Once Again

chapter 11

Bentley

Arielle smiles when I agree to walk with her. "Alright first we need to stop by my car." This felt a bit red flag-ish, like she was trying to get me to her vehicle.

"Why?" I ask as she starts walking across the street.

She was already across the street though and didn't hear me. So I reluctantly follow. She was parked half a block away, and I tried my best to keep a safe distance in case things turned. Once she got to her car she opens the back door digging around in what looks like a gym bag. Then she turns around triumphantly, tossing me a dark red, almost maroon sweat shirt with our school mascot on it in white. It had last year on it and a soft ball as well, I guess she plays softball. I look at her confused and she rolls her eyes. "Put it on, you're barely wearing anything."

I looked down at myself, she was right, all I had on were my pajama shorts and a tank top. I hadn't really gotten dressed for the day yet and wasn't planning to go out. "Oh, uh thank you." I tell her as I slip the sweatshirt on. It was very big on me, coming almost to my knees and covering up my shorts by an inch.

She laughs a bit, "alright, now let's start walking before Layla gets mad, she can be very temperamental when she doesn't get a good walk in." She then crossed the street again and I hurry to catch up.

"Why'd you stop?" I ask after catching up with her.

"Huh?" She looks over confused.

"To talk to me, why'd you stop?" I clarify.

"Oh, I assumed you didn't purposely leave your house to sit at the park in your pj's. Plus you look like you might have something on your mind, and need someone to talk too." She shrugs as she explains.

"I could have left the house intentionally like this." I say defensively.

"It was a safe gamble though that you didn't." She has a half smirk on her lips, convinced that she's right. To be fair she was, but it still irritated me. I roll my eyes, and cross my arms looking away. It's a second of just silently walking before I hear her sigh. "You asked why, that was my reason, you can't get upset with me for that."

She had a point, I sigh too, uncrossing my arms and looking back at her. "Okay fine, you're right though, I didn't mean to leave the house like this. I definitely didn't mean to forget my phone, or to get lost."

"I guess it's a good thing I saw you then," she smiles cockily again. "So what was it that made you run out of the house so unprepared?"

I look down at my feet as we walk. "It makes me sound childish."

"I'm sure it doesn't, " she reassures.

I sigh, "my dad yelled at me." I then look up at her, "but like really yelled. I've never seen him that mad before, it scared me."

"That sucks I'm sorry, and it's not childish, we all need space sometime, to think things over, you know." She tells me and I like how she doesn't seem to be judging me at all. "Does he get mad at you a lot though, were you scared he'd hurt you?"

She seems really concerned, and I shake my head quickly. "No, he's not like that," I look down again. "I did something really bad, like really bad I knew he was going to be mad, but I just didn't think he'd hate me for it I don't think he'll ever forgive me."