My Protector

Part 1

 I wake up to the sound of someone knocking on my door. I reluctantly get up hoping it's not my father to come and scold me some more, and wipe at my eyes. I trudge to the closed door and crack it open to peek outside. If it's my father I'll pretend to pass out, which I still hope it's not because that would be too much work.

To my relief it's just Ezra. I look into his sad eyes and know that he was there last night when my father hit me. I can see the pity in his eyes and my happiness quickly turns into anger.

"I don't want your pity." I snap and slam the door.

He puts his foot in front of the door, stopping it from slamming. He winces at the pain and I can't help but to feel bad. He pushes open the door and walks in, closing it behind him. He stands and looks at me, masking his emotions.

"I'm not here to give you pity." He says.

I cross my arms and glare at him. "I don't want a lecture either. I already had one."

"I'm not here to give you a lecture." He states, continuing.

I look up at him in confusion. "Then what are you here to do?" I ask.

He slowly looks me up and down, looking at my night wear. I'm wearing black cow printed shorts and a small black tank top with a cute cow sleeping. I found them at the village market the other day. They were a little expensive, but I took father's money.

"Change into something decent." He says.

I roll my eyes and sigh. "Are you saying I'm not decent?"

"No, your clothing is indecent." Ezra tells, not missing a beat.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" I ask, deciding to argue.

He sighs and runs his hand through his short black hair. "I don't want to argue with you right now Rumani. Just get dressed will you?"

My voice gets stuck in my throat as I really look at him. He looks tired. I decided to not keep this going.

"Okay." I smile.

He looks up at me in shock. "What did you say?" He asked.

"I said okay." I laugh. "Unless you want me to throw a fit, because I can do that too if you want."

"No! That's fine. I didn't think you'd give in so quickly." He chuckles softly.

I turn away and grab some clothes. "Well, I guess it's just your charm that got to me."

I feel him smile as he closes the door so I can get changed. Maybe I'll try to be nice to him, and not run off into the woods this time. I laugh to myself, thinking I would actually follow most of the rules.

I quickly changed into some black shorts, and a tank top. I throw on some shoes and open the door with a smile to see Ezra waiting for me.

He looks me up and down. "No." He says.

"No?" I ask, confusion on my face.

"No." He states.

He goes into my room and takes out my short deep red dress with a bow in the back. Ezra holds them out to me in question.

"No." I tell him.

"No?" He smiles.

"No!" I huff. "Why would I need to wear this?"

His smile falls off his face. "You're meeting Lady Gamora."

"Who the hell is that?" I ask with disgust.

"It's your father's new wife." He sighs.

He waits for my reaction. I was about to throw a fit, but thought better of it. I was going to be nice today.

"This better be worth it." I grumble, snatching the dress from his hands.

"I'll take you out for dinner?" He smiles.

I look up at him with hope. "Seafood?"

"Anything you'd like." He chuckles.

"Deal." I smile. Ezra knows I'll give in to food. I shoo him away with my hands. "Now get out so I can get ready."

I hear him chuckle as he walks out. "Meet me in the middle of the village." Ezra says. "Oh, and you do have to wear heels. No shoes."

"Fine" I huff. "Just get out."

I hear the door softly close behind me. I change into the red dress and fish around for my heels. I haven't worn them in ages. I find them in the back of my walkin closet buried in the far back corner of old clothes. I grab them and slip them on, and stand.

I walk to the mirror and look at myself. "You know, they're not that bad." I tell myself while I check myself out.

I grab my red bag just in case I have a need to smack my father's new fiance in the head with it to give her some sense. I hurry out to meet Ezra in the Village Square.