Scars. |✔️|

Chapter 3: Girls Day Out

One Week Later

It has been one week since I️ met James. We haven't talked at all but we occasionally say hi in the hallways. I️ kinda wish he was more aggressive toward me, but I️ know I️ hurt him when I️ said I️ didn't need help.

I️ feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket. I️ pull it out and I️ see Laura's name flash across my screen. I️ pick up the phone and I️ am greeted with:

"HEYY BITTCHHH!!!!"she screams causing me to yank my phone away from my face.

"Hey girl. What's up?" I️ say hoping that my calm voice with calm her down.

"I️ was wondering if you wanted to have a girls day. You know retail therapy, movies, food," she says eagerly.

"Of course!!! but I️ need to go to the library to return Friday. I️ just finished it. It was a longer one but it was SO GOOD."

"You and this library. Fine go to the library and I️ will meet at your house."

"KK. Come in an hour. I'll be ready."

I️ hang up the phone and go to my room to get dressed. I️ pick a PINK sweatshirt with some PINK tights and I️ throw on my tall black UGGS. I️ put heavy makeup to cover my bruises that my father caused last week.

I️ look in the mirror and sigh out of pure disappointment. I️ grab my keys and book and walk out the door. I️ make sure to lock the door this time, but I️ know that won't keep my father out.

When I️ get to the bottom floor I️ spot James. He is walking with some girl and they look like they are having a good time. That bitch.

I don't know why I️ am getting mad. We aren't together and we don't even talk. I️ walk past them not even making eye contact with him.

"Aaliyah," I️ hear him say.

"What? I️ have somewhere to be."

Dang. That was harsh idiot. That's why he don't like you.

"Well damn. Nevermind then," he says annoyed.

He walks toward the elevator with that girl and puts his arm around her shoulder. He did that on purpose.

I️ sigh and walk out making my way to my car to go to the library.

~~~

"Good morning Mrs. Cole."

"Hey sweetie. How are you doing?" she asks.

"Holding on by a thread, but I'm living so what can I️ say. I'm here to return Friday. It was amazing." I️ say handing her the book.

"Okay sweetie. Looking for another book? I️ can help you."

"I️ think I'm just gonna look aro-" I️ am cut off my a sneeze and I️ accidentally wipe off some of my make up and I️ see Mrs. Cole's face completely change from happiness to anger.

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOUR FACE?!" she screams.

"Nothing. It doesn't matter," I say back quietly and embarrased by the amount of people looking at us.

"Who did that to you? Is better not be who I think it is," she says back. She crosses her arms and looks me dead in the eyes.

"Of course it was him Mrs. Cole. Who else would it be?" I say back ashamed.

"That nigga is about to make me fight his ass!!! I'm gonna need you to stay with me tonight okay. I'm tired of you coming in here with all of these bruises and shit. You don't deserve this. What kind of grown ass man hits on his own god damn daughter. Fucking idiot," she says back disgusted. I know she is mad when she starts cussing. She never cusses unless she is mad or in pain.

"Thanks Mrs. Cole, but I think I'm fine. Me and Laura are having a girl's day out and I will just spend the night at her house."

"Okay sweet pea. Call me if you need anything or if anything pops off. I WILL FIGHT A GROWN MAN YOU KNOW!"

"I know Mrs. Cole, thank you," I say starting to walk to the bathroom to fix my makeup. When I get to the bathroom there is no one in there just like I like it. I add some more makeup and when I am done I get a text from Laura says thats she is on her way to my house. I exit the bathroom and make my way to my car.

~~~

"HE DID WHAT?!" Laura screams.

"Girl if you don't quiet your ass down they gonna kick us out of this place," I respond back.

We decided to make a stop at the mall so we could have some retail therapy time with just us.

"And what do you mean 'he did what' he brought another bitch up to his apartment. But I don't care as long as I don't hear no nastiness happening later on tonight," I say causing L to laugh.

"Girl you sound like a jealous ass ex girlfriend," Laura says laughing.

"Bitch shut up. I honestly don't care because I don't like him like that and I never will," I lie.

That entire statement was a lie. I do care, I do like him, and I think I always will.

"Well we will just have to see now won't we. Now what do you want to eat? Chick-fil-a or Zaxby's?"

"Is that even a question! Chick-fil-" I am cut off by someone behind me.

"Sweetie?" I hear a male voice say. When I see Laura's face go from happy to terrified I know exactly who it is. My father.

I stand up and turn around. My body completely freezes when I see him. My heart starts to race and I begin to breathe fast.

"Are you okay Liyah? I'm sorry for what happened last week. I didn't mean to. I️ just lose control and I-"

"That is what you ALWAYS FUCKING SAY! But guess what I am standing here in front of you 13 years later with the bruises and s...."

He punches me hard and I hear Laura gasp. I instantly begin to feel dizzy. I usually don't feel like this when he hits me but he hit me hella hard this time. When he goes to hit me again someone stops him by grabbing his arm and punching him back.

I fall to the ground and everything slowly starts to turn black. All I can hear is Laura screaming for help and the crowd closing in around me. I feel someone pick me up and hold me close and put my head on his chest. The last thing I see is his face, the guy who saved me, the guy that moved in next to me, the guy I met at the library. James.

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Thank you for reading chapter 3. This chapter was an intense one and I️ can't wait to write the next one. Make sure to vote and comment ideas or thoughts.

Stay tuned for Chapter 4: My Hero coming soon!

- Nadia ❤️