Toxic paradise

Chapter 2

Soon as we pulled up in the driveway, Michael's little brother comes and greets us. "Hey Michael's girlfriend", he said hugging me. I laughed. Michael had a crush on me and I don't know if he still does but he needs to keep that on the down low. "where's Michael, D-mac", nicki likes to call him that. "He's coming." D-mac was only 7 and he was still the cutest little kid ever. Michael came walking towards us with a tank and capris on. He looked madd chill and kind of attractive. Hugging is he said," You guys can make yourselves comfortable."
"Thanks", I said taking a seat. "So what's going on with you guys."
"Nothing really. Today was the last day of school and it's not starting off so well for, Ciara", Nicole said.
"What you mean?", He asked concerned looking at me. I took off my sunglasses and scarf. "Damn. Jay did this to you?", He asked. "Yeah. We got into another altercation."
"Wow. that's messed up."
"Yeah and we need someone to take care of her so she can heal before she goes home to see her mom."
"That's cool. She could stay at my place. Did you call your mom to let her know?", He asked me. "Nah. I was hoping you would handle that."
"Yeah. I got you. Lemme get you some ice for that eye", Michael said leaving us. Nicki rubbed my back. "It's gonna be alright, cece. You got Michael and I." I looked at her sincerely. " I know. Thanks Nicki", I said hugging her. "Looks like you can't go to six-flags this weekend", she pointed out. "That's fine. Just cover for me if Ashton asks you why", I said smiling a little. She laughed. "Okay. But if your feeling better and that black eye is gone by the time Saturday comes, then you going with us whether Jay wants you to or not."
"He'll do worse to Leif I go."
"Girl, does Jay own you?"
"No but still. He will hunt me down and pay his $35 just to go get me and beat the hell out of me til I bleed. You know how he is", I said stating the facts. "Well. Let him pay his money, he ain't touching you and if he wanna make a scene, we could do that too. You know how Ashton feels about people putting hands on you. He not afraid to fight. And I've seen Ashton fight. He got hands", Nicole said. "Yeah I guess." Just then, Michael came back with a towelette. "What took you so long? You had to take a dump or somethin", Nicole joked. we all laughed. "Nah. I had to make the phone call to cece's mom", he said placing the pack of ice in the towelette on my eye and allowing me to lay my head on his chest. "Oh okay. Well I gotta get going. Ashton wants his car back. That's probably why he blowing up my phone right now", she said. "Alright. Dueces",michael said. "Thank you Nicki", I said . "No problem cece."

Next morning, I found myself on an unfamiliar bed. "Hey sleeping beauty", Michael said sitting on one side of the bed. I was confused. "Where am I", I asked sitting up. "Oww", I said holding my neck. "Take it easy, lil bit. You fell asleep on me last night after Nicole left so I let you rest on my bed."
"Aww. Thanks. Where did you sleep?", I asked concerned. "In the living room. Listen, my mom made some breakfast this morning. You hungry?"
"Yeah but my neck feels sore." Michael massaged my neck a little and I felt much better. "Your eye is healing pretty fast", he told me. "Really?", I said all happy. "Yeah. it's just your neck that's a little swollen still. Can't believe Jay did this to you. Why you allowing yourself to go through this, cece? You're a really pretty girl. And I'm not saying that cause I used to like you. Im saying it cause any dude can see that. This dude messing you up and this not the first time he's done this to you",michael explained. "I know. I want to leave leave him but I just can't. That's my life in jeopardy."
"Do you love him?"
"Of course I do but now, I'm unsure."
"Well break up with the nigga. Cece, this dude is a monster", he said "Honestly, let's be real, I rather you go out with my home boy Ashton than to be with jay."
"Why does everyone keep saying that?"
"Because it's no secret that Ashton is feelin you & you just too blind to see that."
"I am not blind", I said.
"Then give him a chance, cece. Lil dude likes you."
" I'll think about it," I said getting off the bed and going downstairs with Michael to greet his mom. "Good Morning Mr. & Mrs. Wilson", I said taking a seat next to Michael and D-mac. "Ah good morning my little sweet pea", Mrs.Wilson said. "How are you honey?", Mr.Wilson said not looking up from reading his newspaper. "I'm fine thanks for asking", I said digging in. "Honey, what happened to your neck? It's all swollen", Mrs.Wilson asked while placing some more plates of delicious food in front of me. I looked at Michael to lie for me. Nobody's a better liar than him. he keeps a straight face when he does it. unlike me. "She fell asleep on it the wrong way", he said. I smiled and mouthed "Thanks."
"Told you I got you, lil bit", he said. "Stop callin me that. I'm not little."
"Yeah ...ok."
He smiled at me and continue to eat. Mama wilson's pancakes are soo good. "You like them pancakes huh", Michael said. "yeah they're delicious."
When Michael and I got done eating, he decided to take me to a nearby park to just chill. "So you about to be a sophomore next year?", He joked. I laughed a little. "Michael, don't play with me."
"I should've said freshmen."
We both laughed. "I'm about to be a senior", I said answering his question. "That's wasup."
"So why did you bring me here?"
"They say it's good to look at the animals and nature because it helps reduce stress." I looked at him and laughed. That was so corny. We spent about 5 minutes admiring the birds and geese in the lake. I glanced at Michael and said, "I want to leave."
"Oh alright let's go."
"No I mean... I want to leave him. He's brought nothing but pain to me and I'm done. I don't want this anymore. This is not how I wanted to spend my life", I told him.
"Well cece, you don't have to go through this. You've tolerated him a lot and all he's done is treat you like crap."
My phone beeped. It was a text message from Ashton. It read 'Good Morning beautiful, can I call you?' I simply rolled my eyes and chose not to reply. "See, you're not giving him a chance", Michael said looking over my shoulders and saw the text Ashton sent me. He is so nosey for a guy. "should I?", I asked. "Listen, all I'm saying is keep ignoring Ashton, and sooner or later, my homeboy gonna quit."
Michael was right. through all my mess jay's put me through, Ashton still wants me. I gotta let Jay go for good. "Give me a minute", I told Michael. I decided to call Ashton and he picked up on the first ring. "Hey", I said. "Sup pretty lady."
"Nothing much just chillin at the park", I said pacing around the playground. "Word. How was your night?"
"Do you really care?"
"Damn bae. Why you gotta be so cold? I was just askin."
"Well, it was good."
"That's wasup."
"Yeah. So why you steady be hitting up, the text messages, calls", I asked.
"I can't hit up my girl just to see how she doing?", He laughed.
"I'm not your girl, Ashton."
"I want you to be."
I was silent at that comment. Truth was, I wanted to give him a chance but I'm still obligated to Jakeel and Jay would murder me if he found out. "You busy today?", Ashton asked breaking me out of my thoughts.
"Nah. Not really."
"Cool. you wanna go see a movie tonight? It's on me. I'll pay for the both us if money's the problem and I'll pick you up if the ride's a problem too." I giggled a little cause Ashton sounded desperate at the time when he told me that. I guess it wouldn't hurt to go out with him. I needed a break from Jay anyways. I told Ashton I'll go.
"Cool. I'll pick you up by Nicole's at 7", he said. "Why Nicole's?"
"Ya'll always together", he said. We both laughed. "Alright."
"Bet."
We both said our good byes and hung up. I came back with a smile on my face. Michael noticed. "Wasup?", He said. "Ashton asked me to go to the movies with him tonight".
"That's cool. Lets get you home."
"I can't go home now. Look at my neck."
"It's getting better. Nobody would notice. your mom won't know."
"I'm pretty sure she will and ask me like a million questions. Just drop me off at Nicki's."
"Alright. let's go."