Behind These Bruises...

Behind These Bruises...[Part 5]

"Ugh, I am too tired. I just want to go home," Alisha complained. I yawned.

"It's been a long week," I muttered. It was Friday and we were outside eating lunch, lounging lazily in the grass. Classes kicked off to a start and I was already behind on homework. Alisha nudged me. I glanced up to see Derek walking by, his hands in his pockets. He was walking with one of the soccer players, listening intently to what the other boy was saying. His eyes briefly met mine and then we both looked away. We hadn't talked since the night he patched up my bruised cheek (which was almost all healed now).

"You two would be so cute together," Alisha said. I shoved her.

"On that note, I have to get to class," I said, picking up my things. She smirked and stood up, too.

"You know it's true," she said. I rolled my eyes.

"I'll see you after school," I said. She waved and we walked off in opposite directions. In my guitar class, we were just going over basic notes. It wasn't too difficult. I sat in the corner and strummed to myself, mindlessly playing a song. It was a boring day.

After school, I met up with Alisha by her car.

"My stomach is doing flips," she told me.

"Nervous about your date?" I asked.

"Obviously!" she cried, biting her lip. I pinched her cheek.

"My wittle baby Lisha is growing up. Getting a boyfriend. Shoooo cute!" I cooed. She slapped my hand away.

"Don't be immature," she snapped.

"Right. I'm the immature one," I said. She rolled her eyes at me.

"God, you need to hurry and make your move on Derek. Then we can double-date," she said.

"I'm leaving now," I said, starting to walk away. She grabbed my shirt.

"No no! I was just kidding! Please come over! I need help deciding what to wear," she begged. I pulled away from her grasp.

"Fine, but only because it's a Friday afternoon and I have nothing better to do," I said. She smiled.

"Race you home!" she said, getting into her car.

"It's ON," I said, dashing to my car. As I was running to my car, I crashed right into, of all people, Derek. He caught me before I tumbled to the ground.

"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry!" I cried as he steadied me. I could feel the color rising on my cheeks.

"It's fine. Are you ok?" he asked in his quiet voice. I nodded. He looked at me with his green eyes. I realized we were just standing there, gazing into each others eyes. Then I blinked.

"I have to...uh...go," I said feebly. He nodded, handing me the books I dropped. "Thanks," I muttered under my breath. Then I turned and swiftly walked to my car. I could feel other people's eyes burning into my back, but I kept my head down and continued to walk.

******

Alisha was still laughing. I sat on her bed, frowning at her as she giggled hysterically.

"You-poor-thing-" she gasped in between laughs.

"You know it was bad enough the first time," I mumbled, crossing my arms over my chest. She bit her lip, her eyes watering. "Alisha! I'm leaving then!" I threatened. She clasped a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing.

"I'm sorry. It was just so..." and then she started laughing again.

"For Christ's sake..." I grumbled. After a few minutes she calmed down, letting out little bursts of laughter here and there.

"Ok. Now. Seriously. I need help deciding what to wear," she said.

"Oh? Really? You want my help after you laughed at me?" I asked sarcastically.

"Don't be moody," she said, throwing a pillow at me. I caught it and threw it back. It missed her and fell to the floor. "Good one," she said.

"Good one," I mimicked in a high voice. She pulled open her closet door. "Where is he taking you?" I asked, standing next to her and surveying her large collection of clothes.

"Dinner. At La'Bleu," she said. I raised my eyebrows at her.

"Dayuuum. Fancy," I said. "Well you're going to want to go for something dressy for sure. So rule out jeans or pants of any sort. And rule out skirts," I said.

"Ok," she opened up the side of her closet that had her dresses.

"You don't want black, unless it's super cute. I think you should go with something with color, but not too bright, because you don't want to look like you're trying too hard. You already have him, you don't need to extrapolate on that," I said. She nodded.

"I'm going to go with black," she said, pulling out a dress. I looked at it and smiled.

"Good choice. When'd you buy that?" I asked.

"Uh...over the summer I think. I wore it to one of my dad's business dinner things," she replied.

"Hmm. Cute," I commented.

"Thanks!" she replied. "Now, you're going to help me get dressed. Should I do my hair up or down?" she asked.

"Down in light curls," I said, sitting back on her bed. "Do your eye-liner dark-ish," I added. She nodded.

Here's the dress:

"Ok! Ready!" she said, about an hour later. I sat up and looked at her.

"Awww. My friend is soo pretty!" I said, smiling.

"Let's hope Jason thinks so, too," Alisha replied, smiling feebly at me. "What are you going to do?" she asked. I shrugged.

"I'm kind of sleepy. I think I'll go home and nap or watch a movie or something," I said. She gave me a pouty face.

"I'm sorry I have to leave you," she said. I rolled my eyes.

"Oh hush. You have a good time. And keep me updated. But don't be on your phone all night," I said. She pulled her heels on.

"I will, I will," she said. She grabbed her clutch-bag and we both walked downstairs. She called out to her grandmother in Chinese.

"Where are your parents?" I asked.

"Mom has a late shift at the hospital tonight. Dad's at a meeting," she replied. I nodded.

"Do they know about Jason?" I asked.

"Mom does. Obviously. I don't know if she told Dad. He's been pretty busy lately," she said. We walked outside. Jason pulled up in a black 2007 Lexus es 350. We raised our eyebrows at each other.

"Ok, girl. Have fun. And call me tomorrow and tell me the details," I said. She gave me a hug.

"Wish me luck!" she said. And she walked off. He opened the door for her and she sat in the passenger side. He waved to me as I got in my car. I waved back. After they pulled out, I did, too. I went home and changed into skinny jeans and a black v-neck t-shirt. I pulled my hair up into a messy bun and put on some flip-flops. After making Dad dinner, I went back to my room and watched Tangled on my laptop. When I heard my dad go to sleep, I grabbed my keys quietly and made my way to my car. I drove down to the Cafe and got a grande coffee and sat at a table. The place was empty. Everyone was probably out partying or something. Also it was pretty late, almost midnight. I sipped my coffee quietly and stared out the window, watching the night over the water.

"Mila?" I heard someone ask. I looked up to see who it was and widened my eyes. It was Derek.