Just A Girl

Chapter 9

I don't remember when I fell asleep, but I woke up to the sun beaming through the blinds. I looked around the room almost forgetting that I wasn't at home.

Taking a moment to recollect my thoughts. I came to the acceptance that last night was real and it wasn't a dream.

I sat up and mustered up the strength to get out of bed. I went to the bathroom and got myself ready. I knew I couldn't go to school, not after last night, but I couldn't stay in bed forever.

After getting ready, I went back to the room.

Just as I was about to close the door, I felt a hand touch my shoulder.

Feeling the touch caused me to scream. I dropped my clothes and ran to the other side of the room.

"Addie! I'm so sorry. It's just me. It's Adrian. Man Addie I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking." Adrian pleaded.

Staring at him from across the room, my breathing was heavy and rushed.

"Addie. Please forgive me." Adrian continued saying.

"Get out please." I said in almost a whisper.

"Addie, I just..."

"GET OUT!" I screamed.

I'm not sure why I was angry with Adrian, but I was. It's possible that he's just like Leo. I mean they have hung out together.

Adrian stood there looking shocked, hurt, and confused. He attempted to walk towards me while still apologizing.

I screamed at him, "CAN YOU NOT HEAR? I ASKED YOU TO LEAVE. DO YOU NOT RESPECT BOUNDARIES LIKE YOUR FRIEND LEO?! I BET YOU'RE JUST LIKE HIM AND THIS GOOD BOY IMAGE IS ONLY TO GET GIRLS TO LET THEIR GUARD DOWN.

Adrian backed up as I yelled, his eyes wide in disbelief at what I was saying.

After a few seconds of silence, my heart beat was starting to slow down, but the glare in my eyes was still razor sharp.

Adrian put his hands his pocket and spoke it a soft but stern voice.

"Listen Addie... I know you've just went through alot in the last few hours so I'm not going to take what you said to heart, but don't ever mistake me for a guy like Leo. My parents raised me to not only cherish a woman's rights and body, but my own as well. I have standards. I know what consent is and there aren't any blurred lines in my understanding. I'm going to let you have this time to yourself before there's more damage done."

With those words, Adrian walked out and I sulked on the bed.

A few moments later, Mrs. Ramirez knocked on the door and asked to come in. She informed me that Adrian would be staying home from school today and asked if I was ready to call my parents.

Shaking my head yes, I called my mother's phone.

I handed the phone to Mrs. Ramirez and asked if she could talk for me.

Giving me a reassuring smile, she took the phone and spoke to my mother. From what I could hear, they were on their way over.

About 10 minutes passed and I heard the doorbell ring. I could hear Adrian greeting my family.

Taking a deep breath, I walked to the front room.

My mother's eyes looked glossy and her face appeared flushed. My father and Titan looked as though they had been crying too, but their faces looked angry.

Were they mad at me? I mean I did run away and put myself in a situation where I was vulnerable.

Once my mother saw me, she ran over and scooped me into a hug.

"Oh my baby. My sweet Addie. Mommy's here. I'm here sweetheart. I'm so sorry I wasn't there last night. Are you okay? Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry." My mother cried out.

I hugged my mom back. I didn't realize I had even started crying, but feeling her arms around me felt like safety and I melted into it with no reservations.

I was now crying so hard that I felt my knees give out.

My father rushed over and picked me up.

Sitting me down on the couch, he knelt in front of me. His face as a mixture of worry and wrath.

"Addie. Sweetheart. Daddy is here too and I'm sorry that I wasn't there to protect you... I haven't been there for you in a long time, but I'm here. Now I need you to tell me. Did he rape you?"

Shaking my head no, the tears continued to stream down my face.

My dad continued with, "I know you don't want to call the police, but sweetheart, he cannot get away with these behaviors. We can't give him room to do this again."

I knew my father was right, but i'm just a girl, a black girl at that. Society doesn't want to believe certain things, let alone bring adequate justice to it. But Leo needed to pay for what he did.

Looking up at my family I told them that I would file a police report, but I was not going to school doing the time of it being processed.

My parents stated they understood.

"Let's go home sweetheart" My mother stated.

I thanked the Ramirez's for their hospitality and support.

Walking out of their house felt like I was about to enter to a battle that was even worse than the one I faced at home.