Chapter 7: can we talk?

?Hidden Scars?

(Pain within?)

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✏Written by Authoress Kamara✏

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Episode 7???????

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?Natasha?

I wasn't even listening to what Bella had been saying.

Two days now, i haven't been myself, two days since Alan raped me mercilessly in the kitchen with no one to hear my cries.

"So what do you think, Tasha?". Bella asked.

"The other one". I told her.

"I know right". She continued chattering.

I sighed, at least he's gone for now. Early this morning, Mum drove him to college along with his belongings and I hope he will never come back.

"Hey girls". Harley said walking over to meet us in the study hall.

"Harley!!". Bella called smiling.

Harley faced her chair to meet us as she sat on it.

"So what are you girls doing this friday?". Harley asked.

"You know this friday is the after games party right".

"Yeah, I know that". Harley replied. "Are you both going?".

"I am but Tasha isn't, boring am I tight?".

I poked Bella. "I'm your best friend, you are not allowed to call me boring".

"Oh please". She said with an eye roll. "I wonder how we became best friends".

"Why are you not coming for the party?". Bella probed me.

"I'm not into parties".

"Come on, Tasha. Its just one party". Bella pleaded.

I groaned. "Like I said before, i'm not going".

"Hey Coz". Reece walked over. "Nat".

I frowned. "Its Natasha to you".

"I love calling you Nat". His eyes twinkled.

"And I love it when you are not around". I retorted.

"I'll fulfill your wish then". He tugged Harley. "Come on, Harley, we need to talk".

"I'll be right back, girls". Harley stood up and followed Reece.

"He's totally into you". Bella said immediately.

"I thought we were done with this topic". I said tiredly.

"Why can't you see it, Tasha?".

"Because I don't want to". I replied frustratingly. "I don't have the time for boy problems okay?".

She rolled her eyes. "You are so boring".

"What am I hearing about boy problems?".

"Hey Jeremy".

He sat on the table. "Spill".

"Bella here". I pointed at her. "She keeps disturbing me with the fake fact that Reece likes me".

"Umm, hello. Its the truth". Bella replied.

"Even if Reece likes Natasha, she doesn't like him". Jeremy stated.

"You don't know that". Bella faced me. "So, Tasha, do you like__".

"No, I don't". I said interrupting her. "I do not like Reece". I said.

Bella huffed angrily. "You just don't know it yet".

"Natasha said she doesn't like him and thats final". Jeremy said.

"Jeremy is right". I agreed.

I looked at Jeremy and noticed a wave of relief in his eyes. Weird.

"So back to the party topic". Bella started.

I groaned. "Can you please stop talking about that?".

"Nope". She said popping the 'p'.

Jeremy stood up. "I guess I should leave you two with your girly stuff".

I held his palm. "Jeremy, please stay".

"Fine". He sat down. "But only because you asked me to".

I smiled. "At least I need someone who doesn't fill my eardrums with party talks".

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•Authoress Kamara Library

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?Reece?

"Why did you call me here?". Harley inquired as we walked into the class.

"We need to talk". I told her.

"I'm listening".

"We still need to figure out who placed the bet on Nat, remember?".

She sighed. "I told you yesterday, it was Alan".

"But are you sure? She is his sister".

"Alan does things without caring who he hurts".

"But his sister? Isn't that a little too extreme?".

She scoffed. "We are talking about the same guy who tried to murder me".

"That was all your fault".

She gawped. "My fault?".

"I clearly warned you about him but you were just so deceived by his charming talks".

"Excuse me for not listening to you, Mum". She said sarcastically.

"Sorry okay?".

"Look there's a different matter we need to focus on".

I raised an eyebrow. "And that is?".

"The party, dammit". She snapped at me.

"What party?".

"The after games party".

"Is there something I need to be worried about?". I asked curious.

"I'm sure most guys would be there to try to get Natasha".

"If thats what you are worried about then fine I'll come for the party to protect her".

"What are you now? Some kind of superman". She teased me.

I groaned. "Harley".

"Sorry". She apologized. "Protect Natasha, got it".

"But you know i still haven't figured out that Alan stuff".

"Okay fine, you go do that while I'll inquire more about the party from Matt". She explained.

"And try to squeeze more information this time around".

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•Authoress Kamara Library

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?Natasha?

"Please please, Tasha". Bella pleaded as she clasped her hands in front of her.

"For the 10th time, nope". I replied.

She gave me the puppy dog eyes. "Tasha, come on".

"Help me out here, Jeremy".

"Bella ..". Jeremy started.

"Tasha, please. Its just one party".

Jeremy looked at me. "I tried my best".

I sighed and closed my books. "Isabella, i don't like parties".

Parties are full of stupid loud music, lots of alcohol, demoralized teenagers and people passing out everywhere. Staining placed with their stinking vomit.

"Why?". She whined. "I'll keep disturbing you until you give in".

Jeremy shrugged smiling a little. "I guess you have to go, Love".

I sighed. "Okay fine, I'll come".

"Yes". Bella jubilated around on her seat.

"She said yes because of me". Jeremy bragged grinning.

I laughed. "Keep telling yourself that".

"Girls, I'm back". Harley said walking towards us. "Jeremy scoot".

"I'll leave you guys". Jeremy pecked me on my cheek. "Bye".

He held his backpack and walked to his teammates in the study hall.

"So ..". Harley sat down. "What did I miss?".

"Tasha said yes, so we are going to the party".

Harley squealed excitedly. "For real?".

"Yep". Bella answered.

"We should definitely go shopping for party clothes together". Harley said facing us.

"I love shopping". Bella chirps happily.

I shook my head. "No way".

"Yes way". Bella responded.

I grunted. "I already said yes to the party, what more do you want?".

"Shopping!!". They both say together.

I hate shopping, walking through aisles looking for the perfect clothes stresses me out a lot.

Harley faced me. "Why don't you like shopping?".

"Natasha is boring at fashion". Bella told her. "All she ever wears is her hoodie, long sleeved shirts, always covering up her skin".

I shrug, my mood turned dim as Bella reminded me of the reason I always wear long sleeved shirts.

I tugged at my shirt covering my arms, two nights ago when Alan did that to me. I had resisted a lot and he beat me up like the psychopath he is.

I have a lot of bruises on my arm and back, i'm grateful that my shirts can cover that but it can't cover the pain within.

"Girls".

I looked up to see Andrew Pitts.

Harley crossed her arms. "What do you want, Andrew?".

"I'm not here for you Harley". He smirks. "I came to see Natasha".

"Me?". I asked in disbelief.

"Yes you". He looks at me. "Can we talk?".

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TBC