Never had a Valentine

Chapter 3

The last period ended and I grabbed my stuff. I walked to my what-so-called-home. I entered the house and made silence. My what-so-called-parents were in the kitchen talking.

"We have to get rid of her." Karen, my-so-called-mom said.

"But, I don't understand why. She seems nice to me."

"No she's not Bill. She's a trouble and a waste of time. She's eighteen and she can protect herself.We should take her back to the juvie or the orphanage. Right where she belongs." she said making my eyes tear.

"Karen. Please don't say that. She was nice, but then you might scared her, because you were really hard when it came to her." Oh Ben! So naive, yet lovely.

"Are you accusing me for being cruel to her? I guess I was. But cruelty is all that bustard deserves."

When I listened to that, I ran to my bedroom, sobbing and closed the door.

They noticed that I had listened to their conversation, because Bill ran after me.

I started packing my stuff, but then I realised that most of them where bought by them. So, I packed the stuff I had bought myself. A few shirts and jeans, books and the money I was saving to donate.

"Dane, please open the door." Bill yelled.

I didn't. I always listened to him, but this time I just couldn't. I grabbed my school bag and the other bag and opened the window. I went outside and carefully climbed down the roof. When I reached the end I jumped. I fell down and got up and started running. What now? I headed to the library. The library was the only place I could be happy. And no... They would propably go there too. And Rosie's house. I couldn't risk it.

The animal shelter.

I headed to the animal's shelter which was gladly closer than the library. I got in and noticed the middle aged man sitting behind a stall.

"Can I help you Diane?" he said smiling.

Yes he knows my name. l had spent a lot of my summer time there.

"Yes. Can I please make a phone call?"

"Sure. Here." he said pointing at the phone.

"Thank you." I grabbed the phone and found Cory's number. I called him and he answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey it's Diane. Can l come over your house or something?"

"Sure. I can meet you at Times Square, if you want, because you might get lost."

"Okay. Meet me right outside McDonalds.I'll be there in fifteen."

"Okay bye." he said and hunged up.

"Thank you so much. Have a nice day."

"You're welcome. Goodbye." he said and I smiled at him while rushing to Times Square. Everything were red and white. I love you things and ballons EVERYWHERE.

Oh my Gosh! But it's New York City, right? The city that never sleeps.

Cory was waiting for me right outside McDonalds as I had told him. l ran to him and hugged him tight. He placed his arms around my waist.

"Please, prove me that I can trust you." I said starting to cry.

"Shhhh. Let's go to my place." he said holding my hand.

"Wait. I want something to eat."

"I didn't bring any cash."

"Then it's on me." I said while we both entered McDonalds.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Here we are." he said.

"You live in a dorm?" I said widening my eyes.

"Yep. Cool huh?" he said pushing the enter the front door.

"Yeah pretty awesome." l muttered in admiration, as we entered the elevator. He pressed the five button. "Do you have a roomate?"

"No, as much as l wanted one it's just five months. Come on." he said and unlocked his door.

The room was small, yet really nice and neat. There was a bed and a wardrobe next to it. There was also a small library with a T.V. placed on top of it. l closed the door behind me. A few metres away was a tiny kitchen. There was a beautiful vintage table for four in front of the kitchen. It had a pattern with different letters.

"You have a beautiful table. Very male-like." I said placing the bag with the sandwiches on top of it.

"Very funny. My mom chose it."

l sat at a chair, grabbed my sandwich and started eating it.

"Don't you have any manners? Can't you just wait for me? l am getting us something to drink."

"What is it?" I said as he put two glasses on the table.

"It's a Canadian drink. Non-alcoholic. My favorite. Canada dry. Try it."

"Okay. After I finish with my sandwich." I said and started biting it. When I finished Cory raised his glass.

"Cheers."

"Happy Valentine's Day." I said and drinked from the glass. It tasted good.

"It's cool. I like it."

After we finished the lunch, we laid in his bed watching T.V.

"Hey Cory. Can you turn off the T.V.?"

"Sure." he said and turned it off.

"I want to talk to you, but I don't-" I was cut off by a tear. "I'm afraid to trust you."

"it's okay. Let me help you." he said and got up the bed and went to his wardrobe looking for something.

"This is my last memory from my dad. He gave it to me, when he left. It's the most precious thing I have."

"Thanks." I embaced the black bracelet to my fingers. "I want you to promise me that you won't run away after I tell you my story."

"I promise." he whispered.

So, I did. What happened eighteen years ago. Until now.

And I have this feeling I should tell you, as well.