False Enemies

Chapter 1

There are times when you don't want to do something so much you'd rather chew off your right arm than do it. But in most of those cases, you have no other choice than to clench your teeth, brace yourself, and do it anyway.

I was exactly in that kind of situation.

I banged my head against the headboard, squeezing my eyes shut. If the taxi driver was worried about my well-being, he didn't show it. He's foregone all attempts to indulge me in a conversation after I'd told him I'd rather lose both feet than go home for the summer break. I guess I came out as frustrated and violent.

Though at that moment, I didn't really care.

The trees and houses passed by outside the window when I opened my eyes again. I hated those trees. I hated those houses. Not on a regular basis, of course, but right now, I couldn't hate them more.

I let out a sigh when we turned into the road I knew would take us straight to my home. The driver glanced over at me – presumably alarmed by the groan that tore out of my throat along with the sigh – but I ignored him. I didn't want to leave this car just as much as he wanted me gone. I was half-tempted to pay him to make another circle around the neighborhood. Hell, the entire town. Or would I be able to afford it if he circled the entire state? Connecticut wasn't that big. And my two-years-worth of earnings was worth of another day away from here.

I had my eyes closed when we pulled to a stop. I opened just one eye at first, peering beneath my lashes at what was outside. As soon as I caught a glimpse of the surroundings, my eyes closed again on their own accord. We were here.

"Ma'am?" The driver sounded nervous when he opened the door on my side. He was probably worried I would stay there and refuse to come out. "We're here."

"I know," I opened my eyes – this time for real – and unbuckled the seatbelt. Taking a deep breath, I slid out of the car, stepping past the driver. As soon as he saw I was out, he moved to the back to retrieve my baggage. He moved wickedly fast, unloading the bags and the suitcase. Just to keep myself busy, I joined him and took from him one duffel bag.

"Are you sure you'll manage to carry everything inside?" He asked. The question was just a sad necessity for him, though, since everyone with ears could hear the fear of me saying no in his voice.

I sighed. "Yeah," The tight smile I sent him was painful. "It's just a couple of feet."

Digging out my wallet, I passed him the money and said thank you. By the time I slid the wallet back into my backpack, he was already gone, driving off way faster than it was advisable in a children-friendly neighborhood. The screech of his tires could be heard even after he turned the corner.

Dropping my gaze, I eyed the stack of bags sitting sadly on the sidewalk next to me. I'd taken basically everything I owned from my dorm, not sure what I was going to need here. I was going to spend two months here, after all. A hella lot of time to survive without my makeup kit or the charger – both of which I could have easily forgotten had I not packed everything.

My gaze left the bags and unwillingly slid up to the house. Coffee-with-milk siding. Wrap-around porch. White picket fence. Everything looked just like it did when I'd left it a year ago.

Exactly the same. And yet so very different.

The phone in the back pocket of my jeans buzzed, causing my butt to vibrate. It was probably Hannah, wanting to know if I was already here. There was hardly anyone else who could be texting me. The sudden urge to take my phone, call her and beg for her to come and take me back overtook me. I nearly lost the battle. Had it not been for the front door that opened at the very moment, I might have even given in.