The days were getting better and the heartache and literal pain were starting to get better. My stitches had been removed yesterday.

A blinding light woke me up and for a second I felt panicked that I was back in that house, chained to the pole.

"Wake up bitch!"

The duvet was ripped off me and I was left squirming as my comfort was taken away from me.

I heard someone huff and mumble something along the lines of "you asked for this" under their breath.

It was silent for a few minutes until the sound of sharp sound of metal being hit made me shoot up in bed. Thank goodness for pain meds or that would have hurt. Fast movements still stung.

"I told you to wake up!" The violent noise continued even though I was sitting up.

I closed my eyes and death glared Ivy who was standing in my room, hitting a black pot with a wooden spoon.

"Can you shut up!" I screamed over the noise and her eyes shone with mischief.

"Good morning sunshine! It is a beautiful day so rise and shi - "

I didn't let her finish as I grabbed my blanket back and sat back again. Before my head could even touch the pillow she was banging the spoon on the pot again.

"Fine!" I screamed again as I sat up and took in the blissful silence, "Can you just stop being so savage and put the pot down."

She put the pot on the floor and made her way to me to wrap me in a hug.

"I nearly went insane this last month. I don't ever want you to scare me - and everyone else - like that ever again. Do you understand me?"

I smiled at Ivy and nodded.

"I'm so sorry. I tried to stop her but she insisted." Skylar came running into the room and smiled at Ivy and me so she came and joined us. We sat together in a hug for a few moments before Ivy pulled back and stared at me.

"Now can you get the fuck out of bed and put some decent, and preferably new, clothes on. We're going out."

"I really don't feel like - " I started.

"Bitch, you've been in here for how long? You need to get out." I stared at her in shock as Sky tried to stifle a giggle. "Listen Em, I know what happened was absolutely awful. I can't even put it into words but you can't sit here doing nothing. You can't stay cooped up in these rooms and let this take control of your life. You have to fight back, Em. Because at the end of the day you're the only one who can make yourself feel better. You're the only one who can fixed all your broken pieces. Of course we'll be here to help you but in the end it's your choice if you want to stay broken or if you want to heal..."

I stared at my beautiful best friends with tears in my eyes as I softly whispered, "I want to heal."

-

"Seriously? Shopping?" I groaned as Sky parked in front of the mall. "This is literally my worst nightmare."

Ivy and Sky stared at me but I ignored them and got out of the car. They followed shortly and as soon as we were inside the mall, I was being dragged to shop for clothes I didn't need.

"Girl, what's taking you so long?" Ivy's voice came through the door.

I stared at myself in the reflection and smiled at myself and the dress that I was wearing. The dark blue dress brought out the blue in my eyes. The actual dress was short and flowy but was covered by a thin layer of material which had a slit down the middle and opened as I moved. It was absolutely stunning. I felt a little bit more like myself and my thoughts even drifted to what Hunter might have thought about the dress.

Hunter, I sighed, I did miss him. So much and I felt guilty for avoiding him. I knew what needed to be done and this dress was going to help me do it. Stepping out the dressing room with an new found confidence, I found myself staring at a familiar face.

"Theo!" I smiled and immediately wrapped my arms around him.

"Long time no see, stranger." He said coming out of the shock and hugged me back.

"What are you doing here?" I smiled at him again, pulling back out of the hug.

"My man Hunter and my girl Ivy needed some - "

"Your girl?" I smirked and shifted my gaze to Ivy. Despite her dark skin, a light blush appeared on her cheeks and I smiled at her. My gaze shifted back to Theo who was just staring at me, "Sorry, continue." I raised my hands in surrender.

Theo's explaination was interrupted by Skylar turning the corner and immediately clapping and jumping up and down excitedly, "Em, you have to buy that."

"I agree. Girl, you look good." Ivy smirked.

"Just think of Hun - " Sky started.

"Hunting down all the men in this dress!" Ivy finished and I narrowed my eyes at the two of them.

I walked up to Ivy and tapped her chest with my finger, "you know I have a boyfriend so I don't know why you would say that so... Speak."

The only answer I got in return was a blank stare from her so I turned to Sky, "Your chance to spill what's happening."

Sky also answered me with silence so I went to my last option. Theo.

He tried avoiding my gaze but after only a few seconds of my death glare, his eye twitched and he gave in.

"Hunter wants to take you out because he's worried about you since you haven't spoken to him and he just wants you to feel better and - "

"Can you shut up now you spoilt sport? Can't believe you caved." Ivy tutted.

I raised an eyebrow at the two of them and a small smile made its way onto my face, "He planned a date for us?"

"He lo - " Ivy cleared her throat, "Hunter cares for you very much and he just wants to do something special for you."

My smile grew wider than it had in the last weeks.

"He's not even here and he's putting a smile on your face. Geez, you must really care about him... like... a lot..." Theo prodded and I knew what she was getting at.

"I was just thinking about how I could make me ignoring him up to him. I guess he beat me to it." I let the smile take over my face and felt happier than I had in many days.

-

"I can't get this! I'm not jumping into bed with him the minute we're alone again!" I leaned against the door of the lingerie shop's dressing rooms.

"You never know..." Ivy smirked.

"No harm in being prepared." Theo shrugged from his seat.

"I'm sorry but what the hell is he doing here?" I pointed with both hands to Theo's figures slumped in a chair.

"Actually!" Ivy glared at Theo but he just shrugged.

"I know what my boy likes." He shrugged.

"Should I be worried... Maybe I should be questioning my boyfriend's sexuality..." Ivy was looking very scared.

"Oh don't be silly, Ivy." She took a deep breath, relieved but it was short lived, "He saw me naked for the first time only yesterday."

"What!?" All three girls screamed at him at the same time.

"Easy girls. It was just a joke..." A mischief glint gleamed in his eyes.

Ivy put her palms together and closed her eyes, "Please Lord let me not kill him and please let it be true that he is joking because sometimes I have my doubts. Thank you." She opened her eyes again to find Theo glaring at her.

I smiled at Sky who was also watching the amusing couple. While they continued to bicker, Sky looked at me and my "outfit" choice.

"You look stunning, Em. Hunter won't know what's hit him when you eventually decide to wear it... although I have to admit. It does match very nicely with the dress you've just bought."

My lip twitched into a smirk which Sky immediately noticed.

"You love him, don't you?" The question catches me off guard but I undoubtedly know my answer.

Of course I do.

•

And another chapter because holidays! I'm personally glad Em is getting better. Let's see what Hunter has planned shall we.

I do have to quickly thank you for how amazing you have been so far with voting and adding TBBIAV to your reading lists which does help very much with reads! It's the reason I'm still writing this book, especially the comments! They make my day so please keep them up :)

While you wait, remember to vote, comment, share and follow! xxx