by L. F. Piper
“Sweetie, I'm going to the store later. Just write me a list of whatever you need, alright?” She smiles at me.
I nod weakly. “Sure. Thanks,” I mumble as I pass.
“Well I better be off. I'll let you get on with your afternoon. Bye Emilia,” Rachael calls out kindly, considering I didn’t even say hello to her. I put my hand up in a pathetic wave and then drop my ass into a patio chair.
“Emilia, can you come inside please? Your dad and I need a quick word.”
I huff a groan. “Can't, Mum. Smoking.” I wave my cigarette at her through the window and after making a tsk sound, she comes to the backdoor.
“Your dad said he is just responding to an email that won't take any longer than ten minutes. Can you be inside by then?” I nod. Just as I open my mouth, about to ask her what it’s about, she vanishes into thin air. I light up another cigarette and smoke it quickly before putting it out in my flowertray, then walk back into the house, Pearl hot on my heels as usual.
I'm just grabbing an ice-cold water bottle from the fridge when my parents walk in. “What's up?” I ask, while twisting my drink open and listening to the satisfying pressure release.
“Okay, so we know how disappointed you were that we didn't get Phoebe an air ticket to come over for your birthday, but you both would've missed school. The times, they just weren't any good and you didn't have that long to wait until the summer break. Here,” dad hands me an envelope and I'm praying it's a copy of Phoebe’s flight plan, that she will be here in less than an hour. I open it to see it's an actual ticket.
To England.
With my fucking name on it.
I start to cry; big heaving sobs take over my frail body. I've never been so happy in my life and I can't wait to get away from this awful place, even if it's only for a bloody week. “I get to see Grandma Violet too?” I splutter and my dad nods with a smile. “Thank you so much! You guys are the best!” I wrap my arms around my parents, never feeling more grateful for them than at this exact moment. Pearl is barking and jumping against my legs. She knows something is going on, just not what it is.
“You're more than welcome, kid. You'll be staying with Grandma Violet. Your flight leaves tomorrow evening and you're not due to fly home until a week before school starts up again. Your mum will take you to the store this evening to grab anything you think you might need. Everything else you can just buy when you get there,” dad whispers into my hair.
I'm still crying and smiling when my mum pulls me to her. “Come on, baby girl. We know you've missed Phoebe so much – your dad has the phone bill to prove it!” We all laugh. “Go upstairs and dry off your hair quickly, then we'll head out.” Mum rubs my back a few times. I know they understand.
“Phoebe and Grandma Violet, do they know I'm coming?” I hiccup and wipe my running nose with my shirt. I know, fucking gross.
“Yes, I spoke to Grandma and Phoebe's parents a few weeks ago. Phoebe will be at the airport to pick you up with her dad. I also asked her to get you a UK phone to use while you're there.” I smile and thank them a million more times before I sprint upstairs to get ready. It feels strange having a smile on my face after frowning for so long. When I'm finished, I ping a quick text to Phoebe.
Emilia: You mean person! You knew I was coming back and you didn't tell me? God, I can't wait to see your face!!! xo
Mum and I are out the door, in the car and on the road five minutes later. “I've done all your washing, so you'll have plenty of outfits to take with you. Grandma Violet said she will get you anything else you might need, and your dad can transfer the money back to her,” mum explains on the journey.
“So, what are we actually shopping for right now?” I ask, puzzled. I could've told her I don't need any new clothes before we even left the house, if that's what she's thinking.
“You'll need shampoo, unless you want to use your Grandma’s special perm stuff? And what about toothpaste? Grandma Violet doesn't have any teeth, Emilia. Most of these things you can get when you arrive, but your flight is at six-thirty, so you won't even get off the plane until early the next morning. I doubt you'll want to go shopping before you catch up with Phoebe or on some sleep.” I thoroughly agree with her. Mornings are not my friend. I totally plan on doing all my sleeping while I'm in the air, though. We fly around the store grabbing the basics. I grab a new toothbrush, paste, shampoo and conditioner. I also get some hard sweets for the flight and a load of American candy to surprise Phoebe with. We're in and out within an hour.
***
My suitcase is in my bedroom, ready and waiting for me when I drag my purchases upstairs. I frantically start going through my wardrobe, pulling out pretty much everything I own – shorts, leggings, jeans, underwear, pyjamas, t-shirts and tank tops. Normally I would pair everything together, making outfits before I packed anything, but I'm far too excited to be messing around with shit like that.
There’s a knock on my door. “Sweetie?' My mum pushes it open, placing her hand over her heart, gasping outrageously loudly. “Emilia, what on earth are you doing? You don't need all of that and you're making a right mess! Can I help?” I stop, take a look around and cringe. She's totally right. A bomb could've gone off in here and it wouldn't have looked this bad. “You know, your Grandma does have a washing machine that I'm sure she wouldn't mind you using.” She nudges my arm while folding fabric, a small smile playing on her face. I nod and start helping her put everything back into my wardrobe.
Nearly three hours later, mum has my case packed full to the brim of everything I'll actually need. I sat on the bed and listed things for her to pack or leave out, like the essentials I'll need to use tomorrow. It's already ten at night but I don't feel tired at all, I'm too excited to sleep. It feels like Christmas Eve as a little kid. Okay, it just feels like Christmas Eve, no age needed. I still get overly excited for Christmas, I’m sure I always will. I pick up my phone, heading downstairs and park myself in my usual spot, lighting up a cigarette from a fresh packet.
Phoebe: Haha sorry, babe. We all wanted it to be a surprise for you. I can't wait to see your fucking face!!! Love you girl xo
I’m absolutely gutted I missed her text message, I was so busy earlier I didn't even hear my phone ring. I don't bother replying because I don't want to wake her up and I log into my Facebook account instead. I have sixteen notifications and eight private messages. I sigh and make a start of deleting all the posts from my wall. Thanks to Anya and Caleb, I have the whole Bitch Squad writing crap about me now. Kaydee hasn't exactly joined in, only liking some of the horrible comments other people have written so far. I'm sure it won't take her much longer to get properly involved, though.
Suddenly feeling tired, mostly of all this shit, I go back up to my bedroom with Pearl cradled in my arms. She gets comfy on my bed while I make a start on my flight bag and pick an outfit to wear tomorrow. It's a long flight so it’s absolutely comfort above fashion. I decide on some black leggings, blue Vans and an oversized grey cotton t-shirt with high splits that hit the armpits with my bright blue bralette underneath. There's nothing worse than having massive tits and needing to squeeze them into a tight bra, so sportswear is perfect. In my hand luggage I pack my fully charged headphones and iPod, an unopened packet of cigarettes, some make-up, my passport and boarding card, zipping it closed when I'm done.
***
The morning flies by in a blur. Dad gets me to the airport on time, after saying numerous teary goodbyes to mum, Dylan and Pearl. I'm currently sitting at a small table, eating a big fat greasy burger with fries; my appetite miraculously reappearing. I wash it down with a chocolate shake and have just enough time to hit the bathroom before my flight is called.
Once I’m on the aeroplane, I pull out my music, just about manage to shove my bag in the overhead compartment, which is fucking hard with the weight and how high the damn lid is, then take my designated seat. It's obviously been a long and stressful wait for everyone because each person that walks down the aisle and past
me is yawning. Lucky for me, when the hostess informs us that we are ready to take off, there's an empty seat beside me. I wouldn't really care if there was someone sat there or not, but the fact there isn't a crying baby or chatter-box is a bonus.
I don’t spare one ounce of precious thought on my Dark Knight as I settle into my seat, just before Mia Martina – Heart Fucking Hurts starts assaulting my ears and the plane takes off. Destination: Paradise.
EPILOGUE
Anya
He will always be mine
He thinks he can just get rid of me, like I mean absolutely nothing to him. Fucking trash. Well he is very wrong.
I’m not just scraps you get to discard when you think you’re finished.
I was tossed to the side by my birth parents and I fucking refuse to let anyone do that to me again. Ever.
Especially not Caleb Knight.
And for what, that stupid slut, Emilia Gold?
He needs to understand that I claimed him a very long time ago and he doesn’t get to leave me behind.
Not a fucking chance.
My name is Anya Walker and I’ll always be Caleb Knight’s first everything.
The first person he had sex with, me.
The first person he will fall in love with, me.
The first person he sees when he wakes each morning, me.
The woman to give him his firstborn child. Yeah, that’s also going to be me, in say, approximately seven-ish months or so.
Surprise, honey!
Fuck Emilia Gold. He will always be mine.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I can’t even begin to thank you for picking up this book – my first book! I’m just a little nobody from a nowhere town in the middle of nowhere, UK.
There were only two people that knew I was writing this story from the start, they’re the only people I can truly thank right now.
My boyfriend and best friend – Milo – if he hadn’t replaced my broken laptop and let me use his pillows every night, none of this would be happening. He was my inspiration for Caleb – on in the physical sense, he’s a much sweeter version. He has no idea he was my muse… surprise, babe! I love you.
My little sister, bestie and twin – Karis – she’s my inspiration for life. She made me realise that I can do anything, just like her. While she’s exploring the world, I’m exploring the world of words. She makes me believe in myself, and apparently turns me into an emotional mess! I love you.
The few Bloggers that graciously agreed to read Caleb and Emilia’s story, after I finally had the balls to ask them are the absolute best! I’m so happy you took the time out to help this little nobody hopefully become a big somebody.
Melissa at The Illustrated Author Design Services… I truly cannot thank you enough. At such short notice, you pulled a cover out of nowhere for me, capturing everything I needed, that I didn’t even realise I wanted. I love it and I love you, girl.
To all the females – and possible closet male readers – in my family – yikes – I’m really sorry if you read this book, but let’s never talk about it if you do…
There are a handful of real situations in this story that I pulled from personal experiences to use. I’ll leave it up to you to decide what they could be… *evil laugh*
I hope you enjoyed reading The Dark Knight and Part Two of Emilia and Caleb’s whirlwind story will be out as soon as I can finish writing it! I’m super excited and I hope you guys are too.
Please don’t forget to follow me on Amazon and Goodreads – L. F. Piper – and leave a review for me. I’ll love you forever.
You can join my Facebook Group, Piper’s Dolls here. I love meeting new people, so come hang out with me and my Dolls!
You can also connect with me on Instagram! Hope to see you soon.
Peace out, Pipes xo
Table of Contents
The Dark Knight
Playlist
Epigraph
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Epilogue
Acknowledgements