TOUGH LOVE

THE UNDERSTANDING

I dreaded Mondays but for some reason, today I felt a bit of excitement as I got ready for school. I decided to wear long sleeve- striped shirt that suited my curves and some black skinny jeans. I parted my curls in the middle and put two black clips on the temples of my head.

"Looking good, Rider" says Tre as I sit inside his car.

"Thank you, Tre. Means a lot" I say with a genuine smile. I began to feel a wave of guilt for lying to my own cousin. I had to come clean.

"Tre" I say as Tre begins to drive out of our freeway.

"yes" he says focusing on his driving.

"I'm so sorry but I lied to you. We didn't go to a park... We went to a party. I'm so sorry. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to get mad at me. I'm so sorry, Tre"

There's a good minute of silence when I hear Tre burst out laughing.

"uhhhhh" I say confused as hell.

"Rider..." Tre starts, while trying to stop laughing.

" You are a teenage girl. You're supposed to lie. It was so obvious you were lying but I wanted to let you because that's what teens do. I would've been mad if you went alone but you know I trust you... and Jeff."

I was so surprised.

"Thank you" I say

"Why are you thanking me?" asks Tre.

"Just, Thanks" I wanted to say how grateful I am to have him but I know he knows it already.

We got to school and I made sure I was early for AP Physics. I didn't want to deal with James today.

As I walked into class, I see James sitting on top of my desk. I couldn't leave because he had already seen me.

"We have to talk" he says coming close to me.

"Do we?" I ask stepping away from him.

"Yes, now come with me" he says while he grabs my arm, making me uncomfortable. He made his way to the janitors closet, that is used mostly for make out sessions. I only know this because Lenny told me.

"Why here?" I ask annoyed.

"Because. It's important" he says with worry in his voice.

The lighting in the closet made me notice James scars. He still had a black eye, I'm guessing Daniel went hard.

"What is it then" I say impatiently.

"You hate me right?" James asks genuinely.

"What?"

"You HATE me. I mean why wouldn't you after all the shit I do to you."

"I'm sorry. I don't understand what's going on" I say confused.

"Listen, you hate me and you want me to leave you alone." James says with his eyes glued to mine.

"Is this a joke?" I ask genuinely.

"RIDER. It isn't. Just tell me that you hate me and want me to leave you alone."

I know he was starting to grow impatient with me because his voice grew louder.

"Why?" I ask.

"Fuck Rider! BECAUSE" he yelled trying to intimidate me. It was working but I wasn't going to let him see that.

"I want a reason, jerk" I fired back at him.

"Because if you don't, I'm going to find Lenardo and beat the shit out of him."

"Don't go anywhere near my friends, you asshole." I hated when anyone threatened my friends because I felt guilty and helpless.

"Then say it" James day while stepping closer to me. I moved back and hit my head against the wall. I was trapped.
He was standing so close to me, I could smell the cologne that made him smell so good. 'Jesus, Rider.Get a grip' I told myself.

"I-I hate you and I want you to leave
me alone" I say while staring at his deep green eyes. They began to get watery.
'Is he about to cry?' I thought. And with that he said

"Well if that's what you want"and then he left the closet, slamming the door.

I was so confused at what had happened but I didn't want to be late so I made my way back to my class. James wasn't in there and didn't go in for the rest of the class. I was kind of relieved but still confused.

*LUNCH TIME*

"How was everyone's weekend?" I ask as I sit in a table with Daniel, Lenny, Kathy and Tre.

Daniel and Lenny looked at each other and smirked.

"It was great" answered Kathy

"But I can't wait for this weekend!" Kathy says with energy.

"What are you doing this weekend?" I ask curiously.

"You mean what are we doing!"

"Huh?"

"Rider! We're going to look for homecoming dresses with Jody!"

"When did we plan this?"

"Rider, homecoming is in two weeks. It's obvious we're going to shop this weekend."

"I'm not going to that"

"What? Why?" says Kathy as everyone in the table turns to look at me with confusion.

"I don't want to." I say bluntly

"You have to" says Lenny

"We are all going, come on!" says Daniel. I would want to go but I would be 5th wheeling and as much as I loved my friends, I don't want to be left out.

"I don't know guys. I don't even have a date" I say

"You don't need a date but if you want one, I think Nick would take you" says Lenny with a grin on his face.

"I'm not going to force Nick to take me to some stupid high school dance"

"It isn't stupid and you're not forcing him because I'm pretty sure he would love to take you" Said Lenny.

"Any guy would be lucky to take you" said Tre.

"I'll think about it, guys" I didn't want to think about it but I also didn't want to disappoint them. After lunch my classes went by smoothly, James didn't go to our AP History class. He probably used what I said as an excuse for skipping today. I was still confused with everything that happened in the morning. I wanted to tell Daniel so maybe he can explain to me why it happened but I don't want to cause anymore drama.