AllFreeNovel
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We finish our meal and Darren does as he mentioned. He prepares a contract for the loan. I carefully read it andthen sign it, feeling like an adult for the first time in my life.
I walk out of their house with a huge smile and a check in my pocket for the entire class tuition. They said I should use the money I earned this summer for extra supplies, if needed. That was the only way they’d agree to the interest being added.
Reggie still has more homework to do, so Jared drives me home without her. I look at him, with his dark hair flopping over his forehead. “Your parents are amazing.”
He nods. “Yep, they’re pretty great.”
“I’m so lucky to have Reggie and your family in my life. Thank you. I hope I can be as good of a friend one day to her and all of you.”
“You know, she wasn’t wrong in what she mentioned earlier about how you attract the guys at school. I think it helps her a lot that she’s best friends with the prettiest girl in the whole school.”
I can feel my cheeks burn. “You think I’m pretty?”
“I meant what I said. You’re the prettiest girl in our school.” He mumbles, “The prettiest girl I’ve ever seen in my life.”
We pull up to my trailer park and he shifts the car into park. Turning to me, he licks his lips. “Can I…can I kiss you?”
What? Jared is two years older than us. He’s cute, very cute, but I’ve never looked at him that way. I just see him as Reggie’s brother.
He notices my hesitation. “You don’t have to. I would beat myself up about it all night if I didn’t at least ask. This is the first time we’ve ever been alone without Reggie.”
I bite my lip. “It’s fine. I’ve only kissed two boys. I don’t know if I’ll be anygood at it.”
He smiles. “I’ll bet a million bucks you are. Just do what I do.”
I nod as he moves closer to me. I lick my lips and swallow in anticipation.
He softly grabs my face and tilts it to the side. He tilts his to the other side and slowly brings his lips to mine.
The kiss is nice, but before I know it, his tongue is in my mouth. I think of what he said, so I do the same and slide my tongue into his mouth.
He moans when my tongue moves around his mouth. I think that’s a good thing.
After a few minutes of the best kiss I could ever imagine, he pulls away. “You owe me a million bucks.”
I smile. “Just add it to my running tab with your family.”
He laughs as he gets out of the car and opens my door. Taking my hand, he walks me to my front door.
I’m on cloud nine right now, but it doesn’t last long. When we reach the door to my trailer, I open it. My father is standing there in the same dirty clothes he was in this morning, which are the same clothes he wore yesterday. Possibly the day before too.
He’s got rage on his face. “Where the hell have you been?” Oh god, he’s drunk.
“I was at Reggie’s for dinner.”
He looks at Jared. “Is that so? Funny, that guy doesn’t look like Reggie. Don’t turn into a whore like your mother.”
I turn to Jared with my head down. “You should go.”
“I’m not leaving you with him in his state. Pack a bag. You’re coming home with me.”
Out of nowhere, my father punches Jared square in the face. I scream. “Dad, what are you doing?”
Jared wipes the blood from his lip and then grabs my father’s shirt. My father may outweigh him, but Jared is young, strong, and sober, giving him the edge. He pushes my father until he’s seated on the couch and points at him. “She’s not fucking staying here with you ever again.” He turns to me. “Pack as much as you can. No arguments.”
I’m torn on what to do. My father needs me. But I nod my head and make my way back to the bedroom. The truth is, I’d rather stay with Reggie and Jared’s family. I hate being here. I’m always afraid here. I feel safe there.
We only have two bags. I place as many clothes as I can in one, and as many of my books and art supplies as I can in the other.
