just walk away quietly and they’ll never know I had gone.
I tap her on the shoulder knowing I need to get this out, I need to say goodbye. She gives me one look before worry etches across her face. Malik gives me the same look, but instead of lingering which I was worried he’d do, he gives Harlow a kiss then leaves us to it.
As soon as he’s out of earshot she’s pulling me into her arms. It makes me cry harder, no noise leaving my mouth. I just hold her, never wanting to let go, but I do when she asks me to tell her what’s wrong.
“He told me so many lies. Told me he had wanted me for years that he never met anyone like me before. I believed everything he ever said to me. Then that night, I gave myself to him. I gave him everything and he doesn’t even realise just how much he’s taken from me,’’ I sob and for the first time I feel myself becoming angry. I loved him, I think I did anyway. We’d been texting each other off and on from the first moment we met each other. At first it was just light ‘how are you?’ texts and getting to know each other. Then it turned to much more and I became connected to him. I honestly thought he felt the same way, but I was nothing more than someone to stick his dick into.
“Hey, everything’s going to be okay. What is wrong? Things will get better in time Denny, you’ll be crying over some other dickhead in a few months, I bet ya.’’ Her enthusiasm isn’t lost on me. She just doesn’t realise how wrong her comment truly is. Nothing will ever be the same again.
“That’s the thing Harlow; I don’t have time,’’ I cry, shoving my face into my hands, not able to look at her.
“What do you mean?’’
“I’m leaving,’’ I blurt out, pulling away from her.
“What... like going home?’’ she asks confused, her eyes watering too which makes this even harder to do.
“No. My parents kicked me out. My Nan has offered to let me live with her, so I’m moving to Wales.’’
“You can stay with us. Gram’s wouldn’t mind and she has a spare room,’’ she pleads.
“You don’t understand Harlow. It’s not that simple. I can’t stay here.’’
“Make me understand. What is it you’re not telling me Denny?’’ she pleads sounding desperate.
“I’m pregnant.’’
My hand covers my mouth in shock, not believing I had just said that out loud. I wasn’t ready for anyone to know. I told my parents last night. Hence the reason I’m being kicked out, but as for everyone else, I just wasn’t ready.
Her face is a mixture of shock and confusion. Her head snaps over to Mason who is still standing over by the fence, his eyes clearly fixed on us and if I’m not mistaken, worry etched across his face.
“Mason,’’ she says, and I nod my head as a cry leaves my mouth.
Another texted message alerts me that I need to go. “I have to go,’’ I whisper, but her hand shooting out stops me from moving.
“Wait there. We can sort this out, let me go get Mason. You don’t need to leave,’’ she says quickly, her mind obviously going over every scenario.
My mouth opens to stop her, but I snap it shut and give her a tight nod. Once she starts to walk away, I turn, and move towards the gate where I can see my Nan’s car waiting for me.
I’m just by the car when I hear her shout my name, along with a voice that still sends shivers down my spine and makes my skin break out in goose bumps. I don’t bother turning around. I open the car door and put on my belt.
“Please drive,’’ I cry, my voice barely a whisper.
My Nan looks out of the window and for a second I’m ready to scream at her to drive, but before I can open my mouth, she slowly peels out of her spot and drives off.
I lean my head on the window, looking out into the dark field whilst tears stream down my face.
“Everything is going to be okay,’’ Nan says, placing her hand on my thigh.
I don’t bother correcting her. Nothing is going to be okay. I can feel my heart breaking into thousands of little pieces the further we get away from the one person who could make this all better.
Chapter One
MASON....
Two and a