To Catface: Don't be sorry, I love your reviews :) You should make an account on here so we could message instead if you'd like x

This is a flashback chapter so sorry if things get a little confusing but it should kind of be explained by the end. I really enjoyed writing this one :)

5 months earlier…

"Come on Jo please just get this one, you look great in it."

I looked at the black dress I was currently trying on in one of the millions of shops we've already been in. It finished just above the knee and was almost like a pencil dress however it flared, only slightly, at the bottom. The dress was quite comfortable and very pretty at the same time, and it's not like I needed an amazing dress for my 17th birthday, it was just a party.

A couple of my friends decided to throw me a huge party for my birthday seeing as last year my parents did that and it was the most boring party ever. Imagine formal wear and a small orchestra which played dull music for most of the night. The evening consisted of me greeting various relatives I didn't even know I had and listening to them make speeches about me which mainly consisted of the words "I can't believe she's already so grown up."

So this year my friends decided to 'jazz it up' a bit and were throwing me a party. That's why they were also taking me out dress shopping and to get my hair and all that other stuff done. I didn't mind really, it was part of their gift I guess.

Once I bought the dress they dropped me off home to get ready and have dinner with my parents as we do each year and then my handsome boyfriend would pick me up and drive us to the party.

I entered my house with the multiple bags I had which contained all the different products and items I apparently needed to get ready.

"Jo, honey, is that you?" My mom called from the kitchen. I could smell her cooking in the air.

"Yeah mom, it's me." I called back. I dropped the bags in the corridor and walked into the kitchen where she was.

"How was shopping with the girls?" she asked, looking up from the different pots and pans she was using to cook.

"Exhausting."

"Did you get everything you needed?"

"Yep. Where's dad?" I asked. My father had been working a lot recently and it was very rare to see him at home, relaxing or watching TV. Either he would be at work or work from home which meant that he would sit in his study for hours.

"He's out at work again but he'll be back for our dinner and he left you a little something in your bedroom."

This brought a smile to my face and I immediately rushed to my room to find a large yellow envelope on my bed. I picked it up and tore it open to find a huge birthday card in the shape of a bear. The bear on the front was actually one of the care bears holding a heart in its paws.

I opened the card to find some money and a small leaflet drop out. I examined the leaflet quickly. It was for a small spa resort just outside of California which I've wanted to go to for years. In the leaflet were two tickets for a weekend at the resort.

Turning my attention back to the card I read the message my dad had written inside it.

Happy Birthday Jo!

You've grown so fast.

It seems like just yesterday I was sitting by your bed,

Reading Peter Pan to you as you fell asleep.

I hope you have an amazing 17th birthday

And I hope all your wishes come true

Love always, your Dad xo

The message brought a small tear to my eye.

I put the card up by my bed and started to get ready for dinner and my party.

Once I was dressed and did my hair and make-up, I went downstairs to help my mom set up the table for dinner. During this time my dad arrived home and quickly got changed from his work clothes. Once he came down, I hugged him and thanked him for his wonderful gift. Then, they both wished me a happy birthday and we sat down to eat.

"So, what have the girls planned for you tonight, honey?" My dad asked.

"They didn't really say much but I know that there will be a party. I don't really know more than that and they've asked me to wear a dress which we bought earlier today."

"That sounds really nice. Will you be coming home or are you staying over?" My mom enquired. As always straight to the point.

"I'll probably come home, I think."

"Alright, you can ask someone to come over since neither of us will be home tonight."

"Yeah, sure."

We carried on the casual conversation for a while whilst eating dinner. My mom made my favourite dessert – raspberry sorbet with whipped cream and cherries. Soon I was done and the large clock in our kitchen chimed 7 o'clock and the doorbell rang.

"Thank you for the presents and for dinner, I'll see you guys soon."

"Bye honey, enjoy yourself." They replied.

I opened the door to find Will standing there with a large bouquet of yellow roses. We said our hello's and he gave me a quick kiss due to the fact my parents could still see us.

"These are for you. Happy birthday, sweetheart." He said.

"Thank you, Will." I replied with a large grin on my face.

"Good evening Mr and Mrs Harvelle." He said to my parents who were standing in the corridor. I gave the flowers to my mom so that she could place them in a vase.

"Good evening William, how have you been?" My dad always called my boyfriend using his full name. I guess it was one of those protective dad things.

"I've been very well, and you, sir?"

Will always made sure to address my parents in the correct manner. Our parents have probably planned our wedding knowing them; they were simply in love with the idea, especially our mothers.

"I've been very well myself, thank you. Now, you take care of our little girl tonight, alright?" My dad proceeded to try and look strict which to me only made him seem less of what he was trying to achieve.

"Of course, sir." Will replied.

"Goodnight guys, I'll see you tomorrow."

I then kissed both of my parents on the cheek and thanked them again for my presents and the lovely dinner my mom had cooked for me.

Once the door was closed Will took my hand and spun me around to face him before planting a long kiss on my lips. He leaned out only slightly and started to whisper into my ear.

"Happy birthday, Princess."

We got into his car and Will quickly drove away before filling the car with music.

We eventually pulled up by a bright house which screamed 'Party!' to anyone living within a 5-mile radius. I smiled at the various banners of 'Happy Birthday' and balloons, the already popped party poppers on the lawn.

Will got out of the car and immediately went around to my side to open my door. Smiling at his gentleman-like gesture I got out and he wrapped his hand around my waist where I laced our fingers together. We made our way towards the front door and both of us knocked loudly.

The door opened to reveal my friends, who were already tipsy, and giggling. I smiled at them before coming inside and looking around at the large crowd which turned up to the party. Most of them probably just wanted to go out and have an excuse for drinking alcohol but the large stack of presents in the main room showed me that a lot of these people I actually knew.

As soon as I greeted everyone I knew I joined the fun. I danced. I laughed. I drank, but not much. Hanna, the one who always drank the most but managed to keep her cool, was trying to convince me to do shots with her. I laughed her off and left her under the wing of a cute guy from our History class who I knew had a huge crush on her but wouldn't try anything.

Eventually it started getting late and slowly people were beginning to leave. The music was slowed and the volume turned down. People fell asleep on the couches and even on the floors.

The slow, calm song which was currently playing gave Will and I, a chance to dance how we'd prefer to in comparison to the weird grinding moves people seemed to have developed in our society. With his hands on my waist and my hands around his shoulders we slowly swayed our bodies with the music and I laid my head against his chest.

We must have been dancing for quite some time because I felt Will shaking me slightly into consciousness as he mumbled something and took me to sit down on the sofa. Unfortunately I couldn't hear what he said because I was too tired. Also, it was quite heard to hear anything, when Issy's voice ran through the whole house as she screamed at a couple she had just discovered to be making out in her bedroom.

I sat on the sofa for a while with my eyes closed before deciding that it was probably time for me to go home. I shifted my head slightly to face Hanna who was now sitting with the guy from our History class.

"Have you seen Will anywhere?"

"No sorry, I think he might have left." She replied.

I got up and walked upstairs to Issy's bedroom where I found her asleep on her bed and her shoes on the other side of the room. I took out a blanket from the cupboard and covered her with it.

Then I decided to look for Will who was meant to be dropping me home. That however didn't end well as he was nowhere to be found therefore I went outside to see if his car was still in the driveway. Of course, once again, I was disappointed to find that he had obviously left without telling me.

With a long sigh I began to walk in the direction of my house. My shoes in my hands, I walked at a brisk pace. Just for a second I stopped to take a breath and put my shoes back on when a hand covered my mouth.

I was dragged into a dark alley. A cloth was draped and tied around my eyes. Darkness consumed me. Something metal collided with my chest. A gasp. Air no longer being able to find its way into my lungs. I struggled for oxygen. It's harder to breathe. A struggling sound. I still can't see. And I'm afraid. I've very afraid. So very, very afraid.

What's happening? This can't be real. This is a dream. I passed out at the party. I am asleep. This is not real. This cannot be real.

Another hit.

Another strike.

A laugh. A cold, malicious, taunting laugh. A troubling laugh. A horrible, petrifying laugh.

Then – most unbearable of all.

It slid across my skin. Digging deeper. A liquid trickling down my back.

A short cry.

Another laugh.

Losing consciousness.

Pain.

More and more and more pain.

And again more pain.

All I feel is pain.

A sentence.

A few words.

"This should teach him."

A silence.

Some footsteps.

Another cry.

Another struggle for breath.

This can't be real.

Another injection of pain.

I cannot move.

The cloth no longer around my eyes. I still can't see. My eyes refuse to open.

A call in the dark.

Someone else.

And then nothing.

Nothing at all.