“I feel like a burden,” I whisper as my hands tighten on his shirt. “This whole time, I’ve been nothing but a burden.”
“No, baby,” he whispers into my hair. “You aren’t.”
Then why does it feel like I am? It was as if I couldn’t do anything but sit here and watch everyone do everything for me. When have I ever done something for them? Sammy defended me against Sarah Jane. Conner protects me all the time. Even Dylan is helping, and we’ve barely spoken since I met him.
I am nothing but a liability. I’m someone everyone sees as a weakness.
I’m weak.
Walking to the front gates,I notice Conner with Dylan and Sammy by his car. I tear my gaze away from them and head to the car parked out front, waiting for me. As soon as I close the door, I flinch at the sound of the lock.
“How was your day?” Dad asks as we drive to my work.
I tighten my hold on my pants and murmur, “Uh… good. A little hot… I guess.”
“Is that why you weren’t hanging out in your usual spot?”
My eyes widen a fraction. “Pardon?”
He eyes me. Those piercing, evil eyes feel as though they can see right through me. “You usually hang out at the back of the buildings with your friends.”
“Um… yeah. We changed locations.”
“Today.”
“Huh?”
“You were there on Friday, and it was a hotter day than today.” Dad glares out the window. “You so happened to change locations today.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, peeling the flesh as I glare down at my shoes. My body feels as if it is trembling with renowned fear. This isn’t the first time he has circled the school. This is the first time we’ve caught him doing it. And now he has caught me in his net and knows I am acting suspiciously today. However, I need to keep my cool. I need to pretend nothing is wrong.
“Yeah. The drama class was open today.”
Dad grunts, not believing a word. It doesn’t worry me too much. He has believed nothing I’ve said in a very long time. All I need now is to bide my time and wait for the opportunity tonight at work. I’ll take it as soon as I see it. Conner’s right. Dad can’twatch the front and back exits while I am at work. It’s not like school, where it’s much more difficult to slip out without being noticed. There are a lot of exits here and a lot more people.
I can do this.
I prepare myself, and my stomach churns with anxiety when I see the shopping centre entrance ahead. Clutching my phone within my grasp, I’m ready to use it when I have the chance, when Dad drives past. I straighten in my seat and look back at the entrance, baffled.
“I have work today,” I say.
“I cancelled it earlier today,” Dad declares. “You don’t have work for the rest of the week.”
My breath hitches. “Why?”
“Because I can.”
“But—”
“Shut the fuck up, Noya, and stop asking questions,” Dad snaps.
I flinch, shying away until I shrink against the car door. I wish it weren’t locked. I wish I could pull the handle and jump out. Anything is better than being in here with him.
I need to tell Conner as soon as possible. Not now, though. I can feel Dad’s gaze on me as we drive home.
As soon as we park, I’m inside the house. Mum is in the kitchen, a fake smile plastered on her face as she welcomes me home.
I head into my room, lock the door, sit on my bed, and message Conner.