Gia's Beginning

23.

GIA POV

A knock made me clean my face from crying. When I went to my place the landlord told me I'm being evicted for no rent payment. I argued how so? I always paid my rent on time. But he insisted I haven't.

Which means Bria told her dad to stop paying. This is why I don't depend on people. But the sense of homeless made me cry. I tried to hard to get my life together and it seems to be dwindling.

Unlocking the door "hey".

Delano just eyed me "hey".

Walking past him quickly...

"Gia?" He called.

"Yeah?" I answered.

"Look... I heard what happened. And I'm so sorry that you have someone like her in your life" he said.

"Whatever... can we talk about something else? My life is too chaotic to even talk about. Nothing good happens for me. It's been like this since birth. So I guess it's fine" I said.

He sat with me "no it's not okay".

Trying not to cry again.

That's when I started to pick at my cuticles. My anxiety was slowly rising. This is why I did what I did. I would be better off dead than alive. That's one thing my mom was right about.

Delano sat there with me in silence.  He would glance at me a few times. But he slowly took my hand into his and he held it.

Looking up at him he nodded.

That was confirmation he was there for me... whether I realized it or not.

That night we went to my old place. Delano left me in the car. Seeing him and old man talk. Not knowing what was happening. I didn't expect miracles either.

Delano came back to the car "it's still yours".

Turning to him "no it's not... he evicted me!".

"No it's still yours" he started to drive off.

"Delano you didn't..." I asked.

"What? You're rent if paid for a whole year until you can get back on your feet and support yourself" he said.

My mouth was open cause I couldn't believe what I was hearing "are you crazy? I can't accept that from you!".

"Too late... just accept what I'm doing for you. You deserve something nice to happen" he said.

"Delano look I'll pay you back every cent you paid for my rent.." I said.

"You don't have too" he argued.

I didn't say anything.

"You loved that place. Even though you were a little ashamed of it. But it suited you. When I came there the first time you made me feel at home. And I'll forever be grateful for that. Gia you are someone special. Whether you know it or not. I'm going to make you see that" he said.

As he was talking I was staring out the car window watching the trees go by. I definitely need a job. At this point I'll take anything so I can support myself. Maybe Angie was right...

We pulled up the supermarket since we desperately needed groceries.

"Hey can you make anything?" Delano asked holding up a piece of pork.

"Duh, put it in the cart" I said. He smiled "I think I'm going to start liking grocery shopping. He pushed the cart as I piled up what we needed. Hearing someone clear their throat "ew, you two act like you're together".

I sighed cause I knew who it was already "we are not together".

"Thought so... too bad to... cause then he would be with a bum" Bria said.

"Hey watch your mouth. Gia isn't a bum. She still has her place no thanks to you. Some friend you are. I was right in the hospital as well" Delano chimed in.

"Oh wow! Gia you manipulated this handsome man to pay your rent? Touché. Charity case per usual" Bria said.

"I did it as a friend. That's what friends do. Something you have no idea about" Delano said.

Oh snap.

"Excuse me? I've know Gia longer than you. Don't let her pity guilt you into doing things for her. She's very ungrateful for what people do for her" Bria said.

Delano fanned her away "let's go" pulling me along with him. Bria seemed annoyed.

"You need some new friends who actually give a fuck about you" he mumbled.