Page 11 of Downfall

“I know.” I say giving her best, reassuring smile. For all her faults, my mother at least has my back.

“Then let’s catch up properly. Go out for tea. Just you and me. Some mother daughter bonding.”

I nod. “That sounds good.”

“Next Friday.” She says. “I’ll book it. We can go shopping after, maybe buy a few things to cheer you up.”

I shake my head slightly. It’s not her fault, but that’s her go to response. When in doubt douse me with material things, as if all the world’s hurts can be fixed with a credit card.

“That sounds great.” I murmur as Bella begins to fidget.

“Just leave the dog at home.” She says patting me on the shoulder.

Rose

I’m awake with the sun. Though the room is dark from the blackout curtains I can still sense that it’s morning.

Paris is asleep beside me. He came back in the early hours, mercifully far too drunk to give a shit about my existence which is how I like him best.

I blink, staring at the ceiling, my mind already spinning with the haunting images of another night dreaming of a life so far from my own. But the pain is still there. Lingering. The agonising hunger is still there too.

A tear streaks down my cheek before I can stop it and I’m quick to move, quick to wipe it away. Just like always I refuse to cry. I refuse to let it out, afraid that if I do I’ll never come back.

I’m thirsty, parched, but I don’t want to move, I don’t want to wake Paris. He’s at his best when he’s asleep. So instead I lay there, immobile, barely daring to breath for what feels like hours while he quietly snores beside me.

In the end it’s my full bladder that forces me up. I creep from the bed, tiptoeing to the bathroom and stuff enough paper down the pan to silence the sound of my pee. I don’t flush. I just put the lid down, wash my hands quietly, and then tiptoe back.

As I slip into the bed he groans in annoyance and I realise the game is up.

“If you’re going to move around so much you might as well make yourself useful and get me some water.” He grumbles.

If I refuse I’ll only piss him off more so I get up, walk as quietly as I can and come back with a glass for him. He half snatches it, gulping down the contents then puts it empty on the side.

I look at him and he’s glaring at me.

“I’ll let you sleep.” I murmur.

“No.” He replies holding the sheets. “Lie down.”

I don’t show my reaction but I feel it, the way my stomach twists, though I get in all the same. His arms wrap around me and I can smell the alcohol still on his breath as he presses his face against my neck.

“I heard a rumour.” He mutters.

“What rumour?” I ask.

“That you were facing off with Sofia Montague yesterday at the clubhouse.”

I shake my head. “It wasn’t like that. I was just offering my condolences.”

He lets out a sound of disbelief. “Don’t lie to me Rose.”

“I’m not.”

“You need to back off. Whatever crap your family is up to, it needs to stop.”

“I’m not up to anything.”

He pulls me back. Hard. I’m now lying facing him as he stares down at me. “You Capulets are always up to something.”

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