Different

7

    I woke up at 9:30 Sunday morning. I rubbed my eyes and sat up. I looked around and saw my open window remembering what a great day yesterday was. I smiled to myself and got out of bed. I walked out of my bedroom to only freeze hearing the news on the television. I turned and tiptoed down the hall. I peaked into the kitchen and saw my dad making coffee.
    "Hey honey. How ya feeling?" He questioned looking to me. I was shocked to see him home.
"Uh.. better." I said leaving my daze.
"Good. Again I'm so sorry Daniella." He said putting down his coffee. He made his way over to me.
"Why are you home?" I asked harmlessly.
"I'm going in at noon today." He said taking a sip of coffee. I nodded and walked back to the bathroom. I closed the door behind me. I looked at my reflection. The bruise on my cheek was turning yellow and green now. I undressed and turned on the water for the shower. I let the warm water wash over me and all my bruises. As I washed my hair and felt the gash on my head was starting to scab over. Washing my hair some dried blood ended up on the shower floor turning the water a light red. When I was finished I turned off the water and stepped out wrapping myself in my towel. I stepped out of the bathroom and went into my room. I dressed in a yellow striped shirt and blue jeans. I brushed my dark brown bob and watched it slightly curl up as it dried. I but on my mother's golden cross and some mascara. As I opened my door again I heard my father call for me.
"Dani! You have a visitor." He called. I walked to the living room to find Nancy smiling at me.
"I brought your car back." She said pointing over her shoulder I smiled.
"Thanks Nance. Dad I'm gonna drive Nancy home okay." I said putting on my sneakers.
"Okay kiddo. I'll probably be gone by the time you get back. Be safe. Nice seeing you Nancy." He said kissing my forehead and waving to Nancy.
"Nice to see you Mr. Berkly." She said politely. I grabbed a sweater and we left.
"Okay. So?" Nancy questioned as I started driving.
"So what?" I said.
"What happened at the party? People said you got Billy Hargrove to stop fighting and then you two disappeared. I saw him pulling you out." Nancy pushed.
I smiled. "Well he drove me home cause he just wanted to know get to me." I shrugged.
"So you two didn't.. do it?" She asked.
"What? No I'm not that kind of girl." I said.
"Oh okay good." She sighed.
We continued to talk as I drove. I pulled in front of Nancy's house and we both got out. As we were walking towards her house Steve was walking down the street towards us.
"Hey Dani!" Steve called. I stopped and waited for him to catch up to me.
"Hi Stevie." I smiled.
"What happened to you on Friday? When you didn't come back I went to look for you and saw Hargrove pulling you away." Steve said sounding hurt. Shit I forgot about Steve.
"I'm so sorry Steve it's just he wanted to know about some school work and then offered to drive me home." I said putting my hand on his arm.
"Oh well are you two doing anything right now or could I steal Dani?" Steve said looking to Nancy.
"No we were just going to chill so yeah you can take her." Nancy waved us off. Steve nodded and opened my car door.
"I'll drive if that's okay." He said taking my keys. I shrugged.
"So where are we going?" I asked.
"Shh that's part of the surprise." Steve said. I laughed.
Soon we arrived to the same park me and Billy went to. He turned off the car.
"Ready?" He said.
"Are you gonna murder me?" I chuckled.
"Come on lets go." He rolled his eyes.
I got out and followed him into the park. we walked together until we got to a tree with an old looking rope on it.
"Up we go." He said.
"Uh you want me to climb that?" I questioned. " do you even know where I grew up?" I laughed.
"Oh come on." He said climbing it.
I scuffed and followed. Soon enough I was in an old treehouse.
"What the.." I trailed off.
"Me and my dad built it when I was younger." He said rubbing an old basketball. I nodded.
I looked around and saw old sports equipment, a half finished game of checkers, a no girls sign crossed out, and an N + S carved into the wall. I thought for a second. Then looked around some more and saw more carvings like this. G+S, F+S, all types.
"Your the first girl I showed this to." He said rubbing his neck. He was lying to my face.
"Aw that's so sweet." I said with over exaggerated shocked ness.
"Do you like it?" He said.
"Yeah. I just have one question." I said.
"Shoot." He said leaning against the wall.
"How fucking stupid do you think I am?" I said with a stoned face. He jumped up.
"W-wh-what do you mean?" He said with his worried wrinkles.
"Dude, I can see all of the carvings in hearts. Did you think I was blind or something?" I said scuffing.
"Wh-" I cut him off.
" 'N+S' really Steve? You think I don't know you too dated. Do you bring girls here to make them feel special and then ask them out?" I said. I wasn't mad he was going to ask me out. I was mad he lied to me and tried to make me seem special and not like just another carving.
"Ha. You know people told me to watch out for Hargrove cause he just wanted to fuck and would do anything to get that but maybe it's you they should've told me about. Ya know what, bye Steve." I said climbing down.
"Wait Dani!" He called, but I was already gone.
He was going to ask out his exes bestfriend and tried to tell me I was so special but I was just another carving. I heard that he had sex with Nancy and then they broke up. I wonder how many other girls he did that to. Furiously I stomped to my car and drove home. I got out and went inside seaming the door. I just started yelling.I screamed and yelled until my lungs gave out. I hugged my stomach for more air. The nerve of him. I wondered if he was just in it for the sex. I was so frustrated I decided to take a walk. I left my house and started on down the street. My thoughts raced until I got to an unfamiliar street. Although I was lost I saw a very familiar blue Camaro. I walked to the house it was parked at and before I could knock I heard arguing. I decided to not knock and walk around to look in the window. As I walked to the window the yelling was clearer. I stood on my tiptoes to look in and saw Billy was being held by the collar by some prick who had a mustache. Billy was very quiet but the man was yelling in his face. Then suddenly he punched him in the jaw. Billy dropped and then the man sat on his chest and hit him in the face again three times. I gasped and backed up covering my mouth. Billy stood and walked to a different room. I followed him from the outside of his house to see him enter what I presumed to be his bedroom. He closed the door and faced the mirror. Then he started to cry. He sat on his bed and cried and covered his face. I couldn't stand to just watch anymore, so I knocked on his window. His head shot up and he looked to his window. I waved slightly. He came over and opened his window.
"Dani? What the hell are you doing here?" He said not helping me in.
"I was on a walk and got lost and saw your Camaro so I came up to the house and- and- Billy who is that man?" I questioned looking up at him.
"That's none of your goddamn business." He said coldly.
"Billy, what happened?" I said, hurt.
"Dani go home." He said not looking at me.
"Billy please I'm here for you just talk to-" I said.
"Dani just go the hell home! I don't want to fucking talk to you, I dont wanna see you." He said raising his voice. My heart broke.
"Fuck you Billy." I said not letting my tears roll.
I walked away and flipped him off going back the way I came. As soon as his house was out of sight I began to cry. I'd find my own way home, I didn't need that ass. Eventually I did find my house and when I got to my room I sobbed, again. I punched the wall. I was so upset. I had to scream again. Why couldn't I just be okay for once?