Promises

Chapter 17

-IVORY

I was sitting in the coffee shop near my house with Jade. We were catching up on everything that's been going on recently.

"Do you know why Remi hasn't been in school all week? Again." Jade said as she leaned in closer to me.

"I don't know Jade but I know it's not a good thing, he did this a while ago and when I went to visit him, he looked horrible."

"Iced latte?" the bartender calls out.

I go up to collect our coffees and sit back down. We drink our coffee and continue talking.

"I told the police about Gary, he got arrested last week and I have to go to court tomorrow and he was mean to come with me," I explain to Jade.

"Has he not been texting you?" Jade questioned, one eyebrow raised.

"No, he never does when he goes," I reply. My mood instantly switched. I had a sudden urge to leave and be alone. I didn't want to see anyone but Remi.

"I have a lot of homework and need to get back home, see you in school."

I grabbed my coffee and school bag and rushed out the door. I ran down the street that Remi lived on. There it was, his house. He was sitting in the front garden with just his shorts on.

"Remi what the fuck are you wearing its freezing outside," I run over to him and hug him. His cold skin touching off mine.

"Ivory...I didn't think I would see you." he instantly stood up.

"When are you coming back? I miss you and I also really need you at the court case tomorrow, please tell me you'll be there." Everything bursts out of my mouth at once. I am so relieved to see him but again he looks like he hasn't eaten in days and looks sleepless.

"I'll be there tomorrow don't worry," he assures me as he hugs me tighter and leans his head on my shoulder.

I brush my hand through his soft fluffy hair. I hear him sniff and I instantly try lift his head off my shoulder.

"I'm ok Ivory, just let me stay like this for a moment," he begged.

"Ok silly, I love you ok."

He hugs me even tighter. At this point I can barely breathe. But that's ok because his touch is the best thing ever. The way his hand gently rubs up and down my spine as his chest leans against mine and I can feel his heart beat. Just the concept of him leaning on me for comfort is all I need.

"Look at me," I whisper as I start lifting his head now.

He looks up at me and we make eye contact. His brown eyes looking at me making me nervous, he knows how to do that. I blush and forget how to speak.

"How-what's going- you – are you- you good?" I stutter while still making intense eye contact.

"Uh yeah- im- what- yeah- totally good," he mimics me, giggling away.

At least I made him laugh. I love when he smiles because of something I did, it makes my whole day, or year even.

"I'm ok I guess, seeing you definitely helped." His tone had changed as he smiled uncontrollably.

He leaned in for a hug, but I quickly put my hand behind his neck and pulled him in for a kiss before he could react. I felt his smile grow while I kissed him. I freaked out internally. This means he feels it when I do it. Fuck.

-REMI

I tried to go to bed early tonight but that didn't work. Now I am lying in bed and it is 6 in the morning. The clock is ticking as every second goes by, every minute, every hour. The court case is in 4 hours and I have no sleep. How am I going to show up to court looking like a homeless guy who hasn't slept or eaten in days?

"Ok, I will fall asleep in 3...2...1" I tell myself as I close my eyes at yet another attempt to fall asleep.

My thoughts drift as I finally fall into a deep sleep, but there's something I'm forgetting. I dream of my future with Ivory, when I'm finally free from my dad and I am with the love of my life.

I dream of things that made me feel like I was having an acid trip and dreams that were peaceful. I dream of scary dreams as my father haunts my dreams as he abuses me worse than he does in real life.

He smacks me across the face.

"You are a failure, that's why your mother left,"

"Your mother hates you,"

"You will never be worthy of love,"

"Ivory doesn't even like you,"

"It's all a lie,"

At this moment I sit up in the bed. Its light outside and the birds are chirping.

"Phew it was a dream," I assure myself. My mood dropped and the overthinking kicks in.

What if this dream had a meaning, what if I dreamt this because its true? No, it can't be true, I'm fine.

I get up out of bed and decide I should get ready for the court case early since I'm already up. I go to shower and brush my teeth. I come back into my room and take a look at the clock as I walk in.

"How much time do I have left," I say thinking out loud.

My eyes widen as I see the time. 11:36.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no," I say louder each time.

I missed the court case. Of course, I did. My dream was right. I am a disappointment. How could I not set an alarm? Today is the most important day ever for Ivory and I'm not even there for her, not even there to speak for her.

I quickly get dressed and run out of the house. I turn on my car and speed towards the courthouse.

"Quick Remi, quick," I whisper to myself over and over.

I finally get there and I see her. Her face low and lacking emotion. Her beautiful smile missing from her face. Shes lost it again, and I'm the reason.

"Ivory, I am so sorry, please forgive me, I slept through my alarm and the only thing that woke me up was this terrible dream I had last night," I say desperately as I stumble out of my car towards her. I lean in to hug her.

"Enough," she whispers.

I move away from her. I fucked up. She lost the case because I wasn't there for her and now, she is sick of me. Why did I do this. Now my dream really has come true.

"Please forgive me," I beg. I get on my knees and look up at her.

"Ivory, you are the only girl who has ever made me feel this way, you are the only girl I would have ever even thought of getting on my knees for. You changed me, please give me another chance."

"I don't think I can forgive you, I asked you for one favor and you missed it." She looks at me with those usually loving sparkly eyes. They are dull now as if they have lost their color as well as their love for me.

"Goodbye Remi, I'll see you around."

She runs off and I stand still. Trying to process what had just happened. I lost her.

Forever.