Stolen Innocence

Chapter Eleven

The rest of the week seemed to drag on, the more I wanted it to hurry up, the longer it took. Ella was gobsmacked when I told her all about Ricky, I filled her in with all the details, she screamed in my ear when I told her I was going to the carnival with him. Ella knew Ricky was a good guy, and we both agreed that he was pretty good looking too.

Ella said she was proud of me because I was starting to get out about, and taking steps to move forward. It had been over three months since that night with Colin, even though it felt like a year. Mum and Dad were a little hesitant about me going out, I didn’t blame them for being over protective. Catherine spoke to them and they ended up agreeing that it would be good for me to have fun, and make some new good memories; every little step helps.

I should Ella the dress I had picked, it was beautiful, long and had layers at the bottom. I liked the way it would flow as I walked. Plus it hid my chubby stomach. I but on some flat white boots as well and a nice white handbag. I was taking a bottle of water too, seeing as it was a long drive.

I spent the day talking to Ella on the phone, I got ready while I was talking to her, and I done my makeup while I was talking to her also. Mum leant me some of her perfume, and it smelt Devine. I was hopping I didn’t put too much on, because I kept spraying it.

It was nearly four o’clock now, and my nerves had sky rocketed, I was holding back the urge to spew. I decided to go sit out on the front patio while I waited for Ricky, so I headed down stairs to Mum and Dad to say Goodbye, they were relaxing in the lounge room watching television,

“Oh my god! Emily, you look beautiful honey!” Mum screamed with her eyes open and she got up to give me a cuddle,

“Thanks Mum” I said a little embarrassed,

“You look lovely baby girl” Dad said looking away from the television to look over at me, he was smiling too.

“Dad and I are a little anxious about you going out honey, but we want you to have a great night. I have a good feeling about Ricky, he sounds look a good young man.” Mum said as she pushed some hair out of my eyes,

“Thank Mum, I have a really good feeling too” I said feeling myself blush,

“Here honey, I know you wont want it-but we want you to take it” Dad said with his hand out,

“What is it?” I asked laughing confused,

“It’s a pocket knife, its for your own safe Bub, we would feel better if you took it” Dad said seriously “Its for your own protection honey,

I looked at Dad weirdly,

“Really Dad, a knife?” I questioned him,

“Yes honey, incase you need to defend yourself.” Mum said gently, I realised they were being 100% serious.

Dad demonstrated how to unfold it quickly, I felt a little nervous about taking it. But I understood.

Beep Beep- Rick was out the front.

“Put it in the little pocket in your bag honey, the zipper one.” Dad said,

“His here” I grinned excitedly, as I hugged my parents Goodbye,

“See you tonight honey” Mum said,

“Have fun, and stay safe baby” Dad said, as they both followed me out the door,

“I will. I love you. Bye” I said smiling as I walked down the stairs.

I had felt so nervous as I made my way to the car. Ricky was already out of the car, holding the passenger side door open for me,

“I promise to take care of her!” Ricky called out nicely to my parents, although he sounded nervous as he said it,

“You better boy!” Dad said back, he was smiling, but he was being serious.

“Hey Emily, you look beautiful” Ricky smiled, as he turned his attention to me “You smell amazing too” He added as I walk passed him to sit in the car,

“Thank you” I managed to smile back, as I felt my face go flushed,

Ricky joined me in the car, and started it up. He looked over at me,

“Let’s go have a great night together hey!” He smiled,

“Sounds great to me” I said with a chuckle, as we started to drive away I felt like I had to say something about what Dad said,

“I’m sorry about my Dad, he didn’t mean to sound rude” I said a little nervous,

“Ah don’t worry about it Em. I don’t blame him at all. If I had a daughter and something like that happened to her I would probably end up in jail” Ricky laughed, but he was just saying the truth.

The drive to the carnival went really quickly, probably because we talked the whole way. We really got along good, we laughed, made jokes and it seemed to make the drive go a lot quicker. It was the most I had laughed in ages, my stomach was sore, and so were my cheeks from smiling.

Ella and my parents kept messaging me and checking up on me every half hour. I knew they were worried about me, so I made sure I reply quickly.I also rang my parent when we go to the fair, so they knew I had made it safely, I didn’t want them stressing out too much.

The Carnival was great, there was a few people there, but not as many as I had expected. I was so glad we never seen anyone we recognised too. We walked around laughing, playing games and eating junk food, I hadn’t had fairy floss in years. Ricky tried hard to win a big teddy, but he didn’t succeed. The clown game was the easiest one to cheat at; the one were you throw balls in the clowns mouth. Ricky kept leaning over and putting the balls straight into the clowns mouth, while the attendant was busy with other people. I cracked up laughing, cos he still didn’t win anything. I was beginning to feel like a completely new person.

Ricky was a such a nice guy, I enjoyed every second I was around him. In the time we had spent together, it was the happiest I had been in forever. I was so glad we ran into each other again.

Time went so fast, that before we knew it the Carnival was about to close for the night. Ricky suggested we end the night by going on the Ferris Wheel, I thought it was a fantastic idea. When we reached the top, the view was breathtaking, Ricky and I just looked around in amazement, how beautiful.

“Tonight’s been amazing Emily, honestly; the best night I’ve had- Ever” Ricky said as he looked around,

“Same” I said looking over at him, I found myself staring at his face, and all his features. His jaw structure, his stubble on his face. Everything about him was perfect. I thought.

“Thank you for agreeing to come with me Emily.” He said sounding a little nervous,

Without hesitation I placed my hand on his leg, and said,

“I’m so glad we ran into each other the other day Ricky” I felt so comfortable talking around him now. The drive her, and spending time with him had become a lot easier, I wasn’t afraid to talk to him anymore.

He gently placed his hand over mine and we held hands while we admired the view. I didn’t hesitate at his touch, I embraced it. His hands were manly yet soft. His grip was gentle yet warm, it felt like our hands fit perfectly together.

The Ferris wheel started moving gain, as we started to slowly go back down. A strange feeling came over me. I don’t know what was happening, but I felt sick, I felt dizzy. I closed my eyes and gripped tighter to Rickys hand, I must of done it a little too tight because I heard Ricky say,

“Em, are you okay?” He sounded worried,

My vision started to blur, so I put my head on Rickys shoulder. Hoping that might stop everything from spinning. Everything faded, even Rickys voice

“Emily, Em, Emily!!!…” Ricky voice faded to nothing.