Page 1 of Such a Naughty Girl

CHAPTER ONE

IZZY

‘Daddy?’ I asked.

His voice cut out, coming back in fits and starts, broken up over the speakers. ‘Back?—’

‘Daddy, I can’t hear you.’

Great flurries of snow attacked my windscreen, and I flicked my lights from the high to low beam, vying for more visibility.

Nerves filled my chest with each creeping mile I drove.

The thickening layer of white ahead obscured the black tarmac entirely. My low lights illuminated the dark tree trunks on either side of the road, gnarled branches seeming to reach out toward me.

Hot air surrounded me, at least–thank goodness I’d had Daddy fix the heaters during summer break. College afforded me my first time out from under my parents' strict rules, and it pleased me to be going home for Christmas with my head held high. Only three days until my whole family surrounded me for the first time in months for Christmas dinner. I couldn't wait.

I’d resisted the temptations they’d warned me about. The alcohol, the parties, the boys… The boys had been the hardest to resist, truth be told.

My roommate Margy enjoyed them often, her squeals of pleasure reverberating through the halls. The library could only host me for so many nights. So many nights, I’d sat on the floor outside our shared room, trying my hardest to ignore the gasping moans coming from behind the door.

Trying to ignore the tingles their pleasure gave me.

I’m a good girl, I reminded myself every time.I’m at college to focus on my studies, not boys.

The need to please my parents outweighed any short-term pleasure I might have received from falling into the pitfalls of fun. Parental pride gave a far headier rush than falling into a stranger's bed. My father didn’t dish it out often, but when he did, it made the missed parties worthwhile. Worth saying no to dating. Even to Todd, the sweet guy who always showed up late evenings in the library and shared his mints with me.

As Daddy always said,there’s nothing in life that can’t wait until after studies are complete.It’ll all be there when college is done.

My wipers flailed back and forth at the speed of light, still not clearing the windscreen from the large, white splodges of snow.

Taking my foot off the accelerator, I slowed further; the car inching along in the dark. The lights cut through the dark, becoming more ineffective by the minute.

Damn it.

Panic rose in my chest, sweat gathering at the back of my neck at the surrounding nothingness. It had been at least an hour since I’d last passed any sign of civilisation.

A groaning noise came from beneath the car before it slowed to a stop.

‘No,’I whispered. ‘Come on.’

I pushed hard on the accelerator, but the wheels spun without gaining purchase.

‘No, no, no!’I shouted, taking my foot from the accelerator before jamming it back down hard.

The car lurched and skidded back into action. Relief swamped me for the briefest moment before the tires skidded, twisting the car to the left. I bumped against the headrest as the car careened into a shallow ditch, coming to a stop.

Grabbing my phone, I pressed on my father’s name, waiting for it to connect.

The wind howled against the car, quickly building snow against the passenger doors and windows.

Tears pricked as I tried another call, pressing from one name to another with increasing desperation. No dial tone. No ringing.Nothing.

With a juddering breath, I looked out amongst the thick woods, seeing nothing but dark shadowy branches and snow clumps clinging to pines amongst the bleak storm.

The window lowered, cold wind snaking in and wrapping around my exposed neck as I thrust my arm outside, hoping for the slightest touch of signal.

‘Holy smokes,’I said to myself at the icy chill creeping through the window. Willing my phone didn’t make the bars increase. A tear dripped down my cheek, growing cold by the time it hit my chin.

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