Chapter 6

Charlotte's POV

I was surprised to wake up in a comfortable memory foam bed, wearing fresh pyjamas, with my hair freshly washed and dried from the night before.

Meeting Anna wasn't just some dream... I was actually really here!

I stretched out, checking the small alarm clock on the bedside table which read 11:35am.

This is probably the longest that I had ever slept in my life, being too used to my mother kicking me out of the house every morning to have her 'alone' time.

I sigh at the thought of my dreadful mother. She had always encouraged me to run away, telling me to find my father and beg for him to take me in instead of continuing the hassle that I caused her.

She really did always hate me.

I thought about Tommy, and wondered what had happened after the attack - feeling the familiar guilt quickly rise back into my chest.

I wonder what Anna would think if she knew I had stabbed someone - twice!

I pushed back the tears, wanting to move on with my life and enjoy every peaceful moment here while it lasts. Surely if I had actually killed him they would have found me and arrested me by now? I don't even think I pushed the knife in far enough to do something that serious... did I?

I gulp shakily and decide to stand from the bed - heading to the bathroom to pull myself together before going downstairs.

Once I’m satisfied, I move towards the bedroom door, opening it slowly, enjoying the brightly lit hallway that greets me - the sun shining in from the large windows.

I make my way downstairs, hoping to find Anna somewhere, as I hear noise coming from the living area and instantly head towards it.

I step inside, seeing the room is empty, as my eyes trail up to the large flat screen TV mounted on the wall - ironically playing the news.

My hands shake slightly from the sight, as I slowly fall down to sit on the large cream sofa opposite.

What if I'm on here?... what if they plaster my face everywhere with a wanted sign?... Anna will have to kick me out and turn me in! Not to mention how disappointed and terrified she would be finding out that she has a criminal crashing at her home!

I remain there for what feels like forever, watching the full length of the morning news which covered all of the towns on this coast. I breathe out, thankful to confirm that there was no mention of Tommy and the incident yesterday - not yet at least.

Am I actually free from them all?

Maybe Anna will be happy to let me hide out here for the rest of my horrific life!

"Woah are you ok? You look like you've seen a ghost again!" I jump at Anna's familiar voice, as she stands in the doorway swinging her keys.

I take in her fresh appearance, her hair down and straightened as she wore a neatly ironed pleated skirt and a white tucked in embellished shirt.

"O-Oh I’m so sorry! Yes I'm fine! I'm shocked that I slept in this late it's really a first for me... just let me know if I'm being too much of a hassle and I'll be out of your hair!" I explain quickly, standing from my seat causing her to laugh.

"Oh will you stop it! You would have robbed or killed me by now if you were just some psychopath that I had taken in! I went to school this morning and I came back to check on you... I'm glad that you're still here." She smiles, as I breathe out a sigh of relief.

Well technically I am a total psychopath who stabbed someone but she doesn’t know that!

"The good news is... I spoke to the principle this morning and I explained that you were my cousin... he said you can start tomorrow if you want to!" Anna suddenly claps, as my mouth falls open.

I'll get caught... they will eventually figure me out... what if they want to speak with my parents?... what if someone finds me or recognises me?… someone might know Tommy, Holden and Jason and tell them where I am!

As if Anna can read my thoughts she quickly adds-

"Calm down! I can tell that you're already freaking out! I totally have this covered... my Dad practically helps fund the school and I just explained to the principle that your Mom was in an accident and you'll be living with me for the time being! He trusts me so don't worry about whatever happened back home you'll be safe here!" She holds her hands up to calm me, as my heart races.

"O-Ok... thank you..." I manage, as she suddenly moves over to me - pulling me down with her to sit on the sofa once again.

"Look I don't know why, but I know how badly you need this fresh start... I want to help you... I don't want to push you into telling me the details but from the minute I saw you - I knew that you just needed someone to step up and help - let me be that person." She whispers, meaning every word she says as my eyes water.

"You don't understand..." I find myself saying, as she shakes her head.

"Chiara... there's a lot you don't know about me too... I'm not perfect." She sighs, as my brows furrow.

There's no way she can be anywhere near as bad as what I've done...

"That's... not my real name..." The words fall out shakily as I feel the guilt hit me from lying to her after she took me into her home - but to my surprise, she doesn't even react.

"I figured that... just let me help." She squeezes my hands, as I release a sob that I can't help but hold in anymore.

Who was this girl and why did she care so much... why did she feel the urge to help me... nobody has ever been this kind to me in my life!

She grabs me to her, wrapping her hands around me as she rubs my back gently.

"I'm going to make a phone call and tomorrow we will both tackle your first day at school together!" She pulls back and nods, as I swipe at my wet cheeks.

This was all happening so fast...

I watch her pull out what I'm assuming is either a new or a backup phone since she had broken her other one last night, before she clicks to call someone under the name of 'Jace'.

I gulp at the male name, as she puts it to her ear and eyes me quickly while it rings.

"Hey... I know I told you to wait outside for me... but I won't be coming back to school today... I'll be there tomorrow... oh shut up and stop complaining! Bye!" Anna talks briefly on the phone, as I struggle to hear anything from the male on the other end.

"He's such an ass!" She throws her head back, as I feel a smile tug slightly from her reaction.

"Look... I don't want to pressure you... but I'll tell you more about my past and maybe it will help make you feel better about whatever is going on with you... by no means do you need to tell me anything in return, but I just want to tell you about who I really am before we move forward... you might not even want to stay here after I tell you what happened with me!" Anna claims, as my chest tightens.

Surely she can't have done something worse than stabbing someone! She's far too nice! Mines has got to be worse...

"Ready?" She tests, looking nervous for the first time since we met.

"I'm all ears..." I state quietly, as she closes her eyes, engulfing me into the forever lasting silence...

What can she possibly say?