5 years a slave

Chapter 1

'What do you want for your 18th birthday Anna' mum nagged while sipping on her tea, she was having breakfast with me because my father was away working and she’s always talking about family time.

I didn't know what I wanted for my birthday, I have everything as my dad has a successful job meaning my mother was a stay at home mum, they give me everything a girl needed.

I roll my eyes trying to think of a good gift 'how about money so I can go shopping for an outfit and some other things with my friends'.

my mother's eyes were bright when she nodded, she was happy I finally told her what I wanted for my birthday, she's been nagging for the last few months asking me what I wanted for my big 18 but I know she will be slightly disappointed because she loves shopping, however, she will never tell me this.

She continued talking about what she will be doing today with my younger brother while I'm at college, how she plans to go shopping for some more summer clothing and how I should wear my hair today.

I nod listening to my mother drone on and on about things that are so important to her, then when she finishes her tea, she massages my hair then starts platting it back for college, like she does every day.

I could do my own hair, but she says it the way of showing me she loves me, she’s always has done it and I don't fancy breaking that cycle.

After she’s finished with her amazing hands and I have finished my bowl of cereal, I kiss her on the cheek remind her I am sleeping at my best friends Marie before I set off for college.

~~~~~

College was the same as always, keeping my head down till I have finished all my work and smiling when the teacher praises me for how hard working, I am, I would usually glow with pride about this and gloat to my friends.

I didn't go to the same college as my friends, they went to six form while I have chosen to go to a college, which I am happy with it was my choices, but since we are super close we see each other every day and since its Friday I will be sleeping at Marie's till Sunday and returning home on Monday afternoon after college, this was my usual routine.

~~~~~

'Please come with me to River Island to buy some new black heels' Marie moaned while pulling her short brown hair into a bun, she was fiddling with it for a moment before she was satisfied with it.

'I need to pick up a new dress anyways from Topshop for tonight' I giggle as Marie rolls her eyes at me, looping her arm through mine she took control leading us to the shops.

We go out drinking every weekend with our fake IDs mine is of my cousins Jessica’s while marries is of her older sisters, on my ID I’m 19 while Marie is 20, they have never failed us.

'You always buy a new outfit each week you can't you just reuse some of them, no one will notice' Marie snorted while hooping her arm through mine leading me to river island, we grab a caramel ice frappe from Starbucks of course which was on me.

I sat on the sofa while I watch Marie slipping on black heels and asking my opinion, she sometimes would decide she hated a pair of shoes and take them off before even asking for my opinion put Marie’s needed a pacific heel, though tall Marie has chunky legs so the wrong pair of heels could make her legs look like an upside down chicken nugget.

'so Adam tried going all the way last night and I said to him, I wasn't ready and I deffo didn't want it to be in his student house with all the boys that keep randomly walking into his room whenever they want, they have all seen my t**s which I don't appreciate' Marie huffed on while posing into the mirror, she stops looking at herself and makes eye contact with me for some advice.

She knows I don't like Adam and all he wants is s*x, however, Marie is head over heels for the boy, so I just raise my eyebrows and she knows I’m not going to reply because she knows how I feel about Adam.

She rolls her eyes hard at me, she can sense I’m annoyed.

'I mean my mum has recently put me on the copper coil because of this and I told her no need you know because I’m not doing anything' she tilts her head to the side admiring the heels she has on before she continues 'well not really I mean you can't get pregnant by other activities' She winked at me through the mirror.

I could see she was getting frustrated with my lack of opinion because she clicks her tongue and stares back at me, I sigh knowing she needed to vent to someone.

'You know I’m not the romantic type it’s just s****l activity to me, I don't find it exciting or appealing there will be plenty of time for all that when I'm in uni' I reply to her with a disappointed look on my face for giving in so quickly.

'I guess that's, why they made uni anna, for s*x, drugs and parties' Marie, smirked back obviously smug I've replied to her but she waves her hand for me to continue to give her advice about Adam, Marie is stubborn, I've always loved and hated this about her, 'well if you love Adam and you want to have s*x ill buy you a lock for his bedroom because this is all I’ve heard for the last 3 weeks' I snort back at her.

I admire Marie, she was so strong and confident, her face was sharp with small round eyes and a flat nose, her thin mouth was slightly lopsided but she was attractive but she turned beautiful with her personality shining through, her confidence radiated off her making her appealing, she finally decided on the black heels she wanted and has begun making her way to the cash point, she expects me to follow and I do.

We head to Topshop next where I pick the dress I wanted, I saw it online last week and decided to buy it for going out tonight it was a black dress that showed off some boobs and bum, I didn't try it on because I already knew it would look good.

Making my way home to Marie's house, it was all Adam this and Adam that and how Adam is amazing, I tried to tell her Adam wants just s*x, but she never listens always saying I think the worst and how I will find out one day.

People compare me and Marie towards each other a lot, we pretend it doesn't bother us but deep down we both know Marie is jealous of me, I don’t say this in a bitchy was either, I always make sure I wear dark colours so I don’t stand out or not do or say anything that will grab anyone's attention, when around company I allow Marie to take charge of the conversation and I never get involved until the time is right, until Marie is shining with all the attention on her so she doesn't feel insecure about me speaking.

We don’t speak about it but we both know Marie is the shepherd and I am the sheep, the funny thing is I don’t mind this silent arrangement, I prefer it because Marie can do anything once she sets her mind to it, any jobs she wants she’s got, any man she wants will soon be wrapped around her little finger.

When we reach Marie’s house no one is in like usual, her mother is always working and her old siblings have moved out, so like usual we slump our bags onto the kitchen table and start pigging out of chocolate while I cook us something healthy like tonight I’m making lasagne, I always do the cooking as Marie can't cook to save her life, when she is allowed to cook I have to supervise to make sure she doesn't set the kitchen alight….again.

'Shall we try that new bar in town, its meant to be so posh and with all the rich hotties going we will put some diamonds on so we look snooty like the rest of the fuckers' Marie sang with happiness, I knew why she was happy, the usual places we go are just middle class and Marie is snobby herself, her small eyes widened slightly showing the mischief behind them, her thin lips become thinner as she grins widened so she was smiling like the joker.

'which new bar is’-

'OH, SKY BAR, I GOT US f*****g IN!!!' Marie was practically jumping at this point and with the look of surprise on my face she continued 'I GOT US ON THE GUESSED LIST' I cringe inward

Sky bar was for the people in our town of a higher standard and because Marie believed that she is one of these people, of course, she got us on the guest list, my eyes follow Marie as she slips out of her chair and shoves the emailed invitation it into my face, her eyes were now dancing with happiness, she waved the phone frantically after I skimmed the email the feeling of dread come over me because I hate posh bars, we were hardly legal plus I would hate to get Jessica’s ID taken away from me.

'Don't you think we're too young and too skint to even go there I mean I can't afford to pay a tenner a drink Marie' I sigh continuing to stir the mince in my pan hoping I could come up with a smart argument which will win me this argument I knew I wasn't going to win with Maries strong iron will but it is worth a shot.

'Lucky you bought that dress so you don't have to buy your own drinks, men will be falling over you' she shrugged returning to her seat, she folded her legs beneath her bum, I knew I was defeated the moment her eyes were back on her phone screen, the way she licked her lips I knew she was looking for an adventure for some fun, that I would be her accomplice whether I wanted to or not.

I was never short of men's attention and this was true, I was attractive with a curvy body, I get many offerors when I’m out with Marie but I never usually take them up because I’m focused on college and because its illegal what I’m doing, Marie however usually takes full advantage of any offers that come her way taking drinks, flirting with men who could be a young uncle to her but she never cared, she could lie out her arse in addition to this she keeps most men a secret when I am not around but I know what she is truly up to, I cover her arse most the time to her mum then I get small explanations like "oh I was with carl" or "I was at recess house" like I know these people, like that's the only explanation I needed, in reality, I knew it was because she was in between the sheets with a man but the reason I never got an explanation was because she decided she didn't want to see them again.

The only person who has seemed to stick around is Adam, a d**k who thinks he's god’s gift to women, he makes my skin crawl whenever he's around trying to flirt with me then when I don’t give him the attention, he apparently deserves I’m the one who is a stuck-up b***h.

I can see Marie starting to whine about my reaction I can feel her eyes on me now probably looking at my sour face 'okay we will just slip in for an hour and then leave for our usual deaaaall?' she had a devilish look in her eye telling me I don't have a choice.

Fine I grunted.

I turned around and concentrated on my task at hand trying to think of why we shouldn't go to a bar with boring middle ages men but I knew if I brought up this fact I would get "Anna broaden your horizon this could be an opportunity" the truth was any argument I did have, Marie would have an answer besides one hour won't kill me.