Bandit [Sequel to That One Girl]

chapter five: esme

"Esme isn't awake yet? It's nearly 3pm" Lilly says in shock as she's doing the dishes.

"Maybe shes tired from all that crying" I say, flicking through the channels on the screen. All night, we heard Esme's sobs through the hall. Lilly had tried to Lilly sighed in agreement and stopped what she's doing.

"It's all my fault she's all like that" Lilly bursts out after a few minutes of comforting silence. I get up and walk into the kitchen to see her leaning against the counter, shaking her head.

"I mean, if I hadn't had done all that fucking stupid stuff when I was sixteen, we could've been in a different place. She could've been in a different place. Out of all people that were involved, I didn't expect Esme to be the one beaten up and all bruised" She unfolds her arms and looks at me.

"What if I'm the reason for this whole mess?" I grab her hands and make her face me before she breaks into tears.

"No Lil. Don't blame yourself for other people's actions. Whatever happened to her isn't your fault. It's her own for doing stuff that would get her into that position. Please don't beat yourself up over this babe" I kiss her forehead and she returns it with a weak smile.

"Hey lovebirds" We both turn to see Esme in a black hoodie and camo trousers. Her black hair was out of its ponytail and was free. But the bruises still remained.

"How did you sleep?" Lilly asks, letting go of my hands and walking up to Esme.

"Fine. Don't worry. Ive just been a bit rocky on my feet" She gives Lilly a weak smile before walking back into the kitchen.

"What's up scientist?" She looks at me with sarcasm as she laughs at my failing career. I roll my eyes and walk out of the kitchen, leaving her and Lilly to be.

I go into the family room and grab my laptop. I login and open the tab I had open before Lilly interrupted me. A smile tugged my face as I stared at the screen.

I really want to tell Lilly whatever that is on my laptop but I can't because I know it will drive her to the point where she'll run back to him. Such an ugly character he is.

Minutes later, the voices from the kitchen started to grow louder and louder.

"Esme wait!" I hear Lilly shout and I close and hide my laptop before they both came into the room, shouting.

"What the fuck do you want?" Esme said through her teeth, looking at Lilly in annoyance.

"You can't leave. We'll hide you. We'll make sure you don't get found"

"You can try but can you?" She grabs her backpack that was on the sofa. Before she could even take a step, Lilly grabs her arm.

"Lilly let go!" She shouts, trying to release herself away from her grip.

"I won't because you helped me through high school all those years ago. I want to do the same for you" Lilly shouts back.

Gaining strength, Esme pushes Lilly off her arm and she puts her shoes on. I wasn't sure what they were arguing about but it looked that intense that I dismissed myself from this situation.

"I know you're helping me but I don't wanna put you through the same shit I'm going through right now, Lilly." Esme says before letting herself out of the house.

Lilly sits on the sofa and rubs her temples in frustration.

"Lilly, what's going on between you and Esme?" I says, moving next to her and wrapping my arm around her.

"She's running away from them, Yousef" She rests her head on my shoulder and I kiss her forehead. "Again. Like I don't get why we can't just hide her here an-"

"Running away from who, love?"

"The Drug Circuit"

~