," I told him.

He grinned and passed me one of the bags. "Come on," he said, "eat it on the way. We have to get your bike and get to school."

"I need to change," I told him. "I don't want to spend the day smelling like cigarette smoke, beer, and plaster."

With a laugh, Dan agreed that it was probably a good idea for me to go home first. He drove me in his gorgeous Audi to Aaron's 'friend's' house, where I picked up my poor bike and headed 'home'.

I froze on the way, my arms still bare because I hadn't ventured inside the trash heap of a house to find my jacket, not wanting to accidentally step in a puddle of vomit or piss. I'd done that before, not an experience I was desperate to repeat.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally peeled my frozen self off my bike and walked inside my house, shivering. I changed into another pair of dark skinny jeans, tank top, and an oversized black jumper that I was pretty sure I flogged off Aaron. Pulling my boots back on, I sprayed some deodorant over myself since I didn't have time to shower, and tied my hair up in a ponytail.

I left my room and was almost through the lounge when I felt a big hand grip my forearm harshly. I winced at the pain as my heart leapt into my throat and started beating twice as fast. My breathing picked up as I was forced around to face my father. He didn't look at all pleased.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to calm down, but it was useless. I was fucking terrified of this man and he was about to remind me why.