Crossfire

8.

Onika Maraj
Manhattan Penthouse

October 5

My whole body ached, every muscle sore from the abuse. I had been punched, slapped, kicked, and thrown around so much that I had gone numb.

I just wanted to lie here, drowning in my sorrows, but I couldn't because my mother was expecting me for dinner tonight.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to push through the pain.

Tre walked in, his towel wrapped around his bottom half. He came over and placed his hands on either side of my head, covering me.

He leaned down and kissed my lips.

"If you didn't embarrass me, I wouldn't have to do this," he said, his voice cold.

I didn't respond. A tear slipped down my face.

"You know that, right, mama?" he continued.

I couldn't bring myself to answer. I looked away, and he grabbed my chin, making me wince in pain. He kissed my lips again, and I pulled my head away.

He stood up, chuckling.

"Why didn't you tell me about the family dinner?" he asked. My eyes widened in surprise.

"H-how do you even know?" I stammered.

He smirked. "I know everything, baby. You know this."

I wanted to say that he didn't know anything, but I kept quiet.

"You and my parents don't get along," I said softly.

"Oh, come on. Everybody loves me," he replied, his tone dismissive. A lie.

"I didn't think you'd want to go," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Now, why wouldn't I want to be around my future family?" he said, with a mocking edge.

I sighed. I didn't want him anywhere near me, but I had no choice.

My phone buzzed, and I scrambled all over the bed trying to find it. When I finally spotted it, I saw that Blue had sent me a text.

Blue🦋: how was the partyyyyyy
: still mad I couldn't come

: you're 14, you couldn't come boo🤣🤣
: it was okay.

Blue🦋: just okay?
: you didn't throw ur ass back or nothing?
: stand on ur head? nothing?

: blue, enough 😂

Blue🦋: my lame ass mother finally went out last night.
: she's throwing up now, she can't hang.

: stop telling her business, B. 😭