Bad Intentions

CHAPTER SIX

                         
                              D A H L I A
 

After Nathan and I talk at length, I decide to walk home. I mean, there's no point taking the bus because there is basically no one to talk to on there. It would just be stupid. As I am walking though, I feel an arm grab my wrist. My first thought is, "I'm about to kick someone where the sun don't shine."

Before I could do so, I turn around to see that it's Nathan. "I didn't know you walk home?" he asks.

"Not normally, Nate. I'm just walking because I kind of want to clear my head. A lot of things are going on in my life right now." I say, and he walks beside me.

He's quiet for a while. We're just walking down the road and everywhere is silent because people in the neighborhood are probably resting after work and school, but the silence that envelops Nathan and I is very uncomfortable.

"Tell me about it?" I look at him after he says this, and in his eyes, I find sincerity, like he really wants to know what's going on with me. This is why I feel like I can trust Nate, because I can read his emotions easily.

"Okay. Well, as you know, I wanted to plan revenge on Richard. But, nothing was coming to me and that's pretty weird because I used to be very good at coming up with revenge schemes and all. I don't know, maybe I've lost my touch. I'm not even concerned about that anymore. Now Kiara is back together with him, saying that she wants to get closer to him in order to find something she can use against him. I really think so still likes him, but she's using that as an excuse too. I'm just confused, you know?"

There's still something else on my mind but I don't know if I should tell him. Senuri and Shanae don't even know about this. I guess I'll just keep it to myself.

I turn to see Nate looking at me as we walk. "I'll give you my reply but first, I know you're hiding something from me, Lia."

I look away and he grabs a hold of my wrist, which makes the both of us pause in our tracks.

"Hey, look at me." He says, but I still don't. What the hell is going on with me? Why do I feel like I have butterflies in my tummy? I also felt this way when I hugged him earlier. No, no, no. I can't, I repeat, I can't possibly start having a crush on Nathan. That would ruin our friendship.

He uses a finger on my jaw to turn my head towards him. When I look at him, he's smiling. "You don't need to tell me whatever it is right now, Lia. But you shouldn't keep things in. I want the best for you because since we've been friends, I've totally found my confidence back, thanks to you. I mean we've only been friends for just a week but I'm so happy I asked you that stupid bathroom question." He says, and I chuckle at the last part.

True, we've only been friends for a week. Why does it feel like longer? Why do I feel I'm having a crush on him? I can't remember the last time I had a crush on someone. What's happening to me?

He smiles after I chuckle, and his dimples appear. "Look Lia, I know you love Kiara, but I think you should let her do what she feels she wants to do. I mean, you tried to help her, but it's obvious that she has a plan of her own. I think you should just give her space and see how it plays out."

He's right. I know he is. I just want to help my friend. But he's right.

I sigh, "Thank you Nate. I'm so happy we're friends."

He smiles again, then pulls me into a hug. His hugs are so nice, they are the perfect blend of sweetness and comfort.

Our hug session is interrupted by the horn of a car. I gasp, I know that car horn anywhere. I'm about to just run away and never come back when I hear the man in the car say, "Dahlia Rosa, get away from that filthy being now!"

Oh shit, this is bad. I pull away from Nate and quickly apologize, "I'm so sorry, I'll see you tomorrow or I'll call you to-"

"Dahlia Rosa! Get in this car right now!" I hear again.

"I'm sorry, Nate." He looks both hurt and confused and I don't blame him.

I get into the car and roll my eyes. Time to get beaten again. The car even smells like weed, and so does this man.

"Dahlia Rosa, have you become such a whore that you parade around with boys even on the streets?"

I begin to get angry. "You have some nerve, Dad. Can I even call you that? How am I being a whore? You're the coward for going out every week for your drug business, getting high and sleeping with other women for fun. You're the coward who can't face responsibility and take care of mom and I, you're-"

"Shut up!" He yells, while he hits the steering wheel forcefully. "I came back because I need your mom to help me on a drug mission. I don't need your permission, but I'm just giving you a heads up." He says, then smirks like the bastard that he is.

"You will do no such thing. You promised you would never drag us into it!" I yell. I know I'm going to get him angrier and he'll beat me up at home, but I can't help it.

"I will do whatever pleases me. And you should shut up."

****

He does give me a beating when we get home. Thankfully, there are no bruises this time. He's too high to put work into the beating. I don't even care about that; the bastard took my mom. He took her. He said he's not coming back till a week, and neither is she.

She was helpless. I watched as he beat her and dragged her into his car trunk. I couldn't do anything to help her. He could easily take two of us. The only thing I'm happy about is that he'd never let her die. It would mean bad business for him. He's still a bastard.

I don't know when the tears start falling from my eyes. This has been happening for months now. My mom doesn't know how to get away from him. She wanted a divorce but my dad threatened to tell the court that she was a accomplice in his drug business.

I'm cut off from my thoughts when my phone rings. It's Nate. I don't answer. I can't talk to him this way. I feel damaged and broken. I feel nothingness. I hate my life.

I call Kiara however, because in times like this, she comes over with Nutella and Ice cream and we cry together.

She answers on the fourth ring, "Umm hey Lia, I'm kind of busy here."

"I need you to come over please, it's my dad again."

I hear her sigh. "I'm on a mission, remember? I can't leave him for you right now, he'll get suspicious okay?" She's whispering.

"Are you kidding me? I said I need help and you're thinking of the stupid mission? I do not believe-"

I hear rustling in the background, then I hear Richard say, "She's busy now. Call back later. "

Then the line dies. And so does my spirit.

****

whoops Kiara is being an idiot fr

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