A False Sense of Security

Chapter 10

"So, what's your favorite flavor?" I ask, thinking about the ice cream I'm about to get. He looks me up and down and says, "Caramel,".

"But Caramel is not a-," I stop mid sentence when I realize he's not talking about ice cream. He's talking about skin color, or more specifically my skin color. "I meant the ice cream." I say annoyed and I fix a soft glare on him. He chuckles.

"Fine, I like salted caramel ice cream then," he answers with a smile.

"Really? Me too! But I also like cookie dough ice cream." I say. We arrive at the Garret's Ice Cream Parlor shortly after. I excitedly get out and we walk in.

"Hi, I'm Cathy, I'll be taking care of you, today." the hostess greets us and directs us to a booth. We sit down across from each other and look at the menu.

"Now what can I get you guys?" Cathy asks taking out her notepad.

"I'll take six scoops of cookie dough ice cream, please!" I say. What? I may be a small girl, skinny wise, but I have big appetite. They both look at me like I'm crazy.

"I'll take a salted caramel sundae, with three scoops," Aiden answers her while still giving me a weird look.

"Alright, it'll be right out!" She says cheerfully and walks back to the kitchen.

"Damn, Kiara! Do you have like nine stomachs or something? Because that's a lot of food, more preferably that's a lot of ice cream! Your gonna have a sugar crash." Aiden says while chuckling.

"Shut up!" is all I can say due to trying not blush out of embarrassment.

We continue to discuss my eating habits till the small bowls of joy are set in front of us. Well mine was kinda a big bowl. I eat mine in 5 or so minutes. Aiden takes about 7 minutes.

"Wow you can eat!" Is all Aiden can say when he sees my bowl scraped clean. I just smile back. Then I realize something and I freeze. Is this a date?

I haven't been on a date since freshman year, when Zander asked me out. His name still gives me chills. I was so naive, back then. He acted like I was his one only for the first few months purposefully so when I saw the signs of the others I would deny them. He tricked me into not talking to my friends and family and move in with him. He was 17 and had his own apartment. Then when I did find out, I wouldn't leave him.

Then the beatings came and I was too scared to do something without telling him. Maybe that's why I'm so independent, now. And when Zander knew I was scared of him and he could control me he tried to take the only thing I had left. My innocence. But that was my turning point I left him and got a restraining order. I was so humiliated that night when I knocked on Bruce's door. I was covered in cuts, bruises, and was bleeding. It was from the beating I got after I said 'No!' and fought my way out of his clutches.

I was scared that they wouldn't want me after I just turned them away like that. Thankfully they accepted me and my friends did the same.

I obviously also pressed charges for sexual, mental, and physical abuse, which he was made guilty of by the jury. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison. He is in jail right now but his release date is coming close. I wish that he would be arrested and put in jail, too. But he has been MIA since our last encounter.

"Kiara!" I hear a voice say and snap out of my thoughts. "Are you okay?" Aiden asks.

"Yeah, yeah! I was just thinking." I say trying to cover up from my obvious zone out.

"You looked kind of pale for a second, are you sure your alright?" He asks concerned. I only nod. And he makes a 'I don't believe you' face.

"So, how was your day?" I ask him trying to change the subject. He frowns at my action but answers anyway, "It's been good, so far."

Aiden pays for our ice cream and he drives me home.

"That was fun!" I sat trying to start conversation.

"Are you gonna tell me about what you spaced out about?" He asks, totally ignoring my last statement. I frown, look down, and reply, "It's a long story,". I don't like opening up to people but somehow he makes it easy to.

"We got all the time in the world, Moonlight." He smiles and looks at me thoughtfully. My heart melts and I feel calm and relaxed. "I'll tell you when we get to my house, okay?" I say. He nods and continues to drive. I can tell he is speeding which makes me laugh, inwardly though. Impatient much.

We pull up to the front gate and wait for it to open. When it does we pull into my driveway. We get out and walk inside. We walk upstairs and go to my room.

"You know I've never been in a girls room more than once and didn't have sex with her," Aiden says as we enter.

"First off, didn't need to know that. And second off, sit!" I say and pat the bed.

"Don't you mean lie down?" He says as he lies down on my bed. I roll my eyes. This boy.

"Okay this is gonna be pretty dark and very personal. So, are sure you want to here this?" I ask on edge.

"I want to hear everything you have to say, Kiara." He says sincerely. Aww. Oh shit, what is this boy doing to me?

"You have to promise not to tell or say anything to anyone not even my family, got it?" I say sternly and seriously.

"Yes ma'am," he jokes. I smile. God, what is happening to me? I sit down on the bed in front of him and take a deep breathe.

"This all started when I was very little," I start to say.

This is it, I'm gonna tell him about my life.