The Way You See Me

Chapter Four

After Nick lets me get out of the car, I go straight inside my dark apartment. I liked the dark, it was quiet, safe. It must be close to 7 o'clock now, the sun is setting. I walk to the kitchen window, where I can peel outside. Nick is leaning against my car. He must be waiting for a ride from one of his perv friends. 

I go to the back door, and let Max back inside. He loves it outside; which is why he's good to stay out for the day. He has his doggy house, cold water, and plenty of shade, so he's more than content. Better than locking him inside all day. 

I praise and love up on Max. Telling him what a good boy he is. Gosh, I love this dog. He starts to sniff my clothes, and his body tenses slightly when he catches the scent of what I would assume to be Nick. Max hates him as much as I do, ever since he hit me, and Max was in the room with us. That night was awful, but since then Max hasn't let Nick in my apartment. If he tries, Max growls and tries to bite anything he can get of Nick. 

And I really do hate him- Nick, not Max, of course. I hate how much he's changed for the worst. I hate how instead of talking to me, he yells. We used to be so close. Not anymore. I always wonder if it will ever go back to the way it was. It's unlikely.

I see headlights through the kitchen window's blinds, and go back over to the window. Max trots over and looks up at me as though waiting to know if I'll get him food, since we're in the kitchen. I smile slightly as I look down at him, and sigh a bit as I shake my head, then turn my attention back to the blinds that I'm peeking out of. 

Yep, just as I predicted, Nick is getting a lift from his friend. I can't tell who it is until the car pulls up into the spot beside mine. Brandon.

Brandon is one the worst friends Nick has. He's scary. I don't like to be anywhere near him. Him and I met through Nick, of course, and it was awful. He's way too touchy, and just... Ugh. He literally looks like the man from the "Hello Neighbor" game. If you're not familiar, look it up.

Okay, maybe that's a slight exaggeration. But seriously, the only difference is that he stands at like 6 feet tall instead of hunched over and short. Like I said, he's scary. 

Once Nick gets in his car, they drive off, and I sigh, relived. I was glad he didn't make me go home with them. I knew he wouldn't come inside, thanks to Max. 

I rub my cheek a bit from where Nick slapped me. He really made it so hard for me to enjoy my life, in any way. 

I try to keep a positive mind, to push through, but no matter what, I find that he only drags me down. I would never, never  stoop as low as he's gotten, though. 

I slip out of my shoes, leaving them by the front door, locking that. I walk back into the kitchen, and stand on my tip toes, reaching on top of the fridge to grab a dog bone for Max, tossing it onto the living room floor, where he pounces on it, starting to chew on it happily. I smile.

Walking back into the kitchen, I open one of the dark brown cabinets and grab a cup. Humming slightly, I set the cup on the counter and turn to the fridge, opening it up and grabbing the jug of tea. 

Right as I'm about to pour the tea into my cup I hear someone knocking on my door, and Max's deep barking immediately follows. I cuss, having jumped and spilt the tea on the counter. Who the fuck is that? I wonder as I set the jug down and walk to the door, trying to shush Max, but to no avail.

I stand on my tip toes to see through the peephole, and see Dominic. The fuck is he doing here?  I think to myself. How did he even know where I live? I open the door slightly, but no more than an inch, as Max is still barking and I yell for him to shush. He sits, looking at me and then locks eyes with the door, daring anyone to come through it without my allowance.