Page 43 of Collided

Truth is, I’m barely surviving on my own since that night. For the past two nights, I’ve been having these vivid nightmares that wake me up. I'm stuck in a phase where I refuse to believe Dad hurt me. So, really I don’t want to talk about that incident because I’ll get triggered.

Heath follows me around the rink. He doesn’t hold my hand which upsets me for some reason. We don’t talk, but he doesn’t leave me alone.

At one point Marie keeps me company. She talks about going to the nearest diner and I agree.

Nothing awaits me at home anyway.

Mom has a night shift and Dad—I don’t have the energy to deal with him.

We leave the rink and go to the diner. Sebastian and Marie take Sebastian’s jeep, and I go with Heath.

During the ride, he doesn’t say a word to me. Tension is thick in the car, and it consumes us.

There’s something between us when there shouldn’t be.

Heath is dangerous. He fights at an illegal place and probably hangs out with delinquents. At school, he’s famous for his bad reputation. He isn’t someone I should hang out with. But he’s also nice and notices things that no one does.

Heseesme.

At the diner, I pick a burger, but he orders a chocolate smoothie for me when he finds me staring at it. I try to refuse but he doesn’t listen to me. And when that smoothie lands in front of me, I’m glad he didn’t. There are two reasons. One, I love chocolate with my entire being. Second, it helps me calm down.

Marie chatters about her job and all the children she’s met. Sebastian joins in too. Heath and I only listen and contribute very little to the conversation.

Later when we’re outside, Heath asks, “Do you have a ride?”

“Marie said she’d drive me home.”

“Seems like she’s busy.”

I peek inside the diner and find Marie and Sebastian splitting the bill.

“I’ll drive you since her driver took her car home. She’ll be going with Sebastian.” Heath briefs.

I hesitate, “Are you sure? I can—”

“I’m fucking sure. Let’s go.”

I shoot a text to Marie.

Once inside his car, I lean my head against the window as Heath pulls out of the parking lot. I catch a glimpse of them still inside and counting bills. They’re like a married couple already.

I’m tired, but I’m happy. Today was fun, even though ice skating gave me hell, I still enjoyed doing it and sharing food with people who are slowly becoming my friends.

Dread fills me as we get closer to my house. I don’t want to go home, especially when Heath is with me. What if Dad sees me with him? He’d go livid. God knows what he might do to me.

I’m scared and anxious as the car pulls up in my neighborhood.

I search for lights and they’re on, meaning someone is home.

Oh my God.

He’s here.

Dad is back.

10

Heath

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