CHAPTER 14

 I feel the sun light streaming along my face. I open my eyes but instantly shut them as they begin stinging. My mouth is dry and my head is pounding. I take a deep breath questioning why I decided to drink in the first place. Then, it occurs to me; my dad was the reason. The blame is on him, along with my stupidity. I try to move into a comfortable position but my limbs feel heavy and unresponsive. I sigh heavily as I hear the bedroom door shut loudly. 'Nice to see you're awake.'

'Shut up.' I croak, still not opening my eyes. Lucy closes the curtains as she realises the sunlight is increasing my headache. 'Thanks.' I mutter.

'You're welcome,' she replies as I slowly sit up.

'There is some aspirin by the bedside table and a glass of water,' she tells me as she motions towards it and I smile, taking it. I put the aspirin in my mouth and drown it with the water. 'How are you feeling?'

'I think it is safe to say that I'm definitely not feeling good.'

'I think it's safe to say that it is your fault for drinking so much.' I scoff at her reply.

'Whatever,' I say softly. She chuckles before saying 'You should go back to sleep.' I roll my eyes and rhetorically ask 'After you just woke me up?'

'I didn't wake you up, you were already awake,' she responds. I remain quiet as that is true. 'Your headache won't be that bad if you go to sleep for a while.'

'Whatever you say,’ she scoffs and I shush her because she's being too loud for my liking.

'Go back to sleep,' she states as she stands up to leave the room. 

I lay back down, taking my time and close my eyes, trying to fall asleep a second time. 

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I open my eyes, feeling much better than I did earlier. I check the time on my phone which reads 17:45. My eyes widen as the shocking feeling runs through me. This is definitely the latest I have ever woken up. 

I stand up and head to the bathroom to take a shower, grabbing a towel and taking it with me. The warm water makes contact with body making me shiver a little. It's only when the water becomes hotter that I feel more comfortable. A soft sigh escapes my lips as I stand there and let the water wash over me. I relax under the water, not wanting to leave. 

I grab some soap and scrub every inch of my body, hoping it will take the ache away from my muscles. 

I step out of the shower and walk back into Lucy's room, helping myself to her wardrobe. I pick out black leggings and a grey hoodie. I towel dry my hair before pulling it into a high ponytail. I grab the dirty pyjamas and walk downstairs and see Lily and Lucy in the kitchen sitting at the table. 'What time do you call this?' Lily asks.

'You're talking way too loud.' I reply quietly.

'Well, maybe you shouldn't drink that much.'

'Shut up Lily!' I retort and she smiles a little. She looks at me and asks 'How are you feeling?'

 'How do you think I'm feeling?' Lily rolls her eyes at my reply, shaking her head.

'What shall I do with this?' I motion towards the clothes I have in my hand and Lucy stands up and says 'I'll take it to the laundry room.'

'By the way, I took a shower and borrowed your clothes.' She smirks and says 'I think I noticed.'

'Shut up and do the laundry!' I reply as I sit down next to Lily and she leaves the kitchen. My stomach rumbles but I don't make any movement to get up.

'Are you not starving right now?'

'Actually Lily I am.' I look at her trying to blink my eyelashes a few times, hoping she'll get the hint. She sighs as she stands up.

'What do you want me to make for you?'

'Toast and tea.' I smile gratefully.

'Peanut butter and chocolate spread?' She asks and I nod my head to confirm. She puts two slices of bread in the toaster and puts the kettle on. Lucy walks back into the room and notices Lily making my food 'Has she made you make her food?' 

'Shut up Lucy, no one asked you.' I snap.

'Wow, why are you so grumpy today?' Lily laughs at Lucy's question and I clench my jaw. Lucy sits next to me and I ask 'Where did you sleep last night?'

'In the guest bedroom, I thought I'd give you my room being the kind and caring person I am. You better appreciate it because you know I don't leave my bedroom for anyone.'

'Are you sure you're not saying that because you had company last night?' The ends of my mouth pull up as I watch her facial expression. She rolls her eyes before saying 'I had no company last night and like I said you should be grateful.'

'I am grateful but I'm also asking whether someone influenced your decision, perhaps a boy?' Lily bursts out laughing and Lucy gives her a death stare.

'Shut up Kiera, there is nothing going on with Jamie and me.'

'Are you sure? Because yesterday you looked all comfortable and who said I was talking about Jamie? That just shows that you were really thinking about him.' She gasps loudly and replies by saying 'We didn't look comfortable.'

'You did.' Lily interrupts and Lucy gasps again.

'We're just friends,' she replies and we nod our heads sarcastically. 'Fine, don't believe me,' she states annoyed as she notices our response.

'Who's the grumpy one now?' I ask smirking which seems to irritate her even more. I rest my head on her shoulder as I say 'I'm sorry, I was joking.'

'Not a very funny one,' she replies instantly. I grin because it was definitely funny.

'Are you still annoyed?'

'Just stop teasing me, it's not nice,' she replies folding her arms.

'Okay but Jamie would be really lucky to have you.'

'Kiera-'

'I'm just saying, I wasn't teasing you,' I reply sincerely and she smiles, wrapping her arms around my neck.

'Breakfast is served,' states Lily as she puts my food in the table. I sit up, thanking her and she sits opposite us.

'You know it's six in the evening,' Lucy says looking at me.

'So? I haven't had my breakfast.' She smiles as she begins checking her phone.

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I wash my plate in the sink and the doorbell rings. Lucy gets up to answer it and instantly Kara's irritating voice fills my ears. I sigh loudly and Lily walks up to me and says 'do you want to go home?'

'I thought you'd never ask,' she smirks, linking my arm with hers and says 'Come on.' We walk out of the kitchen and Kara, James and Lucy are talking in the hallway.

'Hey,' Kara says waving at Lily who waves back. 'What are you doing here?' Kara asks Lily happily as she walks over to us.

'Slept over.' Lily simply replies. I roll my eyes, tugging on Lily's arm and say 'Come on Lily.'

'Incase you haven't noticed we're in the middle of a conversation here.'

'Incase you haven't noticed we’re leaving so get out of my way,' I say through gritted teeth.

'I actually did notice-'

'So? Do you want a gold medal for that?' I sarcastically ask.

'Kara come on, you'll lose brain cells simply talking to her.' I feel Lily tighten her grip on my arm and I bite my lip as I can't believe he said that. It's been a year without receiving these statements and I can tell he's serious.

'Apologise for what you said James.' Lily says sternly.

'No, you heard what she said to Kara that day Lily so why are you taking sides?'

'I'm not taking sides.'

'Yes you are,' Kara interrupts.

'What's the matter? Are you jealous? Is that it?' I question and James replies for her 'Why would she be?'

'Do you tend to do all the talking for her; does she not have a voice of her own?' I sarcastically reply.

'James, apologise or get out of my house.' Lucy prevents him from replying as she cuts him off. He looks at her, raising his eyebrows.

'Are you serious right now?'

'Yes, I am.'

'So you're going to take their side?' He dramatically sighs.

'I'm not taking sides, you are my friend too but you shouldn't have said what you did so apologise for it or leave.'

'You're pathetic,' he mumbles angrily as he storms out of the house. There is a moment of an awkward silence before I break it.

'Come on,' I pull Lily's shoulder but Lucy stands in front of us.

'Are you two seriously going? Why are you going?'

'I'm tired.' Lily replies and Lucy rolls her eyes as she doesn't believe it.

'Well, I'd say "come along" but you have company,' I reply and she smiles a little.

'That was rude.' Kara speaks up.

'Whatever Kara, all you do is start up arguments, seriously I'm just sick of you and all your crap.' Lily retorts annoyed.

'Lily,' Lucy warns.

'No, are you actually going to stand there and listen to her rubbish?' Lucy doesn't reply and avoids making eye contact. 'Suit yourself; I honestly don’t know how you can do that after everything she has done.'

Lily untangles herself away from me and walks out of the house slamming the door. Lucy sighs loudly and Kara puts her arm around her shoulder. I turn to walk away but Lucy asks 'are you not even going to say "bye?" Are you just going to follow Lily?'

'Well she is upset.’ I reply.

'You don’t need her Luce, she's obviously on Lily's side.' Kara says loudly and I scoff. I walk over to Lucy and pull her out of Kara's grip before engulfing her into a hug which she returns.

'I'm not on any side,' I say as we pull away. She doesn't reply so I repeat myself stronger this time.

'Yes, I know.'

'I'll text you later'. I say and she nods before I walk out of the house. I notice Lily standing outside my car. 'Sorry,' I apologise as she didn't have a key.

'Don't be, are you sure you can drive?'

'I'm not that hung over Lily.' I reply and she smiles. I unlock my car and we slide inside. 

The car ride is short and silent. It's clear to me that Lily doesn’t want to speak so I don’t push her and remain quiet. 

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We walk into the house and instantly I recognise Elaine's voice. Then I hear Anna’s voice which is coming from the living room. Lily gently closes the door, not making any noise. I put my finger to my lips, gesturing for her to be quiet and she nods. 'How do I walk around not telling her this? Anna how can I show my face?'

'You need to talk to Dave.'

'I went to visit him in prison the other day and he said he doesn't want to bring it up, she can never find out Anna.'

'Okay, Elaine, you need to calm down.'

'I just feel guilty about all these lies; I don't know what to do.'

I purse my lips together as I look at Lily who shrugs her shoulders. What can't I find out? What are they hiding? I walk towards the open door closer, making sure they don’t see me. 'It will be fine Elaine,' Anna replies. 

Lily drops one of the coats on the coat hanger and Anna gets up quickly. Her eyes widen slightly as she notices that it is us. 'How long have you been here?' 

'We came in this second.' Lily replies and Anna smiles, clearly relieved. They walk back into the living room and start talking about another topic.

'I'm sorry,' Lily apologises.

'Don't be.' I smile and walk up the stairs, with all of these questions in my head. Questions that I don't have answers to.