Fighting Liliana

Chapter Two

   I unlocked my apartment door and walked in collapsing on my bed. I decided I was going to order Chinese food, take a bath and watch movies by myself all night. I ordered my Chinese food, then started running my bath water. I heard my phone ringing, so I picked it up and it said "Charlie".

"Hey, sibling!", I said answering the phone. "Hey little sis, you were supposed to call me after the hearing. What happened?", he asked. I broke down crying and told him everything. "They let that bastard get away with everything!", I screamed. "Hey Lil, try to calm down. I know it's hard right now, but he's going to get what's good for him one way or another, I promise.", he assured me. "I know", I said calming down. "It's going to be okay. I have to go for now, but I'll call you later to check on you. Love you lots Lil.", he said. "Love you too Charlie.", I said hanging up.

I turned on my favorite song "Girls Like You" by Maroon 5, and poured my lavender bubbles into the bathtub. I went to get my shaving cream out of the cabinet and I noticed that my old lighter was there, then I looked at the scar on my knee. When I lost my parents, I started smoking cigarettes and one day I got so mad I burned one into my knee. I haven't smoked a cigarette in a year and a half and I don't plan on starting again, but after this hard day it is tempting. I close the cabinet and take my clothes off, so I can get into the bathtub and relax.

I started thinking of all of the movies and television shows that made me realize how accurate they really are to life. My life is like another episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. I start crying for what seems like the 100th time today. I wish my parents were here, none of this would have happened. They always made sure I was okay. They would never want me to go through the things that I have had to endure over the last few years. They would've told me to pick a better boyfriend, they would have told me not to drink, not to do drugs, and how to do better in college.

I was always so nice to everyone I was around, I always wait for my good karma, but it never comes. I only get the bad karma, and it's messing up my life. I start to think about my new neighbor, Parker. He was really sweet and funny. I actually think we'd get along well, but I also thought Josh and I would get along well. Parker seemed to be pretty into boxing. He had a bunch of boxing gloves, and even had some punching bags. I wonder why he came from beautiful Venice, California just to move to Clearwater Rapids, VA. Don't get me wrong, my hometown is beautiful. It's nothing luxurious about it though.

I decided to group video chat Cierra and Gigi. "Hey bitches", Cierra said. "Hey", we both replied laughing. "What are you guys doing?", I asked. "We're in class, just like you should be Lil", Gigi laughed. "I can't wait to see you guys. I have to tell you both about my new neighbor.", I said. "Oh! Is it a girl? Is she cute?, Cierra asked. "No honey, it's a guy. I'm sorry.", I laughed. "Ew, he's not for me then", she cringed. "Y'all are dumb. Listen we have to go, but we'll stop by in the morning! Relax and go to sleep!", Gigi said. "Aye aye captain G. See you guys.", I said. "Bye", they both replied before hanging up.

I get out of the bath, lay down on my bed, eat and I fall asleep for the rest of the night. When I wake up in the morning, I hear knocking on my front door. I began to worry hoping that Josh didn't find out where my new apartment was. I got up, threw clothes on, and went to look through the peephole just to see that it was Parker. I swing the door open and he instantly smiles, "Good morning neighbor", he says. "Hey Parker, what are you doing here? It feels like it's super early.", I stated. "It's not super early, it's nine am!", he exclaimed. I groaned, "Come in, Parker."

He walked in and started observing all of the photos and movie collections that I had placed in my living room. "Never Back Down is one of my favorite movies, we should watch it one day!", he said while sitting the DVD back down. "My dad and I used to watch it together all the time", I said. "He sounds like he was an amazing person, Lili.", Parker said while looking at me. I sighed, "So what did you stop by for?" "Right! I want to take you to this great coffee shop I went to yesterday, and then we're going to my boxing training.", he said grinning. "Okay. What's the name of the coffee shop?", I asked while going to get ready. "Uh, I think it's called Ora's.", he said from the living room. "Oh dude, come on!", I groaned. "What?", he asked.

"I work there, why can't we just go to Starbucks?", I asked walking into the living room. "Everyone goes to Starbucks.", he laughed. "You're right, let's just go.", I said laughing with him. We walked out of the apartment complex and made our way down the street to Ora's. It was a sunny day in April, it felt like it was about 80 degrees outside. I was looking around when I felt Parker's eyes on me. I looked over at him, and he smiled at me. "You're very pretty", he said. "Thank you! You are too.", I said and instantly regretted.

He laughed and I covered my face. We walked up to Ora's and he opened the door for me. "Thank you", I said shyly. "Liliana! You're here early. You weren't scheduled for another six or seven hours, but we could use the help.", my boss exclaimed, throwing me an apron. I tossed the apron back, "I'm actually here with my friend Parker, he just moved here. Parker this is my boss Mr. Hamilton.", I said. "Hi, sir, nice to meet you.", Parker said, shaking my bosses hand. "You need a job son? I'll be happy to give you one.", Mr. Hamilton asked. "No sir, I actually work at the boxing gym around the corner.", Parker replied. "Oh man, Lili. You have yourself a guy who can defend you instead of hurt you now, that's a step up.", Mr. Hamilton said. "Let's not talk about that and Parker is not my guy.", I snapped. "I'm sorry Lili", my boss apologized.

"Can we just order?", I asked. After Parker and I ordered our drinks, I couldn't help but notice that he was staring me at. "What happened over there?", he asked. I looked at him, I was afraid he was going to run off. "My ex-boyfriend Josh, wasn't the best person ever.", I said. He looked into my eyes, angrily. "Did he hurt you, Lili?", he asked. "Yeah, you could say that.", I replied sadly. "We should teach him and other guys a lesson. No one should be beating on you. ", Parker said angrily. "Not only did he beat on me, but he also raped me. I didn't get to choose who took my virginity, he did.", I said as tears sprung to my eyes.

Parker quickly got up from his seat and hugged me. I'm not really a person who likes being touched, especially after what happened to me. This hug actually felt great though, like I really needed it. I started crying on his shirt quietly, trying not to bring any attention to us or the situation. "Lili, you seem like you're such a special person, I have no idea why anyone would ever want to hurt you or any girl.", Parker said, pulling me closer. "Thank you", I said quietly. "Come on", he said, while pulling me out the door and to the boxing gym.

We walked into the boxing gym and everyone started talking to Parker. I started to look around and I saw the famous Muhammad Ali quote again. This time it was spray painted on the wall. I looked at all of the people who were training in the gym. There were older guys, older girls, young teens, and even some children. It seemed like they didn't really care about age, they just want to help anyone who needs it. I snapped out of my thoughts when I hear Parker call my name. "Hey, you okay?", he asked walking over to me. "Yeah, I'm okay.", I smiled at him.

He grabbed my hand and we walked over to the boxing ring. "Wanna try it out?", he asked me, grinning. "I don't think I'll be very good.", I said, observing the huge ring. "You don't have to compete like I do, but you should let me teach you how to defend yourself at least.", he said staring into my eyes. "Okay, but if I get hurt, that's your ass.", I said laughing. He started laughing with me, "The point of you doing this is so you don't get hurt, Lili." "I don't have any boxing gear.", I noticed. "We have some for you! Don't worry. You're not getting out of it that easily.", he assured me. I went to get dressed and I met Parker back in the ring. He grabbed my hand and said these words that were so reassuring to me. "We're going to make sure no one ever fucks with you again."

A/N: I posted two chapters today just so you guys can get a better feel of my book! I'll be posting again in a week if you guys do like it. ❤️