Eternal

“I started messing around with the trouble makers, skipping classes sometimes even the whole school day. I even had the odd cigarette, anything that I could do to rebel, I would. I even made it my mission to miss as many curfews in a single week as I could. This made her very angry, and it had been going on for about two months when she finally snapped. It was a Friday and I got home about two hours after I should have been back, the house was in utter darkness and I had no idea where she was. I had made my way into the kitchen when she grabbed me by the collar and threw me into the wall, I couldn’t hold back the sob no matter how hard I tried. She reeked of alcohol and was obviously intoxicated, she kept screaming at me that I wasn’t allowed to turn out that way. That I had responsibilities and how she would be damned before she let me destroy my life. That she would continue to push me into the light and drive the darkness out of me.”

Addy wrapped her arms around me, offering a comfort that only she needed. Sometimes being numb had its advantages, at least I was hurting anymore.

“I kept sobbing and asking her why she was even talking about, what she said next will stay with me for the rest of my life. She said that I was full of darkness and if she didn’t keep me away from temptation, then it would eat away at my soul until I doomed the lives of anyone that dared care for me.

Her words didn’t make any sense, I was thirteen for Christ sake how could she possibly know how I was going to turn out. The ironic thing was that the only reason I was even acting out was because of the way she treated me.

After that night I wasn’t even allowed to walk to and from school, that’s why I was so thrown when I came out of school on my fourteenth birthday and she wasn’t there. I didn’t have a single message from her and instead of worrying about it I decided to take full advantage of the situation and have some fun.

By the time I got home, it was eight in the evening and there wasn’t a single light on, accept from in the bathroom, and that’s when I found her and when I lost myself.

So now that you know that the next part should make a lot of sense, the only reason I even chose performing arts was because I needed to improve my acting skills. I couldn’t let anyone discover the truth about me and I thought that would be the best way. The thing is I learnt everything I needed in the first year and by the time this year started up I realised there was no reason for me to continue going. It just reminded me too much of her and I didn’t want that, so I decided to leave.”

Addy just sat there staring at me, with her mouth hanging open. She managed to shake it off and just flung her arms around me, she was shaking in my arms. Whether through anger or si

lent tears I had no idea. She told me how sorry she was for everything that I have had to go through and no matter what she would always be there for me. She also said that I no longer had to pretend anything with her, she just wanted to be friends with the real me. The problem was, I didn’t even know who that was anymore.

Chapter Five

Unya

I woke up the next day and saw Addy staring at me with her mouth agape, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and stared right on back.

“Unya, what the hell are you?” She asked, usually I would have pretended to feel insulted at that comment, but I didn’t need to with her, not anymore anyway.

“What are you talking about? I can’t handle any sort of cryptic shit when I’ve just woken up, so please just explain to me what it is that I’ve done now.”

She stood up and practically ran out of the room, I started to wonder if maybe she had reconsidered sticking with our friendship now that she knew the truth, maybe she woke up and realised that it was just too weird for her. If that was the case then I wouldn’t argue with her, I’d just get my stuff together and head back to Jackie’s.

She returned in under a minute and shoved a mirror into my hands, I looked up at her trying to gather what exactly was going on and then stared at my reflection. It did not make any sense, it was no wonder Addy was a little freaked out right now, anyone would be if they were confronted with the sight of me.

Let me explain, last night when I went to sleep my face was a mess. My eye was practically swollen shut with a nasty bluish-purple bruise surrounding it, add to that my swollen, cut lip. I definitely looked as though I had been through the wars and they’re just the bruises that couldn’t be covered by my clothes, she had definitely done a number on me. But now my face was completely clear, there were no bruises or blemishes, even the few spots that I had were now gone. My complexion was as clear as a baby’s, my skin practically glowed and now Addy’s question made complete sense and even I wondered what I was.

“Adrianna, I don’t understand, how is this possible?” I asked, but not really expecting her to have any kind of answers.

“Honestly, I have no idea, I’ve heard of people that have slightly accelerated healing, but that’s usually in regards to a piercing or tattoo, not an overnight wonder like yours. You had ten shades of shit kicked out of you and it showed, but one night of sleep and you look better than new. It doesn’t make sense, what are you going to do?”

Her question threw me because for once, I could not think of a single move. Should I go back to Jackie and see what she knows, but seeing as she already thinks I’m a dirty little freak anyway, that just did not seem like the wisest of ideas. I could go online and try to find a similar experience, but that sort of thing can never end well. Obviously, I was well and truly stumped and if Addy turned me away, then I would be utterly on my own.

“Don’t worry about me girl, I’ll throw some clothes on and get out of your hair. I am pretty sure that I can think of something.”

Her face darkened with anger at my comment, but I had no idea why.

“Do you really think that little of me, I mean sure this situation is beyond weird, but I am still your friend, I would never turn my back on you. The only problem is, I do not know what Jackie will do when she sees you. I think you should just stay here until the appropriate amount of time has passed at least.”

“Trust me, I had no intentions of going back to hers, she already thinks I’m freak, what the hell would she say to this actually what would she do? But I won’t stay here, it’s your sister’s place at the end of the day and you haven’t even asked her if it would be alright. I won’t cause problems between you, I’m not exactly her favourite person, she only tolerates me because of how many times I defended you at school.”

I knew that she would try to argue with me so I pulled her into a quick hug, gathered my things and ran into the bathroom. I also knew the minute that she broached the subject with her sister because voices suddenly became raised. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that she hated me, it’s just that she didn’t exactly see me as a good influence. The thing is I can understand that I just wish Addy wouldn’t constantly fight with her over it.

I managed to get out of her house without too much drama, mainly because they were still arguing and didn’t hear me descend the stairs. I know I should have said bye at least, but I just needed to get out of there at least that way the animosity should dwindle.

I waited until Jackie would be gone for work before I went back, I had no intention of running into her today. I had a quick shower and then proceeded to throw some clothes into a duffel bag, along with a couple pairs of shoes, a book, my tablet, and some other essential bits. I also made sure that I grabbed the money that I had hidden beneath a loose floorboard in my room, I’d been saving I in case of an emergency. I did one last quick sweep and then headed into the garage to grab my car, threw my stuff in and drove away.

At this point, I had no idea where I was going to go, so I drove down to the beach. I hoped that sitting on the sand and watching the waves strike the beach might give me some clarity, really it was almost as bad as watching paint dry.

I was continuously drawing a blank regarding my new circumstances when someone gripped my shoulder, so tight that I could have sworn that their nails were going to break through my skin. I lifted my head and laid eyes on Darren, his jaw was clenched, along with flaring nostrils and narrowed eyes. I don’t think I need to tell you what he was feeling in that moment. I encircled his wrist with my hand and tried to get him to let go but his grip was definitely strong.

“What the hell are you doing, let go of me,” I demanded, trying to stand up, but he held me down by pushing his weight down into my shoulder.