Crazy Girl

5. Mrs. Drayton

Marley woke up the next morning in so much pain. Her vaginal area was bleeding very bad and Marley ran to the bathroom to get a pad to put on before starting her day.

It was Saturday and Marley had to go to the local community center to teach her regular painting class that she taught every Saturday.

The community center was a place Marley was familiar with and she knew everyone there. She had been teaching a class there for 2 years with the same group of elders. The old folks welcomed Marley with opened arms. They showed her the upmost respect.

Marley had a great relationship with everyone there. However, Ms. Drayton was Marley's most favorite person. Ms. Drayton was 91 years old and she was very wise for her age. Her husband David had died long before Marley was born and Ms. Drayton only had her children and her many generations of grand kids left. Ms. Drayton thought of Marley as a granddaughter.

Ms. Drayton was a feisty old women and felt everything had to go her way or no way. She had been in Marley's class since day 1 and she had always thought of Marley as a young prodigy. Marley taught her how to not only outline her painting, but to make the things in the background seem more realistic than ever.

"Marley, baby girl what happened to your eye?" Ms. Drayton asked.

Marley didn't have the heart to lie to Ms. Drayton so she told her the truth.

"My mother threw a brush at me and it hit me in my eye. But I am fine so don't worry yourself." Marley said smiling.

"You need to tell someone soon. This has been going on for too long baby."

"I will tell someone Ms. Drayton. I promise I will."

Marley wasn't going to tell anyone. Marley was terrified of what her mother would do if she found out that she had told. Marley walked away to continue with the rest of her class.

After Marley's class was over, she had to walk all the way home. She was used to it. She never spoke to anyone on her way home, but they all knew her.

Marley was passing Wild Wings Café when she'd seen Jacob, Roc, Prod, and Ray sitting down inside watching the basketball game on the flat screen tv inside.

Jacob looked up from his plate and saw her walking by. He quickly got up and walked out to see Marley.

"Marley? Is that you?"

Marley turned around.

"I knew that was you. Come in and join us! The game is on...If you like basketball."

Marley walked inside with Jacob following right behind her.

"Damn Jacob, is this girl stalking you or something?" Prod said.

"She lives right around the corner Prod." Jacob explained.

"How you know that man?" Roc asked looking at Jacob weirdly.

"That's none of your business Roc."

"Oh shit! He done got him some from her Prod!"

Roc and Prod laughed at the joke.

"Chill guys. The game is coming back on!" Ray said.

Marley was getting upset and Jacob could tell. She ignored the boys while they joked about the game and she had some conversation with Ray about it as well. Marley really liked Ray and Jacob because they didn't bother her like Roc and Prod did.

"And the Lakers win! Gimmie my money!" Roc yelled holding out his hand for them to place his money in.

Roc went around the table accepting his money when he stopped at Marley holding out his hand.

"You got some money for me?" Roc asked Marley.

Marley looked at him nervously.

"Never mind! You can't even afford free fries from this place! What am I saying?"

Prod started laughing with Roc.

Marley was starting to get a headache and she went to rub her temples when her sweater sleeve slid down some reveling some of her new cuts from previously. Prod had saw them and stopped laughing immediately. Marley had looked up and seen Prod looking at her cuts with hurt in his eyes. She jumped up.

"I have to use the restroom!" She exclaimed.

Marley walked away to use the restroom while Roc was still laughing at his own joke.

"Roc and Prod chill out with the jokes. They're not funny and you sound very stupid laughing at them. That's mad ignorant and childish. Stop." Jacob said seriously.

Prod was still shocked that he saw her arm like that. All cut up. He felt that him and Roc caused Marley to cut herself and he felt terrible and responsible. When Marley came back Roc quit with the jokes but he still was laughing.

"Alright Jake. I'll catch you later! I gotta go home and shoot some hoops!" Roc said dapping Jacob up and leaving.

"Yeah I'm gunna head out too. My mom will kill me if I get home after the street lights turn on." Prod said jokingly.

Prod looked at Marley before leaving and he mouthed the words 'I'm sorry' to her.

"It was nice seeing you tonight Marley. I hope you had fun! I'll see you Monday." Ray said hugging her and leaving.

Jacob and Marley were alone now sitting in the restaurant.

"I've been meaning to ask you...But I didn't think you wanted me to mention it in front of the boys."

"What is it Jacob?"

"What happened to your eye?"

Marley had forgotten about her eye.

"I opened my can of hairspray too fast and the top hit me in my eye causing this bruise."

Jacob knew for a fact Marley was lying. He rubbed it off and they talked a little bit more about the game and Jacob's sisters. The sun was setting and Marley had to get home before her mother got mad again.

"It was amazing having you here again Marley. I'll see you Monday. Have a good night." Jacob said kissing Marley on her cheek.

"You too Jacob." Marley said blushing walking out the door.

Jacob wouldn't admit it to anyone just yet...But he had taken an interest in Marley and he also had a crush on her..