Maybe I Don't Hate You

Chapter 9

Nex's pov:

"Do you have to go? It's only 6 o'clock," Scarlett whined.

We were back on the couch and she was sprawled out against me.

"Yup. If I stay any longer, my aunt might think I'm dead and send out a search party." I looked down at her. "And we don't want that, do we?"

"No...but what if you called her and said you were okay?"

"Then she might think my kidnapper was forcing me to say it Scarlett."

"Fine. But we didn't even get to finsh the movie."

"If I'm not grounded for life, you could come to my house sometime to finish it sometime," I said.

Scarlett sat up off of me and I stood up.

She followed me to the door and hugged me.

"Well that's new."

"Shut up. Don't ruin it," said Scarlett. "I had a good time with you Nex...and I'm sorry it took me so long to realize that we didn't have to hate each other."

She released me and smiled.

"I'm sorry too. I guess I refused to believe that someone who lived in a place like this was capable of being normal."

"I really want to kiss you now. Totally platonic though," she said.

I bent down ever so slightly and kissed her. She placed her hands on my neck and I put mine on her hips.

"Totally platonic," I mimicked.

Pulling away, I opened the door and she came out behind me, locking it.

She unlocked her car and we got in.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

We pulled up to my house, causing me a surge of anxiety.

I inhaled and exhaled deeply before opening her car door. Standing outside, I leaned down to look at Scarlett.

"Thanks for everything," I said to her.

"Anytime Nex. That's what friends are for after all."

I smiled, waving goodbye and closing the door.

Walking to the door, I was terrified of what my aunt might say or do.

I heard Scarlett drive off. As I put my key into the lock, the door was flung open and I was pulled into a tight embrace.

"Nex! I was so worried. I didn't know where you were or who you were with or-"

She closed the door behind us.

"I'm sorry tia. I know that you were just doing what you thought was best for me and your sister. I should have at least heard you out."

"No. I know what you mother has put you through and I let her be in this home. This house should be your safe place."

"Thank you tia."

"But, I want to know where you went and who you were with."

"I was with a friend," I answered.

"Aaron? Because I called his mother and she said they were on vacation."

"A friend from school."

"I've never heard of any other friend except Aaron."

"Her name's Scarlett. She's rich, lives in a big house, parents usually aren't home, can I go now?"

"You better not have been doing drugs."