I fell, I lied. Jasper’s just a dickhead, who makes shit up.
She texted back. True, but I was stil worried. Glad yur ok. The key 4 the sleepout is under the ugly gnome, by the bird bath. My mum wil b home by 5. I’l make sure she doesn’t bug u.
I replied Thanx, then texted Dante next, praying he wasn’t mad at me. Sorry I snapped at u. Thought it was Jasper touchin me. Can u skip school & cum 2 Mischa’s house? It’s at... I texted the address, instructing him to meet me out back.
I waited for a reply, growing more and more upset as the minutes ticked by without a response. A beep finally sounded five minutes later, making me yell out in relief.
Can’t. Gotta stay aaaaat skool. Sory the DC hurt uuuu.
I breathed out, relieved he wasn’t mad at me, but also wondering why his texting was up the whop. Maybe he was typing under his desk, only looking down every so often. I’d done that in class plenty of times.
I quickly typed back. Afta school then?
My phone beeped a minute later. Can’t. Geeettin picked up. I’m under... The message cut off, making me wonder what he was going to say. Another text came through several seconds later. Under lockdown. The DC r followin me. They threatened me 2day.
Oh, baby, I’m sorry, I replied. I had nothin 2 do with that.
I kno. Don’t woooorry bout it.
I smiled, relieved he wasn’t blaming me. U sure u can’t find sum way 2 cum over? I’ll make it worth yur time.
Reeeeally cccan’t. Sory.
I frowned, trying to think of a way to entice him out of school. Not only did I want to see him, I now needed to see him for my mother’s sake.
I’ll let u fuck my arse, I texted, never having offered a boy that. But I knew they liked it. Ronnie had asked for it once, while Jasper had also asked. I’d turned both of them down, because I hadn’t wanted to stay with Ronnie, while I never wanted to be with Jasper. But Dante. I would let him do whatever he liked, even if it hurt.
No reply came back, making me shake. Was he turning me down? Or was he busy, unable to reply? And should I have said that? Fuck, he could be showing Jasper right now, laughing at me. No, he wouldn’t do that, he liked me, wanted me. Said I was beautiful. I flopped back onto my bed, feeling like crying.
I jumped as his reply came through almost ten minutes later. R u home?
I let out a relieved laugh, so happy it had worked. Yes. But we can’t meet up here. I don’t want Jasper interruptin us again.
That’s not yyyyy I’m askin. Jasper is headin 2 yur house.
My smile dropped. Why didn’t u tell me be4?!!!
Sooo high, fell asleeeep. Can’t think str8. Y did u say u wanteddd 2 fuck my arse? No one can fuck it + u don’t hav a cock.
No, I said u can fuck MY arse. I ran to the curtains and looked outside. Liam’s car was still there. I scanned the road, not seeing Jasper anywhere. But it didn’t mean he wasn’t coming, especially since I’d gotten a lift, getting home much faster than normal. He also wouldn’t be able to move that quick due to being so fat. Still, even if he did show up, I didn’t have to let him inside.
The memory of Jasper breaking in through the back door returned. I started to go into panic mode, then stopped, remembering Liam was across the road. Maybe he could scare Jasper off. I went to text him; Liam having put his number in my phone. It started ringing before I could get the first word typed.
“Hello?” I answered.
Sniggering came from the other side, accompanied by the sound of a girl giggling.
“Who’s this?” I snapped, so on edge I could break in two.
“It’s meeee!” Dante said. “Can’t type anymoore, kept hitting the wrong keeys.”
“Who’s that giggling behind you?”
“Annaballerina. She’s giggling cos I said I got shit on my condom once after fucking a chick’s arse.”
Annabelle burst out laughing, yelling, “Dante got shite on his dick!”
I gripped onto my mobile, anger slamming into me. “Why are you with that redheaded bitch?! Are you cheating on me?”
“She’s not a biatch, she’s a porcelain doll with painted-on freckles.”
“Stop licking yer finger,” Annabelle yelled, the girl sounding as high as Dante. “Ma freckles cannae wash off!”
“Ow! Why’d ja hit my dick?”
“I did not! I hit yer leg.”
“No, it’s as big as a leg.” He started laughing hysterically.
“What did you take, Dante?” I snapped.
He didn’t reply, his laughter turning into sniggers, then petering out into a yawn. He went quiet a moment later.
“Give Annabelle the phone!”
When he didn’t reply, I yelled louder. “Annabelle. Pick up the phone!”
“Sssh,” Annabelle said a moment later. “Dante’s gone rockabye baby.”
“Where are you and what drugs did Dante take?”
“Behind the gym and he smoked pot and swallowed a couple o’ pills.” She giggled. “His snoring is sooo cute, I could just pee ma knickers.”
“Is he all right?” I asked.
“He’s snoring, isn’t he?”
“Well, get away from him. He’s mine.”
“Naw, he’s too good for ye.”
“No, he’s too good for you, you ugly bitch.”
“Then why did he tell me I’m prettier than ye?”
“He wouldn’t say that!” I snapped, knowing she was lying. I was way prettier than the Scottish trollop. Not only was she covered with freckles, she looked like Chucky’s Bride, just a redheaded version. Plus, Dante had called me beautiful, so Annabelle was a liar.
Annabelle continued, “Well, he did, and I’m not leaving him. He’s ma boy mate. I can’t take off when he needs me.”
“He’s not your boyfriend, he’s mine!”
“Yer talkin’ pish. He disnae like ye, and I said boy mate, ye numpty. Anyways, I’m going to sleep with him now, so—”
I cut her off, “Don’t you dare fuck him!”
“I said sleeep, not fuck. You really are just boobs and no brains.” She hung up.
I yelled out, so fucking furious I felt like throwing my phone at the wall, but held back, instead calling Annabelle every name under the sun. The sound of screeching tyres cut off my vitriol. I shot to the window and parted the curtains, surprised to see Liam driving off. I stood there for a moment, taken aback, then refocused on my phone, quickly typing out a text to him, asking where he was going. It wasn’t like I wanted him here, I just wanted to know why he’d taken off when he’d said he was going to watch me. No, I did want him here, just in case Jasper showed up.
Liam didn’t reply, leaving me unsure of what to do next. I wondered whether I should go back to school to get Dante. At least I knew where he was. I could sneak around the back of the gym, promising Dante the bottles of rum and vodka if he came with me. I also needed to get him away from Annabelle, because there were no ifs or buts about it, she was definitely trying to steal him from me, this boy mate shit probably a ruse to get closer to him.
My phone started ringing again. I placed it to my ear. Before I could get a word out, Liam rattled off, “Can’t watch you, my li’l boy’s been taken to the hospital. My mate is on his way to cover for me. Stay where you are ’til he gets there, and be careful, I saw that fat fuck Skin on your street. Don’t answer the door if he comes to your place. My mate should be there in ten to fifteen minutes.” He hung up.
I looked back out the window, not seeing anyone, but still terrified of Jasper showing. Because he was definitely coming, otherwise he wouldn’t be on my street, not to forget Dante had warned me that the bastard was heading this way.
I drew the curtains completely, knowing I had to hide, especially after Jasper had broken in the last time. I dropped to my knees and crawled under my bed, sneezing at the dusty carpet. I wiped my nose and pulled the bedcover down a bit lower, making sure I was well hidden. I lay on the floor for several minutes, starting to wonder whether Jasper
was on my street for another reason, since it wasn’t that long.
Knocking started up, causing me to bang my head against the base of the bed, putting that thought to rest.
The bastard called out, “Phelia, open up!”
Go away, go away, I chanted in my head.
He finally stopped knocking. I remained where I was, again praying he wasn’t going to break in, that instead he would give up and leave. Noise came from the back of the house, making me curse under my breath. Within seconds, heavy footsteps thudded through my house, approaching my room. I bit my bottom lip, keeping perfectly still. Jasper entered my room, grumbling something in Māori, which I didn’t understand, my mum not having bothered to teach me. Regardless, I didn’t care what he’d said, all I cared about was that he left. And he did, heading out of my room.
My phone started ringing. Panicked, I yanked it out of my pocket and quickly turned it off. I tensed as Jasper backtracked, the thud of boots returning. The bedcovers were swept away. Lowering to his knees, Jasper cocked his head to the side, peering under the bed at me, his expression angry.
“Why are you hiding from me?” he barked.
I started crying. “Please don’t hurt me.”
“I won’t, as long as ya do as you’re told,” he said, indicating for me to come out.
I remained where I was, not moving an inch.
“Come out,” he said.
“No, you’re gonna hurt me like Jonah did.”
“I said I wouldn’t hurt you, so get the fuck outta there. I needa talk to you ’bout what you told Jonah.”
“I didn’t tell him anything! I wouldn’t betray Dante. You know I love him.”
Jasper’s scowl deepened. “Just come out.”
“No. Go away!”
“Not happening, bitch, so you either come out or I’ll lift your fuckin’ bed up.”
“Go away! I don’t want you here!”
He pushed to his feet and grabbed the bed, making me shriek as he lifted it. He slammed it against the window and its wall.
I scrambled to my feet, backing up as he advanced on me. “Don’t touch me!” I screamed.
He crowded me up against the upright base of the bed. “What are you hiding?” He leaned his face closer, making a show of sniffing me. “Cos right now, I’m smelling a traitor.”
“I’m not a traitor. I got bashed for protecting Dante!”
“You weren’t protecting him when you were liquoring him up for a fuck. I also saw Liam Papua’s car drive past me.”
“I didn’t want him here!”
He grimaced. “Sure you didn’t. Is that why ya look so fresh? He gave ya a lift home, DC bitch?”
“No, and I’m not DC.”
He flicked my school blouse. “You’re lying. I’m covered with sweat, while you don’t even have a drop on you. He did give you a lift. Admit it.”
“I didn’t have a choice! Liam made me get in his car, and another DC is comin’, so you needa leave before he gets here.”
“Are you threatening me?” he yelled, anger shooting across his face.
My eyes widened. “No, no,” I said, vigorously shaking my head, everything going haywire. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Bullshit!” His hand whipped out, grabbing me by the throat. I screamed and hit out at him. He placed his other hand over my mouth and lowered his face to mine, stilling me, his eyes vicious. “Do you know how the Skins got their name?”
I didn’t reply, not wanting to.
He let go of my mouth and reached down his leg, removing a... knife from his boot! I screamed, but instantly stopped as he placed the blade to my cheek. My body also responded, terror loosening my bladder, a trickle running down my leg. I started crying, terrified he was going to kill me.
Wrinkling his nose, he looked down my body, shooting away a second later. “You pissed yourself?” he said, his voice disbelieving.
I only replied with a sob, both terrified and humiliated at the same time.
He started laughing. “You dirty bitch. I’m gonna enjoy tellin’ everyone ’bout you pissing your knickers.” His smile turned nasty, his laughter drying up. “Especially Dante.” He lifted the knife. “And remember, if you tell the DC anything ’bout him, I promise you, I will slice your skin off, inch by bloody inch.” His grin widened. “Making you shit yourself instead.” He backed up, then disappeared through the doorway.
I stared at it, now knowing how to free my mum.
16
Clara
Tired from my gym workout, I unlocked my front door, not looking forward to going to school the next day, especially after finding out that Dante had had sex with Phelia. Yes, we hadn’t been in any sort of a relationship back then, but it still felt like a betrayal, especially after he’d come on to me so strong at detention that day, then had guilted me for turning him down. And to think that had all happened right after he’d had sex with Phelia. He was unbelievable!
Angry again, I stepped inside my house, stopping at the sight of Markus slumped against the couch, looking dishevelled and upset. It reminded me of the time I’d found him after he’d learned about his father’s death. My thoughts instantly went to his mother, whose recovery wasn’t going well, the emails from his sister revealing everything that Markus was keeping to himself.
“What’s wrong, Markus?” I asked, placing my keys on the cabinet by the front door.
He looked up at me, his expression going from upset to angry within seconds. He pushed to his feet and headed for me, his behaviour taking me by surprise. I backed into the door, wondering what on earth was happening.
“Markus?” I said, alarmed.
He grabbed my face and roughly kissed me.
I jerked my head away, smelling alcohol on his breath. “Why are you drinking again?”
He glared at me, his blue eyes hard. “Why are you stone-cold?”
“What do you mean by that?” I spluttered out.
“I’m sick of the way you’re treating me!”
I blinked at him, totally stunned. “I’m not treating you badly.”
“You’re not treating me at all!” he yelled, making me jolt, his anger now scaring me. Markus was always sweet, always nice, never raising his voice to me. Again, I wondered whether he knew about my affair with Dante, but was keeping it to himself, not knowing how to cope with it. No, I couldn’t imagine him not confronting me if he knew. He wasn’t passive, right now proving that.
He continued, “You’re never bloody ’ere.”
“I am now.”
“It’s seven o’clock! You’re always working late at that damn school. I’m like a minor character in one of those fucking books you read, popping up every so often to prove I’m ’ere.”
“I went to the gym. I texted you about it.”
“I didn’t get a text.”
“Check your messages.”
He removed his phone from his pocket, frowning a few seconds later, probably reading my message. He looked back up at me. “If it’s not the gym, it’s that damn school. You’re hardly home anymore.”
“The last few days have been busy and before that you were in England.”
“And before I went to England, you did exactly the same thing.”
“That’s not true!”
“It is! You’re either at the gym or working late at school.” He shoved his hand through his blond hair, the movement jerky. “Teachers bring work home; you don’t have to do it there after hours.”
“I find it easier to work at my desk and I’m here now.”
“Not in ’ere.” He touched where my heart was, his features saddening. “You’re elsewhere.” He touched my head. “’Ere too. You don’t want to be ’ere with me. You don’t want to be anywhere near me.”
“Don’t be silly—”
“I’m not being silly!” He hit his chest. “I can feel it. There’s a distance between us and I don’t know why. I noticed something wasn’t right before London, but now...” He pushed out a ras
py breath. “Why are you treating me like this?”
“I...” I paused, not knowing what to say, the hurt in his voice upsetting me, even more so knowing I was the one hurting him. “I’m not doing it intentionally,” I said, that much true, my attraction to Dante uncontrollable.
He briefly closed his eyes, his expression strained. “It feels like you are. And why didn’t you call me when I was in London?”
“I spoke to you,” I replied, wondering why he was bringing this up now all of a sudden.
“Only ’cause I called you.” He ran a hand through his hair again, giving the ends a tug, causing it to stand on end. “A whole month and not one damn call, like you didn’t care. Then when I get back, you didn’t even ask how me old girl’s doing,” he said, referring to his mother, “like you don’t give a toss.”
“I do care. I ... I just didn’t think you wanted to talk about her since you never mentioned her. I thought I’d upset you if I asked, so I emailed your sister and she told me what’s been happening.”
He blinked at me, appearing stunned. “So, you can talk to my sister, but not me?”
“It’s not like that,” I said, Markus taking it the wrong way. “Again, I thought you’d be upset if I asked about your mother. You didn’t say a thing about her on the ride home from the airport, so I just assumed—”
“You assumed fucking wrong!”
I jolted, Markus’s yell making my heart slam against my chest.
He glared at me, his blue eyes filled with pain. “I needed you, I fucking needed you, Clara, yet you treat me like I’m a footnote, there but barely looked at, brushed over, background noise you’d much rather do without. You don’t seem to care about anything I do lately. You don’t even seem to want to touch me. Do you realise the last time we had sex was almost two months ago? Before New Zealand we had sex almost every day, then it suddenly stopped. Why? Don’t you want me anymore?”
“Of course I want you,” I blurted out, knowing it was a lie, and feeling like trash for saying it. But I didn’t know how to tell him I no longer felt the same way, what we had, everything we’d shared hard to step away from. In my head I knew I should tell him, I even wanted to tell him, but getting the words out felt impossible to do, the risk of it unlocking more than I was willing to let out terrifying me. My mind was now a Pandora’s box, filled with ugly and dangerous secrets, capable of destroying my life. I also didn’t know how to deal with all this emotion he was throwing at me, all this anger. It had completely and utterly blindsided me.
Shattered Poetry (Broken Lives #2) Page 17
