#Chapter 42: A Cry for Help

My knees hit the pavement beneath me. The skirt of my dress was short enough that it didn’t cover my skin from getting scraped up on the impact. Blood and dirt coated my knees. Feeling more helpless than I had in a long time, I openly wept on the corner of the street. I couldn’t understand it. Why was I being targeted left and right? Why did it feel like everyone was out to get me? Was this the price to pay for being with Ethan? I didn’t know if I could keep paying such a high price at this rate. I pulled my knees up to my chest as I cried, hugging myself and wishing that I had more comfort than my own two arms. Instinctively, I thought of Ethan. I knew there was something going on with that girl at the party I saw only a week ago, but he was the only person I wanted to see anyways. I dialed his number on my phone, it didn’t even get a chance to ring before he picked up. “Ava, are you okay?” His voice was deep with concern. “I had a bad feeling.” I sniffed and a small