CHAPTER 19

"Never forget that walking away from something unhealthy is brave even if you stumble a little on your way out the door."
-Mandy Hale

I only felt hurt. I felt betrayed. But most of all I felt like a fool. I don't know why I didn't listen to Logan. 

The music pounded through my head and people seemed to be crowding right in my path. I pushed everyone out of the way resulting in dirty looks and colourful words thrown at me. I looked back and spotted Eric looking for me, I fastened my pace. There was a slight buzz in my head after the alcoholic drinks I accepted from Eric. I wasn't one to drink. I wasn't one to get pressured easily either, but the desire for acceptance makes you someone that isn't you. 

Zoey was off partying with a girl named Louise who'd introduced her to a few other guys. I walked out of the house of the party to the front and shuffled through my purse for my phone. My mind was spinning and the urge to puke was horrid. 

Maybe this was the normal, but for me it was humiliating. It was degrading. God! I've never felt more stupid. I dialed mom's number. She answered almost instantly. Hearing my voice, she got worried, demanded to know what'd happened.

"Mom, everything was fine but he just changed- he was forcing me I didn't know what to do, I hit with a fricking lamp and ran. Now, I don't have a ride and I'm stuck at this party and I don't know what to do. Mom I'm so sorry I-"

"Okay, honey listen to me. I need you to get to a safe spot. Your father and I are coming to get you right now. Are you listening?"

"Yeah." 

"Text me the address and stay put." 

"Please come fast mom."

"We're coming. Call 911 if it's an emergency, okay?"

"Okay. Okay." I texted her the address. I'm going to be grounded for like ever for this. 

I was left waiting for the thirty minutes, but they didn't come. Horrible thoughts came to me in my horrible state. I blinked back tears. I called them. Over. And over. And then an hour passed by, I still didn't see them. I'd never see them again. They never came. 

♡♡♡

Everything came back to me slowly and I inwardly cringed. What would Evans think of me? It all came back to me, the almost kiss, the punch... but my mind was stuck on the painting. I'd never be able to get that painting out of my head. It was beautiful, it was full of life, it was me. Those eyes had been mine, a reflection of me. 

Evans drove in silence but I noticed him sneaking peeks at me. I couldn't blame him. I was doing the same. Evans stopped in front of the Hale residence and looked over to me. "Want me to walk you?"

"It's okay, you've done enough. Thanks for the ride." I smiled. "Good night Evans." I say as I opened the door of his car.

"G'night Hazel." He said quietly but I caught it clear and loud. My heart skipped a beat and a goofy grin made its way on to my face. Dang, I was slow. My eyes are hazel, the painting... Mary had been talking about me. Oh my gosh, that meant he had a crush on me. Without hyperventilating, I tried to normally exit the car. I couldn't look back and so I closed the door and walked off to my house without turning.

I heard Alex drive away and I let go of the breath I was holding in. I can't wait to tell Zoey, she'd flip. I quietly opened up the door with my key and slipped in. I walked through the house hoping Dave wouldn't see me, but nothing really ever goes my way.

I heard someone walk up behind me. Just what I needed today, I turned around and saw not only Dave but a red haired woman behind him, with her shoes in her hand. The woman gasped and smacked Dave's arm, giggling.

Dave muttered a string of curses and walked up to me. "You girly, where were you all day?" He pointed his meaty finger at me, slightly slurring in his speech.

"None of your business." I spat. "I'm not the one cheating on their wife!" I added quietly. 

"Who said I'm cheating?" He caught my words. "Who are you?"

"No one. I was just leaving." Smiled the red haired lady, then she gave Dave a kiss on the cheek and stumbled out the door.

"Who says I'm cheating? You?" Dave laughed, "who do you think Bree will believe? Her husband or a little whore like you?" Dave was completely drunk and he kept shaking his fist at me, his eyes narrowed.

"She'll believe me, everyone knows your a pig anyways!" I say trying to keep my voice steady as it was rising in anger. I kept telling myself it's not worth getting worked up over him.

"Don't you tell me off you bitch! You ungrateful brat, you're out to ruin Bree's marriage!" He slurred.

"What?! You're ruining your marriage, you old pig!" I shrieked losing my patience.

"DON'T YOU DARE RAISE YOUR VOICE AT ME YOU BITCH!" Dave yelled and he swung his fist at my face. I shut my eyes before I felt the impact hit my face then stumbled a few steps.

He hit me. I touched my face with my fingers and felt pain flash through. Dave punched my jaw and as I realized what just happened, I saw red. Adrenaline rushed through me and I got up, charging towards Dave.

"HOW DARE YOU?!" I pushed him and he fell back against the wall.

"What in the heavens is going on here?" Bree stood in the doorway with a suitcase in her hand and a look of confusion. "Dave? Honey, are you alright?"

Bree rushed over to Dave who was sitting on the floor now, dizzy and drunk. "This bitch went full crazy after I confronted her for coming home so late! She comes home at this time and has a bruise on her face for Christ's Sake Brianna!"

Bree looked up at me. "Is this true?"

"What? Of course not! I- He's lying!" I exclaim, surprised with the lie Dave just said.

"Were you out late, Scarlett?" She asked carefully. 

"No- Yes, but he gave me this-" I pointed to my face.

"And now she's lying. I told you Bree, she's trouble!" Bree brought Dave to the sofa.

"You don't- you don't believe him, do you?" Bree pursed her lips and carried Dave over to the sofa. "He's lying! He's always been lying, he's been cheating on you too!"

"Stop spewing crap, you little brat! You're trying to ruin our marriage because you got caught acting up!" Dave retorted, then gasped and grabbed his leg.

"Are you alright, honey?" Bree turned her attention back to Dave. I'd seen enough, I ran upstairs to my room and pulled out my duffel bag. I threw all my possessions inside, clothes, pictures, money. I dragged myself back downstairs. 

"We've got to get rid of her Bree before she causes anymore trouble." I heard Dave say angrily.

Well there's no need for that because I'm leaving. Dave had the guts to raise his hand on me for the first time today, but I've taken enough in the name of Bree but I knew, this, I wouldn't take. Feeling nauseous even standing in the house, I walked out and threw the keys on the porch.

♡♡♡

I don't know where I'm going, the night is cold and the wind is howling. I feel exactly like I did one year ago. Alone and homeless. With no place to go, I ended up at the park near our school in a sobbing mess.

A fear settled in as I realized I had no one to call and no place to go. What would I do? Where would I live? Finding a bench I sat down, setting down my bag beside me. My jaw throbbed where Dave punched it and my breathing grew unsteady.

Anxiety built up in my stomach and I clenched my fingers, opening and closing my hands. I pulled out my phone and called the one person I'd always call in a crisis, Zoey.

'HI! You've reached Zooeeyy but I'm busy right now. Leave a message after the beep and I'll get back to you. Maybe. Probably not.' Beep.

After trying her phone once again, I called Zara's number.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Hey Zara, its Scarett. is Zoey there? It's an emergency."

"Hey Scarlett. We're at the the hospital visiting my grandad and it's Zoey's turn to take care of Miranda."

"Oh okay, it's no problem. I'll talk to her later."

"Are you sure? I could go look for her if it's really important."

"No. It's alright. Thanks anyways."

"OK bye!"

I ended the call and let out a growl of frustration. I sat back and thought for a while. I thought about calling Evans and then noticing myself sitting here in the cold night with nowhere to go, I called him.

"That was fast, missin' me?"

"I know you just dropped me off. And I don't want to be a bother but I sort of left home because of some issues and I don't have anywhere to go and it's dark and I know this is like really annoying but is it okay if I could stay the night, I'll totally leave in the mornin-" 

"Scarlett, where are you?" He asked, worried.

"Pierre Park." I replied. He probably thinks I'm a pain in the ass now. Great, good job Scarlett. Always a burden to everyone.

"Alright I'm coming to pick you up, you know the bus stop across the park?" He said carefully, pronouncing each word clearly.

"Yeah?"

"Go there, I'm on my way."

"Okay." I ended the call and let out a breath. He hates me. I'm sure of it. I grab my bag and got up, my fingers starting to freeze from the cold.

The park was empty except for a couple on the other end smoking under a street lamp. I got up and headed towards the road to cross the street and my vision was a little blurry with all the tears falling out of my eyes. Like I said, I cry when I'm frustrated.

I stepped off the sidewalk, crossing on to the road to get to the bus stop on the other side. I'd stay with Alex for a little while, he'd understand. Wouldn't he? Maybe I shouldn't have called him at this hour. What would his mother think?

A loud honk pulled me out of my thoughts and a bright light blinds me as the wind made my eyes blurry and whipped my hair around. The car kept coming in full speed and slow motion and I stood frozen like a deer caught in headlights. I shut my eyes and my mind goes blank.

I feel pain shoot up my leg and hip as I fall I am on the impact of the car hitting me. I hear the door of the car open, my vision was now spinning. The pain in my leg was getting worse, but other than that and a tumble, I felt okay. The car hadn't hit me too hard. 

"Are you alright?" The driver yells out. A face comes in to view and I wonder if I'm hallucinating. He's standing over me with a worried expression, and I'm sure the car hit me worse than I thought because the only explanation for this was that I was hallucinating or dead. 

"Logan?" I hear myself whisper then lose all consciousness.

♡♡♡

A/N 

I hope that made sense and lived up to the drama and suspense. Ummm CLIFFHANGER HAHA!
Thanks for reading <3

Also, let me know if the book got better or worse. What'd you expect? Do you think she's dreaming? Who hit her? 

+I do my best to edit it, but if there are any mistakes, please point them out, i will not be offended, it'll help! :D