CHAPTER 35

 'Kiera, we have to go soon, you know that don't you?' Rosabella asks and I slouch on the sofa.

 'I'd prefer it if we stayed here.'

'No, we're going bowling with everyone else now get up.'

'You can go just don't expect me to go with you,' I reply with a shrug. The front door opens and closes and Rosabella's parents walk into the living room. I sit up and fake a smile.

'Hello, Kiera isn't it?' Her dad asks and I nod my head. 'Rosabella has told us all about you,' I look at Rosabella who glares at her dad. 'We are very pleased to meet you.'

'You too Mr-'

'Call me Spencer,' he insists and I nod.

 'And call me Mary,' states her mother and I nod my head.

 'We're going bowling with a few friends,' Rosabella informs them and they nod as they excuse themselves, leaving the room. 'I'm going to go now, have fun with my parents.'

'No wait!' I quickly stand up from my chair and she smirks.

 'Have you changed your mind?'

'Shut up Rosabella,' I reply, rolling my eyes but the smirk never fails to leave her face. 

----------

We arrive at Hollywood Bowl and I stand outside it. Rosabella notices my hesitation as she squeezes my shoulders. 'It’s going to be fine.'

'Do you know who will be there?' I ask curiously, turning to face her.

 'Everyone including Jaimie and Jessica.'

'What?' I gasp loudly.

'What?' She repeats, confusion written all over her face.

 'Why are they going to be here?'

'Calm down Kiera.'

'He spiked my drink,' I quickly blurt out.

'What?'

'He spiked my drink,' I repeat and she gasps.

 'Are you being serious?'

'Yeah.'

'Why would he do that?'

'My guess is as good as yours.' I shrug my shoulders and she links her arm with mine.

 'Come on, we're not going to let him ruin our day.' I smile agreeing with her.

 'Hey,' we turn around facing Liz and I take a deep breath before applying my gaze elsewhere.

 'Hi, you're late aren't you?' Asks Rosabella.

 'I like to make an entrance.'

'I should've known,' replies Rosabella chucking. I notice Lucy's car pulling up near us so I walk away from Liz and Rosabella.

 'Look what cat dragged in,' I say looking at Lucy who rolls her eyes.

'You should say "cats" because there are two of us,' she replies as Kara steps out of the car.

 'The cat I was referring to was you Lucy.'

'Shut up Kiera,' she replies and I smirk.

 'Why are you reacting like that when she says it? I say it all the time and you don't even care,' Kara says looking at Lucy. I bite my lower lip waiting for Lucy to reply.

 'I said that to her a year ago and she replied by saying "What cat? I don't see any cats and I dragged myself here, well my legs did." Then I told her that it was a saying and she asked who said it.'

'That's hilarious,' Kara replies as she laughs.

 'No, not really,' Lucy shakes her head ignoring Kara's laughter.

 'Anyway, are you guys going in or what?'

'We're not really going to stay here though are we?' She asks raising her eyebrows and I roll my eyes at her reply. As we start walking, we notice Liz and Rosabella still in the same place talking.

 'You guys can take the conversation inside,' Kara says and Liz looks at her before turning back to face Rosabella. 'Did you not hear what I just said?'

'Oh, I heard loudly and clear, I just chose to ignore you,' Liz replies without even turning to look at Kara.

'Come on,' Lucy says as she pulls Kara and they walk inside.

 'Aren't you coming inside?' I ask Rosabella and Liz turns to face me.

 'Look who we have here.'

'Shut up Liz,' I reply.

 'Tell me Kiera, what other lies do you have to share?'

'Liz,' warns Rosabella but she takes no notice as she says 'Well Kiera?'

'You're pathetic.'

'No, I think liars are pathetic,' she replies causing me to scoff.

 'Seriously Liz shut up,' Rosabella defends. I raise my eyebrows at Liz before walking inside the building. 

I realise Lucy is standing by the entrance wearing her bowling shoes and has a pair of bowling shoes in her hands. 'Why did you wait?'

'I figured you didn't want to go meet the others alone.' I smile gratefully as I walk off and she grabs my wrist, 'where are you going?'

'To get my shoes.'

'I got them for you already,' she replies holding up the shoes in her hands.

 'How do you know my shoe size hasn't changed?'

'Very funny,' she sarcastically replies as she gives me the shoes.

 'Thanks.'

'No problem,’ she sits down next to me as I put on my shoes. 'So what did Liz say?'

'She called me a liar again and asked what other lies I had to share.' She rolls her eyes and says 'Ignore her.'

'That is my plan,' I reply and she chuckles. I stand up towards the reception area giving the young man behind the counter my name and my shoes. I walk back to Lucy asking 'who rented this place out?'

'Ronald,' she replies and I nod my head. 'Ronald suffered from cancer a few months ago and the chemotherapy he had explains why he's bald.'

'Are you trying to make me feel bad?' I ask folding my arms.

'No, I just thought I'd tell you.'

'Do you think I'll apologise for what I said to him? He broke my photo, I'm not going to apologise to him and no medical condition is going to change that.' I angrily state before storming off towards where the familiar faces already are.

‘Kiera, you're on my team,' Kara says loudly as she pulls me into the seat next to her.

 'Thank God for that,' Lily replies staring at me coldly.

 'Keep your comments to yourself Lily.'

'Is that you giving me advice?' She sarcastically asks.

 'No, it was me telling you, there is a huge difference.'

'Oh well thank you much for that. Now here is me giving you advice, you should really learn how to stop lying Kiera. I mean, I know bad habits are hard to break but you have to at least try,' she replies faking a sweet tong that makes me cringe inside.

'Well when I want your advice, I will ask you for it.' Max puts his hand on Lily's thigh, preventing her from replying.

'Shall we start?' Katie asks standing up.

 'Rosabella and Liz aren't here, we can’t start without them.' Kara informs everyone.

'Well why don't you go and get them?' Katie sarcastically replies to Kara's statement. Kara rolls her eyes not bothering to reply. Lucy, Liz and Rosabella join us shortly and Kara stands up.

 'Here are the teams, me, Jaimie, Lucy, Chris, Joe, Rosabella and Kiera versus Lily, Liz, Katie, James, Tom, Max and Jessica.'

'Did you just make them up?' I ask and she nods.

 'I think we should mix the teams up a bit,' comments Joe.

 'I don't think that's a good idea,' I reply.

'Strangely enough, I agree,' says Lily and I roll my eyes.

 'Come on, let me choose the teams,' pleads Joe.

 'You'll make them horrible,' replies James as he folds his arms.

 'I won't I promise.'

'Fine,' everyone agrees and he stands up.

 'My team should be me obviously-' Jessica begins giggling and I clench my jaw. Joe continues 'Kiera, James, Lucy, Jaimie, Lily and Katie.' I scoff as he finishes.

 'Do you have something to say Kiera? If you do, enlighten us with your lies once again,' Katie says and I sigh loudly.

 'Firstly, you need to shut your mouth and secondly these teams are awful.'

'I actually like these teams,' Lily comments.

 'You're just saying that because I said they're awful.'

'The world doesn't revolve around you Kiera, the sooner you realise that the better.'

'I think we should get into places,' Lucy states and everyone switches over so that they're sitting with their teams. Lucy and James set up the game and the matches.

The first people against one another are Katie and Kara. Katie hits eight pins and Kara hits seven. Katie and Lily hi-five one another, pleased that we won the first round. 

-----------

'It’s your turn,' Katie states emotionlessly as everyone turn to look at me.

 'Do I have to play?' I ask and she scoffs loudly.

 'Yeah, you do,' replies Joe and I stand up. I get a pink ball from the stand and put my fingers inside the hole. I wait a while, swinging the ball in my right hand before I let it roll. The ball knocks down all the pins and I'm met with silence. 'See, I knew there was a reason I had you on my team,' replies Joe as he hugs me tightly and I return the embrace. 'It is my pleasure to declare that we are the winners.'

'Shut up Joe,' replies Chris and Joe mutters something incoherent under his breath.

'I'm going to get some food,' Katie announces and Lily and Liz join her. 

Joe, Tom, Chris and Max all head off to the toilets. Rosabella walks outside to call her parents and Lucy and Kara go the girls' toilets. 

I sit opposite Jaimie, Jessica and James glancing at my phone, scrolling through my twitter timeline. 'Kiera,' Jaimie says and I look at him, raising my eyebrows.

 'What?'

'You were pretty awesome earlier.'

'I don't like to brag,' I reply and James scoffs. 'What James? If you have something to say then say it.'

'I don't have anything to say,' he replies annoyed. Lily and Katie return with some chips and I prevent myself from breathing it in, afraid that I'll be sick due to the horrific smell.

 'Kiera do you always take compliments like the way you did before?'

'Stop talking to me, your voice is pissing me off,' I reply annoyed at the fact that I can't hide my anger.

 'Don't be rude Kiera,' Katie replies.

 'Why are you so nasty? I mean I had a general idea of what to expect but this is beyond the limit,' says Jessica. The boys return and sit beside Lily. Joe tries stealing Lily's food and she just lets him.

 'I'm sorry who are you again?' I ask rudely and the boys begin making noises shouting 'Burn!'

'I'm Jessica, Jaimie's twin sister.'

'Fascinating,' I sarcastically say.

 'Why do you feel the need to be so rude all the time? Is it because you're anorexic?' She asks coldly and I bite my tongue. I can feel everyone's gaze on me but I try my best to ignore it.

 'No, it’s not because of that, I just really dislike you and your twin brother.'

'What the hell has Jaimie done to you?' She asks defensively and I look at him. He avoids my gaze and I say 'Why don't you ask him?'

'I don't know what you're talking about.'

'You put alcohol in my drink at the party,' I accuse confidently.

 'You don't know what you’re talking about, you're sick and confused.'

'Are you really anorexic?' Max asks.

 'Don't lie,' adds Katie and I sigh before nodding.

 'You said you'd get it under control,' Max replies annoyed.

 'Well obviously I didn't.'

'How can you even remember what happened? You fainted and you said you didn't remember anything or was that another lie?' Lily asks.

 'No, I remembered yesterday, he spiked my goddamn drink. Why don't you believe me?'

'Kiera, you need help,' Katie sighs. I stand up and look at them.

'Do none of you believe me?' I get no reply as they all avoid making eye contact with me. 'Why the hell would I make this up?'

'Kiera-'

'Shut up Lily!' I say cutting her off as I walk out of the building.

 'What's wrong?' Lucy asks as she approaches me with Rosabella and Kara by her side. 'You're little friend told everyone I'm anorexic.'

'You mean Jessica?' Kara clarifies and I glare at her. I turn to walk away but I turn around.

 'Oh Lucy, I think I should tell you that it was Jaimie who spiked my drink, I remembered yesterday but what does that matter? I mean you probably won't believe me,' I state as I walk away.

I carry on walking ignoring them and allow my legs to take me wherever.

 ----------

As soon as I get back to Rosabella's house, I walk up to the guestroom and get my suitcase and bag. I pack all my belongings and put them in. 

Once, I'm satisfied, I look at the room one last time before leaving the room. My suitcase begins making noises as I walk down the stairs pulling it with me but I'm grateful that no one is home. 

I walk out of the house and begin walking anywhere without a care in the world.

----------

'Kiera,' the sound of my name captures my attention as I turn around. I take in my surroundings and realise I'm in an alleyway although it doesn't look it as the sun is lit.

 'Dan,' I say as I look at him.

 'Are you running away or something?'

'Something like that,' I shrug.

 'Do you want to stay at my place?'

'Will I get some heroin if I say yes?' His eyes widen.

 'Kiera, how the hall can you ask that? I'm not supplying with heroin.'

'Why not? I finish my chemotherapy tablets soon.'

'I don't care.'

'Fine, do you have anything that isn't as strong as heroin then?'

'I'm not supplying you with anything,' he replies as he folds his arms.

'Fine, I'm not staying with you then.'

'Yes you are,' he replies as he holds my wrist.

 'Get lost Dan, get off of me.'

'You're staying at my house Kiera, you can't stay on the streets.'

'Who says I was going to stay on the streets?' I question, raising my eyebrows as I wait for his reply.

 'Well where else were you going to go?' I shrug my shoulders and he sighs. 'Please stop arguing with me when I say you're coming home with me. I live alone anyway.'

'Fine,' I mumble and he smiles. 'I have to take care of unfinished business, do you think you can wait?'

'Yeah, I’ll just wait with you,' I reply as I nod my head.

'Thanks,' he replies and I smile in return.

A few minutes later, someone wearing a dark hoodie approaches and I'm guessing it’s a man due to the walk of the person. The person stands before Dan and asks 'who the hell is she?' My suspicions are confirmed as it really is a man.

 'A friend of mine.' His eyes inspect every inch of my body and I feel uncomfortable under his stare. 'Stop looking at her like that.'

'Why Dan? After all she is only your friend.'

'Shut up Trevor!' Dan says angrily. Trevor chuckles as he hands over ten pounds. Dan snatches it and gives him dark looking powder in a plastic see through bag. Trevor looks at Dan before walking away. 

'I'm sorry about that,' apologises Dan once Trevor is out of sight.

 'It’s okay.'

'No it’s not, that will not happen again,' he replies and I nod my head. He takes my suitcase and my bag. 'Come on.'

'Dan its fine, I can carry my own things.'

'I want to carry it,' he replies and I roll my eyes as I allow him to do so.

We walk towards his car and he puts my belongings at the boot of the car. I sit in the passenger seat, closing the door behind me and he sits in the driver's seat.

I get into a comfortable position and take my phone out of my pocket, switching it. The minute my glittery background appears, multiple messages begin appearing. I can't help but roll my eyes as I have a good idea who they're from.

Where the hell did you go? Did you go to Newcastle? -Ella

You're anorexic?? xLilxs 

I'm sorry I didn't know that Jess would tell everyone. -xoLuce

How did you hide the fact that you were anorexic for so long? xoK

Are you okay? ¬Joe¬

I sigh loudly as I read their messages. 'Are you okay?' Asks Dan as he glances at me while putting his eyes back on the road.

 'Yeah,' I reply unconvincingly. He nods his head as he decided to drop the subject. 

I look back at my phone and reply to the ones that need a reply. 

(To Rosabella) No, I'm not in Newcastle because my family are on holiday so I guess there is no escaping this miserable place. ~K~

(To Joe) No, not really ~K~

As I intend to put my phone away, my phone begins vibrating. 'Aren't you popular?' Comments Dan.

'I don't think this is what you call popularity.'

'It sure is Kiera,' he replies smiling and I ignore his reply. 

So where are you? -Ella

Meet me at Star drink now. ¬Joe¬

(To Rosabella) I can't tell you. ~K~

(To Joe) Will you be alone? ~K~

'That really looks like an intense conversation, are you sure you're okay?'

'That's because it is and I'm fine, just focus on your driving.' He laughs, shaking his head at me but takes my advice on board.

Yes. ¬Joe¬

'We're here,' states Dan and I tear my eyes away from my phone to look at his house. It's a big two floored house with multiple windows. It has the number 38 on the black door and Dan gets out of the car. I follow his actions as I walk to the boot.

 'Would you mind if I went to meet someone?'

'No of course not, I'm going to be out myself half the time,' he replies.

 'Are you sure?'

'Of course I'm sure, I’ll put your things in the guest room and get it ready for you.'

'Thank you.'

'You're welcome,' he replies smiling widely and I walk away to the familiar direction of Star drink.

----------

I walk into the shop, the strong smell of coffee meeting my nose. I notice Joe is sitting at the back with his phone in his hand. 'Hi,' I say as I sit opposite him.

 'I thought you weren't going to come,' he replies as he turns his phone over and puts it on the fable.

 'I decided to,' I sigh.

 'Why did you leave Rosabella's house?'

'I couldn't stay there any longer.' 

'Where are you staying now?'

'You don't have to worry about that,' I reply and he stares at me. 'Seriously, it’s all under control.'

'Just like your anorexia?' He questions.

 'You have no right to say that!' I raise my voice slightly and he sighs. He puts his hands in his hair.

 'So it’s true?'

'Yes, I'm anorexic if that's what you're asking,' I reply sarcastically and he scoffs.

 'Stop switching to sarcasm.'

'I'll do whatever I want,' I reply and he shakes his head as he leans back in his chair.

 'Why do you feel the need to push everyone away all the time?'

'I'm not pushing anyone away, for me to do that you all must have been close to me and that is not true.'

'Kiera-'

'What Joe? Why did you ask me to meet you?'

'I had to see you.'

'Why?' I ask defensively.

 'I needed to see how you were.' He sits up as he reaches out to hold my hand. 'We're all here for you,' he says as he squeezes my hand.

 'No, you don't, none of you believe me so tell me, how the hell can you possibly be there for me?'

'I believe you.'

'No, you don't, you probably just pity me.'

'Kiera, I believe that Jaimie really did spike your drink and I'm sorry the others are just too stupid to see that.' I give him a questioning look.

 'Do you actually believe me?'

'Of course I do.'

'Why would you? I've lied about so many things, how do you know I'm not lying about this-'

'Kiera, shut up,' he replies and I close my mouth. 'I believe you a hundred percent and nothing you say will change that.'

'I took heroin, do you still believe me?' He chokes on his drink as his hand slips out of mine and I immediately miss the loss of contact.

 'Are you being serious?'

'Yeah, I'm being serious.'

'You actually took heroin?' He asks repeatedly.

 'I haven't taken any recently.'

'Oh that's okay then, as long as you haven’t taken any recently,' he sarcastically says.

 'You probably don’t believe that Jaimie spiked my drink now so I'm just going to go,' I stand up but his hand pulls me down.

 'What Joe?'

'Where are the heroin now?'

'I gave them to Rosabella,' I mutter and he sighs.

 'I still believe you Kiera, I just can't believe you would do something like this.'

'I'm trying to stop.'

'Do they help with your anorexia?' I put my hands in my hair, avoiding his gaze and I nod my head. 'Anytime you want to take heroin you have to promise to call me. I don't care what time it is or what I'm doing, I'll drop everything.'

'Joe-'

'No, you have to promise me.' He replies as his turquoise eyes never fail to look elsewhere but my blue ones.

'I promise,' I reply after a moment of silence. He nods and I say 'I have to go now,' as I stand up. He stands up with me as he wraps his arms around my shoulders and I wrap my arms around his neck.

 'Are you safe? ‘He asks as we pull away but his hands are still on my shoulders and I nod. 'If you're not, you can always stay at my house, you know that right?'

'Yeah, I do, thanks Joe,' I reply and he engulfs me in another hug.

 'You're welcome,' he replies when we break apart.

 'Text me,' he says and I nod my head before leaving the cafe.

----------

I stand outside Dan’s door and ring the doorbell. He opens the door and he's dressed in casual clothing. 'Come on in,' he says as he opens the door widely. 

The walls instantly catch my attention as they are bright yellow. 'Why are your walls yellow?'

'What's wrong with it?'

'Isn't it too bright?' I ask and he shakes his head.

 'Yellow is awesome.'

'The guest room better not be yellow,' I reply and he chuckles.

 'Go and see, it’s the first door on the left,' he says and I roll my eyes. I walk towards the direction he gave me and open the door. The colour of the room is light green and everything in the room matches the colour. I roll my eyes but can't help but like the colour. 

I get changed into some comfortable clothing and pass out on the bed.