Girlfriend

19. Something Bout You

"You seem slightly less depressed than usual," Mom observed, looking up from her magazine.

"Ha ha ha."

"No, I mean it! Where did you go last night because it helped."

"I went out."

"I would ask who you went out with but you'd probably yell at me so I'll shut up." Mom smiled at me and went back to reading her magazine.

I shook my head and poured myself a bowl of cereal. It's too early for her to be this annoying.

"Do you have dance today?" she asked.

"Yes."

She nodded and turned a page. "How's that going?"

"Good."

"How's David?"

"Good."

"Is everything good?" she laughed.

"Yep."

"You never give me really good answers," she said with a sly grin.

"You never ask really good questions so we're even."

"Don't get smart with me."

"Oh, so you've got the courage to stand up to me now?"

"Cathy Jean."

I rolled my eyes and sat down with my cereal. I ate in silence to avoid whatever punishment Mom might dream up and got to dance as quickly as possible.

Now that Ebony's teaching I'm more excited about showing up. She greets me with a smile and a curt nod that immediately lifts my spirits. Then David shows up.

"Hey, Cathy Jean," he said, smiling like he didn't just take me out on the worst date ever the other day.

"Nope." I walked around him so fast.

"You're still mad at me huh?" he asked.

"You tell me."

"Whatever I did, I'm sorry. I'm just having a hard time," he sighed.

"A hard time with what? Living in your nasty skin?" I retorted.

"Why are you so mean?" he chuckled dryly. "I don't remember saying anything to upset you right now."

"You tried to make conversation with me. That's why I'm upset," I clarified. "I really wish you would just leave me alone. Seriously."

"It's times like this that I question you, Cathy Jean because you want to complain about being lonely and not having any friends after you turn around and snap at people like this. I've put up with you for way too long. You're either bipolar or straight up evil," David growled, his eyes overflowing with pure rage.

"What did you say to me?!" I cried hoping I didn't hear what I thought I heard.

"I said you're either bipolar or evil," he said, making sure to pronounce every syllable.

"How dare you!" I exclaimed nearly on the verge of tears.

"You're the one walking around like your life is some sob story and nobody likes you. You had a friend and it was me. I cared about you when no one else did and how do you treat me? It's kind of sad," he ranted.

"You're not the one who's depressed!" I argued struggling to hold the tears back.

"You're not the one who's competing with some other guy like it's the end of the world," David countered.

"You mean Michael? Is that what this is about?! At least he doesn't call me bipolar!"

"Well he thinks it, I'm sure."

"And you wonder why I hate you. I'm out."

"Hey, hey, hey. Quit arguing please," Ebony commanded finally intervening. "David, please apologize because you said some really inappropriate things."

"I'm not sorry," David stated.

"You suck," I hissed.

"Please be nice," Ebony begged. "Let's practice so we can talk after this."

"I'm not dancing with him," I scoffed.

"Don't be like this," Ebony sighed.

"Well, I am like this. I really hate you, David. I really do."

I grabbed my things and got out of there as fast as possible before I had to fight him. Ebony continued to call for me as I sped down the street in my Chevy. I felt awful for ditching practice but if I was in the same room as David for another second I would get myself in a lot of trouble.

I drove home, changed clothes, and set out down my block to walk to Michael's house. I couldn't get there fast enough.

Even before I reached the gates of Hayvenhurst, I saw him throwing rocks at things like he always does. These target practices seem to amuse him. I picked up a good sized rock and threw it at his behind. He jumped and whipped his head around.

"That was a big rock!" he exclaimed, throwing a pebble back at me.

I put my arms out for a hug and he gladly ran into my arms. "How are you?" he asked, rubbing my back.

"I'm fine now."

"Good. I'm glad you came back. Let's go inside. I wanna show you something."

Michael took my hand and whisked me back toward the property. Once I entered the gates, I felt a sense of security. There's something about being with Michael that makes me feel safe.

A/N: I feel like I didn't proofread this well but whatever. I'd rather be doing this than summer homework. More soon❤️