I wrote this story a long time ago and it was my second attempt at writing a novel, so please understand there may be quite a few mistakes or scenes that don't make a lot of sense. I was only fifteen when I wrote this!

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******** This text is covered by the international copyright laws. This content may not be copied to another computer, published, stored, reproduced or altered in any way. Any violations of this is punishable by law. ********

© 2012 by LaurenJ22.

All rights reserved.

(EDITED *time stamp 2018*: In celebration of Downright Delinquents ranking #1 in Action and coming up to the anniversary of when I first posted this story when I was sixteen (somehow five years ago!?) @ADreamingReality and I have teamed up to make a fresh, new trailer for the story! It can be viewed at the top of the chapter. The trailer showcases modern clips and new actors/actresses who differ from the original casting. Please feel free to imagine whoever you like as the cast, but we thought modern clips would be more effective for the trailer).

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A scream pierced the air and something sharp violently gripped my lower arm. I jolted awake with a start, gasping in alarm. I swivelled my head to see my best friend, Ameika, viciously tearing up my flesh with her ridiculously long nails. They were painted a fluorescent orange this week. I gave her a flat look and removed my arm from her grip, wincing.

"You're attracting unwanted attention," I muttered. I narrowed my eyes at the people who were gawking at us.

The heads in front of us turned back to the film, and I sunk back down into my chair. We were currently seeing the new horror movie out. It was meant to be one of the scariest movies in Australia. So far I'd fallen asleep twice. This happens to me a lot which is why I don't come to the movies as much anymore.

She clings to me again, her eyes wide and alert, and I honestly think I can hear her heartbeat from here.

I looked down the line of seats, looking at my other friend's. Two had their faces buried, the others' mouths wide open as they stared in horror at the screen. I met Gabe's eyes, who was staring back at me in amusement, finding Ameika's reaction humorous. I gave him a flirtatious smile which he returned.

Rolling my eyes at him, I rested my head back and slowly my eyes drifted shut. Eventually, the loud screams and noises died away, and I dozed off into a not-so-comfortable sleep.

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We emerged from the overcrowded and stuffy cinemas. There were a few murmurs amongst the group as everyone shared their thoughts. I scoffed, unable to help myself and Ameika side-eyed me.

Ameika was under average height, only coming to my shoulders, often making me feel like a giant. 

"Just because you're fearless," Ameika muttered, sticking her tongue out childishly at me. She looked young and acted that way most of time, often getting mistaken for her age.

After walking idly around town for a while, killing time-any excuse not to return home before nine p.m on a Friday night-we stopped by our favourite diner for a snack. We grabbed our usual booth and Gabe sat beside me. I smiled knowingly at him. 

After I ordered myself a large, chocolate milkshake, we all began babbling and gossiping like usual. I was tuning in and out of the conversation. Suddenly, I felt a warm hand land on my bare thigh.

I tried to keep my face blank, but without even thinking, I bit my lip. Gabe always tried stuff like this. Ameika glanced over and raised her eyebrows at me. She always noticed our exchanges, but no one else seemed to. If anyone else in the group ended up realising, I would make sure it stopped. I tried to keep emotionless, but it was hard. Before anything could happen, a waiter appeared. Excitement flooded through me at the thought of food. One by one our orders arrived and, I grabbed a few chips from the middle. We always ordered something for our group to share, and then our individual drinks. At least Gabe had removed his hand from me, so I could finally focus again.

I slurped loudly, and a few of my friends snickered in my direction. They all found it highly amusing when I ate or drank anything. Apparently, I was their 'mealtime entertainment'. 

After we all had finished and dumped our stuff in the rubbish bins, with a wave to the staff members, we piled out of the small restaurant and exposed ourselves to the cool night air that swept around us. I inhaled deeply, the cool air inflating my lungs. I stretched out, feeling Gabe's gaze on me. I tried not to smirk. I leaned back so that my skimpy top would creep up and show off my stomach. My skin felt hot from his gaze.

This was where our group would usually depart. We bid our goodbyes. I made sure that I went and hugged everyone first before I allowed Gabe the chance to. Everyone was murmuring their farewells. I reached Gabe and embraced him. I felt his hand sink lower down my back than necessary, which caused me to smirk in satisfaction.

After his hands had finished roaming my backside, he planted them on my hips. Slowly, I held his hands and removed them from me, biting my lip. His eyes flashed a few shades darker as lust overruled him. 

"Bye, guys," I called, sending a smile over my shoulder to them. I threw my hand back in some wave gesture before I set off for the short trek to my house.

The walk to my house was only about five minutes away from the diner. Just as my place was in sight, a hand wrapped around my waist. With a startled gasp, I was stumbling sideways. My back hit the cement wall and Gabe's hands were roaming my body. I didn't hesitate to kiss him roughly. I hooked one leg around his waist, drawing him closer.

It's a heavy few moments of breathing, tangled limbs, hair curled around fingers.

 He ran his hands through my hair and yanked my hair out from the high ponytail I had it in. I leaned back and shook out my hair. He loved how I did that.

It got more heated, my jacket slipping from my shoulder when my alarm vibrates against my left leg. I always set it in case I stayed out too late. Dad and I lived alone, and I didn't like to keep him up. He refused to go to sleep without knowing I had arrived safely home. Reluctantly, I removed myself from Gabe's arms and shut off the alarm, with a slight frown on my face. I wish our make-out session hadn't ended so soon.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked, my eyes lingering on his red, swollen lips.

His mouth tilted up to a smile, and he leaned in, pressing his lips to mine once more. I gently pushed back on his chest, breaking our contact with each other. If he kept that up, I wouldn't be leaving.

"Yeah."

I ran my finger down his chest before turning away from him. I briskly walked to my house. I fished my key from my pocket and swung the door open. I removed my heels and locked the door behind me. I squinted in the dim light, trying to see what was around me, although I was used to coming home in the dark.

I strained my ears to where Dad might be and heard the T.V playing. I quietly placed my shoes down and tip-toed to the lounge room, planning on surprising him. I couldn't wait to see his reaction. I'd probably wee my pants with laughter. One time, I got him so bad that he leaped so high in the air he toppled off the lounge.

I never let him forget that either. Anytime we were out with friends or relatives and he'd try to embarrass me, I'd start out with, "Oh remember that time..." and he would shut up pretty quickly. I chuckled quietly to myself. Shaking my head, I cleared my thoughts. I had to be as silent as possible. I crept closer to where he was. I was so intently focused on being quiet, I didn't see something blocking my path.

My foot caught and I plummet to the ground, landing with a loud thud. With a groan, I slowly got on my hands and knees. Great, I blew my cover. I expected Dad to laugh at my clumsiness and say something about how I didn't get him this time. I hung my head, waiting for him to laugh. When I didn't hear anything, I looked up, seeing nothing on the lounge. I frowned. That was weird. I looked beside the lounge and a scream built up in my throat.

Dad. Lying there. Unconscious. 

Still-wet blood lingered underneath his nose in a messy smear. A whimper escaped my mouth and as tears welling painfully in my eyes. My eyes dropped to what had tripped me over and I realised it was his arm. I felt my stomach churn uncomfortably, giving me the urge to be sick. Before I had time to process what was happening, I heard heavy footsteps ascending towards me.

My eyes widened in panic. Blindly, I scuttle as fast as my knees could take me into the cupboard close by. I left the door open by a few inches as my eyes swept over the room. My heart was pulsing in my chest, so loudly I could hardly hear anything over it. My mouth had completely dried out. I placed a hand over my mouth, trying to muffle any breathing sounds.

I press my palm into my mouth so hard; it hurts. Hot tears rushed down my face, mingling with sweat. My head feels light and I forced myself to breathe. In and out. In and out.

Heavy footsteps could be heard yet again and a man, wearing all black, dropped onto his knees. The way he was kneeling, I couldn't get a good look at him. I squinted, trying to make out who it was or see anything vital that stood out.

"You still alive, huh?" the throaty voice grunted.

Unfortunately, I could only see his brown, slightly curly hair tucked underneath a large beanie. The beanie touched the edge of his eyes and he had balaclava from his nose down. I shoved my fist into my mouth, desperately trying to hold in the sob that wanted to escape.

My Dad's head slowly turned and his eyes met mine.

They slowly widened, and his lips parted as if he was trying to send me a message. My heart drops into my stomach. The man squeezed his throat. A strangled cry tore from my Dad's lips and goosebumps scattered across my skin at the sound.

My body flushes with ice at the sound of my father's desperate screams.

Grabbing a broom from beside me, I kicked the door open. I swung the broom upwards and struck down, causing it to collide with his head. The guy toppled forward, collapsing onto my father, before rolling off and wheezing slightly. He clutched his head in his hands, cradling it. An enraged scream tears from me as I hit him again and again. His fingers latched around my ankle and I was suddenly on the floor, my forehead and left arm skittering with pain. Black dots dance across my vision and I blink rapidly.

The guy crawled over the top of me. He socked me in the jaw with one fluid movement and I cried out in pain. That one punch seemed to have dislodged my entire set of teeth. 

I kicked and thrashed underneath him, unable to get my arms up as they were captivated in his vice-like grip. I wriggled underneath him, trying to escape, but he was too strong. 

He paused for a moment. His calloused finger ran down my cheek. His hot breath spilled across my face and I gagged at the smell of it.

"Beautiful," he grunted.

He leaned down, his lips brushing mine. I chomped down on his bottom lip. He let out a cry into my mouth, reeling backward. He lifted his hand up, cupping his lower part of his face. He slowly removed it. Blood dripped down his chin and his eyes glowed with hot anger.

"You little bitc-"

"HELP! SOMEONE! HEELL-" I screeched as loud as I could. He belted his hand across my face. My head hit the floor hard and I whimpered. 

We struggled against each other. Keeping my arms pinned, he rolled off me and I frantically reached for my pocketknife. Dad always made me carry one for protection. I laughed and rolled my eyes when he asked me to carry one with me always. 

I brought it up, almost at his throat, before he bent my wrist painfully back. I screamed, my ears aching at the sound of it. He wrenched the knife from my grip and slashed the upper part of my chest. My throat is hoarse from my screaming. 

"You make me bleed, I make you. Only fair, right?" he asked, his voice deep and laced with menace.

I sucked all the saliva I could back in my mouth and projecting spit with as much strength as I could. It catapulted towards his face, getting him straight onto his forehead. My spit slowly slid in between his eyes and underneath his face fabric. His eyes widened at my gesture. He raised his hand, and I squeezed my eyes shut, awaiting another fatal blow, but it never came.

Sirens. I heard them in the distance. The mysterious man dropped the knife. My knife. The guy removed himself from me and rose to his full height, which if I were to estimate from my view, he would be over 6'ft.

"I'll come for you one day, Hayley," he muttered, but I heard him loud and clear. "I won't forget about this."

I heard his footsteps grow fainter and fainter. I couldn't move. My eyelids were becoming dangerously heavy, and I felt myself slowly falling into unconsciousness. I blinked furiously, trying to stay awake.

It was a lot harder than you'd think.

It hardly registered in my mind, that whoever that man was, knew my name. The last thing I remember, I slowly reached for my Dad's hand, entwining our fingers together, as if this last contact would make everything okay.

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