ASSIGNED

Chapter 13

I ran up to my room and quickly turned on the shower to drown out the sound of my cries. I stripped down to nothing and climbed in, sitting on the floor curled into a ball. I sobbed into my knees as I was transported back to the night it all happened, the night he hurt me physically, mentally and emotionally. Why did he approach me today? Did he want to apologise, or did he want to hurt me even more? This was just another thing to add to the list of why I didn't want to go back to school; to face Bailey...and now him.

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I went to the mall with mum, resume's in hand, hoping to convince someone that I was worthy of working for their company. After handing out every resume, my mum and I sat in a cafe and ordered two chai latte's. Whilst we sat there, she couldn't help but notice my anxious tone, my tense position and my legs shaking nervously under the table.

"Asha, what's wrong with you? You're so jittery!" my mum asked, her face full of concern.

"It's nothing, just stuff about Bailey," I lied. I was still reeling with anxiety over my meeting with Luke yesterday.

"No, this is something else. Don't lie to me!" my mum scolded, and I sighed in defeat.

"Okay. Just don't get angry when I tell you please?" I replied.

"I'm not making any promises," she said, and I told her the whole story. I left out the part where he bit my neck so hard it bled, but I told her everything else. Her face contorted into the angriest expression I've ever seen when I had finally finished.

"If I ever get my hands on him, he'll be dead!" she growled.

"Don't worry, mum. Bailey got there first," I told her, patting her hand to calm her down.

"What? Really? What do y- oh! Her hand! Was that from him?" she exclaimed, looking shocked.

"Yep, apparently she really gave it to him, and when I saw him yesterday he still had bruises," I told her, not being able to hold back my grin. He deserved it.

"Wow, she must be strong...and that just confirms that she likes you!" my mum said, and I rolled my eyes.

"Mum, seriously. I don't think she does..." I replied, but she shushed me.

"No Asha, besides...we aren't talking about her. I'm upset you never told me about what happened with this dickhead!" she scolded.

"I know mum, and I'm sorry. I was worried you'd get overprotective and not let me go out again..." I told her, looking down at my lap.

"Well next time can you please tell me. I need to know these things to keep you safe, okay?" she said.

"Yes mum, I promise," I said, and I meant it. My mum was my best friend and for her to keep me safe, I had to tell her everything.

For the rest of the day we walked around the mall, my mum treating me to some new clothes, shoes and accessories.

"Perks of a higher paying job is that I get to spoil my only child!" my mum said as she paid for a pair of jeans.

"Mum stop, I'll buy these when I get a job and have money!" I told her.

"Asha, you've been to hell and back these last few months. You deserve to be spoilt. And I want to do this, so please let me!" she said with a smile.

It was true...the last few months had been horrific. Uprooting our entire lives to move across the country, losing my dad and leaving all of my friends behind.

"Plus," she continued, "we have to get you some cute new outfits so you can impress your new crush!"

"Mum! You're so embarrassing!" I said, slapping a hand to my forehead in shame.

"No I'm not, be nice to your mother," she fake scolded, "Also, since when were you a lesbian?"

She asked it so casually, and I was so relieved that she didn't care who I had fallen for.

"Honestly, she's the only girl I've ever had feelings for. I don't really know if I'm a lesbian...I like her for who she is...not because she's a girl. Does that make sense?" I said. I didn't even know if it made sense to me.

"It does, and as long as you're happy I don't care who you date. As long as they treat you well and make you happy!" she said, and I hugged her tightly. I was truly blessed with the most incredibly understanding and loving mother.

I wondered what my dad would think if he were here. He had his demons, but he was a kind man. He was accepting and loving, and I liked to think that he would've accepted me for who I was and who I loved.

Wait...loved? No. I've never been in love, I've got no idea what it feels like and nothing to compare it to. In Adelaide all I had were silly crushes that turned into obsessions because I simply got too attached. The feelings were never there. It was different with Bailey...but love? No. Surely not.