Chapter 8-

Laura sat with Mia for the rest of the night watching as Dom and Letty fought, as Vince stared not at but through Mia and as Jesse talked to a girl who looked twice his age! Leon sat beside her, sometimes holding her hand, other times having his arm round her waste. He certainly felt comfortable being close with her, but did she feel comfortable with it all? Sure, earlier she had pounced on him but now that she had calmed down she wasn't so sure she was ready. Could she really go back to being a girlfriend?

"You look deep in thought. What's up?" Mia looked at her quizzically.

"I'm Ok." Laura smiled and she noticed Leons arm tighten around her waste.

Why was he so protective of her? He hardly knew her!

"I'm goin' to bed. I'm tired."

As she got up to leave Leon looked a little surprised,

"You want me to come up too?" he grinned at her.

"No, I'm ok. I need sleep is all."

With that she left and went to her room. As she sat on her bed she though of the reasons she left home. Jerry had ruined her opinion of men, and her ability to get close to a guy. Could she ever get past all that had happened?

An hour past and she couldn't sleep. It might have been the loud music or the fact that she kept having flashbacks of her and Jerry. She got up and went to the bathroom. Just before she opened the door she heard loud voices in Mia's room. She went to the door and heard Mia crying and someone talking to her. She burst in only to find Vince holding Mia.

"Oh, sorry, I heard crying and…well, you know…"

Laura left, slightly embarrassed. Maybe Mia was finally getting close to Vince. He did really like her after all.

Laura went to the loo and then returned to bed. In two weeks it was her birthday. She hadn't told anyone yet. She wasn't sure if they should know…people always felt obliged to get presents. Finally she drifted into a restless sleep.

Laura woke at half six to find the sheets sticking to her. She recalled the dreams, or nightmares, she had had through the whole night and cringed. She hated that her memories were being forced back into her head because she was getting close to a guy.

She had a quick shower and put on baggy shorts and a white T-shirt. She would go out for a jog, it had always cleared her head at home.

Just as she was about to go out the door Mia came down the stairs.

"Hey Laura. Come talk to me while I get a drink."

Laura obediently followed her into the kitchen and sat down. She knew she'd be a while, Mia made a big deal out of everything.

"So, what was up last night?"

"Nothing, I just…." She looked at the unconvinced look on Mias face and realised shed have to tell her the truth.

"Getting close to Leon is great and all but it just drags up old memories…you know, of past relationships and all. "

Mia just looked at her as if to say 'carry on'.

"Mainly memories about me and Jerry. He…he wasn't the greatest boyfriend and I guess I'm weird about relationships because of him…"

Mia nodded her head and though for a minute,

"Why was he not a good boyfriend? What did he do wrong?"

Laura sat for a minute. Should she go the short way or the long way? She looked at Mias understanding expression and decided it would be better to have someone who knew everything.

"He raped me all the time and beat me up a few times too. He used to make me feel worthless, so I wouldn't leave him. After about six months of shit I finally left him. It totally messed me up I guess its taking me a while to deal with it all. It's one of the reasons I left home."

Mia sat dumbfounded, "I can't believe it! He…how…why? Did you go to the police?"

"No. I was ashamed I guess and I just wanted to forget and move on. When I dumped him he wouldn't leave me alone, always calling me and practically stalking me. So I decided to pack up and leave. Also, things at home have never been the best so I didn't really have anything to hold me there. I finished my A Levels and split."

Mia nodded and smiled, "I'm glad you told me Laura. And I hope you know you're safe here. Dom would never let anyone hurt you, neither would Leon. He really likes you. If you told him all this he would understand and ease off a bit."

"No! I don't want Leon to know. I don't want anyone to know. Please swear to me you won't tell anyone."

"Ok, no problem, I swear." They sat for a while in silence until Mia decided to get up, " I'm away for another hours sleep. See you later hun."

Mia hugged her, before heading for the stairs.

"Oh, Mia…what was all that about last night with you? You were crying…"

Mia turned round and smiled, "I saw a car, an orange Supra that reminded me of my ex. I guess we both had memories come flooding back last night." With that Mia jogged up the stairs and left Laura thinking. Her and Mia didn't seem to have much luck with men.

She went out and jogged round the block, only to return to a busy house. Everyone was up and they seemed to be in a good mood. She noticed, as she sat down to a plate full of pancakes, that Vince and Mia looked very close. Mia was sitting on Vince's knee and the whole group seemed surprised at their open affection.

"Hey hun. You go out running?" Leon smiled as she stuffed a mouthful of pancake and syrup in her mouth.

"Yeah. Clears my head."

She took a few more mouthfuls and then ran upstairs. She took another shower and pulled on a pair of black jeans, her black converse and a pink halterneck top. As she returned to the kitchen she found Mia and Dom deep in conversation. They stopped talking and looked up at her.

"When's your birthday Laura?" Mia asked innocently.

Laura looked form Mia to Dom and back again, "Two weeks, why?"

"Seriously? That's great timing!"

What did Mia mean?

"Good timing for what?"

Dom looked daggers at Mia.

"Nothing," Mia mumbled and she picked up her jacket, "by the way Laura, I'm not gunna be able to look after the store today so would you mind doing it for me?"

"Sure. I'll go out to it now."

Mia handed her the stores keys and Laura hopped out the door. The store was only two blocks away so she was fine walking. Fresh air would do her good anyway. As she turned out of the drive and onto the pavement she saw Leon staring blankly at her through the window. She knew she'd either have to wise up and get the hell over Jerry or she'd have to tell him everything so he understood. She just wasn't sure which one to go with yet.