Running ✔️ [UNEDITED]

Chapter 20: Party gone wrong

AN: Here's Chapter 20. Enjoy people. Couple of people hating on Xander 😂

Lila's POV:

The party had just got started and I was ready to leave.

Bella had been whisked away by one of her friends, leaving me all alone in this massive house. She'd failed to mention that this was a party of the people of St Benwood Academy. Since I will be starting in the new year in September, I didn't actually know anyone.

After politely declining many offers on drinks, I decided to go outside and admire the scenery and get away from the house full of sweaty drunk people.

However, my peace was interrupted when a boy walked up to me. He was sober and had short brown hair and grey eyes.

"Hi, I'm Larry," he smiled at me and I returned the gesture, "Lila, right?"

I was instantly on guard, "How do you know my name?"

"Oh, I've seen you around school and stuff," he said vaguely.

Wow, I thought, he mustn't have done his research.

"Do you-uh- want to take a walk with me?" He asked with fake nervousness.

I smiled sweetly, "Sure," I don't want any witnesses.

'Larry' lead me down a dark alleyway. As we talked, I got to know that he was a nice person. Too bad I may have to kill him.

"Okay, I have a confession," Larry said, stopping at a dead end, "my name's not Larry and I didn't know you from school. I've been sent by Mr. X to kill you," he looked at me apologetically, "sorry about this."

I smiled coldly, "and I have a confession to make. I already know." And with that, I punched him in the gut.

He stumbled, winded, but I wasn't done. I roundhouse kicked him in the side. Protect the face, Solomon's voice said in my mind.

Unfortunately, 'Larry-not-Larry' recovered quicker than I expected. He kicked and punched me before slamming my head into the wall. Black spots danced in my vision and I was momentarily blinded. I stumbled to the floor.

"Goodbye, Lila," Larry appeared above me with a gun, "I am truly sorry to have to do this."

However, I had one last trick up my sleeve. I swept my legs onto his, making him come crashing to the floor. I shakily stood and did a hard stamp onto his stomach and nose, hearing a satisfying crunch. I grabbed his hair and slammed his head on the concrete. I checked his pulse and found a weak one; I took out my phone and called some people I knew to come and pick Larry up and to question him.

I limped back towards the party and was glad that I didn't run into anyone.

I navigated my way through the large groups of people, trying to find Bella. We had to get out of here- I don't know who else would try to kill us. Fortunately, I found her in the kitchen, surrounded by her friends.

"Bells, we have to go," I said, dragging her away.

"Thanks God," judging by her breath, I knew she didn't drink, "my 'friends' were trying to get me to commit underage drinking."

"I have something to tell you tomorrow but, for now, let's just go home."

We walked home in silence, I was gripping her arm tightly, my eyes darting at every corner.

At long last, we reached the house; I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hey, Cherry, can I stay the night?" Bella asked, "I don't feel safe walking home at this time."

"Sure," I made my way around the house, stopping under my bedroom window, "you can borrow my clothes. Come on, we'll have to climb the wall, I don't want to run into my brothers."

The two of us had a lot of experience climbing walls without pipes- sometimes, we'd stay out too late and the Orphanage door would be locked.

With little difficulty, we managed to open the window and tumble inside. I lay on the floor, panting and groaning- my fresh bruises were causing me some trouble.

Bella switched on the lights and gasped when she saw my face.

"Yeah, I had a little fight," I chuckled.

Bella sighed and tutted about how one day I was going to get myself killed. She got the first aid kit and carefully put ointment on my bruises.

"I want an explanation tomorrow," Bella said seriously.

"Yes, ma'am," I teased, dragging out a blanket and pillows and lay on the floor and then I was out like a light.

I'm never going to a party again.

The next day:

I got up at around 6am and saw that Bella was already awake.

"Good Morning!" She chirped, "I gave your brothers a bit of a fright when I went downstairs. Come on, everyone is waiting and there's pancakes."

Jeez, did she really have to be so cheery this early in the morning?

I quickly did my morning routine and went downstairs. Drake was cooking and the others were sat around the table, even Xander. I resisted the urge to slap him.

I grabbed a plate and purposely sat as far as away from Xander.

"So," Bella grinned, "Cherry, that guy you were talking to last night was pretty cute."

"What guy?" Alessandro said sharply and all my brothers heads snapped up.

I cut my pancakes, "He was an assassin trying to kill me."

Bella blinked, "Still cute."

I rolled my eyes, "stop trying to set me up, it won't work."

"What guy?" Alessandro repeated and my brothers looked ready to murder someone.

"Chill," I said, pouring a gallon of syrup on my pancakes, "I dealt with him." And then I described the events of last night- leaving out the 'Mr. X' part.

Alessandro scowled, "we will make sure 'Larry' pays. Now-"

The doorbell rang and Xander shot up to answer it. I heard a familiar boys voice and a feeling of dread settled in my stomach.

A boy entered the room. His brown eyes locked with mine and I gasped, my eyes filling with tears. Next to me, Bella stiffened.

"Lila?" He whispered.

End of chapter 20.

Cliffhanger!

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What do you think will happen next?

Thanks for reading!