Pres

ATKIN

, I was surprised to see that some of

ch was all due to my nightmare's return. I hadn't been able to get a wink of sleep th

. It was going to be another painstaking day of saying no to numerous romantic proposals

walked toward the counte

I walked into a room didn't bot

h an innocent soulful face. A face that made people either love me or wan

eautiful, yet brilliant they said. I was both and because of that, I bore their resentment like a weight han

ed every time I went out of the house and

epression until I felt like I was losing my mind. I also couldn't get a job to keep busy becaus

considering the level of depravity of some of th

hen It felt like everyone was out to hurt me. My mom agreed because sh

lad to see me go but I

al harassment, I found I could handle myself well here. I started taking defe

le never stopped and they always had

alk to me and compliment them but I didn't see anything special in them except that were dark blue that changed shades according to l

my thought and made me flinch. Choosing to Ignore his prese

ng, worked out, had a perfect body, and knew how to charm everyone's pants off_ except me, I

of me. My father left when I was young, and my Mom never had anything good to say about

edge him with a raised eyebrow. He leaned closer, his grey ey

offer and I take you out to show you a good time" he of

ith a sigh then forced a thin smile onto my lip

have something pl

't go anywhere but my home so he knew I was lying. His han

years now, are you seriously going to keep

like you that way, Mason. I don't want to go out with you", I said,

eady seen it coming. They were all the same in the end, they

u're not all that you know" he sneered wit

k, and I think you should do the same". I suggested wi

his hands reac

into my thro

he month" Gabriel's thick accent cut across the air and Mason

rsue me but not Mason because he got all the girls. I do

utiful Belle here." He turned to face me, smiling l

ke your catching up, so get back to work, or there'll be h

like an errant child that had been s

" he said reassuringly. I nodded. No

the sign for open. I couldn't believe that I had not noticed it when I ca

ed for, he was also the first to h

ive. I had a knack for things like that. The early morning customers soon arrived. I took their orders

ehavior and I had a strong gut feeling that he was in love with her. I do feel sorry for him because Gracie was not one to make co

d Gracie walked in

rtainly looked the part. Her red hair was messy in a kind of I just had morning

l me the bo

in" I deadpan and

all the time, is here" I whispered and tilted my chin in the direction of a seclu

ht," I asked as she put on her

ome. My very expensive necklace was m

ies. "Any regrets then?" I hit my should

ng stallion. I was in seventh heaven all through the night, so no regrets" she said spacing out a lit

kles against her head. She

e more careful ok, you don't want t

hat would be happening anytime soon. You do need to get laid tho" she changed the topic smoot

her guys are over you, you could be getting it every freaking night but you'd rather die a maid" she

people's faces. Besides I don't like Men". I sa

a woman and you also refused. H

peacef

you're completely hopeless. You

k. We chatted now and then. She shared her escapades w

time after Gabriel. Gracie also closed at the same time as me but then it was straight to

e always available by 8:00 pm. I locked up, t

forest when I got the house. It worked. Specks of dark greens decorated the walls, my couch, and my bed. It was my safe little haven. My mom called twice

ce novels, listening to songs, and freelancing online to make m

o fall asleep but It was hard especially when I

wake up. Taking sleeping pills made it worse. No one knew about my problems becaus

n anticipation. Hours pass by and I drifted

ting away, skin shedding to the floor as it moved but it still looked human. It was crawling towards me. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I was screaming but it felt like whispers in the air. My throa

The pressure lifted and I coughed loudly, tears pouring down my face as I fran

filled my mind. I didn't want to close my eyes, so

toe against the table stand. The skin got pee

rong today. It was very rar

nx whenever

ways happene