Vulnerable

Chapter 1

My new room was smaller than the bedroom at our old house, but I liked how it felt cosier that way. Cardboard boxes still littered the whole house, despite having moved in a week ago. I guess that's what happens when the only one of the two people in the house is actually around.

My dad is incredible, and such a hard worker. After my parents divorced 8 years ago, he raised me single handedly, picking up all the pieces of his broken daughter. But to provide for us, he had to work unbelievably hard, meaning he was rarely at home.

'Hey pumpkin.' My dad's voice said from the doorway. 'I just got off the phone with the Henderson's. You remember Lisa from school?'

Moving back to our hometown after 6 years felt strange, but my dad and I felt like I was ready to come home and face the town and the memories. Dad would do anything for me, but the city life was not for him and I could tell that he missed his small home town everyday. So when he was made redundant, I suggested moving back. I'd finished my exams and was about to start a new college, so it was perfect timing.

'Lisa? Yeah, I think so.' I replied, picking some books out of a box and placing them on a shelf in my bedroom. Lisa was my best friend in school, but we were both so young when everything happened, so she had no idea what I was going through before we moved away. I hoped she didn't remember anything and start asking questions.

'She found out we moved back and she wanted to come over to say hi.' Dad said, picking up a few books to help me. 'I have to go to work soon so I thought she could keep you company for the day.'

'Work? It's Saturday.' I frowned. I appreciated everything my dad did for me, but sometimes I just wanted to spend the day with him.

'I know pumpkin. I'm sorry, but we've got a big client joining on Monday and we haven't got the systems running properly yet.' He sighed, running his hand through his salt and pepper hair. 'You'll be okay?'

'Yeah dad, I'm fine.' I sighed, before putting on a smile. 'It will be good to see Lisa again.'

'Just so I don't say anything I shouldn't... what are you telling people?' Dad asked cautiously.

'That you and mum had a messy divorce so we moved away.' I replied in a whisper. 'I don't want people to know the truth. Not yet.'

'Okay, pumpkin.' Dad sighed, kissing my forehead. 'Just be aware some of your friend's might have parents that know. His name was in all the papers when it happened, some people might connect the dots.'

'What friends?' I laughed. 'I guess I'll have to face that hurdle when I reach it. But for now, keep his name out of it.'

The two of us unpacked the rest of the box of books. My room was starting to look like home, the pastel purple walls scattered with paintings and photos with my best friend, Jess, who I met in group therapy. Leaving her behind was the only regret I had about moving away from the city.

Around lunchtime, Dad left for work, leaving me to unpack the DVDs in the living room. He made me a sandwich for lunch but I wasn't hungry so decided to keep unpacking instead.

After getting about half way through one of the boxes, a loud knock echoed through the half furnished house. I opened  it to see my beautiful mixed race best friend from junior school.

'Meggy!' Lisa grinned, pulling me into a hug. I tense slightly at the sudden contact, but quickly hug her back. She stepped back to take me in, almost as if she were trying to figure out what kind of person I was based on my choice of outfit. But I wasn't wearing anything glamorous, just a tank top and joggers.

'Lisa! Hey, it's been so long. You look great.' I said awkwardly. 'Come in. Excuse all the boxes. Dad has been working a lot so we're not done unpacking yet.'