Unbelievable

21

I agreed to go out with Tony. At first, I was a little hesitant, but after some pleading from him, I decided to go. He planned a picnic. It shocked me cause that wasn't something he normally does. I expected him to take me some place where he can brag about his skills. This was a nice change. It showed that he wanted to make things right.

"Why are you so quiet?" He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it.

"Just thinking?" I replied.

"About what?" He intertwined our hands and rested them in the middle of the seats.

"This whole picnic thing."

"You don't like them."

"I do. It's just different."

"Anything to show you that I like you."

"It's been so much going on. Like I can't believe Ranea would try to fight me."

"Let's not worry about her. It's you and me."

The newsa about Ranea trying to fight me was talked about around school. Tony most likely knew about that. However, after the news about my parents, the almost fight with Ranea was pushed to the back of my head. Tony didn't know about my parents. I only shared minimal information with him.

"I'll try to forget about it," I told him.

Tony parked the car and popped the trunk. He retrieved the basket. Holding my hand, he led us down a trail. We found a quiet place by a water fountain.

He set up the picnic by spreading a blanket out and taking the food out of the basket. He had salads, sandwiches, and plenty of snacks. We ate our food and talked.

"This is nice." I laid back on the blanket with a full belly staring up at the clouds.

"I knew you would like it."

Between all the drama, Tony eased my mind. He did what no other guy had. I restored my faith in guys. There were still some good ones out there including the one laying next to me. He was nothing like Devin even though they were friends. No tricks. No games or lies. I wanted a good time. Tony gave me just that.

"Are you cool with Antonio?"

My head popped up from the blanket. "Are you his enemy too?"

"No, I'm not in that. It's just I've heard some horrible things about the dude."

"Like what?"

Somehow, I could regret asking that question, but eventually, I had to find out.

"Him being a criminal and abusive."

"A criminal? What did he do?" Panic rose in me. Maybe this was why Antonio wasn't ready to open up to me.

"I don't know. Devin is always mad and talking about him. He says he acts like he is better than us when he came from the same neighborhood."

"That doesn't make him a criminal or abusive like Devin is."

I understood a little better. That was how they knew each other. Growing up in a rough neighborhood could have a bad influence on people. However, everyone didn't turn out the same. Antonio may have anger problems, but he wasn't the type to hit on a woman. I just knew that.

On top of that, Devin was known for spreading lies. He lied on me. Now, he wanted to put his problems on Antonio because he didn't like him. That was why Antonio was mad all the time. Everyone painted a false picture of him. The assumptions and opinions were because of where he came from.

"Like I said. I don't really know or care. If your friends with him, be careful."

I rolled on my side facing him. "Thanks for everything. Things like this makes me happy and grateful."