Unraveled by Dani Matthews

been controlling me from the start with the parties
and the alcohol. He wanted sex, I gave him sex. He wanted me high, I got high
with him. He wanted me to skip school, I skipped school.
    How had I
not seen any of this before? How had I allowed myself to sink into such a
controlling relationship and think that it was my decision and not his? Or
better yet, how am I going to get out? The easiest thing would be for Cole to
stay mad at me for the kiss I shared with Noah, but I know it won't last long.
Cole likes his control and I've allowed him to control me for a long time now.
    My teeth
sink into my lower lip as I pick up my pencil and gaze at the paper in front of
me without really seeing the words on it. Cole and I share a deadly secret
between us. I have no plans on going back on my word but would he begin to
doubt me if we weren't together? I know he probably thinks dating me would be
the best way to keep an eye on me and guarantee my silence, but he had to have
known we wouldn't last forever, right?
***
    Once again,
I go home right after school and head for the kitchen table. I come up short
when I see that the orange blooms I'd put in the glass yesterday are now in a
nice little glass vase along with a few bright purple Irises.
    A slow smile
forms on my lips as I set my back pack down near the table and study the vase.
Noah must have gone out this morning before class to grab a vase and he'd been
sweet enough to add a few more flowers to it.
    “Hey,” Tate
says as he ambles into the kitchen. “I'm surprised to see you home. Normally
you're never home after school,” he says as he heads for the refrigerator.
    “Uh, I'm
taking a break from Cole.”
    Tate grabs a
can of soda and then wanders over, his expression hesitant. “A permanent
break?” he asks causally but I spy the hint of hope in his eyes.
    “I'm
thinking so.”
    He nods.
“Good.” His eyes drop to the little vase on the table. “Those look nice.
Where'd you get the vase, I haven't seen that around the house before.”
    I realize he
thinks I bought it and I am certainly not going to clue him in that Noah had
been thoughtful enough to do it for me. I'm fully aware that Tate would still
freak out if he ever knew that I'd messed around with Noah and the last thing I
want is something to happen to their friendship. “I found it at the thrift shop
the last time I was there. Noah said I could pick some of his flowers.”
    “Looks nice.
Well, I'm heading out so I'll catch you later.”
    “Later!” I
call to him as I head towards the refrigerator for some lemonade. Then I pause
and look up at the cupboard above the refrigerator where Tate keeps the liquor.
I'm not tall enough so I climb up on the counter and peer in the cupboard.
There are only two other bottles of rum and tequila, which means Tate will for
sure notice that the bourbon is missing the next time he's in the mood for hard
liquor.
    I scramble
down from the cupboard and walk over to the kitchen chair and sit down. Then I
pull out my cell phone and quickly text message Noah . I don't suppose you'd
buy a new bottle of Jack? I'd do it but I'm under age. Once I send off the
text, I set the phone down and begin to spread out my homework.
    My phone
chimes two minutes later and I scan the new message.
    NOAH : 
I'll grab some on my way home. Any special requests for dinner tonight since I
have to stop at the store?
    ME:  Surprise
me.
    NOAH:  See
you in a couple hours.
    I can't help
but smile as I set the phone down. Then it slowly fades and I try to warn
myself that focusing all my attention on Noah instead of Cole would not be
wise. I am not looking for a replacement for Cole. Noah was offering to be here
for me and to be the friend that I need and I am accepting it. We weren't going
to start dating or anything of the likes. It wasn't fair to get in too deep
with Noah when I am still hiding my part in the robbery. He doesn't know
everything and it wasn't fair to let him think otherwise.
    I slowly