Even Wilder

Chapter 4.

Conflict filled Jessica's body, does she tell the truth, or does she lie about where she came from. She understood that everyone's story and past isn't as bad as the other, but hers wasn't exactly one to brag about either.

"I mean, like what do you want to know about it?" She avoids eye contact and takes a bite of pizza. Lip's eyes trace her face, her eyes slowly meet up with his and a smirk forms in the corner of his lips "well I mean, everything would be nice, just to make sure you're not some serial killer, but uh, you know the basics would do"

Basics, Jessica thought, basics, she can do that. "Well. You already know I'm from Port Huron. I love to swim. My favorite color is teal. Any pet is a cute pet..." Lip shook his head "I want to know Jessica. Let me rephrase then. Tell me your story, tell me your dreams and fears. Give me the raw Jessica."

She sat back in her chair, and stared at Lip blankly. "I mean..it's kinda personal and I've just met you. You answer the same questions comfortably, and I will also."

Lip nods "fair enough", he took a sip of the pop, and pushed the cup in the middle of the table and looked up at her "Well. I go to a shit college, not because I like it, because I don't want to end up in the same piece of shit neighborhood in five years. I was in a serious relationship with a girl who I thought loved me, but was just a conceited bitch who cheated on me with just about every guy in our city, left me for a 30 year old guy, got married to him, was pregnant, said the kid was mine, then it wasn't, then it was. Left her husband for me, had the kid, it came out with Down's syndrome, not to mention Asian...that was the end of that, not because of the disability but for the fact that she cheated and lied. Also the real dad's family took the baby. I dated my brothers best friend, she genuinely cared about me, got me into college...fucked that up." He took a deep breath, then focused in on the ice shifting in the cup "I dream to be something someday, someone one day. To make a difference...and...and to not end up like my worthless piece of shit parents..."

Jessica's ears were ringing from Lip's mini rant. "That felt really good. I've never really told anyone that stuff. Well I mean, not like that."

Jessica takes a deep breath
"I was abused as a child. And I don't want any of that sentimental bullshit, or your sympathy. Shit happens to everyone. It makes them into the person they are. I was physically and emotionally beat as a child. There would be days that I was so black and blue, I could barely move. Kevin saved me. The second he moved out and free he called CPS. He rescued me. From there I went to a foster home. A branch home from like an actual, big dorm foster home. Mostly boys. Older boys. I had to share. Co-exist with a bunch of kids that I wasn't related to. My last year and a half of being there, they turned the foster home I lived in, into a more open facility. I had my first sexual encounter there. None by which was my choice. I learned to defend myself. Cherish myself, and to love myself. Nobody is perfect. Dreams change. People suck. But in the end. You have to carry the skin on your back. So walk it tall and proud. Nobody else is going to shape you into who you're supposed to be."

She let go. Not meaning to give an inspirational speech. "Well. I don't feel bad for you. It sounds like we have equally rough pasts. Our History is but a memory, we chose how it shapes us. Live and learn" he stuck out his hand to form a handshake with Jessica. She slid her small hand into his larger hand "nice to meet you, and your history Jessica Ball, are you ready to now meet your future?"

"I've never been more ready"