Just Friends

Chapter 17

I woke up the next morning earlier to my alarm which was surprising. I got out of bed and walked into the kitchen making me a strawberry smoothie, it didn't take long at all so I put it into a cup then went upstairs. I turned my alarm clock off before it could go off, and sat there drinkinng my smoothie, then I get a call from Mark. I answer and he talked about going on a date, I agreed then we said our goodbyes and i hung up. A date? He wants to go on a date? He was extremely handsome, a little older and knew my age, at least he was being honest about his feelings so what's so wrong about doing the Same? I keep thinking about it, while sipping my smoothie rapidly, I finished it quite quick then jumped into the shower to get ready for work.

~

After work, i headed home to get ready for the strip club. I did my usual, shower, dress, leave. On the way to the club Taylor texted me, the text told me about how much she missed me, now I was on the verge of crying right before work. I quickly wiped my tears and ignored her texts, she doesn't understand yet, i may not know how she feels but she doesn't know how i feel. Anyway she has Justin.

~

Mark and i were talking in the back room where I worked,
"So, i was thinking if I give you let's say 10,000 dollars. Tomorrow night you have to skip work and go on a date with me."
A smiled stretched across my face,
"Of course! But I dont like you for the money, im only taking your money to get my mom back. Okay?"
He smiled and nodded. We both got up and left through the back door towards his car, i kissed him on the cheek and headed towards my own. We waved goodbye and headed our separate ways.

~

I pulled into my driveway, put my big coat on and headed inside. The house was dark so i turned on the kitchen light. I nearly jumped out of my skin when i saw a figure in the kitchen doing something, i couldn't make out what it was doing but I did the only thing I could.
"If you move know i have 911 on dial!"
The black figure puts its hands up and quickly turned on the kitchen light. I flinched when i saw Taylor making a sandwich. I let out a deep breath,
"God dammit Taylor what are you doing here?! It's like 12 at night!"
She gave me "that look" my heart was racing i forgot I had my clothes from the club on and only a big jacket to cover them.
"Why were you out so late anyways? And what's under your coat?"
My heart beat faster, she couldn't find out. I raced to my room and locked the door behind me, I could hear her calling my name and then banging on my door. I started crying, so I hurried and took the clothes off, hid them under my mattress and slipped into pajama shorts, and a tanktop. I was still crying when i opened the door, she looked at me, noticed I was crying and gave me a hug,
"Its going to be okay Diana, whatever is going on you dont have to tell me if you dont want to, but I'm here for you."
I retreated from the hug and nodded with tears streaming down my face. She pulled me into another hug then smiled at me,
"I should get going, and you need sleep."
She held my hand then let go, leaving she took the sandwich she was making. I watched her take off then went back to my room, fished out the clothes from under the matress, walked to the laundry room and stuck them into the washer.

~

I sat in bed tired and worn out. I couldn't sleep for the life of me, I called Mark asking him to come over. He agreed and said he was on his way, I sat up and made my way to the kitchen, I made a bowl of cereal and started eating. I went into the living room and started the t.v. waiting for him, I kept on eating till I was finished. I got up, put my fish in the sink, then sat back down. Not even minutes later a car pulled up, it was marks. He got out and followed the path to my front door, I opened it before he could knock, I gave him a hug and greeted him inside.
"Hey sorry I called you so late, I didn't know who else to go to,"
I felt my eyes watering up, he smiled and pulled me into a hug,
"It's okay diana."
Then kissed my forehead.

~

We were in my bed, not asleep, but curled up surrounding each other in body heat. He kept me warm and made me feel safe, he played with my hair, kissed my head when he felt My body shake, in the matter of 2 hours he has been here I've had at least 4 panic attacks and break downs about everything happening. And he was there, listening and making sure I was okay. Next thing I knew i was soundly asleep in his arms.