Promise Me..

Chapter 4

I woke up the next morning with the worst headache in the world. It was barely 5 a.m. and I knew I wasn't going to get much more sleep. So I decided to take a shower. I had my own private bathroom in the new house with a window that overlooked the neighbors backyard. Vine grew up the side of the wall with pretty purple and yellow flowers growing on them. 

"Wallflowers," I mused.

After my shower I stared at my naked body in front of full length mirror. I poked at the bit of stomach that stuck out just enough to make it so I don't have a flat stomach. I traced the scars on my thighs and sides slowly. Each one reminding me why I was slightly relieved we had moved. Eventually I got dressed in skinny jeans and a The Who t-shirt. I brushed out my lavender hair and applied a small about of eyeliner and mascara. 

By the time I made it downstairs my sister was dressed and sitting at the table with a cup of coffee. My mother was standing at the stove intensely watching a couple of eggs fry on the stove. She was so beautiful, with her long wavy brown hair and slender frame. Her skin was a lot lighter then my milky brown tone. The perks of being a mixed kid with an African American father. 

"Buenos dias mija," My mother said when she saw me standing in the doorway. 

"Good morning," I hugged her and leaned over to kiss her forehead. I stood at least half a foot taller then my mom but she always manages to carry herself in a way that people didn't seem to notice. No matter what I always felt like a little kid around her.

My sister didn't even look up from her phone when I sat down. She was smiling evilly. I watched her type furiously at the screen, when finally she looked up at me and frown.

"Can I help you freak?" She said.

I rolled my eyes and fixed my eyes on the table in front of me. 

"Hey!" My mom said pointing the metal spatula at Harley, "Don't call your sister names."

Harley huffed and took one last sip of her coffee before placing her mug in the sink. She then disappeared up the stairs. 

"Where's Richie?" I asked my mom when she joined me at the table. 

I watched her place a napkin delicately in her lap. "He stayed at the lab. I'm only picking up clothes for us and I'll be heading back when you leave for school."

I nodded hiding my disappointment. She didn't notice. She never did.

  "Has Harley signed up for any classes at the college?" I asked.

My mother shrugged, "I sure hope so. That girls got to start doing something with her life."

I agreed and finish the last bit of toast on my plate.  

"Speaking of school, your bus should be soon. Also, don't forget to head straight to the office to get your schedule." My mom said as I stood and place my plate in the sink. 

I nodded and grabbed my bag before I reached for the door knob.

"Oh and sweetie," She called.

I turned and looked at her, silently dreading the day to come.

"Have a good day. I love you."

I gave her a fake smile, "I love you too." Then shut the door behind me.

It was cool outside and the sun was casting a lazy glow around the world. I was startled to see an Impala in very good condition parked in my drive way. Miles was leaning up against it smiling at me.

"Good morning," He called, waving.

"Good morning?" I said trying to process the situation. 

"I thought you'd want a ride to school," he motioned to the car. 

I nodded, "How'd you know where I lived?" 

He laughed and pointed at the house next door, the one I had go to the party at. Where I had met him. "You said you lived next door."

I chuckled, "Yeah, I did."

"So do you want a ride or not?" He teased.

I looked down the street and saw the bright yellow bus approaching slowly like and injured dinosaur.

"My car smells way better then the bus."

I looked back at him hesitantly, but then agreed. He opened the passenger seat door for me and waited to I slid in to close it behind me. His car smelt exactly like he did, Old Spice and marijuana. He ran around the car and hopped in the driver seat. He didn't bother with his seat belt before pulling out of the driveway. 

"Thank you," I said after a few moments.

He looked at me out of the corner of his eye. His long black hair falling over his face. "It's my pleasure."

"What about your girlfriend?" I asked nervously.

He shrugged. "She's a bitch."

I nodded, "Is that why you like her?"

He laughed as if I had told the funniest joke, "I don't like her."

I stared at him dumb-founded for a few minutes. "Then why are you dating her?"

"My parents and her parents are good friends. They think it'll be good for us. Plus she has sex with me." He said.

I nodded and stared ahead awkwardly resisting the urge to look at him. I could feel him watching me.

"What about you?" he asked.

I turned to look at him and raised an eyebrow, "What about me?"

He smiled at the road as he turned left, "Do you have a boyfriend?"

I frowned a little bit and thought about Jason. He was the first guy I had ever been in love with. Before we moved we had ended things, mutually. We agreed that maybe we could rekindle the old fire sometime in the future if the chance ever occurred. He has texted me almost everyday to check in on me up until last week. Cherry said he got a new girlfriend, so I didn't want to interject were I wasn't wanted. 

I shook my head snapping out of my thoughts, "No I don't."

He nodded, "That's a shame."

I blushed, "How so?"

He came to a stop at a red light and looked me over, making me shift nervously in seat. "You're cute. You won't have a problem finding someone to date you."

I laughed out loud, "What makes you think I want to date anyone?" 

The corner of his mouth turned up a little bit as he pulled into the school parking lot. "It was just a suggestion ladybug."

"Ladybug?" I was caught off guard by the sudden nickname.

"It suites you. Does it bother you?" He asked, turning the car off.

I shook my head a little, "I guess not."

We both got out of the car and walked me to the main office. When we got to the main office door he stood there awkwardly for a minute as him he was going to say something. He ended up hugging me and wishing me a good day. When he turned to leave I watched him disappear down the crowded. I then took a deep breath and went in to get my schedule.