Between the Pages

fifteen

Playlist - no hero in her sky by okayobrien

(A)

"That little -"

"Shįt," I finish for Zayn. That did not just happen. Zayn and I were almost to my house, the whole ride silent. I'm sure we were both in shock from being publicly humiliated by Harry Styles. I think back to the night of the bonfire, and what I told Harry in his car. "You? I'd ruin a boy like you, Harry" At least there's one thing I've told him that wasn't a lie. It was my fault that Harry was acting like this. If I had just left him alone he would be fine. This is what I do best anyways, I ruin everything good. I don't bother saying bye to Zayn when we get to my house, I just go straight inside. There's a feeling in the pit of my stomach that I just can't place. All I can do is sit on my bed and replay everything that's happened since I moved to Holmes Chapel. How could I possibly mess up so quickly? Harry was such a genuine person, completely incapable of even thinking about intentionally hurting someone. But I'd hurt him, and I knew first hand that pain changes you. I could only hope he would forget about this and move on. That he wouldn't let bitterness steal away his sweetness. I would just stay away from him like I'd originally planned to. Maybe he'll find some good people to surround himself with now that he's known a bit more around school. Anyone but that redheaded skan-

My thoughts are cut off by my phone ringing. "Hello?"

"Andrea darling, did you miss me?" My phone slips from my hand but, I catch it before hits the floor. This wasn't happening. Not again.

"I told you not to call me again," My voice cracks and I know it won't go unnoticed by him.

"You don't get to tell me what to do Andrea. Now we both know why I'm calling. I want to know where you ran off too,"

"And I want a couple million dollars and for you to go the fųck away but neither of those are happening anytime soon,"

"You don't get to just leave. That's not how this works and you fųcking know it," I try taking deep breaths to calm down but it's useless.

"I'm not coming back. I told you that I'm done. Find another pretty girl to do your dirty work Cody,"

"I'm going to find you Andrea. Remember that if you start getting too comfortable playing good girl," I hear a click and then nothing other than my heavy breathing. Cody wasn't going to stop. His words spoken in his same condescending tone replay in my mind. He can't find me. I can't go back. My throat feels tight and my eyes burn waiting for relief from tears that won't come. The fear is overwhelming, I can't think clearly. He's coming after me. He already tracked down my phone number, who knows how long I have until it's my address; Until he's knocking on my door, same sly smile and cold gray eyes. The same thought runs through my head until something clicks, he tracked down my phone. I grab my phone from my bed and throw it against my wall with as much force I can muster. The device shatters becoming a pile of glass and metal. My hands run through my hair again and again, as if I could pull the answer out. I tried running, I was hiding, but neither seemed to be working. My past is supposed to be exactly that, past. Not present, not determining my future, not causing each shaky breath I take. I make myself walk downstairs to the land-line in our kitchen. Each ring makes me grow anxious. I need her to answer.

"Hello?" I curse upon hearing the slur of her words. It's no use talking to her when she's been drinking. I hang up ignoring her repeated greeting. I guess history really does repeat itself.

Every close call, chilling touch, angry scream, blatant lie, flashes through my mind. My own personal nightmare. His threatening words get louder and louder, echoing off the walls of my room and the only coherent thought I put together is that I have to get out of here. And so I get in my car and drive, ignoring every promise I made to myself before that phone call.