Page 12 of Beyond Repair, Part One (Damaged Duet #1)

Nina

H ow does a normal young adult react when their parents admit that they booked a hotel room for a week instead of the three days they told me at first? A week!

My dilemma comes from the fact that they lied and stayed to keep an eye on me, but I'm secretly so freaking happy to see them on my front step. So what do I do? I open the door wide and allow them inside.

With all the locks in place, I turn around and place my hands on my hips with confidence I don't feel. "So you're here for four more days?"

Mom nods happily while Dad meanders into my kitchen. He opens the fridge and immediately frowns. "It looks the same, Nina."

I sigh, my stance deflating. "I saw you yesterday. And I'm one small person."

"Let's go out for dinner." Mom claps excitedly, trying to diffuse the tension.

Something's off with them, but I don't have the energy to figure it out. I didn't sleep well last night. Actually, I haven't slept well in four and a half years. I'm perpetually exhausted.

Nibbling the inside of my cheek, I fidget while trying to figure out how to say no.

My parents have rarely pushed me outside of my comfort zone.

Encouraging me to move out was the biggest nudge of all, and now they what?

Want me to sit in a small space with a bunch of strangers watching me while I don't eat?

"Nina?"

I step back and around my mom, not wanting her pitying touches and looks. "I'm not hungry," I mutter, barely able to control myself from running to the corner of my couch.

The open concept is great when I need space, but more often than not, I like to know without a doubt that I'm alone and nobody can find me. I've been eyeing up the little nook under the stairs and debating if I can make it into a cozy space when I need it. Plus, the door is incredibly discreet.

I want to hide. From my mom. Dinner. From the world. Tugging my blanket up to my chin, I curl into the couch, then watch as my mom and dad approach me. Mom sits by my feet, and Dad drapes another blanket around me before kissing my forehead.

"Take a nap, sweet. We'll watch over you. Just rest now."

I'll never sleep as well as I do when my dad assures me of his protection. So as my mom turns our vampire show on for the millionth time and puts the volume on low, I allow myself to drift off into a dreamless sleep.

H ushed voices are the first thing I notice as I wake.

Blinking, I rub away the sleepiness from my eyes and take in how cozy my living room is.

I must have slept through the rest of the day, because now it's dark, but the warm lighting from the dining room and kitchen are creating a gentle hue around my living room.

The TV is still quiet, and it looks like the main bad boy vampire is carrying his girlfriend to safety. Yum .

"You shouldn't be here!" I hear dad hiss. Immediately, I stiffen and look around, only to realize Mom and Dad are nowhere to be seen. More muttering. "No. You need to leave."

A lump forms in my throat and my belly twists uncomfortably. Who's here? A thud sounds, then Mom becomes partially visible behind the wall that separates the entryway and the living room. She looks pale and anxious, freaking me out even more. But Dad's next words send me spiraling.

"No. Seriously, you all need to leave. Nina's not ready for this."

Vomit crawls up my throat, but gravity shoves it back down as I jump up from the couch and sprint to the one place I think I'll be safe. Someone's here. People are here! For me .

As quietly as my shaking body can allow, I yank the small door open by its tiny brass latch and sneak into the stairwell nook.

I don't even care if there's no handle to get out from the inside.

All that matters is I can control this space.

Mom and Dad know about this spot, but I hope they forget about it.

Please, please, please, leave me alone!