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“It’s okay, Nana. I love you.” Nicole choses that moment to get home and wrap us up in a weird three-way hug.
“How about we go do some shopping, and maybe grab some ice cream?” Nana suggests, and Nicole jumps up and down enthusiastically, making Nana chuckle. I’m more hesitant, and I know that they notice.
“I could use a new dress,” I say softly, and Nana claps.
“It’s settled then.”
* * *
After a few hours of shopping,Nana pulls me aside and over to a jewelry store. “We found the perfect dress, now we need some accessories,” she says in a happy voice. I instantly try to talk her out of it, but she scoffs and stomps over to the bracelets.
Laughing, I follow. When I see what she’s holding, my breath hitches, and I know that it’s perfect; white gold, with little sapphire stars along the outside.
We check out, and I try not to gawk at the price. Nicole laughs and drags me over to the earrings. My phone buzzes, and my mood instantly changes. I fake a smile and check my messages. Rex is pissed that I left the house and didn’t tell him. I guess he had stopped by after practice.
Shit. I never forget to text him. Ugh, my mind is just off these days. I sigh, and Nicole grabs my hand, pulling me to the food court for some ice cream. We grab our scoops and some butter pecan for Nana, then sit and wait for her.
“So how are you? Really? Because I’ll be honest, sis, you seem miserable, and the bruises on your neck are not just from some kinky sex.” I drop my spoon and glance around, making sure no one is listening. I had to confide in Nicole earlier about the scarf, since it didn’t match the dress I tried on.
I shrug my shoulders and take another bite, trying to think of anything to get her off my back.
“I’m good. I’m tired. The girls at school keep getting worse and worse, ever since their queen bee disappeared. It’s like they are competing to be the next head bitch.” She snorts at that and rolls her eyes.
“Good riddance, that girl was a skank and after your man. I’m glad she left.” I try to laugh with her, but my mind drifts. I still don’t think she just ran away. The timing was too suspicious. Nana arrives, stopping our conversation, and we finish up our treat.
* * *
“Where are we?”I speak up when we make a stop at a medical clinic. Nana looks nervous, and Nicole won’t look me in the eyes. Taking a deep breath, Nana turns my way and holds my hand.
“Honey, we love you,” she says in a shaky voice.
“Nana, what’s wrong?” I ask because she’s seriously freaking me out. She lifts her hand and places a palm on my cheek, looking me deep in the eyes with worry filling her gaze. I shove away and scowl.
I know what this is about, and I’m pissed. We were having a nice time, and now they want to confront me, in a medical clinic of all places. And it’s not like there is really anything for concern. Okay, I have a boyfriend who sometimes loses his temper with me, but it’s far and few these days, and I can handle him.
I don’t know why they are all so worried about me. I’m fine. I’m happy… well mostly, and my grades are good. I’m still on track to go to college. Though I don’t know if I want to anymore. Rex has been talking about us getting married and moving away. Somedays that sounds like heaven, others a death sentence.
“We are worried about you, sweetheart. You're on edge. Your father said you haven’t been eating much. Nicole mentioned you haven’t been sleeping. This boy, Rex. Is he hurting you, Cat?”
I start to laugh, and if I thought my family was worried about me before, now they probably think I have lost my mind. They’re not far off. I shake my head.
“No, I’ve been stressed about other things. Rex is great. We’ve been arguing a lot lately, but he doesn’t hurt me,” I say pointedly. She taps my hand with hers and takes a deep breath. I don’t know if she believes me, but thankfully, she’s dropping it.
“Well, I’d like to meet this boy of yours, then.” I give her a big smile and nod.
“He said he stopped by earlier. Maybe I can ask him to come to dinner.” Her eyes brighten, and her shoulders seem to slump as if she’s been on edge herself. We pull out of the parking lot, but I keep my eyes on the front door.
Maybe I should talk to someone. I have been a mess of confusion, but I just know that means more drama, and I don’t need more. I need less. So much less.
* * *
“Nana, this is Rexley, my boyfriend,”I introduce them, and he hands her some flowers. She puts them in some water, then takes a big whiff in.
“That was sweet of you. Thank you, Rexley,” she tells him, then gets back to cooking. Rex kisses me quickly on my forehead, but the grip on my arm tells me he’s not happy. My eyes water from the pain, and I shiver. He lets me go, and I step to the side, excusing myself.
I walk to the bathroom and grab some toilet paper to dry my eyes and fix my makeup. I put some cold water on the nasty bruise forming and compose myself. Someone knocks on the door, but I know who it is.
“Let me in, Kitty,” Rex coos, and I take a deep breath. I open the door and give him a quick kiss. He tries to take it farther, but I gently push him back and move out into the hall once more.
