TRAPPED✅

NINE

CHAPTER NINE
I dress in a baggy top and jeans. I decide to wear my hair down today. Fortunately for me, Don does not make an appearance; so to say I am happy is an understatement. I am elated. I eat breakfast conveniently and put on my locket before I head off to school.
Surprisingly, I meet Jordan on my way to class.
"Morning, Nala," he greets, and I grin from ear to ear.
"Morning, Jordan"
"I see you love the locket"
I nod in affirmation and glaze my fingertips across the necklace. He seems pleased with my answer.
"How about we skip school, and talk?" Jordan grins mischievously, and I giggle.
"Okay," I say. Who needs school anyway?
We quickly exit the school building, settling down at our secret spot. When we were still dating, we always came here anytime we wanted to skip classes. I throw my arms around him as soon as we sit.
"I know something is wrong, Nala" he whispers, returning the hug. I can't keep things from Jordan for a long time, he knows me too well.
"Jordan, Don is mean"
"What did he do to you? Did he hurt you?" he asks quickly, checking my body for marks.
"No, J, but he yells at me a lot. He complains about almost everything I do."
"So, the rumors are true" Jordan looks shocked.
"Yes, truer than you can ever imagine. I am scared, Jordan. Terribly scared"
"Don't be scared, baby. I'm here for you" Jordan moves closer to me, kisses, and pats my hair. This relaxes me as usual; a secret only Jordan and my mom know.
"It is time to go back, Jordan announces sadly, and we sneak back into school in time for lunch. When we get to the cafeteria, I can't spot my friends. Jordan offers to stay with me for lunch.
"I will be fine, Jordan. You can go"
"Okay, I am just concerned" he replies, and I dismiss him with a hug. He strolls away, and my friends arrive soon after.
"Where have you been? Didn't see you in class." Willow questions.
I explain to them that I was out with Jordan all morning. They all look pretty shocked.
"Jordan?" Sheldon whisper-yells.
"Yes, Jordan. Guys, we are cool now" They all nod.
"If you say so. Just be careful, okay?" Keiran says.
"I am being careful. Y'all should stop treating me like a child, okay?" I state, and Keiran nods.
We all eat our lunch, sharing a few giggles and failing miserably at muffling our laughter. It has been a long time since I felt this happy.
"Look what we have here." I hear Daisy's irritating voice.
"What do you want?" I ask, not in the mood for drama.
"Nothing, just stay away from my boyfriend," she says, leaning towards me, trying to look fierce.
"And if I don't?"
"And if you don't, I am going to make your life miserable" she retorts, and I can't help but smirk.
"My life is already miserable. What's the worst you can do?" I taunt her.
"Whatever," she scoffs, "just stay away from my boyfriend."
"Fine, just get your filthy body away from here" I am already disgusted by her.
"As I said, stay away, you lonely, attention-seeking bitch"
"That is it! Shut the fuck up, Daisy" Willow shoots into the conversation.
"You can't talk to my friend that way" Sheldon adds. Daisy recoils in fear and leaves with her little pod of followers trailing behind her.
I thank my friends for standing up for me, and we share a group hug. I leave the cafeteria, after bidding them goodbye. I really miss my mom. I know Don will not let me see her, and I decide to break the rules. I head for my former home. Hopefully, I'll be back before my driver arrives. I walk briskly, and I am fortunate to meet my mom at home.
"Mum!" I shout, relieved. I give her a long, tight hug, and we spend the next ten minutes hugging and saying how much we have missed each other.
"Did you run away?" my mom asks, raising an eyebrow.
"No, mum. I just came here without his permission" I confess.
She frowns disapprovingly "Nala, I told you to obey him. Why are you here?"
"Mom, I missed you, and I know he will not let me see you"
"Nala, do you want him to reject you? It is really hard to be lonely" she goes on to lecture me. "Do whatever it takes to keep him"
"I see what this is about. You are scared I'm going to be like you, aren't you?" I ask, and my sweet mom begins to shed tears.
Amidst her tears, she says, "Nala, I don't want you to live the rest of your life a lone wolf." It is really hard. I loved your father very much, and when he left me, I was scared and lonely." She continues to cry, and this breaks my heart. "Baby girl, I want you to live a better life".
"I know you are scared, Mom, but Don is a monster. He yells at me and scares me. He complains about anything I do, mom." I say, shedding tears of my own.
"I am sorry baby. I know you are sad and scared, but he has been lonely for years, and he doesn't want to lose you. That is why he is so strict and possessive."
"How sure are you, mom?" I ask, looking into her eyes.
"Very sure. Now, go back, and next time, seek his consent before you run down here, okay?"
"There will be no next time" The voice, sounding like a mixture of a growl and a howl sends shivers down my spine. As soon as I recognize it as Don's, I move closer to my mum and hug her with every fiber of my being.
"What are you doing here?" he asks.
I begin to stammer, looking for the right words.
"Answer my question," he demands, and I shudder.
"I missed my mom, and I decided to come to see her"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"How would I have told you?" I ask, and I feel my temper rising.
"Talking," he says, rolling his scary eyes.
"Captain Obvious, of course I know I am meant to talk to you about issues like this, but how do you expect me to ask you or try to talk to you when all you do is yell at me?" my mother immediately tugs at my arm, warning me to stop.
"Be respectful, Nala. He's going to be mad at us both" she whispers.
When she sees that I do not intend to apologize, she does on my behalf.
"It is fine, Miss Price. I like that she is talking. This is a first." He looks somewhat relieved.
"Thank you, sir." my mom says.
"Let's go," he commands, exiting the house. I follow suit, and we drive in silence back to the mansion.