Dakota

Friends

Dakota

I'm snapped out of my thoughts by Gracie walking in with a look that breaks my heart. But I try to stay enthusiastic. "How'd it go?" I chirp, getting off the top bunk.

She looks at me, eyes watery. "I told him how I felt"

"Yeah?" I look down at her short self as I'm six three and she's gotta be around five five. "What happened?"

"He didn't care" she bursts out crying and my eyes widen. "All he said was 'Dang' and asked if we can fuck" she cries harder.

"Oh that MOTHER FUCKER!" I fill with pure rage. "I'LL GO S-"

"Please don't do anything! He just doesn't feel the same way" she cries.

I look at her in disgust. "He lead you on!! Because he wanted to have SEX WITH YOU!" I snap and she sobs. "I'm sorry" I sigh and hold her little hand. "I'm really fucking sorry. I know we just started talking yesterday, but I know you don't deserve that. He doesn't deserve you. He's a douche. Such a douche"

"Please... don't do anything" she wipes her tears and I nod with a smile.

"I won't" I lie.

"I-I just wanna go to bed" she shakes and I frown.

I don't wanna leave her... even though I'm right above her, I need to be next to her... holding her.

"Do you... want me to stay with you on your bunk?" I nervously ask.

She looks at me. "I- no thank you" she frowns and I sigh, nodding and turning off the light.

"Okay" I hop onto my bunk and stay awake since I can hear her crying.

I'm not gonna fall asleep until I know she's okay.

Until I know she's sleeping.

Minutes pass and she's still crying.

"Dakota?" she whispers as if I'm asleep.

"Yeah?" I ask, softly.

"I know I said no, but, could you stay with me?" I can hear her sadness.

"Of course" I get off my bunk and follow the night light. "Are you okay?" I get in the bed with her.

She scoots over. "Honestly? No. I really liked him, Dakota... and it was all a game"

"I know... I've seen the way you've looked at him all these years. It just pisses me off he did that. No, I'm fucking livid! He took advantage of you! Used you! Something you don't deserve. I wish you would've kicked him in the balls" I smack my forehead and I hear her laugh, making me smile.

"I wish I did too" she sighs and I can hear the tiredness in her voice.

"Go to sleep, Grace. I'm right here and I'm not leaving your side" I say softly.

"Goodnight..." she trails off.

I turn around and wait for her to go to sleep.

I don't go to sleep until she does, no matter how tired I am.

**

"NO!" I shout at the top of my lungs, punching the window, shattering it and getting it all in my bloody knuckles. "FUCK!"

"DAKOTA!" Gracie gasps and everyone runs in.

"WHAT HAPPENED?!" Axel shouts.

"DUDE YOU SCARED ME!" Alex catches his breath.

I struggle to breathe, standing up and stressfully running my fingers through my hair. "FUCK!"

"What happened?!" mom freaks out as she always does.