His Name Was Damian

six

Naomi

I talked with Damian the rest of the school day.

And to be completely honesty, I didn't mind one bit.

Damian guarded himself like I was going to tell everyone in the world. I noticed how he thought about everything that he was going to say before saying it.

It's sad how he thought the whole world was against him.

He told me that he liked art, but he said that like he was ashamed of it.

Damian was the golden boy of our school always showing someone a smile or making someones' day. It never occurred to me how much pain would hide behind that smile.

He was also the star of the boys basketball team but I wouldn't know, since I've never been to a basketball game in my life.

I must've been thinking about him a little too much, since I completely forgot I was talking to Melanie.

"Hello, earth to Naomi." Melanie grunts. "Girl you've been distracted ever since we got out of school. I was asking you if you needed a ride home."

I shake my head, tying to get Damian out of it. "Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind- but yeah, could you give me a ride?"

We walk out of the school doors.

"Of course, but tell me what you have on your mind?"

"It's nothing, just a lot of school work" I lie. I don't want anyone to know about me and Damian's moment, not because I'm embarrassed, but because it felt like he was giving a piece of him away to me.

"Ah, yeah I get that."

The ride home with Melanie consisted of blasting music, eating burgers, and ranting our asses off. I didn't want it to end, but it had too.

We pulled into my driveway and melanie put an end to the music. I get out of the car and dip down to the window.

"Same time tomorrow?" I ask, hoping yes would be the answer.

She smiles, "Yes ma'am."

"Great, see you tomorrow."

"Bye." And she pulls off.

I use my keys to unlock my front door and see a note on the counter. My mom explained how she was going to be out late on a flight. She doesn't have to explain anything to me; it is her job after all.

I turn on a movie, using it as background noise while I do my homework. I must've fallen asleep because I woke up due to a noise coming from my moms room.

I grab the bat that I keep under the couch in case anyone was in the house. I round the corner and I saw my dad, trying to find something in his old drawer.

"What are you doing here." My voice coming out cold.

He turns around slowly. "I'm just here to pick up a few things, no harm no foul."

"You have some fucking nerve. Hurry up, get your shit and leave; you're good at that."

"You can't talk to me that way."

"Oh I sure can. As soon as you walked out that door you lost all rights."

He becomes angry, storming over to me in two strides. "You better watch your mouth little girl or else."

I challenge him, "Or else what? You gonna ground me? I don't think so."

He walks past me and heads toward the door.

"Did you find your shit?"

He gives me a glance before walking out into the fall weather.

I throw the baseball bat somewhere, just knowing that with the loud thud it couldn't have landed good. Huffing, I decided that I really needed to change something in my life.

And that was the damn locks.