A/N: Wow, over three hundred reads. Sweeeet. [:
I've been busy with trying to finish my school work but now I'm done and I can write.
I hope everyone had a good holiday season. <3
Vote, comment, enjoy.
As I was sleeping, I felt the strangest feeling on my face. Wet. Dog breath. Doggy kisses! I groaned trying to push the fifty pound dog off of me.
"Hey, girl. I know you love me, but you need to relax. I'm trying to sleep!" I said in a playful voice before sitting up. Rubbing my eyes I heard Kia whimpering by the door. I gently shoved Nathan trying to wake him. No dice. I huffed trying the gently approach again before shoving him onto the cold floor. I giggled as his eyes snapped open. "I think your daughter needs to pee." I remarked smartly, standing up to straighten my clothes. I heard a groan from below me, and before I knew it, Nathan had grabbed my legs causing me to fall on my ass. Kia dashed over to me and tried to play again. She pinned me down with her large paws and began to give me kisses. I laughed hysterically as her tongue tickled my face. "Nathan!" I screamed, still laughing. "Help meeeee!"
"Wanna go out?!" Nathan spoke in a high, happy voice. Kia immediately ran over to him and started twirling. I couldn't help but laugh as he leashed her and pulled me out the door along with them.
I smiled as I gazed at him. He really was a sweet guy, but something was holding me back. The last guy was sweet, too. Well, that was until he met my father and Charles filled his head with stupid sexist ideas about women. Charles ruined everything after mom took off. If I knew things would get this bad, I would have packed my bags and left a long time ago. I really didn't know why I even stayed. I guess because I had no where else to go. I didn't want to be a burden to Lindsay, my best friend. I don't know why she puts up with all my bitching, but according to her, that's what friends do.
I found myself in a trance, surrounded by my thoughts. I didn't snap out of it until I had reached my car. I turned around to face Nathan.
"Thanks for, you know, letting me stay the night. I'm sure things have cooled down by now." I stated, somewhat sad that I had to leave. I felt safe with him. I mentally slapped myself. You felt safe with the last one, remember? And look what happened! The smile on my face began to fade as I turned my face away, remembering him. "Well, I guess I'll see you around." I flashed him a smile and opened my car door.
"Wait!" I turned around to see a sad expression on his face. My eyes widened a little seeing that even Kia looked disappointed to se me leave. "Will I ever see you again?" He paused, putting on a fake cocky grin. "I mean like. We should hang out. It was fun." He was cute when he was flustered. I grinned.
"Sure." I leaned into my car to grab a pen before writing my number in his hand. "Text or call me whenever." I said my goodbyes and drove off, watching Nathan gaze after me in my rearview mirror until I disappeared around the corner.
Charles' truck was still in the driveway when I pulled up. I left my engine on as I got out and headed toward the back door, you know, in case I have to make a quick get away. It was still unlocked from last night. I looked around carefully for Charles, hoping that he wouldn't see me. I released a silent breath of relief when I saw him passed out on the living room couch, bottles of alcohol surrounding him. He started drinking more when I began taking off when he had his bitch fits. I quietly creeped up the stairs to my room so that I could grab my gym stuff. I needed to call Lindsay about our Saturday ritual, she always forgot.
I glanced up at my iPod dock to see the time. 8:27. I'll let her sleep. I circled my room making sure I didn't forget anything before making my escape. I went through my window not wanting to risk a chance encounter with a hung over Charles. I ran to my car and headed to the gym.
Brrrrng... Brrrrrng... Brrrng...
"Oh, come on! Pick up your damn phone!" I tapped my foot impatiently again the floor of the women's locker room.
"Hewloo?" Answered the sleepy Lindsay.
"Linds! You were already supposed to be here! Hurry up! Get out of bed! We need to get physical! Physical! I wanna get physicaaaaal! Let's get into physical!" I screamed excitedly, copying Olivia Newton-John's voice.
"Gaaaaah! I hate how hyper you are when you're gonna work out..." I heard her groan. "I'll be at Bally in ten."
"Sweet. I'll be waiting in the locker room for ya." We said our byes and I began to change into my blue shorts and black racer back tank. I looked at my legs, my favorite feature. They were long and toned, but not skinny to make me look like one of those size zero runway models. I've been loving my body so much more than I used to. I was awkward at five foot six and one hundred pounds when I was twelve. But now, I'm seventeen and have been filling in rather nicely.
I sat on the bench as I waited for Linds, playing games on my iPod touch. I zoned out completely, fully absorbed in my shooting game.
"Deliiiiiiii!!!" Lindsay screamed into my ear after pulling my ear phone out before I even noticed. I screamed and fell off the bench. I saw it was her and began laughing my butt off.
"Why do you ALWAYS do that?!?!" I yelled. She laughed.
"Because you just make it too easy." She had a lopsided grin on her lips and slapped me with her towel. "C'mon. We're gonna be late to our self defense class." We laughed running out of the locker room and upstairs to the open room.
I decided to take this class after Charles had become more violent. I swore to myself I would never let him or any other man hurt me that bad ever again. Besides, it wasn't a bad way to let off steam either. I needed this class every week. It became my coping mechanism. If I didn't let out my steam, I feared I would be a teapot that was soon to explode.
After class, Lindsay and I headed back into the locker room, stripped, wrapped ourselves in towels and headed to the steamy sauna room.
"Things been any better this week?" Linds prodded my shoulder, urging me to answer her question.
"With Charles, no. But last night I did meet a guy at the park..." I paused, knowing she say something soon.
"Oooh! What's he like? Is he cute?! How old is he!? How did you meet him?!" She questioned rather quickly.
"He's sweet, cheesy. He's more than cute. He's eighteen. And he said he saw my car there for the longest time with me sitting in it, so he worried and came over. I spent the night at his house last night." I don't think I should have told her that...
"What?!" Yep, I was right. I could've sworn the sauna got steamier because of the anger radiating off of her. "How could you do that?! What if he did something to you like that piece of shit ex boyfriend of yours?!" I sat there wondering why I didn't think about that. "He could've hurt you! I thought you were smarter than that! God! You're so stupid!" I laughed a little, making her a little more mad.
"Hey, Linds, chill. I'm fine. Don't worry about the what ifs. Besides, you know I'm stronger now. I could've taken him. Thanks though." I smiled hugging her tight, even though our bodies were sticky with sweat. "Thanks for being there all these years."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't get all sappy on me." She sighed. "Ready? I'm starting to turn into a raisin." I nodded as we left the sauna, headed to the showers, got ready for the mall, and left.
Lindsay was the best friend I had ever had. It started when we were in Kindergarten. I had accidentally flicked some clay off of my fingers, some of which landed straight in her mouth. She screamed and started throwing clay at me. I retaliated and we got time out. We've been besties ever since.
Before getting out of my car, I looked at my phone for the first time after seeing Lindsay. I got a text. I recognized the number but I couldn't help but feel a deathly chill go down my spine.
"I'm watching you, princess. Don't do anything stupid." It was him... The one wanted to forget...
