Dakota's POV
I shut the door behind me as Renesme walks to the kitchen; I roll my eyes, knowing full well that she is listening.
Why did she leave me alone wi-
My thoughts get interrupted by Jessica kissing me. Her lips so soft, so silky, but so strong while they press themselves perfectly against mine. I know I should pull away, but I don't. Minutes after, Renesme walks in, clearing her throat, causing Jessica to jump.
"I see you've made up."
I glare at Renesme, "far from it." My gaze is turned back to a cowering Jessica.
"Look... Dakota I-" Jessica is silenced by a sharp knock on the door. Renesme and I look at each other with confusion. Renesme looks through the window next to the door.
"D... it's your dad..." as soon as she says that, my heart stops. I feel myself shake down to my core. The only thing calming me is the feeling of fingers intertwining with my own. Renesme leaves the door and walks back to me. "Let's go upstairs." Renesme leads Jessica and I to her room, her fingers still laced with mine. I sit on Renesme's bed and Jessica stands by the door. Renesme's gaze falls upon me, "um... my fat ass is hungry, and I know you're always hungry D. I'm going to bring up some food." She leaves; as soon as she shuts the door, Jessica strides over to me, "what can I do to make it up to you?" I scoff, giving her a cold stare, "Do you really think I'm in the mood for your bullshit right now Jessica?" She stays silent and my words leave my mouth without permission, "I don't want you. I never will." Her gaze falls to the floor, and she backs away. After a long moment of silence, she speaks ever so softly, and if it wasn't so quiet I dont think I would've heard her, "I'll go." And with that she turns on her heels and quickly slumps away.
Renesme walks back in about 30 seconds later, "what the hell happened?" I shrug and take off my shirt, revealing my maroon lace bra. "I'm tired Ren. Let's just sleep." Renesme doesn't press for more, she just looks down at the array of snacks she has, "Too tired for food and Orange is the New Black?" I stand up and grab the food from her hands, "Never!" I plop back on her bed and she turns on the show and the hours roll by before we fall asleep.
~*~
My eyes open, adjusting to the sunlight that peers through the opening in the curtains. I turn on my phone, seeing that it's only 6:33am. I quietly get up and walk to the bathroom, showering to get an early start to the day. Once I'm out of the shower, I wipe the water off the mirror, looking at the remaining drops on my body as they cascade down each curve. After a few moments of thinking, I decide to go into Renesme's wardrobe. I pick out a black low-cut crop top and ripped high-waisted blue jeans. I return to the bathroom, doing my eyeliner and mascara before swiping on a nude lipstick with a bit of a pink undertone. I begin straightening my hair, blasting "Lost" by Illenium through my speakers. Midway through doing my hair, there's a knock on the door, causing me to jump. I smile, feeling confident and happy, "Come innnnnn!" Renesme walks theough the door, stopping in her tracks as soon as her freshly opened eyes catch a glimpse of me, "damn." I blush and continue straightening my hair. "You look gorgeous Dakota Marie!" I smile and check myself out after finishing the last section of my hair, "I do, don't I?" I say with confidence in my voice. "Oh and by the way, this is all your stuff. I'm borrowing it."
Renesme smiles as she walks out, "You rock it girl! No complaints here." I sit on my phone taking selfies, for the first time in months, while Renesme gets ready. I post a couple of my selfies on My Snapchat Story. Soon after we're out the door.
When we get to school, people begin to stare and I immediately feel self-consious, regretting wearing this. That is, until I hear a group of guys whistling, "Damn girl, you look fine!" Soon after Jessica, Audrey, and Sam are gawking at me, along with all of the other cheerleaders. Audrey is the first to speak as Renesme and I walk past, "oh look! The Dumpster Girl upgraded to thrift store!" Renesme stops and turns to Audrey, "Dakota's..." she emphasizes my name, "whole outfit and makeup is worth more than your entire wardrobe, not that it matters. Why don't you stop talking about her as if she's trash and realize that you're just an insecure bitch who has to put someone else— who you know is better than you— down becuase she looks good. Everyone around you knows that you have self esteem issues even though you try to act like you're the shit. Wake up Audrey, you're nothing special." Everyone within listening distance, myself included, had their jaws dropped, in awe of Renesme's words. She's always been a quiet and passive person, so this was even shocking to me. And no one knew her better than me.
After a short moment of silence, Renesme grabbed my arm and led me to first hour. The class begins to flood in after the warning bell. Cameron Crawford walks to Renesme, tapping her desk and causing her to look up. "That was pretty cool out there. You defending your friend. Took some real balls." Renesme blushes so hard she could be confused for a tomato, "I... it... um... It was nothing really..." her confidence begins to build as she talks to him, "D means the world to me and I can't just let someone treat her like that you know?" Cameron flashes that model-like smile, "I sure do." He takes out some paper and writes something, "Here, hit me up sometime. We should hang out." Renesme takes the paper and nods, "I will." Cameron walks to his seat and Renesme whips around to look at me, mouthing 'oh my god' in disbelief.
The rest of the day was uneventful until last hour. "Dakota, there's a pass for you." I walk up, extremely confused, even more so when I see that it's an early dismissal. Then it clicks, my dad is here. I go to the office, to my counsellor Mrs. Chalmers. "Mrs. Chalmers, I need ro see Rensme, please please pleaseeee." I plead to her, hoping she doesn't make me explain why. But she does, "I can't excuse her without reason, why do you need her Dakota?" She gestures me to sit down, so I do. I begin to explain my last encounter with my dad, when he was sober. Then I show her my early dismissal pass, "I'm afraid. I need Renesme. Please." Mrs. Chalmers nods and dials a number on the phone, "hello, may I have Renesme Watson to the office immediately? Thank you." Mrs. Chalmers turns to me, "she'll be down momentarily."
While we're waiting she begins asking about why I'm scared to see my father sober. I stay silent. I'm not sure why I'm scared to see him sober. My thoughts are interrupted by Renesme walking in, "Hey D!" She directs ehr attention to Mrs. Chalmers, "you wanted me?"
"No, Ms. Quinn did." Mrs. Chalmers replies shortly. I stand, looking at Renesme. She must've known how I was feeling because she wrapped me in a tight embrace. "He's here." I say through tears. Renesme pulls away, looking to Mrs. Chalmers, "I'm going with her." Mrs. Chalmers continues looking at her computer, "the only thing I can see are these emails. I can't watch the door at the same time." Cueing Renesme and I to leave.
"Thank you Mrs. Chalmers." Renesme and I both say simultaneously.
"Are you ready D?"
That's a good question....
Am I ready to face my father?
