It Started With Lake (Book 1)

Chapter 2: Lake

I could hear Emani arguing with someone on the phone as I tried to sleep. My eyes flew to the clock, and I groaned. Who could she possibly be talking to at this hour? And then I remembered that she was always with some jock at school. He had to be the reason she was so upset, and I didn't like it one bit.

I heard the basement door open and instantly sat up. I reached for my pocket knife and waited. My pulse was racing as I glanced at the stairs.

"Lake, it's just me," Emani whispered in that soft voice of hers. "Can we talk?"

Her soft footsteps got closer, and I put the knife away. She had a pink scarf on her head and Hello Kitty pajamas. I averted my eyes from her nipples that poked through her shirt and stared into her brown eyes. She looked sad but forced a small smile.

"What's up?" I casually asked.

She sat beside me on the couch. "I couldn't sleep. My boyfriend and I had a fight. I swear I don't understand, guys."

I'm not used to a girl talking to me this way, and I rubbed my hands on my knees. It's something I always do in stressful or weird situations. It's a nervous habit that drove my parents crazy growing up.

"You shouldn't let him pressure you," I blurted out.

Emani's face was bright red, and she didn't say anything. She looked so cute embarrassed, and I couldn't help but smile at her.

"I didn't know you heard that. Now I feel mortified." She put her face in her hands, and I moved them from her cheek. Her eyes widened, but she didn't say anything.

"It's cool, Emani. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop or nothing. I know many people our age are doing it, but it's ok to be different. When the time is right, you will know."

Emani nodded. "You're so right. It's just sometimes I feel like something is wrong with me. I've been dating him since freshman year, and I still don't have an urge to do it."

"There is nothing wrong with you," I told her. "He may not be the guy for you, and that's ok."

She fixed me with a cold stare. "Gunner isn't a bad guy. I shouldn't have said anything. Good night, Lake."

I found that hard to believe, considering every time at school, girls surrounded him. He liked the attention and didn't care if Emani saw him or not. She deserved better, but it wasn't my place to say anything. It's her life at the end of the day.

"I didn't mean to offend you. I'm sure you know him better than I do." Heat crept into her face, and she looked away.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you," she apologized, but I shook my head.

"It's fine, Emani. Anyway, thanks again for letting me crash here."

"Can I ask you a question?" Emani started to fidget with the bottom of her shirt.

I gazed into her eyes and smiled. "You can; I might not answer, though."

"Fair enough. How did you end up on the streets?" I could see pity in her eyes, and it made me angry. I turned my back on her."Lake, I didn't mean to pry. I just want to know more about you, that's all." Her voice cracking made me turn around.

"I figured. Long story short, my foster dad is a piece of shit and collects the checks, not giving me a dime. I would rather be on the street than ask him for anything." Her nose scrunched up, and I could tell she was mad.

"That's so fucked up, Lake. Why don't you report him?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Because the next foster family could be ten times worse. I've seen a lot of things and don't want to deal with that again. At least with Larry, I can do what I want."

The front door slammed shut, and I tensed up. Emani put her small hand on my arm, and I relaxed.

"It's just my mom. I better head upstairs. Good night, Lake," she said with a lopsided smile.

I smiled. "Night, E."

Later that night, loud screaming pulled me out of my sleep. I sat up, rubbing my eyes. It sounded like Emani, but I wasn't sure. I ran up the flight of stairs without a care in the world. My main focus was on making sure Emani was alright. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I let something happen to her.

I tiptoed down the hall, squinting in the darkness. The yelling was coming from the last door on the right, and I pushed it open. Emani was tossing and turning in bed. Her hair clung to her sweaty forehead, and I gently swept it to the side. She looked beautiful without all that makeup, and I couldn't help but touch her cheek. Her skin was as smooth as silk.

"E, wake up. It was just a dream," I whispered, shaking her.

"You're hurting me, stop." She was still half asleep screaming. "I will tell."

My chest tightened at her words, and I knew something terrible must have happened to her.

When Emani stopped yelling, I stood up to leave. She grabbed my wrist, pulling me back down on the bed. The moment I looked into her eyes, I longed to hold her in my arms and tell her everything would be alright.

"Lake?" She questioned, squinting her eyes at me. "Did I scream?"

"You had a nightmare. I don't think anyone heard you."

"I forgot to take my sleeping pills. The nightmares still happen," Emani mumbled, sitting up. She scanned the room. "Did my mom or sister see you?"

I shook my head. "I tiptoed."

She laughed. "I can't picture a big guy like you tiptoeing."

She had jokes. "Yeah, I was worried someone would see me."

I heard a door close, and Emani stood up, peering out into the hallway. She breathed a sigh of relief and closed the door quietly. Her face relaxed, and she sat on the edge of the bed.

"Who was it?"

"My sister. I don't think she saw you."

I nodded. "Well, I better get back downstairs."

"Wait!" She said, reaching for my arm.

"Yeah?"

"Can you stay until I fall asleep?"

I narrowed my eyes at her. "What about your mom?"

"She always takes her ZzzQuil, and it knocks her out for the rest of the night."

I hesitated. "I don't know."

"Please," she whispered, eyes begging me to stay.

I know I should leave, but the selfish part of me wants to be near her. I hate the thought of her feeling scared, and I felt like I owed her that much. More importantly, it made me feel good that she trusted me.

I made myself comfortable in the rocking chair beside her bed. She extinguished the lights, but I could feel her eyes on me. I flashed her a warm smile, and she returned it. Her eyelids closed, and so did mine. She started snoring within seconds, and I grinned.

"Good night, E."

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Hey guys! How did you like the chapter in Lake's POV? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading chapter 2❤️