chapter 37

Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis

Hello! Thanks for waiting for this update, I'm sorry it took a while.

I just want you guys to know I do see every vote; everytime somebody adds this book to their reading list. I also read EVERY single comment, even though I don't reply to all of them. I want to thank everybody for it, it means a lot to me.

This chapter is dedicated to ArcticDoggies for the votes and comments. Thank you!!

"This is unacceptable." My dad furiously says to the person on the other end of the phone. "He's unstable. He kill—"

My dad pauses, warily giving me a glance. He knows its a sour topic for me. I still wince every time its mentioned.

My mom rubs my arm in a comforting way. She has one arm wrapped around my body and the other on my arm.

After I confessed to mom about everything, she called dad and he immediately came home. He was upset that I didn't tell him about the messages but he also understands why.

" —no, you listen here." My dad barks. "This is your mess. My daughter is being threatened by him whilst you're sitting there and doing nothing. So I suggest you get off of your lazy ass before I get you fired."

Bitterly, dad hangs up and chucks his phone on the sofa. He tugs a hand through his hair as he sighs angrily. I can practically feel his anger rolling off of him in waves.

"They're useless. Apparently, he left months ago because he's 'stable enough' now. They said he isn't a danger to society anymore." Dad crossly says, pacing in front of us in the living room.

"Honey, everything is going to be fine." Mom tries to soothe but dad waves it off, muttering something about calling the cops. Mom doesn't seem to like the fact that he blatantly ignored her. She's that type of person who has to be heard.

"Mark, sit down right now." Mom commands authoritatively, squeezing my arm in reassurance. Obediently, dad complies, grumbling under his breath. I have to hold back a chuckle at his behavior. They act so funnily together. "Right, we are going to call the police and inform them of the situation. Then we will call your parents Mark and ask if we can stay with them for a while."

What? My parents want to take me away from here?

"Mom—" I start but she cuts me off.

"Get packing sweetie. You'll need to pack for at least a couple of weeks."

She then walks off out of the room to start packing. We're...we're just leaving. I know its not forever but this just doesn't feel right. I can't just leave for a couple of weeks without anyone knowing. Especially, Xavier, he'll be so angry and disappointed with me.

I run a hand through my hair, breathing deeply. I don't want to run away from Chris. I don't want to show to him that he's getting to me, that he's making me feel weak. I don't want to prove to him that he's winning.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings, bringing me back to reality. I get up and go to answer it.

"Annabella," Cora says relieved, sighing. She looks puffed out, with her cheeks flustered and her messy. Ren stands next to her, looking slightly angry. She barges inside and gives me a fierce hug. I notice Cora comes in too, texting somebody and then flashing me a small smile when she's finished.

Moments later, Xavier's car pulls up in front of my house. He steps out of his car, expressionless and stomps over. I gulp, unsure of what to do. His eyes are holding me captive, daring me to move away.

He embraces me in a hug and I can't help but enjoy the warmth he brings. I take in his delicious smell that makes my knees feel wobbly. This man...makes me feel things I never thought I would feel.

Eventually—much to my disappointment—he pulls away. I tilt my head upwards to stare at his beautiful and hypnotizing eyes. He seems to be assessing me, taking in my probably puffy eyes from crying and my stressed expression. I know he's going to ask me, he's curious like any normal person would be.

"Princess you scared me." He mumbles, his arms wrapped around my small waist. "You've been crying. Did someone hurt you? I swear to god I will kill them for hurting you. Tell me who it is and—"

"Xavier." I interrupt him, "thank you."

He gives me a puzzled look.

I playfully rolled my eyes. "For being here for me. For being your over—protective self."

He nods his head, giving me his award—winning smile. "Anytime."

I step back and stare at my two best friends who both have their arms crossed, giving me an expected look. What the hell am I going to tell them? 'Hi, yeah. Sorry for running off, I was just having a break down because my brother that you don't know about has escaped from the mental hospital and is out to get me. Do you want a hot chocolate?'

No. That wouldn't go down well at all.

Do you see my dilemma here?

If I tell them, they can be in danger. I know my friends well enough to know that they will try to help me no matter the cost. I don't want them to get hurt. Telling them will make them annoyed that I lied to them, let alone having Chris come after them.

I will not get them involved with any of this. I owe them that much.

"Annabella, you need to tell us what happened. You just left us there, completely worried. It looked like you were going to have a panic attack." Ren says. If only she knew how she right she is.

Just as I'm about to reply, my mom beats me. "Anna, packing! Now!"

All eyes turn to me, confused. I look downwards to avoid their penetrating stares. I'm keeping it secret for them.

"Packing?" Cora repeats, puzzled. She frowns, staring at me. "Annabella, what's going on?"

I can hear the desperation in her voice, she wants to know to help me. She wants to be there for me.

"I—I" I stammer. "We..."

Suddenly, my mom comes down the stairs, about to tell me off for not getting started on the packing when she sees our visitors. She gives me a surprised look, blowing a piece of her copper—colored hair away from her face. She had messily put it in a bun, something she does when she's stressed.

"Oh, Anna didn't say we were getting visitors." She gives me a look. My mom has done a 360 turn on her personality. She's gone to protective and worried mom again, not happy and carefree mom. Its like she's a completely different person.

"Hello, Esme." Ren greets with a small smile. "Why are you guys packing?"

Mom gives me a disapproving look, for putting her in this situation. I'm going to have a 'talk' later about my actions.

They're doing this because they love you.

"Oh well, Anna's great aunt recently died and we only just found out. We are going to visit her great uncle for a while to help him get back again." She lies skillfully.

Ren nods her head, not looking utterly convinced. The whole time, I feel Xavier's eyes on me. When I glance at him, I can almost see the wheels turning in his head as he's trying to work out what's going on with me.

"Anna," mom snaps, heading back up the stairs. I nod my head, walking up with her.

Mom holds onto my shoulders for reassurance, giving me a small smile. "Sorry for snapping at you honey but I'm just...stressed. Please just hurry up before something else happens."

I nod and race the rest of the way up the stairs. I just left my friends there to walk out of the door. What are they going to think of me?

I run around my room, packing the essentials. I'm so engrossed in it that I don't notice my three friends standing outside of my room. They must have followed me up without me even realizing it.

I yelp in shock and nearly fall over.

"Oh my gosh guys," I place a hand over my racing heart. "You gave me a fright. What are you still doing here?"

Ren rolls her eyes at me, flipping a bit of her blonde hair over her shoulder. "Did you really think we would believe what your mom said?"

That's what I was hoping.

"Yeah," I mumble under my breath, collapsing onto my bed. They must have worked out that there's something big going on if my mom lied. She never lies. She's good at it but that doesn't mean she likes doing it.

Cora sighs, stepping forwards. "What is it?"

I look at my wall that's full of memories. It has pictures of me, Ren and Cora together and even some of me and Xavier. There's one from our first date when he sneakily took a picture of me. It makes my stomach erupt with butterflies every time I look at it.

Without a word, I head over to my desk where the picture of me and Chris is. If I can't find the courage to say it, I'll show them it.

I open my drawer and take it out. I look at it for a second, the picture bringing back unwanted memories of the past. I don't even notice I'm crying until a tear falls down on to my floor. Sniffling, I wipe it away and quickly give it to them.

They all look at it, confused.

"What does this mean Annabella, I'm still lost," Cora says.

I don't know why but I feel like I should look at Xavier. His intense eyes remain on the picture. At some point, he must feel my eyes on him because he looks at me. I don't know what my face is showing but whatever it is, it's enough to make him walk over to me and give me a hug.

After I've calmed down, I walk over to my bed and sit down. I gesture for them to sit down too. Cora drags my desk chair over to us and plonks down on it, Ren sits in front of her on the floor and Xavier sits on my bed next to me.

"That—That," I swallow nervously, trying to get control of my voice. "That picture means everything."

They give me a look to continue and reluctantly, I do.

"That's a picture of me and my brother, Chris."

Word count: 1879

So...how did you find it? I'm sorry it's not that exciting, I can tell you that in the next chapter you find out about Chris.

Also, if anyone wants to make a cover, banner etc then please do! I'd so love to see them and put them on here! My email address is [email protected]. It would be amazing to have some sent in!

Question: how long do you want this book to be? I'm aiming to finish it by the middle of March (I doubt I will end up doing that though).

And that's about it for me.

Next update: 2nd March