"Where are you going?" Elle calls from the couch. I stop mid step, turning around wide eyed to look at her.

"What?"

"Where are you going?" She repeats, crossing her arms, eyes full of suspicion.

"Out for a run." I reply, gesturing towards my outfit. I'm hardly going to dance in a strip club in this baggy running top.

"Why does it matter?" I ask, crossing my arms to mimic her.

"Because... I need to know where you are."

"I never used to tell you where I was every second of the day."

"Well it's different now." She scoffs and I turn around to face her. She doesn't trust me.

"Oh, really?"

"Yes."

"Because you don't trust me?" I snap and her eyes widen.

"I..."

"Don't trust me." I finish for her.

"Anna."

"It's fine. I get it." I retort, and she purses her lips into a thin line. "Whatever. I'm leaving."

"No you aren't."

"What are you going to do? Lock me in my bedroom?" I taunt, smirking at her.

"No." She sighs, leaning back on the uncomfortable brown couch.

"Well then, I'll be off." I shrug, turning away once more.

"Why don't you get it?"

"I do get it!" I reply, my hand on the door handle. "I made a mistake." I open the door, calling back over my shoulder as I leave. "It's time to stop punishing me for it."

I'm stupid, I'm naïve and I put myself in danger. I get it. Why can't everyone just move on? Get over it. What happened to leaving stuff in the past? Looking forward to the future and second chances? Hypocrites, the lot of them.

I huff as I turn onto the street, speeding up into a brisk run. I used to hate running more than anything, couldn't think of anything worse. However, after my parents passed away I ran more and more, desperate for an escape, jogging back over to our old house and collapsing on the bench across from it, staring up at my old bedroom window. I'd sit there and reminisce over all the good memories I had, or I'd pretend they were still alive, ready to walk out and call me inside for dinner. Nowadays I barely go back there, the house has changed so much, I don't recognize it as mine. They painted it cream. Mom always hated cream.

Instead I run to get out of the tiny apartment, to obtain some space from my sister.

Turning down the next street, I can already feel my blonde hair falling out of the top knot I've pulled it into. My hair has always been completely out of my control. Just like my life.

I enter the woodland trail, pushing a branch out of the way as I continue along the muddy path away from the bustling town. Making my way through the forest, my mind is numb, blindly running in no particular direction. Before I know it I find myself looking up at the picturesque waterfall, my breath coming out fast and heavy.

I don't know how I've ended up here but I'm glad I did. Making my way over to a fallen log, I sit down on it and watch the waterfall, smiling at how peaceful it is.

It takes all of sixty seconds before I'm startled by the sound of a branch snapping behind me and I whirl around, my eyes wide, expecting to see a large wild animal readying itself to attack.

He's just entered the clearing, his eyes widening in confusion as he spots me. He's dressed in running clothes and as much as I think he's out to ruin my life I know that he didn't know I was here. This is his place. We are both frozen in place, staring at each other.

"I'm sorry."

"No I'm sorry." I reply, springing into action and looking back at the log to check I haven't forgotten anything. "It's your place."

"Savannah." Brett says and I look up as he walks over, "It's your place too."

"I don't want a place that is shared with you." I retort, brushing my leggings down.

"That's fair enough." He responds, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Goodbye Brett." I say, my voice low as I walk past him, back towards the main path.

"Savannah..." He calls out and I stop, shutting my eyes in exasperation before turning back to face him.

"I don't want to talk to you."

"I understand that..."

"Then leave me alone." I snap.

"I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing! It won't change anything." I huff, throwing my arms up in the air.

"I want you to know that I'm sorry." He mutters, shifting slightly onto his other foot.

"I don't accept your apology." I counter, turning away. "I never will."

"Look, I fucked up... but I helped you." He calls out and I grit my teeth, turning back towards him.

"I know that you, and everyone else in my life, thinks that." I start, "But it paid three times what the diner pays." I continue, "I was actually building up enough to potentially go to college." I snort, "That's gone now."

"It's not..."

"You haven't got a clue what you're talking about!" I cut him off, raising my voice. "Stay out of my life." I snap, turning back away from him.

"Fine." He calls out. "I will."

The finality of his statement startles me and I feel a sharp pang in my chest at his words. What's wrong with me?

"Good." I snap over my shoulder before storming away, back down towards the path.

I never should have come here.

*~*~*

"Anna? What's wrong?" My sister exclaims as I attempt to walk past her, the tears still visible on my face, having cried the entire way back from the woods.

I've taken three hours to come back, skirting my way around the outskirts of town, desperate for my eyes to dry up before I returned home. They didn't stop welling up with tears the entire time. It's ridiculous really.

"I'm fine Els." I reply curtly, desperate to escape to my bedroom.

"Ann, what happened?" She tries again, standing up from the couch.

"I'll tell you when I'm ready." I snap, grabbing hold of my door handle and pushing it open.

"I want you to tell me now!" She argues and I grit my teeth, frustration taking over any of my rational thoughts. Leave me alone!

"Well I don't want to talk about it."

"Anna did someone..."

"God Elle! Stop it!" I cut her off, whirling around to face her. "No-one hurt me, okay?"

"There is no need to talk to me like that!" She retaliates, crossing her arms.

"Yes there is." I argue, throwing my bag on the floor of my room and grabbing a jacket, pulling it on quickly before shooting her a glare. Pushing past her I leave the room, making my way to the kitchen.

"Grow up Savannah." She snaps and I roll my eyes, grabbing a packet of chips, grimacing at the plain flavor. What I wouldn't give for some chocolate right now.

"Stop being so overprotective! I'm fine!"

"You made me this way Savannah. Your actions did this." She accuses, pointing her finger at me. "You have no-one to blame but yourself." She finishes before turning and slumping back down on the couch, pulling her magazine out.

I know what I did. Why does everyone think I don't understand? I get it but I'm not some stupid little girl! I know what's dangerous and what's safe and I will do whatever the fuck I want to do. Hell, it's not like I have any parents to argue with me.

I walk back over to the front door, grabbing my keys off the table.

"Savannah?" Elle calls out as I slam the door shut behind me. Not now Elle, I need to be alone.

I run down the stairs, desperate to get away from the confining building, hastily making my way down the street and tucking my hands into my pockets as I watch my feet move. I just need time to clear my head.

I walk towards the center of town, getting lost in my thoughts as the streets pass by. I don't really know why I care so much, why I feel the need to lash out at my sister. I'm hurt that she doesn't trust me, but then I did this to myself.

Imagine if I found out Elle was doing the same thing! I'd be devastated that she felt the need to go behind my back and hide her whereabouts from me. Elle must feel ten times worse, being the older, protective sister. I did this to her, I betrayed her.

Just as I turn onto the main street I feel a drop of rain hit my cheek.

"Damn it." I curse, looking up at the darkening sky. Shoving my hands into my pockets, I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the bookstore window, still wearing the sweaty running clothes from earlier, my black jacket hastily zipped up. My hair is sticking up in every direction having easily broken loose from the tight bun I had tied it in. My tears have finally cleared up, my face slightly blotchy and make-up free.

I am not a pretty sight.

A passer-by knocks into my shoulder, throwing me back to reality and I tear my eyes away from the reflection, glancing down the street, desperate for a little shelter. The rain gets heavier as I hastily run towards to library, standing under the sheltered area in front.

I watch the rain as it hammers down onto the road, shivering as I tuck my hands back into my pockets. Just my luck. How long will I be stuck here?

Leaning back onto the pillar I rest my head, looking up at the stormy sky, an extremely dark and ominous sight. How fitting...

I sigh in distaste at the miserable day before lowering my head, eyes falling on the café across the road, a familiar face instantly capturing my attention.

Ashley laughs as she leans into Brett, her hand resting on his arm. Phoebe and Chelsea sit across from her, all laughing as Ashley gossips, whereas Ben and Liam sit beside Brett, the boys talking between themselves. Brett sits in the middle of them all, seemingly oblivious to Ashley's hand as he slowly picks at his food, looking down at it with a frown on his face.

Why is he frowning? What does the great Brett have to frown about?

Suddenly he looks up without warning and our eyes meet, mine widening at being caught staring, quickly turning away and heading out of the shelter, running down the road in the pouring rain.

Great. Now I'm soaking.

I just ran away.

I ran away from him. He wasn't talking to me, he wasn't even in the same area as me but I still ran.

I turn down the next road, wrapping my arms around myself as I slow to a walk. It's so cold and I can't help but shiver as the water seeps through my clothes, the water slapping up onto my legs as I walk, the ground covered with deep puddles.

Suddenly a car screeches to a stop beside me and I look up, wide eyed when I see the familiar black sports car, its windows rolled down as he looks out at me.

"Let me take you home Savannah." Brett calls out.

Did he just leave his friends to take me home? Definitely not. They've all probably gone home.

"No thank you." I reply, my head flopping back down as I continue down the sidewalk. He follows, his car rolling beside me slowly.

"Savannah, you're going to get ill!" He argues and I roll my eyes. Like he even cares.

"I don't care."

"I care." He retorts and I stop, my face flying up to meet his sympathetic expression.

"Shut up, no you don't!"

"Please get in the car."

"No." I snap, turning away from him and setting off in a brisk run down the rest of the street.

I can only imagine what I look like right now, stomping through the rain, drenched from head to toe, arms wrapped around myself as I ungracefully run away. Attractive.

I hope he isn't watching me...

God, Savannah! Why do you even care? Hopefully he drove away and hopefully he'll never talk to me again.

Hopefully...

I walk down the next street and sigh when I see my apartment block, hastily making my way to the door and pushing myself into the building. I am absolutely freezing, already shivering as the clothes cling to my skin.

I slowly make my way up the stairs, wishing I was anywhere but making my way up to see my untrusting sister. I need a break from it all.

A nice holiday to the South of France will do. If someone could pay for me to go, that would be perfect! I'd marry them.

Shoving my key into the lock and pushing the door open I pray that I can make it to my room before my eagle eyed sister zones in on me. Maybe Elle is out? Maybe she'll ignore me?

"Savannah?"

Damn it.

I turn towards the kitchen, a fake smile plastered on my face as I smile at my angry looking sister.

"What the hell?" Her eyes widen as she looks at me. "Savannah!"

"Hello to you too!" I roll my eyes, throwing my keys down on the table.

"Get out of those wet clothes!"

"It wasn't raining when I left." I shrug, pulling the top off.

"Here." Elle hands me a towel, picking my wet clothes up from the floor.

"Thanks." I smile as she walks back into the kitchen, staying where I am, a soggy mess, waiting until she returns and wraps a towel around my head.

"What if you catch a cold?" She worries.

"Please don't have another go at me." I plead, faltering slightly. "Not today."

"Ann I'm not going to." She grabs hold of my shoulders, turning me to look at her. "I'm sorry. I just get so worried, and you kept something so big a secret for so long..." She trails off, looking away from my eyes. "I get scared it will happen again."

"It won't Els." I reassure her, pulling her into my arms. "I promise."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

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Do we forgive him?

I really hope you are all still enjoying the book! It has a long way to go, I have big plans for Savannah Hurst! 💙

Thoughts on Elle??

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