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Hope: Sex.

Hope: SEC. I MEANT SEC.

Hope: Freaking autocorrect.

Heath: Are you sure?

Oh my God.

What does that mean?

Is he flirting?

What should I reply?

I hope he doesn’t think I want sex.

I DO NOT.

Hope: Yes. It was a mistake.

Heath: Come outside. I’m not going to wait for you all night.

Getting off my bed, I stumble on my way as I hurry to the window and peek outside. Heath is standing against his black car and looking up at my window. He’s parked in front of Nadina’s house who’s staring at him from the front porch.

Hope: I can’t go with you.

After I came home from school Dad was leaving with some men. I’ve never seen them before, so I don’t know who they are and why they came to our house. It’s been two hours since he left, he’ll be home any minute now. If he doesn’t find me in my room, I can only imagine what will happen to me.

Heath reads the text, glances up at me, then starts typing.

My phone pings in my hand.

Heath: I’ll get you home by 8.

My first thought is to think about the scenarios if I get home late. All end with the same results.Bruises.

A shiver runs down my spine and a chill settles deep into my bones. Fear.

Hope: Where are we going?

Heath: Get in the car and I’ll tell you.

Hope: That’s not assuring.

Heath: Do you trust me?

Hope: Yes.

Heath: Then get your ass down here.

Much to my reluctance, I shuffle away from the window to get ready. After spending time with Marie at her house, I’ve realized I like it when I’m with these people. They are nice to me and make me laugh. I have a good time with them, despite how short our moments are and how fast they go by. When I’m with them I feel less lonely.

I don’t know when I decided to not feel lonely anymore. I want to be with people—these people. I want to be surrounded and not be alone in my room.

Opening my closet, I grab some nice clothes and quickly change into them. When I stand in the bathroom I make an effort to look pretty by applying mascara and a bit of lip gloss.

You’re doing this because Heath is picking you up.

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