in threes
Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Lottie’s POV

“Stop freaking out Lottie!” Anna pushes my hair back from my face as frantically fidget with myhands.

It was now Thursday, 3:20pm to be exact, and only forty minutes away from officer Owens comingto carry out her safety check!

“What if she tells me I have to go back there?!” I continue to freak, as I remain on Aunt Rinnas sofa,a complete and utter nervous wreck!

“We won’t let them! I’ll phone my father and he will have a lawyer on this quicker than she can evensuggest such a thing!” Anna tells me firmly, meaning her words sincerely.

“Stop worrying and take it as it comes! Let’s talk about something else? Something that will distractyou… how about… did Alex text you last night after he gave you the phone?!” Anna suddenly grinslike the Cheshire Cat, causing my cheeks to heat at the mention.

I still couldn’t believe he had bought me a new phone, especially this one! I really tried to containmyself, but after he left for football practice, I was seriously glued to the thing for the rest of thenight!

I had never had my own phone before. I downloaded apps, games and added Anna, Alex, Jace andDels numbers in to my phone after they added me to their group chat!

With each passing day, I felt more and more involved in their friendship circle, and I can honestlysay that it was a feeling like no other… they seriously did have my back and seem to want mearound… for now at least!

“He did…” I admit, as she shakes me and squeals in excitement.

“What did he say?! I’m seriously waiting on him to just make you his girlfriend already!” Annaadmits, as I gasp at the thought.

I don’t take him for being the girlfriend type…

“He was asking how I liked the phone.” I shrug, not wanting to admit to the fact that he hadcontinued to text me back and forth after that…

Alex had text me mostly all night about how my day was and had also apologised again for theother night when he kissed Tiffany. I told him that it was fine considering I was completelyoverreacting – we aren’t even together, but he apologised anyway.

Alex also encouraged me to phone him if I ever needed anything in an emergency… which I feltwas slightly odd but I appreciated nonetheless that he seemed to care that much.

“I can sense it… he will have you wifed up in no time!” Anna laughs, as I turn redder at the thoughtof being anyone’s wife in the future.

The future was something I had never planned or thought much about. I didn’t think anybody wouldever want to be around me long enough to want to have kids or a home with me… I was just raisedto be hated back home…

“Ok girls how are we feeling?” Aunt Rinna enters the space, gaining both of our attention as we perkup slightly hearing her voice.

Her hair sat in loose curls, her makeup was natural and her outfit for the day consisted of light washjeans and a yellow long sleeve blouse. She wore some casual sandals to top off the look andoverall screamed ‘mother of the year‘ in general.

She looked perfect! Jace and Anna are lucky to be related to her!

“Nervous but I’m telling Lottie it will be fine!” Anna speaks up, as Rinna nods and smiles – seemingunfazed by the fact that the cops were mere minutes away from coming into her home.

“Well, we have a fool proof plan right? What can seriously go wrong? I’ll just show them to your‘room‘ and I have the appropriate documents to support your stay. Don’t worry dear it will all begreat!” Rinna speaks softly, as I clasp my hands together in an attempt to control my anxiety.

Thope she’s right…

“As for the school, Anna’s father already filled them in on what they needed to know so you don’thave to worry about the officer snooping around there!” She adds, as I nod once and attempt toforce a smile.

On that note, the door bell chimes throughout the large home, causing my entire body to stiffen.

Aunt Rinna offers me one last smile, before she inhales a small breath and heads out of the roomand towards the main door…

“We can do this! Together!” Anna whispers as she remains beside me, offering me some comfort inthe situation.

I listen out, hearing muffled small talk and laughter, before the door closes signalling that theofficers had now been invited in… it’s only a matter of seconds now…

Rinna enters first, followed by two officers dressed in black – one male and the other female.

“Well hello girls! I believe we spoke on the phone the other day? I am officer Owens!” The smallblonde female cop begins, before Rinna gestures for them both to take a seat.

“I made cookies! Would you both like something to drink too? Tea or coffee?” Aunt Rinna cuts in,being her charming self, as the officers smile and agree to her idea.

“So girls… am I right and saying that you are Lottie?” Officer Owens points directly to me, as myeyes widen slightly – followed by a nod of confirmation.

“Y–Yes! This is my friend Anna.” I begin to babble, trying desperately not to sound like a terrifiedchild since the whole plan really was to show them how happy I am here…

“Lovely to meet you both! I can sense that you’re nervous but please don’t be! This is only a checkup, and from what we can see… so far, so good!” Officer Owens smiles, remaining collected, beforeRinna re–enters the room handing them both a coffee and a cookie each.

The officers thank her, before seeming to make themselves comfortable, as Rinna moves aroundthem to take a seat for herself.

“Lovely home! I’m assuming you don’t mind opening your doors up to Charlotte then? I understandthat you are the current point of contact for miss Anna here too? I believe because her parents workaway often?” Officer Owens seems to do all of the talking, whilst the male officer seems to be moreobservant as he studies our responses carefully.

“Oh no I do not mind it at all! It’s great having Lottie here with us! She helps around the house,keeps my precious Anna company and overall she is just a great young woman!” Aunt Rinna seemsto boast about me, as I can’t help but smile at her as she speaks.

She was great! Like an actress who had stepped right out of the big screen! A natural charismaticcharmer!

“Well it really is great to hear that! Like I mentioned, Charlottes old school were concerned, andfrom what I had picked up on from her Mother… she seemed almost… closed off? Do you

understand what I mean by that Charlotte?” The officer involves me in the conversation once again,causing me to tense up at the mention of my Mother.

“I… Yes I… We are both much happier when we are apart… I love it here and for the first time, I feelfree, I would imagine my Mother feels similar. I admit, as the officers nod and allow for me to speakup.

“Yes well… like I said on the phone, you are at an age now that you are completely entitled to makeyour own choices… as long as you aren’t stuck in a vulnerable situation! This check is merely toensure that you are happy and in safe hands. Officer Owens states, as I smile at howunderstanding she had been thus far.

This wasn’t too scary after all…

“We would love to have a look around, perhaps even a peak at where miss Charlotte has beenstaying? After that I can complete some paperwork with yourself and we will be out of your hair!”The officer speaks to Rinna now, as the three of them stand.

“Yes! Yes of course please do follow me! Girls if you could make a start on loading up the dishwasher I would love you both forever!” Rinna throws back over her shoulder with a giggle, as myselfand Anna laugh again at her charming tone as they all leave the room.

“They seem totally fine!” Anna states, once we hear them heading upstairs.

“I just hope things stay this way… it all seems too good to be true.” I sigh, feeling uneasy, before Istand to follow Anna towards the

kitchen.

Something feels off and I don’t quite know what yet…