in threes
Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

*Lottie’s POV

“I can’t believe it just rang out…” Anna grumbles, as we stand in a quiet changing room to get readyfor tonights game.

–

“I’just hate not knowing.” I sigh, as Anna gels back my hair securing it into a high ponytail beforecompleting it with a large pink bow.

“I know but I’ll try again until she answers… she probably wasn’t home when I called…” Annaattempts to ease my anxiety, however It fails to work as my mind continues to work overtime.

I remain quiet, as she hands me out her makeup bag before moving to fix her own hair next.

I fumble through the products, hesitating slightly when I see the concealer… I’ll have to cover up themarks again.

“You good? Don’t let her ruin your first game you’ll love it!” Anna looks at me, snapping me back toreality as I pull out the foundation and decide to start with that.

“Yeah… I just left everything back home in a bit of a mess… I wish they would just leave me alonenow.” I sigh, using the brush to dab in the product.

We only had an hour left before the game starts, and I was slightly worried about seeing Alex theresince I hadn’t actually seen him at all today.

“You can tell me about it when you’re ready!” Anna confirms, as I nod and offer her a meek smile.

I was thankful that she wasn’t the pushy type… she really did just want the best for me!

“We skipped dinner at your aunts last night, how did that go down?” I suddenly remember, as shelaughs awkwardly and rubs at her neck.

“Yeah I sort of told her that you had a terrible sickness bug and that you were projectile!” Anna’scheeks puff out as she holds back a laugh, causing me to gasp loudly.

“You never!” I ask, as she doubles over with laughter, causing me to hold back my own laugh too.

“I did! I had to! It was either that or we would have to endure Jace at the dinner table! Sometimesshe even invites all three of them!” She defends her actions, as I shake my head at her.

“But I told her we would go over in a few days instead so she was totally fine about it!” Anna grins,as I laugh her off and continue applying the makeup to the best of my ability.

“We don’t have long left.” Anna confirms checking her watch, before she tightens and secured herown hair bow.

I apply some mascara next, concentrating as I blink the product onto my lashes – not wanting topoke my eye out.

“Im going to use the bathroom I’ll be back in two!” Anna tells me, before heading to the other side ofthe changing room where the toilet

was.

Now is my chance!

I waste no time on standing and pulling my gym leggings down, revealing the slowly fading markswhich could still easily be seen…

I dap the concealer across the majority of them, quickly moving to blend the product in, before usingsome foundation to thicken the product for more coverage.. I then apply powder to ensure that itdoesn’t rub off too easily…

I look at the results in the mirror, thankful that I had a few minutes to do this without Anna beingpresent, before I unzip my uniform bag and take out my cheer shorts and skirt first.

I pull the shorts on, before hearing the click of the bathroom door – signalling that Anna was on herway back.

“Looks good as new!” She compliments, making her presence known as I finish zipping the skirt –glancing over myself one last time in the

mirror.

“Good thing we took it to the dry cleaners!” I laugh, wanting to divert my mind from the frantic coverup I had just carried out.

“I know! Can you imaginé Brianna and Tiffany if they saw our uniforms on Friday night!” Annalaughs loudly, beginning to pull her own uniform from the bag to change too.

“We seem to have pissed them off enough today!” I add, earning an eye roll and a nod from Anna.

“Pair of b*tches!” Anna states with a laugh, pulling her skirt on, as I move next to complete theuniform with the top.

“We better head over to the field soon… do you want me to try calling your Mom back again beforewe leave?” Anna tests, picking up her phone as she waits for my response.

“Ughhh… yeah just get it over with I guess.” I shrug, figuring that it might be best to reach herbefore the game as opposed to having it on my mind all night.

Anna nods once, before tapping through her phone a couple of times, and moving it to her ear.

I watch her as it begins to ring, before curiosity gets the better of me and I whisper for her to put iton loud speaker… which she does.

“Hello?” The voice comes through the call, as I tense up knowing she had picked up this time.

“Hi there! I had a missed call from you earlier today?” Anna begins like a pro, as I listen in –beginning to bite my nails.

She pauses for a moment in thought before her tone shifts-

“Charlotte?! This doesn’t sound like Lottie? Who is this?!” She snaps, seeming to get angry forwhatever reason.

“Oh is it Charlotte that you are looking for? I’m her fathers… uhh friend… she used my phone to callyou before.” Anna explains, as my face pales from the situation.

“Oh so you’re one of her fathers whores you mean?!” My mother retaliates, as Anna raises aneyebrow at me and shakes her head.

“Is there anything I can pass on to Charlotte for you? She’s not home at the moment.” Anna cuts tothe chase, ignoring her false accusations.

“Yes actually! Tell that little whore that if the three of her boy toys don’t stop visiting my house andasking for her whereabouts that I’ll be contacting the police for harassment!” She explodes downthe line, her temper seeming to come in full swing as I cringe at the flashbacks…

Sure. Anna snorts, as my eyes widen at how unbothered she is by my mothers tongue.

“I mean it! She can’t just run off and leave me to deal with her relationships! Tell her that or else!”She snaps out one last time, before the line suddenly beeps and falls dead – signalling that she hadhung up.

I take a moment to stare at Anna, as she glares down at the phone before locking it and lookingback at me.

“I hate to say it but your Mom might just be the biggest b*tch of all!” Anna confirms ‘matter of factly‘as I nod in agreement.

“She threatened to contact the police…” I whisper, the worry evident in my voice.

“They can’t do shit if she does Lottie! Don’t let that b*tch bother you! The police can’t do anythingabout some boys knocking on her door! That ain’t your fault! Anna comforts me, as she moves topack her things away into her backpack.

The police are the last people I want to be involved with… especially after what I done…

“As for the three boys she is talking about… I’m guessing they also play a big part in this wholesituation… but you can tell me more when you’re ready! Just know that you’re safe here. Shecontinues, pausing befly to look me in the eye before continuing to tidy up her things.

Safe here for how long exactly… they won’t quit until they replace me…