Reading Between The Lines (studxstem)

4

Toni

Three weeks later

We still haven't finished unpacking all the stuff for our new apartment. It's two bedrooms two bath nothing to fancy . We still have enough money for the next month's rent including utilities  .*the apartment is below *

My sister still is confused on how I got the money . Dakota watches me like a hawk . Not going to lie it's kinda sexy . Like right now we're in the library and she's sitting two seats aside of  me.
Dakota thinks she's slick by putting her chemistry book in front of her face . A couple minutes later she finally grows the balls to walk over to me . She must have got some fire under her ass to come .

   Dakota walked behind me and bent over to whisper in my ear  "So are you going to tell me about the money or not ?"  Shaking my head no I got up to walk away until she pulled me back . "Your going to get enough of pulling me around everywhere " .

"Shh "Dakota said while walking us to the back of the library,and pushing me against a bookshelf. "Just tell me please because I'm losing my mind over here . I don't like playing the whole confused game " Koata said walking up to me resting her hands on the sides of the shelf .

I dont like this at all my body has this weird tingly feeling.  "O..oh ok "

"Uhm Toni you didn't answer me . Talk to me please I'm not going to hurt you.  If I didn't give a shit about you I wouldn't be pushing it . " she said talking a deep breath "I saw the eviction notice " .When she said that it felt like my heart dropped down to my stomach . That was something that nobody was supposed to know.  "Uh " a tear slid down my face as I looked away . Dakota's face went from angry to concern.  She wiped my tear then pulled me in a tight embrace.

"Don't cry " she said rubbing my back

"I'm fine I didnt mean to break down it's just ... never mind " I let a few tears fall then pushed her back .

Toni

After school let out I walked my old neighborhood . Reminiscing about my mother I began to cry . Everything is building up how could my mom do this to me . After everything she put me through as a kid and as a teenager. 

********Flashback**********

"Please Clay don't hurt my baby! "My mother yelled while pulling on my stepdads shirt ."Shut up " he yelled pushing her off of him and grabbing my hair tighter .

"Please dad dont do it . I didn't mean to forget it " I cried as he dragged me up the steps by my hair  . It felt as if somebody was pulling my hair out strand by strand .

********Flashback Over *******

"That son of a bitch " I sobbed

Dakota

Driving through the neighborhood I see Toni sitting in the grass crying .

"Let's go for a ride " I said rolling my window down . Toni was hesitant for a moment but then got in . The ride was silent and instead of me talking I listened to her cry . I rubbed her knee as I drove to my special place . Although it was a hour drive it was worth it.  Thirty minutes into the the drive Toni stopped crying and begin to look out the window. 

" A penny for your thought " 

She smiled "later "

"Wow ...this is beautiful Dakota " she cooed  ."This is my special spot whenever I feel the need to cry ,scream,or release it all . So go ahead " she looked at me crossing her arms ."Right now " Toni chuckled

"Yep " I took her hat off then put it on .Toni took a deep breath then stepped forward.  She looked back at me for permission I smirked while shaking my head yes   ."Let it out "

She cried out loud . "Why me bruh ? I try so hard to keep it together for my family ? I try... If it ain't one thing its another you know . My moms all M.I.A on me and my sis , and honestly that's  put me and my family in stupid situations . Everybody can go around waving fuck life flags ,but that's not fair man . Sometimes I need a break to breathe and be sixteen . My past is soooo fucked up Toni everything I have been trying to do is to get rid of these demons but apparently its not working so well .  I'm tired man ..." she said sniffling

"It's going to be ok " I gave her a hug while rubbing her back . "How do you know? " she looked at me with red eyes

"Because your strong and you can make it T . Plus you got me alright ? "

"Ok " Toni rubbed her eyes ."Pinky promise " I held my pinky out and she looked at me funny. "Come on "

"Really kota " she giggled

"Yep "

Toni rolled her eyes while smiling then wrapped her pinky around mines. 

I take a seat in the warm sand as I watch the stars shin bringht and the moon go down . "Sit with me " I tell toni while patting the sand .  "Its so beautiful and peaceful " she said sitting next to me .

"Honestly Dakota I haven't felt at peace in so long its crazy . " Toni Chuckles while running her hands threw her hair . "I know I come here a lot when me and my mom get into . " . She looks over at me in confusion "Why is that ?"

"She still hasn't accepted the fact that I'm attracted to females . " I shake my head while taking a deep breathe. "Wow but she will come around eventually " She gives me a small smile then returns her attention back to the ocean .

"So whats up with your mom " I ask out of curiosity . She chuckles then says "Trust me its just certain things you don't want to know about me ".

"When your ready " I look at her then play with the sand

Toni

I enjoyed Dakota and she really helped me get some stuff of my chest . It's good to know someone cares ....

"Were here " she said pulling into my apartment complex

"Thanks Dakota it means a lot . " I smiled then kissed her cheek

"Oh and I didn't forget this either slick " I took my snapback from her then got out the car