•°•Our Number 4•°•

•3•

My thoughts were silenced as the knocking continued. I looked up and I was face to face with a young woman.

She had big curly hair that looked black in the dim lighting. Her sparkly chocolate eyes were filled with concern. I eventually rolled down the window not knowing that this woman would be one of the main reasons I am where I am today.

"Wow." She said after I told her how I ended up there in my car. She had kindly driven me back to her house and let me use her shower so I could change.

"He sounds horrible. Why didn't you leave him sooner?"

"It wasn't that easy. At first I thought I was in love, but then he became so manipulative and controlling. Constantly wanting to know where I am, what I'm doing and who I'm with. But it got worse when he started being physical. I felt trapped."

"I can't even imagine how that must have made you feel." She said and I just smiled at her thankfully and she smiled back.

When I think back, if I was in the right state of mind, I wouldn't have let a random woman drive me in my car back to her house.

Maliah was so unbelievably nice to me though. She helped me get back on my feet and find confidence in myself again.

It had been a month and I needed to get my life back on track. I needed to move and get a job.

"What you doing?" Maliah asked curiously.

"Looking for cheap apartments in liverpool."

"Liverpool, huh? Why there?"

"I dont really know. I just need a fresh start."

"Maybe I can help."

I looked at her confused but intrigued. She dragged me to her car and within an hour or so, we were driving on the streets of Fairfield, Liverpool.

We pulled up to a small but cosy looking house. I was very confused. I looked at Maliah.

"This is my grandpa's old house. He left it for me before he passed. I have no use for it since my life is back in Manchester, so it's just been here."

I was still confused.

"I want you to have it!"

"What? No, I couldn't!" Your grandpa left it for you. Not some sad stranger."

"My grandad was a good man, and I know he would have want me to give it to someone who needed it more."

I continued to deny, but after a while I gave in and she handed me the keys. We walked in and the first thing I noticed was the dated furniture, though it was very charming. It had two bathrooms and 3 bedrooms which was more than enough. I looked around speechless.

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me, you need this."

We hugged for what felt like an eternity then headed home. Now that I had the house sorted, all I needed was a job. I looked for jobs in Liverpool online.

"Oh, Liverpool FC are looking for for psychologists to mentor their players."

"Oh my gosh! Didn't you say you have a degree in psychology. You should apply!"

I slightly doubted myself. How could someone like me work for such a high profile team like Liverpool. I have hardly any experience. The only proper job I had in psychology was a mentor at my local secondary school. Despite all this, I applied and sent in my resume.

They were looking for five people to take the places, and if you got it, you would receive an email within two weeks. In the meantime, I got ready to move to my new place in Liverpool.

The moving day had finally arrived. All of my belongings were packed up. Considering all I had was my go bag and a few more clothes I had bought whilst staying with Maliah, it wasn't that much.

I put my stuff in the car and went back up to the house where Maliah was standing. I hugged her and we stood there for ages. We let go and she smiled at me.

"I'm gonna miss you." She smiled

"I feel so bad for leaving you. You helped me get back on my feet and now I'm leaving you to go and live in your other house. I'm such a sponge!"

We bothed laughed.

"Don't feel bad. You need to move for your safety."

"I don't know what I would've done without you."

We hugged again once more before I got in my car and drove off.

The days got darker earlier as it was nearing winter. I got to my new home at around eight PM. I was exhausted and went straight to bed. It was the first time in a long time I had felt content and safe. My eyelids became heavy and I slowly drifted off.