Page 4

Eve

"So-" Katie slides up next to me on the floor of our dorm, as I place my final sweaters into the storage drawer -"I've just been invited to the annual first term party and I've got a plus one." She waggles her eyebrows at me.

"I don't know-" I start but I don't get very far before she cuts me off again.

"Hear me out, you want a fresh start. This will give you it. Meeting new people, it would be good for you. Trust me!" She nods vigorously.

I should do it. My father is across the country, half the school is probably already aware of my last name. No one knows anything specific, if I showed up maybe people would put the rumours to rest or at least show them that I'm not a victim.

I'm a survivor.

I'm surviving.

The world has speculated about the abuse that was suffered in my household with my brother and father ever since an alleged anonymous source told a new channel, the police never investigated it so he's been left untouched and now it's just the talk that floats around.

Luke fights me on my choice to not make a statement or address it with the police once a month, I know that once we do everything will get worse. The rumours. The stares. The disgust.

Luke would able to survive it with Lizzie to lean on, I have no one. I couldn't survive it.

I know exactly what they would say, they would say I was "the lucky one". The one my father never laid a hand on because my big brother was there. I would be shamed in society by my brothers fans for my inability to protect him.

They would - will - never know about the faded scar over my heart from my fathers pocket knife, they would never know about the hits I suffered once Luke left for college. They would never know what it felt like to be bleeding out, tied up and gagged while you were forced to watch your big brother nearly die.

No, because I'm the lucky one.

"Okay. I'll come." I half heartedly smile, and it's worth it once I see the smile bloom across Katie's face.

"Really?! Omg I thought it would be much harder to convince you! Anyway, we have to leave in like thirty minutes!" With that she rushes out of my room and a second later I hear the door slam and a "Sorry!" being called out.

With a huff I turn towards my wardrobe, assessing the clothes hanging up. Not wanting to overdress myself, I slip on my denim mini skirt and a black backless top. I apply a touch up of make up to conceal the dark bags under my eyes.

I quickly move around my room rushing around to my find my student ID and phone, I stop myself to a halt in front of my floor length mirror.

My light brown hair falls neatly down my back, I fiddle with my necklace for a minute as I stare at myself. I look decent, better than I have in months.

I'll get out of this.

I'm not afraid.

"Eve let's go!" Katie calls from the living room.

Would he be there? I find myself blushing at the thought of seeing Carson again, I asked Katie what his name was once she managed to find me after I had my escape from the cafeteria.

Would he even notice me?

"Eve!"

"Coming!" I call back, rushing out of my room leaving my thoughts behind.

——?? ——

"So-" I clear my throat -" who's going to be there?" I ask trying my best to sound nonchalant but it doesn't seem to work as Katie sends a curious smile my way.

"Well it's my friends TK's party and he's on the football team so I assume all of his friends and then the cheerleaders, I guess." She shrugs, my body immediately tenses up.

Captain of the football team. Carson Blake. I look out the car window forcing myself not to recall the whispers I heard at lunch.

"Anyone you looking for?"

"Nope. Just want to assess the situation." I watch as we turn into a gated neighbourhood, people in skimpy outfits stumble across the pavement.

I shut the car door gently when I step out, waiting for Katie to round the corner to me. My hand finds itself rubbing over my heart.

"If you ever want to leave just tell me and I'll go with you. Plus you look banging tonight so I think you'll get plenty attention" Katie steps up to me and links our arms together as we walk towards the front door where the music is blasting from.

A whiff of weed, alcohol and sweaty bodies all mixed together stenches the house. Bodies are cramped together as I do my best not to lose Katie in the crowd.

"Follow me!" Katie shouts over the music as she takes my hand and leads me towards a kitchen area, I catch a couple guys stare at my ass and wolf whistles as we walk past but I keep my head held up high.

We approach a group huddled near a ping pong table only a few familiar faces in the midst, my grip on Katie's hand tightens and she sends me an encouraging smile.

"Eve these are my friends, you've met Maia and Will at lunch-" I send a wave towards the auburn haired smiling girl - Maia - and the light blonde haired lanky guy - Will -"The rest are Hunter and TK, both players on the football team." She sends me a wink which I ignore as I greet each of the guys with a smile.

"Have I met you before? You seem really familiar." Hunter asks,

"Probably not, I just transferred here this year." I shrug and he takes another swing of his beer.

"Are you single?" TK immediately blurts out. I feel a hot blush grow on my cheeks the longer I stay silent.

"Uh yeah." I look away in need of dire support which thankfully catches the eye of Katie.

"She's here for a fresh start TK, don't go and ruin it for her." TK catches my eye and winks at me, holding his hands up to his ear as he mouths 'call me', I stifle a laugh.

"That's why your so familiar!-" Hunter exclaims a wide smile on his face-"your a Beckett aren't you?"

My smile instantly falters.

"Your that girl that cap was staring at!" TK raises a finger at me but quickly pulls it back down, scanning my legs from bottom to top slowly. "Rightfully so" he smirks at me before Hunter nudges him in the ribs with a sweet smile placed my way.

Butterflies swarm my stomach. His friends know about me? I try to stop the smile from spreading across my face but it's useless, I can feel Katie's gaze burn onto my cheek where I'm sure it's red. I want to smack myself for feeling like a teenage girl, what the hell am I thinking.

Maybe he's not an arrogant jock, maybe he's a nice guy. I nearly roll my eyes at myself.

"Speaking of the devil!" TK shouts as his gaze shifts to something behind me, I fiddle with my hair, straightening it out as I follow TK's body through the crowd. Taking one deep breath I open my eyes and they lock with grey ones.

I don't let my heart crack, instead I internally slap myself for being so foolish as I stare at the sight in front me.

Carson's there, a girl draped on top of him, slowly grinding herself down onto him as her fingers get lost in his short brown hair. Their mouths are connected and I wince when my eyes travel lower and land on his large hands spread across her ass.

From what only I can see of her she looks gorgeous and a complete opposite of me, smooth long legs, a tiny waist with short bleached blonde hair hanging down her back.

Katie slips her hand into mine giving me a supportive squeeze, his eyes widen when they find mine but I don't waste anymore time letting myself be hurt. I turn around abruptly causing everyone to stare at me, heat rises to my cheeks.

I need to get out of here.

Why the fuck did I hope for something so impossible.

As I'm about to turn on my heel, a hand grabs my free wrist. I look up to find Will's 6 foot frame in front of me, "Do you want to go grab a drink and explore?" He sends me a sheepish smile, Katie barely told me anything about him other than he's shy, a music major and super nice. I take him in. But most importantly his offering for an escape.

I'm not going to run away anymore. I'm not going to let anyone run me off.

I'm not afraid, I chant in my head.

"Yes."