(London 1 year ago)

*Juliet's POV*

I walked into the crowded pub, flashing the doorman my fake ID. My eyes quickly scanned the room. After a few seconds, I caught sight of my friends. They - Violet, Marina and Collin - were all sitting in one of the booths.

Violet was a pale, outgoing girl with a pixie-cut that was dyed violet (hence her nickname). I had known her since I was 5 years old, so we were very close.

Marina had long brown ombre hair and green eyes. She was a bit shy and awkward. I had only known her for a few years.

Lastly, there was Collin, my boyfriend. He was tall and well-built with neat brown hair and piercing light-green eyes. We had known each other since we were kids and had been together for almost a year. Collin used to be very sweet and funny when we had been younger, but one we started dating he changed - or maybe I just got to know the real him. And he didn't exactly hang around the honors kids. If fact, most people would have avoided him, but I was stupid and I didn't.

I was in a bit of a rebellious stage myself and wanted a taste of what it was like to break the rules. So, I continued to hang out with him. Violet and Marina stuck with me when all my other friends didn't. I wish I had listened to everyone who told me that he was bad news and that he was going nowhere and would pull me down with him.

I was pulled from my thoughts when Violet greeted me. She shuffled out of the booth to give me a hug. "Juliet, love, glad you could join us. " she exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around me.

I smiled. "Hey!" Marina gave a small wave and a crooked smile.

I looked over at Collin who grinned widely at me. It wasn't a genuine happy grin but more like a sadistic smirk; he never smiled happily anymore. I slight feeling of fear and dread came over me. He held a beer in one hand and pat the spot next to him with the other. I swallowed hard and cautiously sat next to him. When I sat down, he reached his arm out and wrapped it tightly around my waist; I cringed inwardly.

Things had been so different between us since we had started dating; he became an entirely different person. He was no longer sweet and caring, just disrespectful, vulgar and frankly unpredictable. It was rare for him to be kind and charming, but he usually had some ulterior motive behind his kindness. He was controlling and manipulative.

"So, what are we going to do tonight?" I asked. I looked across the table to Marina and Violet.

It was Collin who answered my question. "How about we go over to my place? We can have a bunch of other people over and make a party of it."

I grinned a little. I loved going to parties, even if they were thrown by my slightly terrifying rebel boyfriend. Parties had liquor - which my mother forbade me to drink out of fear that I might turn into my alcoholic father. Besides, if there were a lot of people there I could hopefully stay off his radar for most of the party.

Marina and Violet nodded. "Sounds great." They said in unison.

"I'll bring some booze." Violet added

"Great. Be there at 8:00. Don't be late." Collin said, glancing over to me. It was more of a glare than a glance. I nodded quickly, I knew better than to upset him.

I pretended to get a text from my mother, pulling my phone from the pocket of my ripped skinny jeans. "It's my mum. I've gotta go." I said. As subtly and quickly as possible, I freed myself from Collin's grasp.

Marina and Violet nodded in an understanding manner. I looked back to Collin who furrowed his brow in frustration. "What does that old bitch want? Still trying to tell you what to do? You are such a bloody pushover, Jules. Always listening to mummy." He groaned, taking another drink of his beer. I hated when he called me that; only my mom can call me Jules. And I hated being called a pushover since I spent a great deal of my childhood hearing my father call my mother one.

I bit my lip, thinking of what to say. "She umm...needs help with something. Don't worry, I'll be able to go to the party."

He seemed unconvinced, but didn't object. "Whatever. " he said dismissively. I sighed in relief. I said goodbye to Violet and Marina before quickly heading back out the pub door.

A few hours later, the time of Collin's party was approaching. I was sweating slightly and my hands were shaking from the anxiety. I wished I had the courage to stand up to him. I hated to admit it, but he was kind of right about me being a pushover. I wasn't a pushover to my mother; in fact, I rarely did what she told me to anymore. I was, however, a pushover to him. I did everything he told me to, not because I wanted to, but because I saw afraid of what would happen if I said no. The question of what exactly he was capable of doing frightened me.

I put the though out of my mind and slipped into a tight black dress. I grabbed my faux leather jacket from my closet and pulled it on. I had already done my hair and makeup. After choosing a pair of black high heels, I shoved my phone into my jacket pocket and left the room.

"I'm going out. " I said vaguely. I was about to open the door when my mother stopped me.

She looked at me with a mixed look of concern and questioning. "At this hour? Where?" She crossed her arms over her chest.

I rolled my eyes. "Out." I said. She was about to say something else, but I went around her and quickly rushed out the door before she could stop me. I rushed down the stairs of our flat to the first floor and hurried out of the building; it's a wonder I didn't trip, as quickly as I was walking.

After a few blocks I arrived at Collin's party. He lived in one of the biggest buildings on this end of London, which meant that there was plenty of space for a party. Thankfully the building only housed his family, otherwise the neighbors would have been very angry. I opened the front door, not bothering to knock first because, honestly, no one would have been able to hear it. I walked through the door and closed it behind me. I hoped to find my friends before I ran into Collin, but he was right there near the door. He called over to me, clearly drunk. "Jules!" he yelled over the music. "Get over here, I wanna talk to you." He didn't seem too happy. He motioned for his friends to give us some privacy as I slowly walked over. He looked me over in a way that made me feel uncomfortable, like I was his prey. I didn't liked him eyeing me that way anymore.

"What is it?" I bit my lower lip and avoided his gaze.

He grabbed my chin roughly, forcing me to look into his eyes. "Come with me." he said, grinning maliciously at me. He tightly grabbed me by the arm and dragged me upstairs, away from the party. I was getting even more worried.

When we were up the stairs, he pulled me further through a hallway before stopping. I swallowed nervously. He looked over at me, grinning before he shoved me against the wall, his face inches from mine. He tried to kiss me, but I turned away, struggking under his iron grasp. My reluctance only made him angry.

"You said you wanted to talk." I said nervously, trying to stop my voice from shaking.

He laughed sadistically. "I lied." He went to try and kiss me again, but I once again turned away.

"Collin, please. Don't." I insisted, looking at him with all the courage I could muster.

He took a step back from me, glaring. "What did you say?" he asked. I knew he wasn't expecting an answer. I was frightened by the look in his eyes, the deranged, furious look. He pulled his hand back and slapped me hard across the cheek. Stunned, I gaped at him. He had never hit me before. He grabbed my arm again tightly. It would surely bruise. "Don't ever talk back to me again! Do you understand? he asked. I nodded. He smirked. "Good."

What had I gotten myself into? I didn't want to be with Collin anymore. This hateful man that stood before me wasn't the Collin I had met years ago, the one I thought I loved. I began to fear for my safety. If he could hit me once, he could surely do it again. I felt helpless, like a rabbit caught in the grasp of a wolf, like the walls were closing in. I knew that I had to find a way out of this mess I had gotten into; I just didn't know how.

A.N.- So, this was a pretty intense chapter, right? I thought I would introduce you guys to Collin, Juliet's ex (and a few of her friends). I imagined him to look a bit like Vico from the show The Fosters. Anyway, now you guys know a bit more about Juliet's past. I'll continue to get further into it as the story progresses. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. I'd also like some feedback so please review. I'll update as soon as I can, which should be this weekend. Here are my responses to those of you who reviewed chapter 5:

•sarahmichellegellarfan1: I intend to keep Kol in character, so don't worry. Thanks so much for all of your reviews!

•Guest: Not quite sure what you mean...but thanks for the review anyway. Hope you're liking my story.

•FanFicChikk: Haha! I know right. Thanks for your review :) Happy late birthday!

• marilyngirl: I'm glad you're enjoying my story! Thanks for the review

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