sweet sin (the devil all the time)

2. strawberry milkshake

"Morning dar-" i walked past the dining room grabbing my jacket off the hook

"Slone" i heard my fathers chair slide across the floor

I stopped moving clenching my jaw "yes sir" i responded when i heard his footsteps coming up behind me

"Slone, darling you know i love you right?" He asked cupping my cheek

"Yes sir" i clenched my fists at my sides

"Then act like it" he smiled tightening his grip on my cheek "you have a good day now" he put an apple in my hand and let me go then turned around "and slone?"

I paused my hand on the door handle my flat half way on

"I am expecting you to pray when you get home"

"Yes sir" i opened the door and slammed it shut behind me letting out a breath leaning my head back

I started walking down the long road shivering, note to self save for a car, i clutctched the apple in my hand pulling my arm back throwing it as hard as i could into a field, a few birds flew up a few feet away from where the apple landed "sorry!" I apologized, maybe i am going insane I shook my head at the thought, definitely not the worst out come for me

i walked for a while longer completely zoned out, i was pulled back into reality when i felt the sprinkling of the rain spitting on my skin and seeing the school up the road

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"Hey i havent seen you all morning" leonora smiled linking arms with me

I smiled back giving her arm a small squeeze "how are we today gorgeous?" I asked

"Im great, is...everything okay with you?" She asked glancing at me

"Yeah, my father is just..." i scoffed trying to find the right word "well hes definitely special to say the least"

She nodded "your sure your alright?"

I nodded "dont worry about me"

"Im going to my grandmas to help her bake over the lunch hour do you wanna come?" She asked adjusting the strap of bag on her shoulder still smiling

"Im good but thank you, ill see you in math after lunch though yes?"

She nodded "of course, enjoy your lunch" she waved opening the front door

I walked into the cafeteria, for a small town this is packed, i seen one empty table and walked over sitting down plunking my bag beside me pulling my book out

"Hey new girl" i heard genes voice from behind me and cringed

Dont make a scene gene, please dont make a scene, i pleaded in my head, pleade, please, please, i turned around and he threw his milkshake in my face, well that worked "tastes good thank you" i said sarcastically

I heard him huff and slam the glass down on the table beside me, i wiped the milkshake away from my eye and put my finger in my mouth "strawberry good choice" i smiled

He glared at me "well- i-" he stuttered

"Well- you-" i met his eyes pouting my bottom lip "cat got your tongue?" I tilted my head

"Fuck off i dont have time for you" he turned around storming off, i got up walking out the backdoors in the cafeteria, milkshake kindve burns your eyes, i squinted hard sitting on the steps

---

I heard the door open "gene if you want to do anything i will scream as loud as i can"

"Here" leonoras brother held out napkins beside me

"You really dont have to help me out" i looked at him

"Your my sisters friend i kindve do" he said sarcastically

I took the napkins from his hand narrowing my eyes at him "thank you"

He nodded sitting down beside me pulling a cigarette out of his pocket "can i ask you something dont answer if you dont want too"

"Shoot" i wiped the milkshake off my cheek

"How did you stay so you know calm, i aint seen anyone able to put him with his bullshit without crying or fighting" he took a drag of his cigarette

I scoffed "milkshake smells good" i said sarcastically finishing wiping off my face

He glanced at me

I looked down and shook my head "people are dicks, somedays you care too much other days you dont care at all" i shurgged and looked over at him "please" i held up my hand

He handed me a cigarette from his pocket and i put it in between my teeth, he held up a match and i shook my head "whats the point?" He asked confused

"I like the feeling, you wouldnt happen to have a hairbrush would you?" I asked sarcastically

He raised an eye brow at me

"Go ahead lie say you dont take a long ass time to do your hair make sure its perfect" i said teasingly

"I-" he paused glaring at me "i regret giving you a cigarette now" he took a long drag blowing out smoke

I laughed quietly looking down at the napkin in my hand "Gene dinwoodie is such an ass" i looked up at the blue sky

"Thats something i can agree with, he needs to learn to leave girls alone, you aint done nothing wrong and still get bullied" he shook his head angrily looking forward

I looked at him and he looked back at me confused i moved closer to him lighting the cigarette in between my teeth using his

He turned bright red

"Your easy to make nervous" i said narrowing my eyes again

"Again i regret giving you that" he scoffed shaking his head

I smiled taking a drag "can you grab my bag when you go back in?" I asked holding the cigarette with my teeth tying my hair in a knot at the back of my head

"You got it" he stood up putting his cigarette out

"Thank you and arvin?" I looked up at him

"Hmm?"

"If you lay a finger on gene i will murder you i choose to hold my own" i said warningly throwing the soiled tissues out in the big garbage can

"Your stubborn you know that?" He narrowed his eyes at me

"I prefer proud" i rolled my eyes

---

I closed the door as quiet as i could, no one be home please, i closed my eyes tightly as my coat missed the hook i went to hang it up on

"Anna?" I heard my fathers voice from upstairs

"No sir" i sighed slipping off my flats

"Slone? Why do i smell strawberries why are you home?" He asked coming around the corner stopping when he seen me

"School" i adjusted the strap of my bag that was across my body

"Did you start the fight?" He asked coming downstairs going around me to see the extent of what had happened

"No sir"

"Did you finish it?" He stopped his circle infront of me

"Yes sir" i lied

"Go upstairs and shower then do your homework then come down to pray" he stepped aside

"Yes sir" i started walking up the steps, i asked arvin to tell leonora i went home, walking home in a sugary dress when bees are out wasnt as fun as it sounds i practically sprinted home

I tossed my bag into my bedroom and went into the bathroom in the hall slipping off my dress, my father started preaching this sunday, i am definitely not excited, fake smile at people you dont know and fake an interest in everyone

I rolled my eyes turning on the hot water, its a few hours tops, i reminded myself, i yawned grabbing a towel from the cabinet, just finish today before you start worrying about the next

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