"Where did you go after the party? I couldn't find you." Selena asked as all three of us sat down at the lunch table.
"Home." I replied. "Where else would I go?"
"Somewhere to get it on with Justin." She winked.
I let out a fake laugh. "No."
Miley looked at me confused. "Who?"
"This new kid, Justin Bieber." I informed. "You miss a lot when you're late to school everyday, Miley."
She rolled her eyes. "I have places to be and people to see. I ain't got time for school."
"And where do you have to be at eight o' clock in the morning?" Selena asked.
"Sore in my bed." We all laughed. "Is he hot?"
"Yes!" Selena exclaimed and looked around. "That's him." She pointed to Justin walking over to an empty table.
I smacked Selena's arm down. "Don't point, idiot."
"See his perfect jawline." Selena started. "His hazel eyes match his brown soft-looking hair." Selena smiled from ear to ear. "His perfect face structur-I CALL DIBS-"
"Girl!" Miley cut her off. "Calm your vagina."
"He's all yours, Sel." I said laughing. "I promise."
Nick, Miley's boyfriend, swept over to us. "Hello, ladies." He said in his deep voice.
"Hi, baby." Miley said putting her attention on Nicholas before giving him a peck. Selena and I looked at each other awkwardly.
"Nick, go talk to him." I said, pointing to Justin on the other side of the cafeteria.
"The new kid?" He asked.
I nodded my head. "Make new friends." Just like that, he was was gone.
Selena laughed. "Just like that." She snapped her fingers.
"You guys are pathetic." Miley said.
"Hey, we agreed lunch time was our time. No boyfriends." I laughed and focused my attention on Nick and Justin who were sitting down across from each other. They both seemed to be laughing which was good. Nick got up and led Justin to where Nick was originally seated with his friends.
"Aww! Look who got their boyfriend a friend." Miley bogusly adored.
"We're just friends, I swear, and he's all Selena's." I said.
"Jemi? Dustin?" Miley said trying to combine both of our names together. "Justemi!" She shouted as I buried my face into my hands.
I looked up. "I have a boyfriend, guys." I reminded.
"For now, but soon you'll be dating that weight-lifter." Said Miley taking a bite from her chip. "What happened to your face?" She pointed out.
I touched the fresh scab on my forehead remembering what had happened last night. "I fell and hit a wall." I said which was technically correct. She slowly nodded her head and gave me a we'll-talk-about-this-later look. "Anyway, can someone give me a ride home today?" I asked knowing Terrence was my only ride home since I didn't have a car, which was a bummer.
"I have to baby-sit." Selena informed.
"I got you, girl." Miley said.
•❤•
I heard someone say my name as I left Creative Writing with Selena before the bell rang, but it must've been my head playing jokes on me.
"Demi!" I heard it again. I turned around staring at Justin who was walking towards me.
"I'll catch you later." Selena said before walking away and laughing. I rolled my eyes.
"Hey." I said to Justin.
"Do you-" He hesitated and nervously ran his fingers through his hair. "Can I take you out?" He asked with a small smile planted on his face. Getting his number was already too risky. Who knows what kind if trouble I could get him in with Terrence. Terrence wasn't just abusive. He was also the jealous type, which made everything even worse. It was as if I couldn't talk to any boys and if I did I was used as a punching bag. Plus, Selena already called dibs.
"I can't." His smile disappeared and his eyes filled with shock. "I'm sorry." It doesn't feel good to break down someone's confidence. Trust me, I know what it feels like. "Friends." I shot him a small smile hoping he wouldn't be too sad. "Please?" I begged.
"Yeah, sure." He said, almost stuttering. I gave him a swift hug and we parted ways.
I turned around and jumped in fright at the sight on Terrence in front of me.
"Don't scare me like that!" I exclaimed.
"Who was that?" He asked.
"No one." I replied. Shouldn't have said that. In an instant, he pushed me up against the lockers right when the bell rang. People surged in and out of classrooms.
"You fucking slut." Terrence said.
"Yo! Let her go!" I heard Justin shout. He pushed Terrence away from me. Terrence looked at me with revenge and I knew I'd regret the next time I see his face. He brushed himself off and walked away. Justin looked at me. "Who was that?" He asked.
"No one." I responded.
"Oh." He said.
•❤•
Miley turned down the volume of the radio in the car as we sat in silence right outside my house. I opened the door to her red Honda Civic.
"Get back in here." She ordered. "What happened to your head?" I closed the door and looked back at her. "I know you didn't run into a wall, Demi. You're not that stupid." Miley had two sides to her. She can be wild, crazy, and a maniac at times, but she truly cares about people. "You can tell me anything." She pressured. I've told Miley all my secrets if that doesn't include Terrence's fists making contact with my body. I love her and Selena dearly, but I guess I didn't want them to worry about me. "Was it Terrence?" She asked as if she could read my mind. How the hell did she know? I slightly nodded my head scared of what she might say. She looked at me with disbelief, yet with assumption. "I knew it."
"You did?" I said, shockingly.
"It was just the way he looked at you. I knew something was up." She said. "He's not gonna hurt you again. That's a fact for sure."
"No, please don't." I pleaded, frightened of what she might do. "You might just make things worse."
"Not if I kill him." She said, seriously. My jaw dropped. "I'm joking!" She smiled.
I let out a breath of relief. "Whatever you do," I opened the door again and got out. "don't tell Selena. I don't want her to be concerned."
