Taste of a Poison Paradise

No matter how much I hated that band, it was still embarrassing that I had just run out like that. I hadn’t expected that question… I probably overreacted but that question just triggered something in me and I couldn’t hold back the tears… I wasn’t meant to cry… crying was the thing that weak people did. I wasn’t weak. I was Reece – the girl with no emotions.

The truth was, I hadn’t heard someone tell me they love me since… my parents, my real ones, not the abusive ones I was given to. Not even Adrian had told me he loved me… he was my best friend.

I lay down on my stomach. The bunk smelt weird. Not dirty, in fact it smelt clean. It just didn’t smell like home, like the hot milk and honey mum used to make when I couldn’t fall asleep all those years ago.

The tears soaked into my pillow, making it damp and uncomfortable. Suddenly the bed shifted and a hand was rubbing my back gently. I had no idea who it was. The hand was too big to be one of the girls so I automatically knew it was one of the band, but even if he spoke, I would have had no clue until I saw his face.

The boy cleared his throat, I closed my eyes tightly just not wanting to be there. “Um… are you okay, Reece?” The voice was deep and sensual. It almost gave me shivers. Almost.

I didn’t know what to say… this guy was trying to be nice by coming to check on me and shit so I couldn’t tell him to fuck off, but I didn’t exactly want to tell him anything, especially when he could easily go tell everyone else. “Fine.” I whispered, knowing how much of a lie that really was.

“No you’re not… I know you just met me, but when the boys have problems, they come to me, so if you need to talk, I’m here to listen.” His hand moved up to run through my hair. I sobbed harder. My mum used to play with my hair when I was young. Without even knowing what I was doing I sat up and flung my arms around his neck and sobbed into his chest. “Whoa there…” He laughed a little. “Do you want to talk about it? Or we should go back to the game and try forgetting about our sadness?”

Something about this guy made me feel safe. I looked up at him and into his brown eyes. I remembered his name was Liam. “I-I want to talk about it if that’s okay?” I looked down, wondering how the hell I was going to do this.

“I’m all ears, Ree.” He smiled. His smile really was beautiful… I didn’t want to admit it, but who could deny that it was?

I couldn’t help but giggle. “Ree? Never heard that one before.”

“Well you’re going to be hearing it a lot now.” I could feel the vibrations of his voice against my chest because we were pressed so close together, it was oddly comforting.

“I don’t know where to start… I guess I’ll just start from the beginning.” I looked away from him before I began. “When I was eight years old, my parents got me a babysitter and were going out for their anniversary. My dad had given me a hug before walking me into my bedroom then my mum came in and tucked me in and told me she loved me then kissed my forehead. That was the last time I ever saw them. They died in a car crash on the way to the restaurant.” I paused to wipe away some tears. “I didn’t have any aunts or uncles, and my last grandparent had died a year before, so there was absolutely no family left. I was put into foster care and they couldn’t find me a family that suited me for a year. They ended up just giving me to the next person that wanted me. It was good for the first few months, the family were loving… then maybe three months after they took me in, they became abusive. I couldn’t leave though… I had no one. So I stayed. The woman would tell me I was ugly and fat then the man would hit me whenever I did something or said something I shouldn’t.” I took in a deep breath and let it out shakily. “I get hit over the smallest things now… the punishment always the same. I’ve come to hate the people I call my guardians… they’ve never once told me they love me. So I haven’t heard the words I love you since the night my mum died.”

I looked up to him to see his reaction. He was looking at me with his hand covering his mouth. He removed his hand and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close, “Reece, I am so sorry. I had no idea how hard you had it… I’m glad you won this competition and get to stay with us for a while. You don’t have to see those people that are making you sad… I know I’ve only just met you but I already love you, I can see the real you in there. I can see you’re hiding behind this tough front when inside, you’re in pain, you’re afraid of getting hurt again. I promise we won’t let you feel pain while you’re here. At least you get to spend three months with your favourite band.” He pulled away and smiled down at me.

“Uh… thanks… um that’s another thing…” I looked away, laughing humourlessly. “I don’t… like One Direction. My friends signed me up as a joke. They didn’t think I’d win. I came because it’s the only way I could get away from my father.”

Liam frowned, “Oh… well I guess we’ll just have to convince you then, won’t we?” Before I could reply he was pulling me off the bunk, wiping my eyes and taking me back to the others.

“You okay, Reece?” I was surprised that Alex was the first person to ask, I was sure she hated me but maybe I was wrong.

“Fine.” I said, sitting down next to Liam. By now they had finished their game and were all just chilling with each other, laughing and being happy. I tuned out, trying to think of something to take my mind off everything. Suddenly someone was sitting next to me and throwing their arm around my shoulder.

“Hey there Reeceypoo.” His voice was deep, but it was different to Liam’s, more cheeky.

“Don’t call me that.”

The boy laughed and I looked over to him, his green eyes were wide and shining, his smile showing his teeth. It was the boy that had asked me that stupid question. Harry. “Come on, have some fun! No point being sad all night. I can be real fun, you know?”

“There is a point if you’re me.” I raised an eyebrow, “Fun, huh? I’m not really a ‘fun’ girl. I’d rather just chill with my guitar, you know.”

Harry pouted, “No! Come play with me!”

I couldn’t help but laugh, “How old are you? Five?”

He gasped playfully before standing up, “Lou! Reece is being mean, give me a cuddle!”