Page 23 of Nothing Without You

Chapter Eighteen

An instinct to run and get as far away from the house as possible, pushed Evie’s legs to move like they had never moved before. Bushland at the end of her street concealed her flight as she exited the street and raced into the cooler shade of the trees. Thin tracks weaved their way through the bush and she slowed her pace, her breath ragged, her chest heaving and aching. A small clearing ahead caused her to slow and eventually stop. She leaned over, her hands resting on her knees as she tried to get her breath.

The cleared area was familiar. She and Chris often used it to get away from everyone and share intimate moments. As she sat down on a fallen log, she looked towards the soft grass that grew near the edge of the clearing. Only last week they had lain together in that very spot, declaring their love for each other. He had given her a ring and she had given him a keyring; made from the penny she had found at the beach. His kisses had been passionate, and she had responded by pushing up against him, letting him touch her under her clothes. It was that afternoon they made their plan to have sex, and it had felt like the most exciting day of her life.

Now, all she could think about was Chris and Geraldine rolling around together, naked. Just like his father with her mum. How could Chris lie to her like that? She loved him. He said he loved her. Thinking hard, she tried to recall when she had last seen Chris and Geraldine together. She sat up straighter. At the time their closeness had not worried her, but only last week she had seen them with their heads together, whispering secrets. She gulped. Chris had put his arm around Geraldine’s shoulder and then quickly removed it when Evie walked by.

Geraldine had never even had a boyfriend. She thought harder. The older girl had always been a bit standoffish towards Evie. She spat on the ground. Filthy bitch, she thought. Bastard. They’d made a fool out of her, and to think she’d come close to losing her virginity to him. Tears streamed down her face. He had made all those words up. He was just like all the other boys who had sex with lots of girls. They said they loved the girl so she’d do it with them. Then they told the girl how special she was. But then they moved on to another girl.

She realised she was spitting and swearing, using words just like Layla did. Wiping her hand across her eyes, she stood up. That’s who she needed to talk to. Layla. She would know what to do and should be on her way home from Adam’s right now.

Chapter Nineteen

Layla was walking home when Evie appeared from the bushland. ‘Jesus, what are you doing?’ Layla asked. ‘I thought you were getting ready for your big night.’

‘Give me a cigarette,’ Evie said, grabbing the packet out of Layla’s hand.

‘What the hell. You can’t have one here. Someone will see you and dob you in to your mother.’

‘I don’t give a shit. Give me the matches.’ Evie lit a cigarette and looked straight into Layla’s wide eyes. ‘That bastard has been lying to me. He’s rooting Geraldine.’

‘Are you fucking crazy? What the hell has got into you.’ Layla grabbed her by the arm, steering her back towards the bushland. Once they were concealed, she lit up a cigarette for herself. They stared at each other, inhaling for a long time before blowing the smoke upwards. ‘Whoever told you that, is lying. He loves you. Everyone knows that.’

‘Well, he’s a lying, cheating bastard.’

‘Calm down. Tell me how you know.’

Evie bit her lip. ‘I can’t tell you exactly. But someone in his family told me they heard him and Geraldine doing it, and they have sex all the time. Not just once. I can’t tell you any more than that. I’m sworn to secrecy, and you can never tell anyone. Promise me, Layla. You can’t tell a soul.’

‘Of course, I promise. It was his sisters, wasn’t it? Shit, Evie. They wouldn’t lie. They love you.’

Evie started crying, and Layla put her arm around her. ‘What a bastard. Prick. And Geraldine? Fuck.’

‘Yeah, well that’s what they do.’

‘What are you going to say to him?’

‘Say to him? Are you crazy? I’m never talking to him again. He can get fucked.’

‘Are you sure you don’t want to have it out with him? Tell him you know about them?’

‘No. I’m not going to give him the satisfaction. He thought he could have both of us. He’s sleeping with her, and he was about to sleep with me. But not now. I hate him.’

Evie’s stomach churned. She hated him, but on the other hand she was heartbroken. She loved him. She was supposed to be with him for the rest of her life. Her dreams were of a wedding, a house with a little fence, two dogs and three cats. Even kids.’

‘Give me another cigarette,’ she demanded.

‘You just put that one out.’ Layla handed her another one and lit a match, holding it under the smoke as Evie drew in.

‘I’m supposed to meet him tonight, but I just won’t go. I’m going to leave him waiting there for me. I’m never speaking to him again. I hate his guts!’

Chapter Twenty

The two girls sat in the bush for a long while. By the time they stood up, they had smoked four cigarettes each.

Evie dropped her butt and ground it into the dirt with her shoe. ‘Bastard,’ she said as she tried to stop her tears.

Layla dropped her butt and did the same. ‘Bastard.’

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