I wake to find Liam hovering over my bed, a big, beaming smile across his face. He’s freshly shaven, his hair tidily gelled back, and he’s wearing a brand new blue polo shirt and jeans. His new aftershave hits my nostrils making them flare for more. He smells nice.

“Happy Birthday!” he sings, pulling a beautifully wrapped red present from behind his back. It’s a small present, long, oblong, and has a pretty gold bow and ribbons on the top.

His happiness is infectious as I pull myself up, stretch, and yawn. “Thank you,” I answer, a smile gracing my lips as I take the present from his grip.

“I hope you like it.” Liam sits next to me on the bed, looking anxious and excitable as I rip the wrapping paper away from the obvious jewellery box. “I knew it was for you the moment I saw it.”

The silence is deafening as I prise open the box to reveal a beautiful silver necklace with a figure eight design. On the top of the eight is my name and at the bottom is Liam’s. My heart races at the thought he’s gotten me something so intimate. So … romantic. Until now, I was certain his feelings for me were platonic. Now, I’m not so sure.

“Liam, it’s—”

“You hate it, don’t you?” he says, slapping his leg in anger. “I’ve taken it too far. I knew I shouldn’t have. I just thought that with you and me … we’re all we have left. It’s a symbol of our everlasting relationship.” He closes his eyes. “I can take it back.”

“No,” I say, quickly. Now that he’s explained it more I understand the logic. It’s not a romantic gesture after all.

I offer it to him. “I love it, Liam. Please put it on for me.”

Finally, he looks at me, his face smiling and his eyes twinkling. “Really? You don’t hate it?”

I shake my head. “No. I love it. Please put it on.”

He eagerly takes the necklace from me and manoeuvres around me so that he can place it around my neck. I feel it drop after he fastens it, my hand gently cupping around the edges of the eight.

I feel the weight lift from my bed as Liam comes into view and inspects the necklace. I see the curve of his lips as his eyes meet mine. “I knew it would look beautiful on you.”

“Thank you,” I say again.

“That’s not all,” he says, practically dancing on the spot. “I have a surprise for you, but you must close your eyes.”

He’s so charged up right now that it’s rousing me up more and more. “Okay,” I say, throwing the covers off me and revealing my pink Garfield onesie. Don’t judge.

Liam helps lift me out of bed before requesting that I close my eyes. I do, and then I feel his hand grasp onto mine as he very carefully leads me away from my bed. I have no idea where we’re going, but when he tells me stairs are coming up and that I must be careful that my heart suddenly leaps into my chest. I’m desperate to open my eyes—to finally see where I’ve been for the last seven months, but I hold them shut for fear that Liam will take me back to my room.

With every step up, my heart beats faster and my grip on Liam’s hand tighter as he eventually leads me to God knows where. It’s only when I feel the breeze for the first time in months that I can’t help but open my eyes. A gasp leaves my lips alerting Liam to the fact that I can see. But it blinds me. Too long I have been kept in a room without seeing sunlight. Now it’s bursting through the patio doors taking away my chance to see freedom. But I don’t care.

Closing my eyes again, I lift my chin to the sun, inhaling its warmth and the fragrance of the summer air. It’s almost autumn, but there aren’t any signs of it today.

Feeling the heat against my cold skin makes me shiver. Liam’s hand is soon there, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me to him. “Cold?” he asks. I detect an air of intrigue and maybe fear in his voice.

I open my eyes, trying my hardest to look at Liam, but the lure of the outside is pulling my attention away from him. I squint at first, and then it all starts coming into focus. The patio doors are wide open, and its curtains are swinging in the gentle morning breeze. Outside, the birds sing the most beautiful tunes as the sun rises high in the sky. Through the doors is a patio area with a table and two intimate chairs sitting close to one another. On the table are two plates, a pot of tea, scones, butter, jam, and biscuits. All sorts of delectable food—food which my belly growls for. Beyond the table is an area of freshly cut green grass. So fresh that I can still smell the aroma hitting my nostrils. I breathe in taking all of it. I want more.

So much more.

“Do you like?” Liam asks, breaking me from my trance.

“Like it?” I almost screech, jumping up and down. “I love it!” Throwing my arms around Liam, I take him in for an appreciative hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! You don’t know how much this means to me.” I squeeze him to me and feel when he squeezes back, chuckling against my hair.

“You’re so welcome, sweetheart. Your happiness is my happiness.”

I pull away, fresh tears brimming in my eyes and it’s in that moment my euphoria is so intense that I lean forward, kissing Liam fully on the lips. Seven months I have been put away. Seven months of hating Liam, being grateful of Liam, rejecting Liam, loving Liam, all because he’s kept me prisoner—for my own good—inside four walls with nothing but books, music, and Liam for company. Seven months of never seeing the outside world, hearing the birds chirp, feeling the breeze hit my face—nothing.

Now, however—now I’m feeling everything and it’s like a sensory overload. It washes over me, crashing into my chest like a tsunami. My emotions are running high and all running high on one person.

Liam.

Today he’s shown me the freedom I crave for. The freedom I have been dreaming of the whole time I’ve been trapped here. The beholden feeling I have is so intense that my body reacted before my brain kicked into gear.

“Thank you,” I say again, my lips brushing against his. I push my tongue forward, the intense euphoria kicking into something else. Something more primal. My belly clenches and my nipples perk wanting the feel of his hands on them.

“Ray,” Liam warns, trying to pull his head back. At first I don’t hear him, as nothing but adrenaline courses through my veins. I grab his head, pulling him towards my lips again, and pushing my tongue forward.

“Ray, that’s enough,” he says, pulling my arms off of him. He’s breathless and angry, but he also looks … I don’t know how he looks exactly. At the moment, I don’t really care because as the euphoria dies, all that is left in its place is his rejection.

I see the irritation on his face and for a moment, I step back, frightened that he’ll reject me further. Sudden anger enters my belly when I realise how stupid I am.

Liam, looking up spots the hurt on my face and that’s when his own anger softens. “Don’t be upset.” He steps forward, but I step back. “Ray, please. I didn’t mean …” He lets out an exasperated sigh as he runs his hands through his hair. “This morning was supposed to make you happy, and now I’ve ruined it. I didn’t mean to push you away, Ray. It was just … unexpected. Please forgive me. I don’t know what I’d do if you were angry with me.”

I watch as he looks away, cursing under his breath as he does. In that moment, my own anger fades. He’s tried so hard to make this special and now I’ve ruined it. It was not his fault I kissed him.

I step forward, taking his hand. “It should be me that apologises. I shouldn’t have done that and I’m sorry. You’ve gone to a lot of trouble for my birthday and I really appreciate it. I guess I got carried away.”

A small smile curves up on his lips as his head lifts up to meet mine. “You’re not angry?” I shake my head. “I made scones.”

I start laughing. “So I can see. Can I try one? I’m really hungry.”

Liam chuckles as he pulls me towards the table. “Me too. Let’s eat.”

The approach of Halloween is finally here. Today is the last day of school before we break up for half term, and for me it can’t come soon enough. It’s Friday, so again, English is my last lesson for the afternoon. I’m late and rushing, practically jogging towards the classroom. Despite the coldness of the day, I feel a bead of sweat run down my back making me shudder. I shake it off, round the last corner before I get to my class when I go crashing into the chest of none other than Easton.

Of course it would be him. It always is!

My folder and all its contents go crashing down onto the floor. “Sorry,” I offer, bending down to pick them up. I check the time and can see the lesson started five minutes ago. “Shit, I’m so late.” It was my period that made me late. I thought it had finished yesterday, but apparently not.

“Here, let me help you.”

I don’t look as he bends down and helps collect the papers for me. If I do look, my heart will burst. Despite keeping our distance, I still long for him in ways I know I shouldn’t. I still dream of him and all of the things I know his hands are capable of doing to me. It’s amazing to me that almost two full months have gone by since we met at that pub. In some ways, it feels like it was only yesterday, but in others, it feels like it’s been an eternity.

“Thanks,” I say, taking the papers from his hands.

Then, I do it. I look at him, and it’s like all the oxygen in my lungs escapes in one heart-stopping second. A set of whiskey-coloured eyes dances across my face like an elegant swan. His hair is a mass of wavy brown curls, and one of them gently swoops down onto his forehead and rests just above his right eye. His strong jaw is just now starting to reflect the consequences of being separated from his razor.

And his smell. Oh, my God! He smells of cedar and pine, which make my nostrils flare for more. In essence, he smells of man.

“You’re late,” he purrs as his eyes narrow and scan my face. I wish he would stop looking at me like that. It makes me want to jump his bones.

“I know. I had a bathroom emergency.” I don’t know why I told him that. Other than the fact that it happened to be the truth, it was just the first thing that came to me.

“Skitters?” he asks, his eyebrow arching in a playful manner.

“No!” I screech back. Now I know what that word means I’m horrified.

Easton chuckles slightly under his breath and starts to move away. “Better get to class. Have a nice break, Sasha.”

I watch as he walks away like he hasn’t a care in the world. Meanwhile, my heart feels like it’s going to escape my ribcage. Even after he’s disappeared I’m standing in the empty hallway cocking my head as I watch his arse. It’s only when I hear cheering coming from a nearby class and then the teacher’s shrill voice shouting at them to be quiet that my legs start to move.

My panicked run commences as I make the very short journey towards the end of the hall and into the English classroom. Everyone looks up, including the teacher making my face flame with embarrassment.

“Sasha, so nice of you to join us,” Ms Bowles snaps sarcastically. I know she hates tardiness because she makes it her case and point every time someone is even seconds late.

“I’m so sorry I’m late. I had an emergency.”

I scurry towards my seat and sit down, practically throwing all the paperwork I have in my arms down onto the desk and leaving my satchel pressed against my foot.

“See me after class.” Her eyes narrow at me, so I nod my head. It’s not my fault my period decided to pop up again. In my confusion, I try to remember if I took my pill this morning. I’m pretty certain I did. I had been taking them regularly since I was seventeen.

Since after Liam.

Inwardly, I shiver thinking about him. He is the reason why I’m here. I’ve taken up too much of my time on Liam, now it was my turn.

Needing to make sure I did in fact take my pill this morning, I hesitantly reach down to my bag, open the zip and peek inside. I ruffle around trying to find the packet, my hand feeling like it’s searching through a ten foot box. Why is it that bags feel a lot bigger on the inside? Shaking my head, my hand eventually comes across the packet. As quick as I can I check it and see that I didn’t forget. I feel the rush of relief come over me. It’s not like me to be forgetful—especially over something as important as this. I guess it must be the stress of school and upcoming exams.

“Sasha, are you with us?” It seems my teacher has it in for me this afternoon.

Clearing my throat, I quickly zip up my bag and scoot up higher, so my full attention is now on the teacher. “Yes, Ms Bowles.”

“Good, because I’m setting you all homework.”

Everyone groans, especially one girl named Casey. Her mum is some big, hotshot lawyer—a fact she never lets us forget. She seems to thinks it will buy her popularity points that it hasn’t so far. No doubt taking a cue from her mother, she pleads, “Oh, come on, Miss. It’s Halloween!”

“Only for one day,” she quips, glaring at her. “You have a whole week off. That is plenty of time to read a book. You haven’t even heard what I have to say yet, and you’re already complaining. For those who already read, this project will be a doddle for you. For those of you who aren’t well-read, this is a chance for you to become well-read. I want you to choose a book. It can be any book that interests you as long as it’s not explicit in nature.”

“So, no Fifty Shades of Grey?” a girl named Mandy shouts, causing everyone to laugh.

“Especially no Fifty Shades of Grey.” She turns to head back round to her desk, but not before I see a hint of a smile on her face.

Yeah, she’s read it.

“As I was saying.” Ms Bowles approaches her desk, turns to lean her hands at the edge, but doesn’t sit. “You may choose any book you wish that takes your interest. I expect you to read it by the time you have your first English class on Tuesday once you’re back from school. Don’t skim, because we will be discussing, and questions will be asked. I have read a lot of books in my time, so don’t try to cheat.” She dips her head, narrowing her eyes before saying, “I will know.”

Groaning commences, but I’m secretly smiling. To some this is homework, but for me reading is a pleasure. I read almost every night as it is, so this will be easy-peasy. Now, all I have to do is choose a book to read—one that can be discussed in class. I must admit, I do like my erotic romances, so that’s definitely out. This will definitely require some thought.

“Also, I want you to bring the book in, so no downloading onto those Kandle devices. I don’t like them.”

“You mean Kindle, Ms Bowles.” I snicker under my breath and all the other girls follow suit.

Ms Bowles waves her hand in the air like my correction of her is irrelevant. “Whatever the thing’s called. I much prefer something I can look at, turn over, and flip through pages if I wish. Also, there’s nothing better than a new book smell.”

“What if some can’t afford to buy a brand new book?” Samantha asks. I turn to her nodding my head. She has a valid point.

“Get one from the library, or pick one up from the charity shop. There are lots of books out there that can be picked up for free or very cheap. I would also recommend a website. It’s called Book Swap dot com. You can advertise a book you’re willing to trade for another.”

I mark this down as the website sounds interesting. I have built quite a collection of books that are stored in boxes in my closet. Maybe someone would want to read something in there in exchange for something I’d enjoy. I’ll need to think about what that might be.

After another thirty minutes, the lesson finally ends. All the girls disperse as quickly as possible, the excitable chatter about the half-term holiday at the forefront of their minds.

“What was it that made you late this morning?” Ms Bowles asks, approaching my desk.

I look up watching as she folds her arms in front of her. “I went to the bathroom just before lunch was over and found that I was bleeding. I didn’t have anything with me, so I had to nip to the shop down the road real quick. If it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t have been late. I’m sorry about that.”

She averts her eyes, clearing her throat. “Well, okay then. I think I can let you off this once. In future, please be prepared for any eventuality.”

“Thank you,” I say, getting up and gathering my things. I pause a moment as she turns to walk back to her desk. “I don’t want sympathy, so thank you for not treating me any different to anyone else.” She turns around, so I carry on. “All I can say is I am here because I really want to be here. I’m trying hard, and will continue to do so. I will make sure that an occurrence like that won’t happen again.”

A small sliver of a smile creeps up on her face. “Of course. I can see from the results of essays and tests that you’ve handed in that you’re giving this one hundred percent. In fact, I was going to tell you about this once the new term started, but I may as well tell you now. There is an English Language London Board exam coming up in January. I was hoping you would be interested in sitting this early? You have a chance to sit this in May or June like everyone else, but if you pass this in January, then you won’t have to sit it again when the final exam comes. If you don’t get a good enough grade, then you always have that second chance.”

My heart lights up. My first GCSE grade could be in my hands at the beginning of next year. Why wouldn’t I jump at the chance? “I would love to sit it earlier.”

She smiles before walking around her desk and sitting down. “I thought as much. I will get all the information for you for when you start back next term.”

“Thank you so much, Ms Bowles. I really appreciate that.”

“It’s my pleasure, Sasha. Have a good break.”

That was me being dismissed, but despite my earlier mishap, I am smiling now. All I’ve ever wanted was to sit my exams so that I could have those GCSE marks in my hand. Now finally I can at least obtain one—and as early as just over two months time.