CHAPTER 9

I felt someone's arm around me lifting me up from the floor. A few second later I was put down onto something soft - probably a bed. I felt as the cover is being put over my body covering me from the cold air. A hand brushed my hair off of my face and then soft lips touched my forehead. I knew it was Chase. A part of me wanted to open my eyes and just hold onto him but the other part of me just wanted him to go away.

"I'm sorry." He whispered

I could feel my heart tightens as he said this.

I heard his footsteps walking towards the bedroom door as the door opened and closed as he left the room.

Just as soon as he left, tears started to fall down. I curled myself into a ball. Shit. Why the hell do I have to feel like crap?


* * * * *

It was half past seven when I woke up this morning and now I'm looking at myself in the mirror. My eyes were swollen because of all the crying that I have done last night. The mark was still visible on my cheek and my hairs were disheveled. I groaned looking at my reflection. I got into the shower.

I let the hot water run down my body hoping that it will help me relax. I've been crying the entire night. I just couldn't help it. I felt betrayed. I couldn't believe that he would do that. Stop it Ari! He was just doing his job. I sighed. I scrubbed my body with my body wash and rinsed it. Once I was done with everything I need to do, I got out of the shower and dried myself off. I walked to the walk in closet naked. I don't care anymore. I put on a ¾ jean and my brother's jersey. I tied my hair into a ponytail. I put on the face powder just enough to cover up the mark. I put on my black converse. When I was ready I got out of the room and went to the stairs.

I stopped when I passed Darren's room. I took a step back and stand in front of Darren's bedroom door. I took a deep breath and slowly opened the door. Everything seemed normal. I walked over to the bookshelves and pushed it. I tried to access the secret door, but it wouldn't work anymore. They have destroyed it.

I step away from the door and just walk backwards to the door. I left the room and went downstairs.

When I walked to school I saw a black SUV. I narrowed my eyes at them and, cursing because I know that it's one of Dad's agents. Sheesh now I have my own babysitter. I just continue on walking until I reached the school ground.

I stopped when I saw Chase. He was talking with his friends happily as if nothing just happened. Again the feeling of being betrayed and used washed over me. As if he knew that I was staring at him, he turned his head to meet my gaze. His face falter. I looked away. I don't want to look into his eyes again.

I rushed inside the school and bumped into someone on my way up the steps. I fell on my butt. I looked up to see that it was Jennifer grinning down on me. I rolled my eyes. I don't need this right now.

Someone helped me up but I instantly jerked my arms away from him when I saw that it was Chase.

"Ari..." he started.

"Hey Jennifer. How are you?" I pretended like I hadn't heard him.

Jennifer just kept looking at me suspiciously.

"Hey Ari can you help me with something?" Dee said from behind me.

"Yeah sure." Thank goodness she came.

We walked inside the building together and walk to our homeroom class.

"Thanks" I muttered.

"No problem." She smiled at me. "You're not gonna tell us anything are you?"

Crap.

"I'm sorry Dee. It's just...." What? Dangerous? I cannot tell her that.

Emi came just in time.

"Hey Ari. Hey Dee." Emi said as she sat in front of me.

"Hey Emi." Me and Dee said together.

"How you feeling?" Emi asked.

Damn I just can't get past them both.

"Good."

Emi looked at me with her right eyebrow raised and Dee just stared at me.

"No." I finally sigh.

"Ari, we've been best friends since like ever. You know you can tell us anything." Emi's voice was so sincere and caring.

I just looked down on my lap.

"Ari if... Chase did something to you...." Dee started.

I snapped my head back up at her.

"...we will make him pay for whatever what he did to you..." she continued.

"I've already told you what he did." I said.

"Yeah, but there's something more that you're not telling us isn't there?" Emi said.

"Look I can't tell you guys about it right now." Not now when everything just seem to be complicated.

"Fine....we'll wait till you're ready." Emi said.

"Thanks guys." I half smiled.