Tolerate

chapter seven

"Thanks for driving me home, you really didn't have to though." I say as I stand in the doorway of my apartment, not really wanting Dakota inside.

Dakota just shrugs, "Can I come in? Layne and Vienna aren't home yet and a girl like you shouldn't be alone."

I get an uneasy feeling in my stomach. "Dakota, I'll be fine." I try to argue but he grabs my shoulder and grins before shoving me aside and walking in.

"How about we have a drink?" He says as he makes himself comfortable on the couch.

"It's only 1pm, Dakota, I don't think we need a drink."

He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose between his thumb and pointer finger. "Harper, I want to help you."

I pause, "What?"

Dakota gets up from the couch and looks at me. "You're a lesbian.. or you think you are but that girl is just brainwashing you, Harper. That blonde psycho-"

"Dakota." I scold. "I've known this is who I am since middle school."

"Exactly my point!" He raises his voice. "You've been hanging out with her and she makes you think bad thoughts, Harper. Liking girls and boys are fine because you still like boys!"

I stand there dumbfounded. "Dakota.. I'm sorry if I made you feel like me and you had a chance together but I.. I don't like boys. I've never liked boys."

"No Harper!" He shouts now, making me jump back. "You've never even been with a guy, Harper! You don't know what you want!"

I gulp as my hands shake at my sides. "Dakota.. you're scaring me.." I whisper softly.

Suddenly the front door opens and my friends walk in. Dakota steps away from me and completely flips his personality around. "Ladies." He smiles.

Layne rolls her eyes, "Get out of here, Kota."

Vienna looks at me and frowns when she sees how shaken up I am. "Harper?"

Dakota looks at me, glares, then walks out of the apartment. I take in a deep breath after he leaves and sit down on the couch.

"Hey, what happened?" Layne says softly as she sits beside me, Vienna sits on the other side.

"I... I need to tell you guys something.." I twiddle nervously with my fingers. "I'm not bi.. I'm a lesbian."

Vienna and Layne glance at each other then smile and embrace me in a tight hug, "Oh honey, we know! It's very obvious." Vienna says into my shoulder.

"But Dakota.." I say as they pull away from me. "Reneè told him and he flipped out and called himself my boyfriend to her.. then he dropped me off here and started shouting that I was brainwashed."

Layne glares and gets up from the couch, "I'll go talk some sense into him. Just stay here." She walks right out of the apartment, holding her phone tight in her hand.

Vienna still sits next to me as my phone rings. "Who is it?"

"Reneè." I answer the call and walk to my bedroom. "Hey, sorry I left so abruptly-"

"You're safe right? You're okay?" Is all she says.

I lower my eyebrows in confusion, "Yes..? Why, what's going on?" I ask softly.

She sighs a breath of relief. "That boy.. Dakota. He had a look in his eyes that creeped me out. I don't like him, Harper."

I sigh. "I don't either.. and he's not my boyfriend, Reneè. I don't want you getting the wrong idea or-"

"I know." She says. "You're a massive lesbian, Harper, you've been one since middle school. I know he's not your boyfriend."

We both go quiet for a moment, just listening to each other's breathing.

"Can I come over?" Reneè asks softly.

"Aren't you busy?"

"No, last night was my last show until next week, I'm free if you need me."

I smile even though she can't see me. "Okay."

"I'll be there in ten." Then she hangs up.