Behind These Bruises...

Behind These Bruises...[Part 7]

"So how was your date?" I asked. I was sitting out on the patio on the swinging bench. It was Saturday afternoon and I had just woken up.

"It was amazing! The restaraunt was so fancy! The freaking napkins were folded into flowers. It was crazy. I swear, I saw one of the waiters wearing a Rolex," Alisha gushed. I laughed. "And Jason was so sweet. He was a total gentleman. And he's hilarious. But he knows when to be serious. He's absolutely perfect," she told me. I smiled to myself.

"Well, I'm glad you're happy," I said.

"Ohh. Mila! I'm so sorry I had to ditch you!" she apologized shrilly.

"It's fine. I was fine. I just..." I trailed off. I didn't want to tell her that I ran into Derek and that we watched the sunrise together. "I went out for coffee and then went to the beach. It was a peaceful night," I said. That is what I did. Even if I didn't do it alone. So I wasn't lying, technically.

"Aww. I still feel bad," she said. "OH MY GOSH!" she yelled. I nearly dropped the phone. "I forgot to tell you the most important thing that happened!" she squealed.

"Alisha, there is a PHONE between us. You don't need to shout," I murmured, rubbing my ear.

"Oops! Sorry!" she said. "But guess what?!" she asked. I waited for her to continue.

"Well are you going to tell me or not?" I snapped.

"I thought you would try to guess," Alisha replied.

"Leesh!" I exclaimed.

"Ok! Ok!" she said. "He asked me to homecoming!" she announced. I sat up in the swing.

"Already?" I asked.

"Mila! Homecoming is in 2 weeks!" she said.

"Shit, no way?" I asked.

"Yes way. I can't believe you forgot. Has Derek asked you yet?" she asked.

"Will you stop with that?" I snapped.

"Fiesty. I don't understand why you're so awkward about him. You two are so cute together," Alisha commented.

"Let's talk about you again," I muttered.

"I'd love to, but I have to go. I have to eat lunch," Alisha told me.

"Ok. I'll see you on Monday, I guess," I said.

"Ok byee!" she said. And then she hung up. I got up to go make lunch for my dad, although I myself wasn't hungry. We ate in silence.

"Dad?" I asked.

"What?" he grunted.

"Ummm. I was wondering if I could go to homecoming this year? Alisha's been begging me to go," I asked him.

"When is it?" he asked.

"In two weeks. On a Saturday," I replied. He chewed his food and then swallowed. I waited for him to answer. He took another bite and chewed. I began to lose patience, but didn't prod out of fear.

"You have to be back before 11:30. If you're not back by 11:30 exactly, I will lock you out of the house," he said simply. Then, he got up and went to the family room to watch TV. I blinked. Yes!

Now I needed a dress.

******

"What about this one?" Alisha asked, holding up a blue-ballerina-type dress. I crinkled my nose and shook my head. We were at Macy's, browsing through their dress selection. It was Sunday and Alisha insisted on getting our dresses today. "This?" she asked, pointing to a light pink one with a bow on it.