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Chapter 29: Building Tension
Its been a few days since the argument with Happy. It was different somehow, we hardly talked having no words to say between us. He was still a bit upset with James being my boyfriend and I was still annoyed Katherine was around. I kept my distance from Happy when he had Katherine around. I didn't want to be in the same room as that woman. It was obvious I disliked her, I didn't bother hiding it. Of course, Happy always gave me the look that said 'behave'. I waved it off. I was never going be behave with her.
It was morning time so I headed to the kitchen for a quick bowl of cereal. James and I were going to the park with my friends. I had to break the news to Alana there that we were together. I was going to have trouble.
I grabbed the Frosted Flakes from on top of the 'fridge and the milk from inside. I opened one of the cabinets and pulled out a red bowl. I slammed the door shut like usual. "Could you not slam the cabinets." I jerked, nearly dropping everything in my hand at the sound of Katherine's soft voice. I sat at the table, ignoring the woman standing in the kitchen.
Yeah, I was going to be a bitch to her.
I poured myself a small bowl of cereal, taking out my cell. Happy gave me a bit more freedom after the whole breaking into the clubhouse and almost getting killed incident. I was still on punishment, he wouldn't give up on that, but I was able to have a bit of fun before school started in less than 2 weeks. I wasn't excited. Never was about school. I read through my messages, a lot from Alana and Yasmin. Most about why I haven't called or text them. I read through some of the recent ones. Alana was concerned about Rachael. She hadn't seen her in a long time. Yasmin was telling me about a boy she met at the park with Jackie.
Katherine sat in Happy's chair, directly in front of me. I was doing all I could to not tell her to get out of his seat. That was his and only his. She didn't have a place at this table. "Does Happy know you're on the phone?"
I snapped my head to her, glaring. "Why? You gonna trick on me if he don't?" God she was making hating her so easy.
"No." She replied. "I just don't want him to get upset with you." I hated how soft her tone was. Did she think being nice was going to make me like her?
"Uh huh." I narrowed my eyes on her, as if I could see inside her mind. I went back to reading one of the texts, taking a bite of the crunchy cereal.
Alana said she would go to the park, after cursing me out a whole message for not returning her calls or messages. Yasmin said Jackie was going too, both of them sending me separate messages to yell at me. Such friends.
"I really want to get to know you Angel." I sighed, dropping the spoon against the bowl. I put my phone on the table, folding my hands together and looking straight at Katherine.
"Why?" I asked annoyed with her persistence.
"Does there have to be a reason?" She asked back.
"Don't answer questions with questions. Its annoying." I responded with irritation.
"Right..." She whispered. "I just want to get to know the daughter of the man I adore."
I rolled my eyes, moving to take another bite of my cereal. "Well," I swallowed the food in my mouth. "You're outta luck then 'cause the daughter of the man you adore doesn't want you to get to know her." I snapped at her, getting up my seat. I dropped my bowl into the sink, empty, and grabbed my phone off the table. "Stay the hell out of my life. He may want you but I sure as hell don't." I seethed walking out of the kitchen.
Happy was coming downstairs when I walked out of the kitchen doorway. We both stopped, stilling to stare at the other. There was a pain in my chest for a second when I looked him in the eyes. I always thought it would be just us two after Mom passed. Guess I was wrong. I slipped on my shoes that were by the door. I couldn't stay in the house with them.
"Where are you going?" He asked, passing by me.
"Park like I told you." I replied with the same bored tone.
I messaged James, telling him I was leaving now. I glanced at the kitchen doorway, watching as Happy and Katherine sat chatting. She was taking my father from me.
Hell, she could have him.
He obviously didn't care anymore.
I opened the door, slamming it shut behind me. James was crossing the street when I left. He had a smile on his face. I gave a small smile. He hugged me, kissing me on the cheek. "Morning."
"Mornin'." I was actually getting used to the whole boyfriend/girlfriend thing. "Ready?"
He nodded and we began the walk to the park. Alana and them would meet us there. Rachael would be there too, hopefully. She wasn't the same anymore.
-o-
The walk to the park was quiet. James was walking beside me with his hands in his pocket. I was thinking, not really paying attention. "Katherine again?" He asked, forcing me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah...how'd you know?" I turned my head to him as we walked.
"You're too quiet. That's not like you." I smiled a bit. He knew me too well sometimes.
"She's trying to get into my life, like she can't take the hint. Its annoying too." He put his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close. I laid my head on his shoulder as we walked. He was my stable person.
"Gets better." He muttered, leaning his head against mine. "Always does."
I was just about to ask him how he knew that when I was interrupted by a yell. Yasmin and Jackie were tackling each other, playfully. Alana was watching, doubling over in laughter at something that happened. I took off on a run, James right beside me all the way.
"You made it!" Yasmin chuckled, pushing Jackie off her.
"Wouldn't miss time in the park." I replied hugging them all. I was a long time since I last seen then.
"Hey James." Jackie greeted, he did the same. Alana was glancing between me and James. She knew something was up. The closeness of James to me was obvious.
Then I spotted Rachel. She was sitting under a large tree, watching us with a weak smile. I walked to her, sitting down beside her. She watched me the whole time, laying her head on my shoulder. "How you holding up?" I asked her gently. The outgoing, loud, obnoxious girl I knew was gone replaced with a hurt girl.
"I've been doing good. Mom's been taking me to this meeting for other victims. Not so bad now." She told me looking at how the others were chatting. Alana was acting weird around James.
She knew. Damn...
"Did you get him?" The seriousness was surprising.
"Yeah. He won't be hurting another girl ever again." She sighed. I put my arm on her shoulder and patted her back soothingly. Rachael didn't deserve what was done to her. No one does. She was just a girl, like Tristan, who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
