Mia couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened at the shop. She wondered if Ryan and his mom were okay, and if Jeff had come back. As it began to get later, she wasn’t sure how she was going to sleep with all this running through her head.
Hamlet knew something was up, and snuggled in next to her on the bed with his head on her leg.
“What should I do, boy?” she whispered.
But the dog just stared at her with his large dark eyes.
Just then, something hit Mia’s window. Her forehead creased. It hadn’t been large, but she’d definitely heard a noise. Hamlet had also looked up, and was studying the glass pane with interest.
Then it happened again. Something small and hard ricocheted off the glass. She got up and went over to the window, and couldn’t quite believe her eyes when she saw Ryan standing on the lawn below.
She opened the window, and in a hushed voiced called out to him. “What are
“So, what have you been doing for the past week then?” Brook had her arms folded across her chest, and looked as if her eyeballs were about to laser into Mia’s skin.“It was a bad week alright? But I think I might have some help to get back in now.”Brook raised her eyebrow. “Is that so? Who’s helping you then?”“Ryan. Ryan Lee.”Brook scoffed, Ryan Lee? Was she crazy? “Okay. If you think you can make that work, then fine. But I want this piece ready before Christmas.”“Yeah okay. It’ll happen.”Brook exited the room and Mia was left there standing with Tilly.“Is Ryan really going to help you? Like have you asked?”Mia made a face. “Not exactly…”Tilly put her face in her hands. “Oh god.”“It’s fine. Honestly. I’ve got a plan. Kind of.”Tilly sighed. &
Annie and Trish were so overjoyed that Mia had managed to secure a date with Tyler, that they insisted that she visit Annie’s after school one day to prepare.“I know you’ve been making a bit more of an effort recently, but you need to step your game up if you’re going to be dating a footballer,” Annie said whilst rifling through her closet.Mia was perched on the edge of her bed, worried sick that she was going to mark the pristine white linen. “I’m not sure we’re exactly dating…we haven’t even had the first date yet,” she commented, edging forward a little more.Trish was painting her nails a hot pink colour at Annie’s vanity desk, and looked up briefly. “Come on Mia. You have to think more positive than that. Once we’re done with you, he won’t be able to resist.”Mia bit her lip. That was the issue though. She didn’t want to be irresistible to Tyler.
“Maybe it’s time you had your own transport,” Carla commented as she drove Mia to Annie’s house.It was the night of the date, and Mia hadn’t really been paying attention to what her mom had been saying. She’d been too focused on not being sick from nerves.“What did you say?”“A car Mia. I’d rather that than have to keep ferrying you round everywhere.”Mia gave her mom a side-ways glance. “Okay. Well, that would be great.” After everything that had happened between them recently, the last thing Mia would have expected would be her mom buying her a car. Maybe she just didn’t want to spend any more time with her than necessary.Carla nodded. “I’ll have a look round town tomorrow when you’re at work. It won’t be fancy though okay? Just something to get you started.”“No. Okay, thanks. Really.”Mia’s mind st
Mia had to force her feet to move down the stairs. They didn’t want to open the door to Tyler either.“Come on, Mia!” Annie gushed. “You can’t keep him waiting too long!”As she finally made it to the bottom of the stairs, Annie asked if she was ready.Mia felt like she was ready to be sick.As the door opened, Tyler’s image came into view. Mia had to admit, he looked good. He was wearing dark jeans, and a tight white t shirt. However, it didn’t matter how hot he was. Mia still knew he was a dick. She also noticed the way Tyler’s eyes were roaming every inch of her body. It made her uncomfortable.“So, what so you think Tyler?” Annie asked, looking at the both of them.“I think I’m about to take out the hottest girl in this town,” said Tyler, sliding towards Mia. He knew she was pretty, but Annie had taken her to a whole other level. She was definitely worthy
“Popcorn, milk duds, or both?” “Both. And a soda.” The words were out before Mia could even stop herself. Despite the situation, she kind of loved the movies. There was that feeling excitement. Right from getting all her favourite snacks. This movie theatre was quite old fashioned too. There was plush red velvet everywhere and the unmistakale smell on popcorn. Tyler laughed. “What ever you want babe.” And with that, his arm was back around her shoulders. Maybe she should have declined his offer, but she had to get something out of this ridiculous evening. “Make sure you don’t bust out of that dress after all that, Mia,” Savannah spat. Mia was about to respond, but Tyler got there first. “I wouldn’t have a problem with that.” He shot a wink at Mia. “Come on Tyler, lets get the tickets,” Ryan said, wanting to end the exchange. When the boys got in line, Tyler turned round to face Ryan. “What g
He’d hardly slept all night. He had no way of knowing if Tyler had tried anything else after Mia left with him after the movie. When he’d dropped Savannah off, he’d been tempted to wait around until he could sneak into her bedroom again. But he wasn’t sure if he could handle that either. Being so close to her and alone had been difficult. He wrote it off as he’d just become fond of her since she’d kept his secret. That was all. Nothing more.It was Saturday, so he made sure that he was up early and, in the store, before she got there for her shift. It also gave him a chance to calm him mom down. Ever since Mia had caught his dad hitting her, she’d been in a panic. She was terrified Mia was going to say something. At the very least, she knew it might be awkward seeing her again.“I told you mom. she’s promised not to say anything. So, she won’t.” He was watching his mom pace up and down the aisle.
As Mia made the drive over, she still couldn’t believe that Ryan had offered to sort out her new truck. When he’d offered the day before, she’d almost expected it to turn into a joke. For him to turn around and go ‘hah! Not really!’ Then she started to worry that he would do that once she got all the way to his house. She pushed the thought away. No. They were friends now, right?Ryan’s house was on the edge of town. The whole property was encased in fir trees, making it a private spot that couldn’t be overlooked. Mia realised that this was probably the reason no one had witnessed any of the abuse perpetrated by his dad at home.A long pebbled drive took her down to an outbuilding where Ryan said he would be, and as promised, he was standing there waiting for her. He looked different today. There was no football jacket. Just a pair of old jeans with marks down the front, and a dark t shirt. For the first time since she’d
Mia screamed as Jeff took Ryan by the throat and slammed him into her truck.“Get out of here, Mia,” Ryan spluttered.Without even thinking, Mia launched herself at Jeff, bashing her fists against his large frame. She didn’t even have a plan. All she knew is she wanted to stop him from hurting Ryan. Her attack caught him by surprise, allowing Ryan free from his grasp. He dropped to the ground, choking.“You little bitch,” Jeff roared. “How dare you!”He forgot about his son on the floor. Jeff had his sights firmly set on Mia now. She knew it too. He turned towards her, taking steps closer and closer. His fist came up. Just as he was about to swing, Ryan came up behind him and pulled him back. But Jeff was too quick, and with one swift movement his elbow slammed into Ryan’s stomach. Ryan fell back to the floor, gasping for breath.Jeff rounded back on Mia, but instead of flinching or shying away, she m