Run as Fast as You Can

By Kristina Lall

Jessica Montgomery was as normal as any other High School student. Until, the day her father murdered her mother and her life turned upside down. After being kidnapped and raped, it was finally time to stand before a Grand Jury. No one ever said telling her deepest darkest secret was going to be easy. Nick Santos entered Jessicas life unexpectedly, knowing he was in for a bumpy ride. In the midst of passion and romance, shocking secrets are exposed. After Jessica's father escapes prison and tragedy strikes, Jessicas plans for new beginning are delayed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499014044

Kristina Lall

Kristina Lall is like any other teenager looking for a place in the world. She enjoys falling in love with romance novels, spending time with her family, and taking on the daily challenges of life. She lives in New York City with her grandmother. Kristina attends high school at Preparatory Academy for Writers and is known for her hard work and dedication. Fans looking to contact her can email her at [e-mail] Or send her mail at 138-18 241st Rosedale, NY 11422

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Jessica:

I AWOKE WITH A start. My hands thrown on both sides of the bed, the sheets thrown everywhere. My breath was heavy, my body cold and clammy. I got up, my shirt was heavily soaked with sweat. This wasn’t the first night this has happened and it doesn’t seem like the last. The nightmares started several months ago, after the incident happened. Sometimes I remember what I was dreaming, other times I don’t. I wish I didn’t remember anything.

I went into the bathroom, locked the door and stood in front of the mirror. I was afraid to look up and see my reflection. I leaned against the sink, and took a deep breath. I stared into the mirror, I didn’t even recognize who stared back at me. My hair was wild from all the tossing and turning. Tears streaked my face, my skin was pale. I let out my breath, which I hadn’t even realized I was holding. I immediately turned around to face the wall. I ran my fingers through my hair. I felt light-headed and grabbed for the door handle. I leaned against the door and my legs gave out. I slid downwards against the door and let out the sob I was holding in. I held my head with both hands. The torment night after night, was very exhausting. I didn’t realize how long I was on the floor crying. When the room stopped spinning, I got up and leaned against the sink. I turned on the water and slowly washed my face. I took a deep breath and went back to bed. I squinted at the clock. 3:05 A.M., same time as every other night. I changed my shirt, and slowly got into the bed again. I picked up my phone to call Stephanie, but I changed my mind. I didn’t want to wake her up. She was already worried about me, because of me she was dragged into this all these years. I didn’t want to cause any more stress on her. I turned and slowly drifted to sleep, the last image in my mind was of what happened that night. He haunted my dreams.

I walked into school, feeling immediate relief from my sleepless weekend. Today was Monday and everyone was bustling about as the morning grogginess wore off. Oh yea, I forgot their lives didn’t change, mine did. I walked into the office and saw Stephanie with her normal cup of coffee. She smiled at me and gave me a big bear hug. How have you been beautiful? I gave her a silly look and laughed. Good morning to you too! I’m hanging on by an extremely thin thread, but I think I will make it out just fine. She cupped my face and put my loose hair behind my ears. You will be fine, you have me of course. We will get through this together no matter what. How have you been sleeping? Sarah and Jackie walked in and I never got a chance to answer. I would have lied to Stephanie anyways. I hated lying to her but I had no choice, she couldn’t change the circumstances no matter how much we both wanted to. The four of us worked in the office in the mornings, it was my only distraction from everything that was happening. Only thing, Sarah and Jackie didn’t know what was going on. Only Stephanie knew. This was my secret, and even Stephanie shouldn’t be burdened with my secrets, but I was the reason she was involved in the first place. Stephanie has been in my life for the last six years and I have never had to doubt our friendship. She was all I need to keep going. She was my strength and she was always by my side when I need her no matter what, as I will always be for her. Everything was perfect up until this whole incident. Even with this she still loves me and is with me through every step of the way. I don’t think I will understand what I did to deserve her in my life. I smiled at her, she was my world and I vowed I would never leave her side no matter what. She took my hand and led me outside the office. Jess, I love you. We will get through this together. Whatever you need, I will always be here. She smiled at me. The tears welled up in my eyes. Steph, I understand that you love me. I care about you too. Never doubt that. Now I have a serious question to ask you and if you don’t want to, you don’t have to. I will understand if you say no. I contemplated whether to ask her or not. I realized that I should because she would do the same for me and I needed her support. She sent me a worried look. What’s the matter, Jess? I took a deep breath. Will you come with me to the trial on Wednesday? I don’t think I can do this without you. The tears started to fall. I stared up at Stephanie. Jessica! Of course I will come. Did you think that you had to ask? I laughed, leave it up to Stephanie to make me laugh. She grabbed me and hugged me really tight. She always knew exactly what I needed. The bell rang, Stephanie ran inside got her bag, and dashed out the door. You know how Ms. Port is! She yelled.

This was our twelfth grade year and she was still stuck in geometry. I only had 2 AP classes in the afternoon. One of us was always in the office working. I sat down, the silence killed me inside. So I turned on some music. Today was Monday, September 10th Stephanie turned 16 exactly one month ago. I was one year older because I started school a little late. We both were going to graduate early, but wait a year before we went to college. We both deserved a break, we were ready to taste freedom. I looked around for things to do, I saw that there we copies that I had to make. I went in the back and started the copies. The machine was loud so I turned the music up a little more. Not too much because it didn’t want anyone to come and tell me I was being disruptive. I went in the closet to clean up all the lost and found things that I have been dying to throw out. Hey, if they didn’t come and get it after three months, it wasn’t important right? This feeling inside of me told me that someone was here. For a while too. After years of this feeling, I learned not to question it at all. I threw out the clothes that I had in my hand and went to the front of the office.

CHAPTER 2

I WENT TO THE front of the office and put hand sanitizer on and made a face. I heard someone laugh. It was a very masculine, sensuous laugh, something I could listen to for hours. Surprised, I looked up. I mean I knew someone was in here, but I didn’t expect it to see who I saw. I gasped, when I saw him. This man was absolutely gorgeous. He left me speechless. He smiled at me. Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you knew I was here. I snapped back into reality. I realized he was a cop. I scolded myself for being so unprofessional. I finally found my words. No, I am so sorry. I didn’t hear anyone come in with all the noise. I was just doing some cleaning. He looked at me. His smile drew me in. What can I help you with? He took off his cap and ran his fingers slowly through his hair. I bit my lip. He had brown hair. Cut military style but I all I could think about was running my fingers through his hair and feeling how soft it was. Lord, what was wrong with me? Pull yourself together Jessica. He is just a cop, a very hot one too. Stop! Relax. Breathe, you got this. I told myself. I am actually here to get some information on some students. Mrs. Halpern told me as long as it was okay with Jessica that I could get the information as well as work in here. I am assuming that you are Jessica? I nodded. I am Jessica. Nice to meet you Officer… . I looked at his name tag. Santos. I smiled and stretched my hand out. He took it and shook it. His hand lingered on mine for a second, before pulling away. So this was Officer Santos, the one I would be working with for the rest of the week. Well this is just great. Just then Stephanie walked in and gave me a knowing look. Hey Steph. I called out. She smiled and came behind the desk. I saw her eyes go wide and I chuckled to myself. Steph, this is Officer Santos. Officer Santos this is Stephanie. She also works in here. I introduced. She coughed, smiled and went to shake hands with the Officer. Nice to meet you, Stephanie. He smiled at her. I felt something at the pit of my stomach. I was feeling… . Jealous? I barely knew this guy. This couldn’t be good. I needed to be very careful. Well, now that all the introductions have been made. I will take you in the back and show you were you will be working for the rest of the week. I was glad I broke the tension before someone did something stupid. Officer Santos walked in the back and I turned around and mouthed to Stephanie, OH MY GOD! She smiled really big and said really loud I have to take care of some stuff with Mrs. Adams, so if it’s okay I will be taking off now. I quickly turned around to face her. I made a face at her, and in my head I begged her not to go. I didn’t want to be left alone with him. I felt something touch my shoulder. I turned to see Officer Santos’s hand on my shoulder. A zap of energy surged through my body. His touch made me forget where I was. I looked up at him, to see if he felt the same thing. He moved his hand