The Elevator Tales

Chapter #3

Vanessa's POV:
Ugh this class is taking forever. I told Bryant that I will be home early today from class so that I can cook him his favourite meal before his football game. And I know how much he hates it when I fall back on my promises. Some people say that it is bad that my entire life revolves around Bryant, but I love it. I love feeling needed and relied on. At least that's what I always try to tell myself.

"Class, you guys have to finish reading the 4th chapter in your textbook for Wednesday and don't forget you have an essay due for next week! Please come to see me in my office hours or email me if you need help!" My teacher yells over the sound of closing binders, zipping of backpacks and moving chairs. I like, everybody in this class, is in a rush to leave.

However unlike everybody else I love being in class because that means less time at home by myself and less time with Bryant. I know that sounds awful but sometimes he can be very suffocating as he tries to make sure that my entire life revolves around him. I don't mind it, it's because he loves me so much. Though at the same time he tends to live his own life and go out all the time, he just likes me staying home so he can protect me and keep me out of trouble.

"Hey so have you told Bryant that you are going to the mall tonight?" My best friend Robyn asked.

"No i have not asked him yet." I said. I have been meaning to ask him if I could go but I was too afraid that he would say no and get angry. I hate it when he says no, but it is 100x better than how he acts when he gets angry. He always accuses me of things and can be really forceful about keeping me safe. Sometimes to the point that I need to be kept safe from him.

"What do you mean ask?? You don't have to ask him anything!! Your his girlfriend not his daughter!!" Robyn pretty much yells. I look around, in fear, to see if people heard her. I hate for people to know that I have to ask him for permission I mean Robyn is right in that sense. But at the same time I don't want people to know that I am a bad girlfriend.

"Maybe that is why you are always in a bad place with your boyfriend." I reply as we walk through the door of the classroom
and go into the hallway.

"Ugh that asshole. Don't get me started!" Robyn grunts. She and her boyfriend Cameron are in a bad place at the moment because Robyn tends to get into mischief and Cameron hates it. I can see both sides, Robyn is a firecracker and loves going on adventures while Cameron tends to live by routines and rules and hates breaking them.

They have been fighting for a while but they still are really good couple. Cameron tends to take it easy on her and treats a lot better than Bryant treats me even when we are at a good place.

"So are you really not coming?" Robyn asks me as she holds open the door of the school for me.

"I really want to but you know how Bryant can be when he doesn't get what he wants." I said through I 100% know that she does not know the limit of what he does. I hide it from her because even from the small stuff she gets extremely angry and I don't want her to hate him. But I know that if I don't do what he wants he can definitely leave a bruise or two.

"Doesn't he have a game tonight anyways?" Robyn asked while we walked to her car. Her boyfriend is also on the football team. That's how we met.

I would always go with Robyn to watch her boyfriend play and I guess I caught Bryant's attention. I mean I don't know how counting how I am just me a plain girl with curly black hair, black skin and a twig like body. I mean if I had Robyn's body I would understand counting her long twirly red hair, her curly body and her confidence. Either way he asked me out and the rest is history.

"I have to go! I mean aren't you going to?" I asked as I got into her car. I wish I had my own car but Bryant hates the idea of it.

"No my life does not revolve around that boy and he better learn that!" She says as she snaps her fingers and put her key in the engine and start up the car. She suddenly looks at me before she pulls out of the parking space.

"No no no... I know that look!" I tell her knowing that the next thing she says can and will put me in hot water with Bryant.

"I mean it's not a big thing. You could tell him that you have too much homework and that you can't go and when he leaves for the game you can come over to my place." Robyn says as she pulls out of the parking lot and onto the freeway. We live in an apartment building 10 mins away. She lives on the floor under me. It's actually a wonder that she doesn't hear what Bryant like is doing his bad time. It's also a blessing.

Tonight we are supposed to go to the mall to buy her new boots. For months, she has been talking about how much she hates her boots and wants new ones and how she needs my advice.

"No I can't to do that!" I yell almost afraid that somehow he would hear her idea even though right now he is in his own class.

"Come on! It's not a big deal and he will probably go to a party after they win. Don't you deserve to have some fun too?" Robyn said as she parked her car in their designated place and looked back at me. For once, I think she's right. I need to live a little. And he will never know, right???