For The Dollars Or The Love

A Friend

"Chris please? Just one more night?" I begged

"You said that lastnight." He sighed.

"I'll give you what you like." I bargained.

"Oh really, right here right now?" He asked raising and eyebrow.

"Mmhm." I nodded.

"It better be good." He said giving in. I squealed internally as I went to grab him a piece of my home made three layer chocolate cake. Since the Draylon incident Chris has practically lived here, mostly because of me I've been scared. I haven't been to school in three days because I'm scared of him. After Chris finished eating his cake he snuggled in bed with me.

"Mia I mean it, this is the last time." He said sternly. "You gotta be able to handle this when I'm not around." He referred to my being unable to sleep without him there. I tuned him out drifting to sleep. I woke up with an arm around my waist. Thinking it was Chris I turned to wish him a good morning, but it wasn't him. I was face to face with Draylon, before I could even find my voice to scream he was straddling me delivering hit after hit to my face. His hands wrapped tightly around my neck. Tears escaped my eyes as my body shook.

"Mia, ma wake up." I opened my eyes blinking the tears away to see Chris leaned over me. He held me in his arms stroking my hair.

"It's ok, it's only a nightmare baby. He ain't gonna hurt you."

"I'm sorry." I apologized I know he's tired of this, he just hasn't show it.

"Babygirl you gotta get your control back. You letting your fear of this nigga keep you from moving on with your life." He was right. Like clockwork I heard tiny feet running to my room, Chris and I made enough space for Symphony to lay between us. She's been a little bit better than me. The incident only affects her at night while I can barely leave to go to the store without thinking Draylon will be there. A tiny hand touched my face.

"Don't be scared Mommy, Daddy's gonna protect us." Chris agreed by pulling us closer to him. I watched my cutie til she drifted of to sleep, she turned from me, and buried herself in Chris' side balling her little hands in his shirt. He placed kisses on her forehead.

"I'm gonna go to school tomorrow." I said causing him to look at me.

"You sure, are you ready for that?" I nodded.

"You're right I can't hide from him forever."

"I'll take you both in the morning." I felt my eyes getting heavier taking me to sleep land, I gave in, but not before feeling Chris kiss my forehead.

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My face wasn't that badly bruised anymore so I didn't bother putting any heavy make up, just some concealer to hide them. I locked up, and got in the car with Chris and Symphony.

"You going to school Mommy?"

"Yeah baby, Mama has to make you proud of her." She smiled blowing me a kiss from her carseat. Stopping at her school I moved to get her out of her seat, but Chris put his hand up to halt me.

"Babe, I got this you just go sign her in." As always I pay no mind to his pet names. I guess Mikayla is used to Chris signing Symphony in so she was shocked to see me. Not like she was disappointed to see me, but more like she wanted to know where I'd been. After dropping her off it was my turn next. I was fine until I got out of the car, Draylon rounded the corner staring dead at me.

"Hey," Chris said bringing me to look at him seeing as he'd gotten out the car with me. "don't worry about him. I know you're scared."

"I can handle it." He kissed my cheek.

"Good girl, call me if you need anything." I nodded as he kissed my forehead. I left his car headed towards the steps to be greeted by an angry Kylin. I've never had a run in with her before so I don't know why she's standing in front of me staring me down.

"Uhhh can I help you?" I questioned.

"What were you doing with him?" I didn't have time for this, it's my first day back. I moved past her, but she blocked my way again. "Why were you in Breezy's car?" There's that damn name again, one day I'm gonna asked him what's up with that name.

"I don't have time for this, ask Chris." I brushed past her making my way inside the building. Jamal and Alexis were right at my locker, they bombarded me with hugs.

"We missed you!" Alexis said. Chris wouldn't let anybody come to my apartment to see me, not even Ms. Dorothy.

"My cousin had me missing out on serious best friend time." Jamal ruffled my hair. I looked at Alexis, and pulled her to the side.

"I'm sorry, you were right I should've listened to you." She hugged me.

"No boo I should have came at you better than that so I could warn you. You missed seeing him come to school with a fucked up face." She laughed.

"Yeah I think Chris did some damage to him."

"He cares about you, you know? When we found out we rushed right to your place. He wouldn't let us in, until we begged him. You were asleep, and in so much pain he made us leave, but I saw him comforting you through the pain." I nodded, I know Chris cares about me, but I also know I'm not ready for anything else. Right now I just need a friend.