Chim - Heart On My Sleeve

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 [/b]

“We need to talk” I jumped as I heard Kimberley's voice from behind me. We were all waiting at the airport for Sarah to arrive back in the country. Things were tense but when she had called to say that she had been attacked by the twat she was seeing, Nicola had convinced us to put our differences aside and face each other. I'd sneaked off to the toilets to avoid the awkward silence but apparently, that wasn't in Kimberley's plan. I turned to look at her and nodded,

“Ok” I simply replied. She shook her head,

“Writing songs and sending flowers won't change anything Cheryl” she mumbled. I sighed,

“I know. I know it won't change the past. I'm just trying to show you how sorry I am. And how much you still mean to me” she chuckled sarcastically,

“Don't try and convince me that I actually mean something to you. You more than shattered that delusion of mine!” I shook my head defiantly,

“Kimberley, if you never believe anything I say ever again, please believe this...I never stopped caring! You're my best friend”

“Not anymore I'm not” although I knew she was angry, the venom in her voice shocked me and I could feel the tears threatening to fall,

“I know I fucked up...please Kimba. All I want is one more chance to show you how much I love you” I looked her in the eye, hoping that she would at least consider it,

“I don't think I can. I want to. I just can't”

“You can! I swear I will never hurt you again! Just give me one chance. We can take it as slow as you like”

“What's the point? I'm never gonna be able to trust you again! It was one thing for you to leave me but for him? Like that? Did you really have to let me find out like that?” I cringed as the memory hit me.

“Babe I'm just gonna nip to the shop...Do you want anything?” Kimberley shouted up the stairs. I thought for a second before shaking my head, then realising she couldn't see me,

“No thanks” I shouted back, continuing to brush through my hair. I fell back onto the bed as I heard the door slam. What was I doing. Leading a double life was tiring to say the least! It wasn't me. I couldn't even tell you why I went back there. I had an amazing relationship with Kimberley. She'd looked after me for months whilst I was recovering from Malaria. Anything I needed, she got for me. She tried her best to keep my self esteem up, even when I felt like the elephant man. She took time out of her work to look after me and how do I repay her? Like this. Sneaking off for secret liaison’s. Carrying two phone's all of the time, one that she doesn't know about. Inventing work functions and family visits. All for a quick *Duck* with the man that made my life a living hell for so long. I felt like sh!t. It had to stop now! I sat up quickly as I heard the door slam again. She'd only been gone 2 minutes so I'm assuming she must have forgotten something. I heard her thudding up the stairs. Turning to the door I plastered a grin on my face,

“What did you...” I started to speak but was cut off as she flung the door open and slapped me hard around the face. I pulled my hand up to my cheek and gulped...this couldn't be good. She backed away and dropped a newspaper onto the bed. Realising exactly what was going on, I refused to look down at it. This seemed to infuriate her more,

“Go on...look at it. *Ducking* look!” She shouted, the hurt and anger clear in her voice. I glanced down and gasped. No wonder she was fuming. I deserved the slap, “Kimba I...”

“Don't *Ducking* Kimba me! Look at it! Didn't you think to tell me?” I looked down again, picking the paper up and folding it in half, hiding the horrific photo. I was lost for words. For the first time in my life, I had no idea what to say. I just stared at the floor, pleading with it to open up and swallow me. I looked up just in time to see another newspaper heading my way. Dodging it, I watched as it hit the wall and fell to the floor,