" Thank you . " I respond , smiling at her in return . As she begins to walk away , my phone buzzes inside my pocket . I smile immediately as I pull it out , hoping to see Jake's contact flash up on the screen . It isn't Jake . My palms begin to sweat and I look around , the paranoia building up inside me . My hands begin to tremble as I scan over the text a second time - You shouldn't be skipping college ... I'm watching you Emily . Who is this person ? Why are they watching me ? That's not creepy at all ... Who are you ? Leave me alone ! I quickly send the text , slamming my phone down onto the table , I blow out the breath I'm holding and lean back against the chair , closing my eyes . Suddenly I don't have much of an appetite for the cheese toastie . 44444 After finishing up at Lulu's , I decide the safest place for me to be is college . It's supervised by teachers and somewhat safe . I've already missed two hours but showing my face is better than not attending at all . On the way there I can't help shake the feeling that I'm being followed , my every move watched . 1/2 9:02 Tue , Oct 14 G ... Chapter 11 1 knock on my classroom door and enter , my eyes landing on a substitute teacher sat at the desk instead of Mrs Wilkins . Sorry I'm late , dentist appointment . I explain briefly before taking a seat next to Trish . I still feel terrible , my body is weak and constantly in pain . 88 I've managed to hide the bruises forming on my skin underneath a grey turtle neck jumper . I ignore the stares around me and instead pull out a text book from my bag , placing it onto the desk . Beside me , Trish watches before leaning closer - " You look terrible Em , shouldn't you be at home resting ? " Gee , thanks Trish . I shake my head , giving her a small smile . " I feel fine . " I lie effortlessly . " Is it the flu ? What if it's Ebola ? " Trish grimaces and I notice her not so subtle way of creating distance between us . I immediately splutter with laughter and curse myself for doing so as pain shoots through my side . I grip onto it tightly , waiting for the pain to subside . Chapter Comments 13 Write Comments SHARE 2/2 9:03 Tue , Oct 14 B His Mission ' Party at mine ! Everyone's coming . Ivory grins excitedly , handing me and Trish a note with an address scribbled messily across it . Only an hour remains before schoo l will officially be over for the weekend . I immediately open my mouth to let her know I can't make it . It's my automatic response to any social situation . Trish grabs hold of my arm , pulling me back before I can speak . " We'll be there, count us in ! " Trish smiles . Ivory does a small cheer before moving onto the group of people beside us . 88 " Trish ! I don't go to parties , you know that . " I tell her . Trish pouts sadly , giving me her best puppy dog eyes . It's so hard to resist her puppy dog eyes . * Please Em ! It's your birthday tomorrow so think of it as your birthday party ! I know it's not your scene but do this for your best friend . Please ? " Trish whines , her voice dripping with persuasion . I roll my eyes at her but can't help my lips from tugging up into the smallest of smiles . " I'll see what I can do , " I respond , feeling the nerves and excitement beginning to build up inside me. I've imagined my first party for so long ... I pull out my phone and find my mothers number before taking a deep breath and calling her . Trish nervously sits beside me , her leg bouncing up and down in anticipation . I cross my fingers on my left hand and Trish does the same with both of hers , mirroring my actions . I need all the luck I can get . Mum finally answers after a few rings . I breathe in deeply , ready to throw my acting skills in her direction . " Hey Mum ! So it's really close to exam week and I'm behind on homework. I was wondering if I could spend the night at Trish's house . You remember my friend Trish from school , don't you ? " I ask , blabbering way too fast . " Emily slow down ! Yes I remember Trish . " Mum says on the other end . I bite down on my lip , waiting for her to decide whether I can stay with Trish tonight . * Fine , can study at her house tonight but remember you need to be home early tomorrow morning for your birthday . " My mouth flies open in shock . Mum actually agreed to let me stay out for the night . I did lie to her but she doesn't need to know the real reason , right ? " Thank you , thank you , thank you ! " I say quickly , ending the call before she can change her mind . Trish's eyes light up and she squeals loudly , holding out her arms . I squeal back in response and lunge for her , embracing her in a tight hug . ' I can't believe this ! My best friend is going to part - ay with me tonight ! " She pulls me back happily , placing her hands on either side of my face . I grin widely , feeling the excitement practically burst through me . " Maybe Jake will be there ? " Trish teases , wiggling her brows at me suggestively . I feel my cheeks heat up in embarrassment and lightly slap her arm . " Stop teasing me , " I smile , biting down on my lip nervously . Almost every night Jake and I talk about anything we can think of . The conversation always flows so easily with him and ends with my stomach sore from laughing . A good kind of pain . The late night phone calls would sometimes drift over into the early hours of the morning . He'd quickly became someone I thought of regularly and seeing him in college every day was the cherry on top of our friendship . He's funny , cheeky and not as scary or dangerous as everyone else made him out to be . 1/2 9:03 Tue , Oct 14 B .. Chapter 13 " I cannot wait to party with you . This is going to be the best night ever ! " I couldn't help but giggle in response , the feeling of excitement overcoming my anxiety and nerves . It's party time ! ชร " Trish ! " I groan , staring in shock at the shortest dress in history . " I cannot wear that ! I'll look like I belong on a street corner ! " I explain , handing her the dress back . I was sprawl out on her bed , watching as she rips apart every corner of her wardrobe . " Jake will like it , " she winks , causing me to shoot her a stone cold glare . Chapter Comments 12