Chapter 11: All in Your Head

Bethonia’s P.O.V.

“Beth! Come eat breakfast with your family for once,” my mother pleaded as I rushed to get my shoes on.

“I don’t have time. Nic is going to be here soon to pick me up for practice,” I said fast as I grabbed a breakfast bar and a jacket.

“Is that another tattoo?” She grew mad.

“Oooh Beth got another tattoo without mom’s permission,” my little brother, Brandon, stuck his tongue out. I slapped the back of his head as my mom went on about how much of a disgrace I am to this family. 

“I will not allow you to ruin your beautiful skin with such god awful drawings,” she shook her head at me.

“My body, my choice,” I rolled my eyes as I walked through the door.

“We’re not done here Bethonia!” She followed me outside.

“I’m done,” I got into the car and we pulled off.

“What was that all about?” Nicki asked as pulled on my seatbelt.

“She found out about another tattoo,” I mumbled.

“Damn Nia, your mom is always on your back about something,” Nae laughed.

“She just won’t accept the fact that I’m not the daughter she wants me to be. She won’t even call me Nia. She always has to call me Beth, claiming that Beth is a white name and Nia is not,” I grumbled as I opened my breakfast bar. We all busted out laughing at my comment and continued our way to the gym.

Nicki’s P.O.V.

I instantly became confused when we walked into the gym. Drake, Shad, nor Coach Chimere were in sight so we just sat down. “Why does she bother to get on your nerves?” Nae asked as Cassie and her little crew looked over at us.

“Because she’s childish,” I shrugged them off but Cassie stood up and walked over to us. I instantly stood up as both of our crews followed. “What?” I snapped as I crossed my arms.

“You really need to work on your anger issues but I’ll let it slide for now. I just thought you might want to know that I know exactly what you don’t want people to know. I suggest you be more careful Nika, or else someone might not be as nice as me and does something much worse,” she smirked and walked back over to her side of the gym. My face instantly went stone as her words sunk in. She knows!? I was so shocked that I even let the fact that she called me Nika slide. Anger shot through my body as I jumped down from the bleachers and walked quickly over to her.

“Nicki, think about what you’re doing!” I heard Blake yell from behind me but I blocked everything out as I gripped her shoulder and turned her around.

“That’s the last straw!” I snapped but as I was about to jump on her, I felt Nae and Carmel holding me back.

“Try me bitch!” Cassie yelled and tried to get me but was held back by CeeJay and Hale. We were shouting at each other as everyone crowed around us.

“YOU’VE ALWAYS BEEN JEALOUS OF ME BUT CHECK THIS! NEXT TIME YOU TRY TO PULL SOME SHIT LIKE THIS THEN I WILL PERSONALLY BRING ALL YOUR SHIT UP FROM THE PAST!” I threatened her.

“YOU DON’T HAVE SHIT I WOULD BE JEALOUS OF! I KNOW YOUR SHIT FROM THE PAST TOO! I’M NOT AFRIAD TO BRING THAT SHIT UP AND YOU KNOW I WILL SO CHECK THAT BITCH!” She snapped.

“Hey, break it up you two!” I heard Drake yell as Shad stepped in between us.

“You go and sit your ass in Shad’s office and you go sit your ass in my office!” Drake yelled at us. Everyone else looked around confused. “Everyone else go give me twenty laps around the field. Coach Chimere’s in charge and if any of you try any shit then you’re off the team!” His face was turning red and to say I was scared would be considered as an understatement. I’ve never seen him this mad ever. “Come on!” He snapped at me and literally pulled me to his office.

Shad’s P.O.V.

I slammed the door as Cassie stood in the middle of my office. “Sit your ass down!” I yelled through the office. She quickly sat down as I paced in front of her. “I swear I don’t get you sometimes! Why would you piss her off and finally make her snap at you!? Do you know how fucking dumb that was!? You’re not clueless Casandra!” I stopped pacing and looked at her. She was crying as I stared at her. I’ve known Cassie for years and I’ve only seen her cry once. I let out a breath and mentally cursed at myself. “Cassie,” I sighed.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. Please don’t hit me,” she started to cry harder. All the anger I had at her instantly vanished as I let her words sink in.

“Come here,” I called out to her as she got up from her seat with caution. “You know I’m not going to hurt you Cass,” I said softly as she walked over to me. I pulled her to me as she cried. “I’m sorry for yelling. You know I’m not like him Cassie. I would never lay a finger on you. I would kill myself before I let that happen,” I whispered to her as I rubbed her back.

“I know,” she held onto me tighter. I ran my hand down her hair as I looked up at the ceiling. I should have known that yelling at her like this would scare her. I’m not trying to make her live through her past over again.

“I’m sorry,” I pecked her forehead. I cupped her face and made her look at me. “I will never hurt you,” I made sure she understood me. She nodded as I sighed again. “I love you too much to ever do that,” I caressed her cheek. She looked from my eyes to my lips and closed the little gap in between us. She kissed me softly, almost as if she was afraid. I used this moment to show her everything I felt for her. I kissed her passionately as my arms circled her waist. She pulled back slowly and bit her lip. I stared at her as she seemed to have a mental conversation with herself.

“I love you too,” she admitted softly.

Drake’s P.O.V.

I pulled her into my office and slammed the door, making sure I locked it. I backed her into a corner and placed my hands on the wall so she had no place to escape. “What the hell was that?” I asked quietly but my voice full of anger.

“She came at me and I snapped,” she said softly.

“What did she say that made you snap like that?” I looked into her eyes as my anger vanished instantly.

“I think she knows about us,” she looked scared. I sighed and rested my forehead against hers.

“No matter what happens, I’m not going anywhere,” I promised her.

“I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me, Aubrey,” she had tears in her eyes.

“I would go through hell and back for you Onika,” I admitted and my heart started to beat faster.

“Why?” She looked up at me. She knows why but I guess she wants me to say it.

“You know why but I’ll say it if you want me to,” I said.

“Say it,” she tempted me.

“I love you,” I pecked her lips softly. She looked as if she couldn’t believe those words flew out of my mouth.

“You do?” She put her hand over her mouth. I chuckled slightly and pulled her close.

“Of course I do. You don’t have to say it back. I want you to say it when you’re ready,” I removed her hand from her mouth and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me back. We both seemed to be caught up in the moment.  I picked her up and pushed her against the wall. She wrapped her legs around me as I kissed at her neck. I slowly slipped my hand under her sweats. I locked eyes with her when I slipped my hand under her thong. “You gonna stay quiet?” I asked as I started to slowly massage her. She nodded as she pulled me back to her and we were caught in another passionate kiss.

Blake’s P.O.V.

“So how many bikinis are you bringing with you on the trip for the competition?” Nae asked me as we waited in the car for Nicki. We knew her and Coach Graham would be a while.

“How about none,” I mumbled. It’s not like I didn’t wear bikinis, I just don’t wear them around her.

“Why not Blakey?” she exaggerated the y.

“You know I don’t wear bikinis,” I huffed because I had a feeling that I wouldn’t win this argument.

“I don’t know why. It’s not like you don’t have the body for one,” she locked eyes with me. I quickly looked away feeling my face heat up.

“I’m just not comfortable in them,” I said and it’s not a total lie. I’m comfortable in bikinis; I’m just not comfortable in them around her. She makes me nervous. She climbed from the back and sat on my lap. “W-What are you doing?” I cursed myself for stuttering.

“Please Blakey? What do I have to do to make you wear a bikini with me?” She asked.

“How about get off of me,” I tried to push her off but she just laughed.

“You know you like it,” she wiggled a bit in my lap.

“How about you come somewhere with me out there,” I suggested.

“Will I know where it is ahead of time?” She questioned.

“Nope,” I smirked.

“Alright and you will wear a bikini right?” She batted her eyes.

“Fine,” I sighed.

“Thank you!” She kissed my cheek and then went back to her seat. I prayed she didn’t see me blush when she kissed me. I need to get over these feelings and fast. I guess wearing a bikini around her wouldn’t be so bad considering I had eighteen of them.

No One’s P.O.V.

Mylan sat on her bed and colored in her coloring book. There was a knock on her door that caused her to look up. She saw Nicki and smiled. “Hi mommy,” she jumped out of her bed and hugged her.

“Hi baby,” Nicki picked her up and went to sit on her bed.

“How was your day?” Nicki asked as she brushed down My’s hair.

“It was fun!” Mylan exclaimed and went off talking about her day.

“Mommy has to go away for a few days,” Nicki tried to explain.

“No! Don’t leave me,” she wrapped her arms around Nicki and begged her to stay. Nicki knew My had abandonment issues considering her past. She knew she had to go to the competition but she also knew she couldn’t leave My.

“Okay, I won’t leave,” she kissed her forehead to calm her down. She knew she had to talk to Drake.

Chapter 10: Love Shows Through The Pain

Shad’s P.O.V.

I looked at Cassie as she stood in the middle of my office. She refused to sit down so I guess I just have to get what I have to say it fast. “Look Cassie, I miss you and all the good times we’ve had together. Believe it or not, you were my best friend. I don’t have many people who stay around and put up with my bullshit but you did. When I found out you had a crush on me, I kind of flipped out. I didn’t want our friendship to be ruined and lose you forever,” I sighed as I looked at her.

“I don’t get why you flipped out. It was a crush. It wasn’t like I was in love with you,” she snapped after staying quiet for a while.

“But I’m in love with you,” I didn’t even have to look at her to know she would be speechless. After having sex with Meyshia, I realized I was just trying to find someone to replace Cassie. All the hook ups and dates I’ve been on this past year have been all because of her. I acted like a kid before but I’m manning up now. I finally had the nerve to glance in her direction and she opened her mouth to say something.

“Shad, Coach Graham said that he needs to talk to you in his office. Something about tomorrow’s practice,” Nicki said when she walked in.

“Okay,” I gave her a small smile before she left.

“That’s my queue,” Cassie quickly left out after Nicki but I knew we would finish this conversation tomorrow.

Nicki’s P.O.V.

I pecked Drake’s lips before I left to go home. It felt good to get my past off of my chest. I never told anyone about that night. Nae only knows because she was at the party when it happened. Even though I didn’t tell him the entire truth, it was nice to tell him some of it. I was really falling for him. He’s better than all of my exes and the fact that he’s trying to be nicer in the gym really shows me that he’s trying. I started the car up to drive home with Blake. “What did Cassie want?” I asked her as we pulled out of the parking lot.

“She just wanted to say thanks for helping her stay on the team,” she shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal to her.

“Oh, okay,” I let it go as we finally pulled up to the house. Mylan came rushing out as soon as I turned the car off. “What are you doing My?” I asked as I picked her up.

“I missed you,” she mumbled as she hugged me.

“I missed you too baby,” I kissed her forehead and brought her into the house.

~~~

Later that night Blake was sitting on my bed as I rubbed My’s hair. She was knocked out in my lap. “Don’t you ever worry about her?” She asked me.

“Worry how?” I titled my head.

“Like worry about her future and how she’s going to feel growing up without a mom and a dad?” She elaborated.

“I do and it’s really hard on me sometimes. I don’t want her to feel as if she has to be excluded from things because she doesn’t have her mom anymore and her dad isn’t in her life,” I explained.

“Well you seem to be doing a great job,” she rubbed My’s back as I picked her up.

“I’m going put her to bed,” I told her as I brought Mylan to her room. I placed her in her bed and pulled the covers up. She woke up slightly and looked at me. “Goodnight My,” I said before bending down to kiss her forehead.

“Goodnight mommy,” she leaned up and hugged me before lying back down and asleep. I got up and closed her door. I closed my eyes as I finally let my tears fall while thinking about how I could do this. I missed my mom so much and everyone always said I treated Mylan like my own daughter but to hear her call me that is just overwhelming.

Cassie’s P.O.V.

I came to practice early today so I could tell off Shad. I’ve practice what I had to say all night. I didn’t even knock when I walked into his office. He looked up from his magazine and smiled. “Cassie,” he said as he stood up.

“I only came here because yesterday I listened to what you had to say so today you will listen to what I have to say,” I said getting straight to the point.

“Fair enough,” he sighed as he stood in front of me.

“I haven’t told you some things that you have a right to know. I’ve a crush on you since you moved next door to me when I was twelve. You were an older guy so naturally I liked you. When were started becoming friends, I fell for you even harder. It hurt me how you reacted when you found out but I’ve moved on from that. At some point I swore to myself that I was in love with you but I’m no-,” I tried to continue but he grabbed my waist and pulled me to him. He crashed his lips to mine and kissed me passionately. I lost a mental battle with myself and kissed him back as I wrapped my arms around his neck. When he tried to slip his tongue inside of my mouth, I pulled away. I stepped out of the embrace and took a minute to collect myself. Tears stung my eyes but I refused to let them fall. I haven’t cried since a tragic experience happened years ago. I hated that he made me so emotional.

“I’ve wanted you to kiss me like that for years,” I admitted.

“Then what’s the problem?” He asked.

“The problem is that it’s too many years too late. I’m not in love with you anymore Shad,” I refused to look him in his eyes.

“Oh,” he sounded hurt but I just walked out of his office. I left him in the same way he left me many times before. Don’t look back Cassie.

Drake’s P.O.V.

I made the girls do conditioning all practice because it looked as if Nicki and Cassie were both distracted. “What’s wrong with them today?” Mere asked but I could only shrug. I wanted to ask Nicki what was wrong but I couldn’t in the middle of practice. After practice I nodded towards my office and saw her following me. After I closed and locked the door, I pulled her close to me.

“What’s wrong?” I asked as she wrapped her arms around me. She tried to speak but tears raced down her face and she started crying. “Shh,” I kissed her forehead and tried to calm her down. “Baby I can’t help if you don’t tell me what’s wrong,” I told her as she finally calmed down.

“Yesterday I was putting Mylan to sleep and she called me mommy,” she said and then started crying again. I was shocked to say the least.

“How do you feel about that?” I rubbed her back as she pulled herself together.

“I have mixed emotions about the situation. I mean no one could ever replace my mom but is it bad that I liked it?” She pulled away slightly to look at me.

“It’s natural to like it and it was bound to happen. You treat her as if she’s your daughter already,” I wiped some of her tears away.

“But I just don’t want to disappoint her. What if I’m not good enough?” She looked almost frightened.

“Trust me you will,” I pecked her lips softly.

“But then as she gets older she’ll start wondering who’s her dad and then she’ll learn everything and hate me,” she ranted on.

“You’re doing what you think is best for her. She’ll understand,” I assured her.

“Thank you,” she said softly before standing on her tiptoes and kissing me. I held her close as we got lost in the moment.

Nicki’s P.O.V.

“I have to go,” I sighed as Drake released me from our hug. He bent down and pecked my lips softly before smiling at me. “I’ll call you later,” I promised before walking out of his office.

“That took a while,” Blake said as I got in the car.

“Shut up,” I playfully rolled my eyes.

“So you know we have our first competition coming up. I’m so nervous but excited,” she bounced in her seat slightly.

“It’s gonna be so hard considering we still have more girls that are going to get cut. I would hate to participate in some of the competitions only to be cut before the state championships,” I scrunched up my eyebrows. That would be the worse feeling ever, to know that you where so close only to not make the final cuts.

“Where is the competition coming up going to be?” Nae asked from the backseat.

“Um I think it’s in Florida,” Blake answered as she fixed her hair in the mirror.

“Why are you fixing your hair? Like you have someone to look good for,” I joked as she lightly pushed my arm.

“I felt like my hair was sticking up,” she said as I pulled up to my house. We all got out and went inside.

“You guys can head to the living room, I need to talk to My for a minute,” I told them as I climbed the stairs to My’s room. I opened the door to see her peacefully sleeping. I smiled slightly and sat on her bed. I gently stroked her hair as she begun to stir. When she saw me, she instantly popped up from her bed. “Glad to see you’re excited to see me,” I laughed as she jumped in my lap to hug me.

“I missed you,” she mumbled as I held her closely.

“I missed you too baby,” I kissed her forehead as I thought about what I needed to say. “My, you know how mommy went to heaven years ago right?” I asked her as she nodded. “And you know how daddy isn’t here at the moment right?” I looked at her as she shook her head once again.

“Can you be my mommy? Everyone has a mommy and my mommy went to heaven. You act like my mommy,” she looked up at me with her big brown eyes.

“Only if you want me to be,” I tried to hold in my tears as she smiled.

“Of course I want you to be,” she giggled excitedly and hugged me again. There is nothing in this world that I would trade for this moment right now.

Chapter 9: Facing the Facts

CeeJay’s P.O.V.

I walked up in the gym and immediately regretted it. Now this fool better not be doing what I think he is. I looked at the place my crew usually sits but I only saw Cassie. “Cass, what’s going on?” I asked her as we looked around the gym.

“I don’t know. He told the rest of the girls to stand over there,” she shrugged. I’m really getting annoyed of Coach Graham.

“He so did not!” I heard Nicki laughed extremely loud while talking to Nae.

“I think he did!” Cassie yelled and Nicki flicked her off.

“I swear you like getting on Nicki’s nerves,” I laughed at Cassie.

“Hell yeah I do. It gives me something to do,” she shrugged.

“What ever happened between y’all? Didn’t you guys use to be best friends?” I asked. It seems like every time I ask this question, she shuts me down.

“We were never friends,” she shut me down once again. I’m gonna find out what more happened between them cause believe it or not, Cassie isn’t mean to people. She’s only mean to Nicki and now Meyshia for obvious reasons. I knew the basic reasons why they aren’t friends but she never went in dept.

Drake’s P.O.V.

I knew the girls were going to kill me for what I was about to do today. Nicki was trying to get me to tell her but I had to make today fair. Plus I think she’s going to hate me after this but she’ll get over it. “Good morning girls,” I smiled at them. They all scrunched up their face from how nice I was being. I looked over at Nicki and winked. I told her I would try to be nicer.

“I bet you all are wondering why we have a bunch of weight lifting material around the gym,” Shad said as they all said yes.

“Today we paired you up with a partner and you guys are going to be lifting weights the entire time. We paired you up with who you are most like. Dancing is so much more than just dancing. In order to dance on this team, you have to be a team. In order to be a team, you have to trust each other and we’re starting on that today,” Mere explained. I locked eyes with Nicki and she gave me a knowing look. I knew she would catch on soon enough.

“Okay so we have Maxine and Carlynda, Zhaleh and Carmelina, Blakelynn and Jaznae, Onika and Cassandra, Bethonia and Cenedra. . ,” Shad read off name after name. When I looked up, I noticed Nicki shooting me a death glare.

“Okay so go to your assigned place in the gym and just sit there until we come over and teach you how to work the machine,” Mere said as they all scattered off.

“You know Nicki and Cassie might kill each other right?” Shad looked at me. He thought I was crazy for putting them together but maybe doing this will help them see past whatever issues they have with each other and move on.

“I know,” I shook my head as I walked over to them.

Nicki’s P.O.V.

I hated him for doing his. I knew he was hiding something but something like this? I glanced over at Cassie who sat down with a huff. Drake walked over to us and looked nervous. “So I bet you two know why I put you together,” he chuckled.

“What makes you think she’s anywhere near my level?” Cassie rolled her eyes.

“Bitch you wish you could get on my level,” I snapped.

“For the circumstance of this situation, I will let that curse word slide but don’t let it happen again,” he looked at me.

“Of course Coach Graham,” I blinked a couple times and tried to look innocent. He licked his lips unknowingly and eyed me up and down. Good thing Cassie was looking off the other way because he was practically eye raping me. “Aubrey!” I hissed in a whisper so Cassie wouldn’t hear. He snapped out of his trance and chuckled. I playfully rolled my eyes as Cassie looked back at us.

“What are we doing here?” She asked him.

“Well one of you is going to lay on the bench while the other one will be holding up the weight bar. You will have to support her the entire way. Neither of you should let go of this bar,” he looked in between us.

“Yeah, she’s definitely going to be the one lying down because I don’t trust her,” she looked at me in disgust.

“And you think I trust you?” I looked at her like she was crazy.

“Maybe this was a bad idea,” Drake mumbled.

“You think!?” We both snapped at him.

“Just don’t hurt each other or you will be immediately off the team,” he threatened before walking away. I laid down first because I knew she was going to be stubborn about it.

“If you drop this one me, I will personally kill you,” I snapped my eyes to her.

“Now why would I want to do that?” She smiled sarcastically as she got behind me to hold the weight. She held it down to me and I latched on as she supported me throughout the way. I was personally shocked because I would have thought she would have dropped it by now.

“Thanks I guess,” I mumbled as we switched places.

“Whatever,” she dismissed me and we lifted the weight in silence.

Cassie’s P.O.V.

I was glad she decided to shut up because she was really getting on my nerves. I know I said I didn’t trust her but I trust her at least with this. I personally know she wouldn’t hurt me this way. She would hurt me mentally and sometimes physically but not damaging me. I was relieved when Coach Graham blew his whistle and told us to huddle up.

“Great practice today girls. Chaslyn can you meet me in my office after practice. We’ll see the rest of you tomorrow,” he dismissed us and Chaslyn followed him to his office. I guess she was getting cut. I told my girls that I’ll meet them by my car and started walking over to Nicki. She was about to say something to me but I held up my hand.

“I’m not here to talk to you fake ass Barbie,” I shut her down.

“Who you calling a-,” she started but I cut her off.

“I don’t have time for this. I need to have a moment alone with Blake,” I shooed her away.

 “Anything you have to say to my cousin, you can say to me,” she stood her ground. I looked at Blake who hadn’t uttered a word.

“Nicki, it’s cool,” she assured her. Nicki nodded and walked off with Nae.

“I just wanted to say thanks for getting me back on the team. Not many people would have done that for me and you barely know me so it means a lot,” I said sincerely. She smiled as she listen to me talk.

“It’s cool. I’m just that type of person who can’t let one of the best dancers walk out like that. I want to be on the best dance team that this school can have and in order to do that, we need the best dancers that this school has,” she explained.

“Well thanks again and even though Nicki and I aren’t cool doesn’t mean we can’t be,” I smiled at her.

“Thanks Cassie,” she returned the smile before walking off to Nicki. I grabbed my dance bag and was about to walk out when I felt a grip on my elbow.

“Lemme talk to you for a minute,” his voice filled my ear.  I turned around and looked at Shad. I was so over talking to him.

“No Shad you can’t. I’m very busy and I actually have places I need to be,” I lied and tried to walk off but he pulled on my elbow again.

“Come on Cass, just give me five minutes,” he pleaded. I weighed out my options and thought if I hear him out, I could finally tell him to leave me alone for good.

“You have four,” I sighed as we walked to his office.

Drake’s P.O.V.

“I’m sorry,” I said to Chaslyn as she walked out the door. We had to cut someone and it just got harder every time. There was a knock on the door a few moments later. I smirked as I told her to come in. Nicki dropped her dance bag on the door and locked it. I leaned back as she came and sat on my lap.

“I should hate you right now,” she pouted.

“But you don’t” I mumbled as I kissed on her neck.

“You paired me with the one person I have issues with,” she sighed and I pulled away from her neck.

“Why don’t you like her? She seems really nice,” I looked at her. She shifted her eyes and opened her mouth to say something but then closed it. It seems like she was thinking of a lie to tell.

“She is, she’s nice to everyone but me,” she finally replied. I could tell she didn’t want to speak on the subject anymore so I decided to change it.

“My birthday is coming up,” I smiled at her.

“Really? I would not have known considering that you told me a million times last week,” she giggled. I pulled her so that she was straddling me.

“Well you gotta give me something good,” I kissed on her neck again.

“Mmm, what do you want?” She closed her eyes and let my lips relax her.

“You,” I whispered in her ear and I felt her shudder under me. I pulled back so I could look at her and she finally opened her eyes. We stared at each other for a while as my hands rubbed up and down her thighs. I thought she was going to get nervous and stop talking but she surprised me by slowly grinding against me. My hands found their way to her waist as she leaned in by my ear.

“How do you want me?” She said with her voice full of lust. It just crossed my mind that I never asked her if she was a virgin. I mean when she’s dancing, she appears to be a virgin but when she’s with me, her actions show that she’s not.

“I have a question,” I pulled her back so she could look at me.

“Shoot,” she smiled as she leaned back a bit and fully sat up straight.

“Are you a virgin?” I felt her immediately tense up and her eyes shifted away from me. I could tell that she was experiencing a million of emotions at once from that simple question. “You don’t have to tell me,” I told her as she looked at me again.

“No, I think you have a right to know. My last boyfriend was my everything for the longest time and I wanted to give him my virginity. I was planning to give it to him one night but I caught him cheating on me. We started to argue and he tried to rape me but when he hit me, he knocked me out so I guess he gave up. I woke up and found him screwing some girl in front of me but he had taped me up so I couldn’t move. It was the worst experience of my life. Some guy broke the door down and beat him up but I was so in shock that I didn’t even notice. Yes he tried to rape me but no he didn’t. So yes I am a virgin,” she explained and I immediately wanted to kill the guy that did that to her.

“I want to kill him,” I mumbled but she rubbed the sides of my face making me relax.

“Doesn’t matter. It’s over and I’m here with you,” she whispered before kissing me. I kissed her back as I pulled her even closer. Learning everything that she’s been through has made me see her in a new light. She’s even stronger than I thought and it just made me fall for her even more. It seemed like at that moment, all the air was knocked out of me as we pulled away. I rubbed my thumb across her cheek and she smiled making my thumb sink into her dimple. I think I love her.