Where The Money Came From...

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I had been expecting this since I told him that they died but for some reason I wanted to tell him the truth. Not half the truth like I normally did. But I knew that I couldn't. Not only for my safety but for his as well.

"When I was 16 I was at home waiting for my parents to get home from shopping. My Mum called me to say they were on their way home and it was a 10 minute drive away from home. 3 hours later they still weren't home and I was getting really scared when the doorbell rang. I remember thinking that it was strange that they would ring the doorbell because they had keys and I was right. When I answered the door there were two police officers. They told me that me parents were driving back and when they tried to brake at the lights of the cross roads near my house the brakes hasn't worked. They were hit by a van that was speeding, the driver was drunk. My parents and the drunk driver died on impact." When I finished my story I looked at Nathan. I could see in his eyes a mixture of sadness and pity. 

"I'm sorry. No one deserves that."

"It's okay. I learnt to take care of myself. After the crash I moved in with my great aunt Susan who lived in Scotland. She was used to living on her own; so she didn't like me much. I managed to get a job as a waitress on week nights and on weekends I worked as a bartender. I managed to convince the owner that I was 18 when in truth when i started working there I was only 16 almost 17. I think she knew but she understood that I needed the money. I saved up everything I earned unless I needed to buy food until my 18th birthday. I moved out the day after. Aunt Susan died a few weeks after I moved out. I only know because I got the call from the nurse that checked up on her every few days since she had some eye and walking problems. I don't even know what they were since she would never even speak to me."

"So you've been on your own this whole time?" He looked upset.

"Well yeah, but like I said, I'm used to it now. And it's not like I'm completely alone, I mean I have friends." This version of my life story was sad, but it was the only one I would ever share. The real one was much more violent. As much as I liked Nathan I had only known him for a few days. That was nowhere near long enough to tell him what actually happened. It wasn't safe for him to know any information that could get him in trouble. It also wasn't fair for me to drag him into the without warning. 

"Like I said, you shouldn't have had to get used to it." 

"Well this depressing! Want to ask me another question or is it my turn?" I tried changing the subject.

"I guess it’s your turn." He still looked unhappy but I could tell he was letting the subject of my past go for my sake. I was thankful because I had already forgotten half of what I had told him even though it sounded like a good story when I said it.

"What is the stupidest thing you've ever done on a dare?" I asked, hoping that a fun question would cheer Nathan up.

"Oh now this is a good story! So I was 16 and convinced that I was in love with this girl called Thea from school-" He began until I interrupted.

"You were convinced? Why weren't you actually in love with her?" 

"I was 16. I was more in love with her, shall we say overly developed, chest than I actually was with her."

I burst into laughter and slapped Nathan on the arm as he grinned, "Well at least you're honest!"

"One of my best traits I've been told. Anyway, so I was with my friend Leo, who had a thing for Thea's best friend Maya. We were at this lake that was about 20 minutes  away from where we all lived. I tried to convince Leo that if he jumped of the waterfall naked it would impress Maya but he didn't believe me, instead he dared me to do it. So I thought hey why not? Only these lot will see! So I stripped off ran to the top of the waterfall thinking that there was no way in hell that this could go wrong, but just as I jump off the water fall as naked as the day I was born I see my grandmother and my mum pull up and get out of the car. It turned out that I had left my bag with my food and money at home so my mum came to bring it to me. Instead she dragged me out of the water and into the car. Didn't even stop to let me grab my clothes. All I could do was try and cover myself as best I could as I watched Thea filmed the whole thing on her phone. By the end of the week everyone at school had seen the video."

I stared at Nathan for a few seconds before I burst into loud uncontrollable laughter. I was laughing for so long that my stomach started to ache and I fell backwards on the sofa as I started to calm down. When I finally sat back up Nathan was grinning at me.

"You about finished?" He asked.

"Yeah I think so! That was probably the best story I have ever heard. Hands down." I stated, still giggling slightly.

"I'm glad it amused you."

I grinned at him. Even if it didn't work out romantically between me and Nathan I was pretty sure that we could still be friends. I knew I would definitely want him as a friend if nothing else. The only problem with making friends with someone like Nathan? It just made it that bit harder when I had to leave. I promised myself that I wouldn't make any attachments this time. But there was something about Nathan that made me want to be constantly in his presence regardless of how hard it would be to leave and how dangerous it would be for me to stay.

A/N okay so it’s not the best chapter ever... more of a filler than anything but hey ho! At least you know what happened to Emma's parents, even if it isn't the real version of events... :) I promise the story will start to move a long a bit more soon but you will soon see why Nathan is important to the story, well I say soon but it might not be until like chapter 25! We will have to wait and see;) okay my lovelies please point out any errors and tell me what you think of the book so far :) if I get more votes soon I will upload quicker and the we can all find out where the money came from... ;)

Layla xx