Darkest Desires [Joel Miller]

1

"Wait, Daisy! H-hold up!"Sarah stops me on the other side of the phone. "He hit you, you moved out and now you have nowhere else to go?"

I was sitting on a bench in the park, rain pouring down the sky. I pull the jacket closer to me but its still not warm enough. I sigh, trying to explain everything to Sarah. Sarah was the only person I could have called. I didn't wanted to worry my parents who lived far away from me. Yes, I have to tell them eventually but not right now.

"Yes, Sarah. I just... didn't knew who else to call."

Sarah sighs. "I'm glad you called me. I can ask my dad if you can come live with us. We have a free guest room."

"Oh, Sarah! No, you don't have to..."

Sarah shuts me up before I could even finish my sentence. I could hear her talking to Joel on the other side and I could tell by his tone that he wasn't very fond of Sarah's idea. Sarah explained my complicated situation and how my boyfriend, now ex-boyfriend, hit me. Joel sighed but he eventually came around, explaining that if I wasn't his best friend's daughter, he wouldn't let that happen so easily.

 "We're coming to pick you up, Daisy. Where are you?"

I gave Sarah my location and waited around 15 minutes until I noticed a familiar truck pull up. Sarah came running to me, pulling me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around her comforting presence, noticing Joel leaning against his truck.When Sarah pulled away, she noticed my cheek which was becoming slightly purple from Marcus's hit. 

"Oh, your cheek... I'm gonna give you some ice once we arrive at home, okay?" 

"Thank you, Sarah."

She pats me on the shoulder and I take my suitcases, heading towards the truck. Joel doesn't say a word but he gives me a worried look. I'm used to his grumpy personality and it doesn't surprise me. When Sarah open the car trunk for me and I hold up my suitcases, Joel suddenly steps in.

"Let me take these."

I shake my head. "I can do it."

Joel crosses his arms. "I'll deal with your suitcases. Get in the car."

His tone was firm and he usually didn't take no for an answer. I sighed and I got in the backseat with Sarah. The ride to Miller's house was quiet, only radio playing 80's music in the background. I knew Sarah had many questions she's gonna ask me later. I looked outside the window, thinking about how things escalated this quickly.

When we arrived at the Miller's house, I remembered how often we used to come here: we came here every holiday, Sarah's birthday and every time Joel organized his traditional barbeque evening with his neighbors and friends. There were actually so many memories that I associated with the Miller's house.

Joel brings my suitcases to the guest room and I stand there awkwardly, not knowing what to say to him. Joel puts my suitcases in front of the big bed and faces me, crossing his arms.

"Thank you, Joel,"I said to him. "If I find a job, I'll pay rent to you and do other house chores."

"I'm not gonna take rent from you, Daisy. You're my best friend's daughter."

"I can't just stay here and not pay you. It's not right."

"You don't have to pay and that's my final word on it."

I sighed. "Fine but then I'll cook or do other house chores. At least let me help with that."

"Okay, fine, then we have a deal."

He came closer to me, looking at my cheek with a worried look. I look down, not wanting him to make a big number of it.

"You should really put some ice there."

"It's fine, really,"I sighed, looking away from him.

He gave me a final worried look before he walked past me. I turn around, wanting to stop him for a moment.

"Joel, if you talk to my parents... can you not mention that I'm living here? I'll talk to them myself. I just don't want them to worry."

Joel nodded. "Fine, I won't mention anything."

"Thanks again."

Joel just nodded, leaving me alone.  I closed my eyes and laid down on the bed for a moment, thinking about today's adventures.