Unbelievable

12

I applied the make up on the next day. It wasn't as good as how Melina did it, but it was enough to completely cover the bruise. I wore a robe over my clothes to hide my arms, and I took the bandages off my hands. Mostly, I stayed to myself. To keep my dad from getting suspicious, I told him about an important test that I had to take at school and needed to use the day to study. I eventually had to go downstairs and eat dinner. I got away with looking at my place the whole time. It helped that Bridget and my dad talked the whole time as usual. This was my plan until my bruises cleared up.

It disturbed me to have to go to school. First, I didn't want to see Devin. Second, Antonio was mad at Malesha and I. He had every right to be. We should taken his warning more serious. The biggest problem was that everything went well until we saw Devin. I was grateful for Malesha for helping me and being there for me. She was a true friend.

My biggest concern was Ranea. It all made sense. Ranea acted that way in the hallway, outside the school, and in the cafeteria because Devin frightened her. He had to have hurt her. She was stuck and didn't know how to deal with her problem. Devin forced her mask it.

I had to talk to her. If she needed help, I would be the one to help her. I cared about her well-being. I would do whatever it took. That included telling her mom. She could prevent Ranea from seeing Devin. At least outside of school. Ranea would soon realize that she is better without him. 

I focused on finding Ranea, but she missed school again. Devin did too. Which I was glad for. I hesitated getting to theater class. I had to face Antonio, and he was probably still mad at us. Our eyes met when I entered the room. There was the usual anger. I saw another feeling. Disappointment. It made me feel horrible. Antonio and I didn't develop any friendship, but I cared about how he felt about me. At least he saved us.

Malesha sat quiet next to him. Her forehead wrinkled showing her concern. "Hey, are you okay?"

"Yeah," I lied. I was far from being okay.

"You did a good job with your makeup."

"Thank you."

I snuck another glance toward Antonio. He was holding back what he wanted to say. I had to say something first. It was only right.

"Antonio, I'm sorry for upsetting you. Everything that happened was because of me. I know you told us not to go, but we were fine up until the point where we saw Devin. I was the one that made him mad. Malesha only helped me. My first instincts was to hit him. And look what happened. Malesha, I'm also sorry. About Devin and your car." Tears welled up in my eyes as I rambled on. I didn't know if they heard what I said.

Malesha pulled me in for a hug. "It's okay. You are not taking responsibility for defending yourself. This is Devin's fault. You tried to walk away."

I felt another hand on my back. It belonged to Antonio.

"Stop it, Miesha. His punk ass had no business doing that. I know you don't bother anyone, so he triggered you. I guarantee you. I'm beating his ass. He won't get away with what he did to you. I promise. You didn't deserve that." Antonio's voice became deeper as it filled with rage.

"No, please don't do anything. I put myself in this predicament," I begged him.

"He had it coming. This fool thinks he is going to get away with what he did. I will give him what he deserves. I'm kicking his ass. I don't like seeing you like this."

Truth was I didn't want him to because I was scared of the results. This could cause a lot of trouble. I didn't want Antonio to regret it later and grow to dislike me. He was one of the last people I wanted disliking me.

"How did Devin know you?" Malesha asked.

"It's a long story," I said.

"Wait a minute." She covered her mouth. "Is he the guy who hurt you?"

"Yeah it was him. I was sad over him."

"Was he your boyfriend?"

"No, but he goes with my best friend Ranea."

"Oh my." Malesha dramatically slid down in her seat. "The girl from the arcade who we went to the nail salon with."

"Yeah. It's so much to explain."

"You have a lot to tell me."

"I don't know. It's bad."

"It's okay if you don't want to."

"I think I should tell you two."

I explained to them the short version of everything. From Devin being into me at first and how he got with Ranea instead. My revelations shocked Malesha more. Antonio wasn't. It was like he expected this out of a person like Devin.

"And your still friends with her?" Malesha wondered.

"Ranea and I have a long history. Devin just manipulated us both. But Ranea got too blinded in the situation. It's been hard to open up her eyes."

"It shouldn't be that hard to her. She knows he is bad news. Most importantly, a guy shouldn't get in between a friendship. I think you need to stay away from them."

"I can't," I admitted. As long as Ranea continued being with him, I felt the need to get involved. He affected us both. There was no stopping me until my mission was complete.

I jumped back when I turned away from my locker and saw Antonio. My heart beat so fast I thought it would explode.

"I didn't mean to scare you. Do you have some time to talk?"

I was nervous but curious. "Yeah I do."

"Miesha, I know it hasn't been easy on you. You've been going through so much. It's my fault for not trying to connect with you since you've been around me. You don't have to be afraid of me. I'm here for you."

I never seen this side of Antonio. It wasn't his usual angriness that I was accustomed to. There was a soft and genuine look in his eyes that made me believe him.

"Thank you."

"No problem. I'll make more of an effort to make you feel more comfortable around me. I see something in you that I like, and I want us to be friends."

I couldn't believe my ears. Antonio said he wanted to be friends when all this time I thought he didn't like me. I was wrong. It was difficult to read past his anger. Maybe one day I could understand him like Malesha did.

"That's a relief."

"Good. Now take care of yourself. And stay out of trouble."

"Okay."

If Antonio and I could be friends, that would be great. He intrigued me. I had to learn what his story was. There was a lot to it. I discovered the other side of him. Even if it was only a little. Something caused his anger. Devin played a role since the mention of him triggered it. Also, I could figure out what he had going on with Melina. I viewed it as them being on two different pages. That was why Melina explored other options. But she chose Devin, and Antonio needed to know that. There was so many holes that needed filling. But I had to take it one step at a time.