The leather of the seat rubs at my skin the wrong way as I try to get physically comfortable to make up for the lack of emotional comfortability.
I glance at Leon but he refuses to meet my gaze as I am to Kahlil. After a while I sigh and look at my lap.
"Fine." I look between the two of them.
"But not without Adriano." They nod stiffly, understanding my decision before we go back to that bittersweet silence.
I frown at the situation I put myself in.
Maybe I shouldn't of hit Adriano.
Shit, I shouldn't have showed up to school today.
I can't believe I let myself get affected like that... I need to take a break from them.
"Well... bye.." I don't dare look their way as I leave the car like they don't respond as their eyes stay glued to me.
Words become stale before they can even be born from their tightly sealed lips. Tongues badly bruised from the sharp pierce of teeth.
⚀ ⚀ ⚀ ⚀
"Oh my god, you're back!" I'm slammed against the front door, the force causing it to close. I wheeze as the air gets knocked out of me.
"..guys.." I'm released from captivity when they finally notice my very-close-to-collapsing lungs. Just before they gave out I was left go.
"Jesus, Nevaeh, where have you been? We tried calling you but you wouldn't answer!" My eyes widen as I stare at my mother, bags deeper than usual and wrinkles more prominent.
"I almost got hit by a car and swerved off the road..." I say solemnly as I rub my arm. Gasps are heard all around but other than that no one speaks.
"My phone broke and I couldn't use it." I glance over at my younger siblings as worry fills their big innocent eyes.
"How'd you get home?" Sammy speaks up as his frown deepens.
"Khalil found me." They don't know Leon, no point in making it more difficult than it needs to be.
"Oh, that sweet boy..." Mom perks up as she looks to me.
"We need to get you to the hospital—"
"Mom! I'm fine—"
"You got into a car crash, Nevaeh!" I frown, crossing my arms. She does the same as we stare each other down.
"Almost. I almost got into a car crash and I'm obviously perfectly fine if I'm walking, breathing and talking." Mom continues to stare, looking over every inch of me with her poker face. We all say nothing as my siblings and I watch her with uncertainty.
It's best to be patient and quiet when our mother gets like this.
A few moments pass before she sighs.
"Fine." We all release a breath we didn't even know we were holding as our mom uncrosses her arms.
"Just protect and take care of yourself better, please." I smile softly, taking her hands in mine.
"Of course, mother."
⚀ ⚀ ⚀ ⚀
I sigh in relief at my freshly washed, dyed and dried hair as I rake my fingers through the surprisingly soft texture.
My hair seems to be the only thing I can keep under control these days.
After one last once over on my hair, I leave my bathroom. I immediately go to my phone, deciding I need some music playing.
When I pick it up I see more text messages, which causes my grip to tighten around my phone.
When will it all just stop? Why won't he just leave me alone?
I press my hand to my heart as I cautiously go to the messages, knowing I shouldn't.
I shouldn't even have his phone, I should just block him right now.
As I say this I read every word carefully, taking in the texts.
They cause my eyes to match the burning red ache which resonates in my heart.
My palm forms a fist as if to grab it from the ache.
When that doesn't work I chuck my phone at my bed before I can start crying again.
Why did I fall in love with him? Why do I still love him?! There has to be something wrong with me.
I sigh, trying to remain calm.
Why, Hunter, why.
⚀ ⚀ ⚀ ⚀
Leon Norton
He closes his eyes before taking a deep breath in then out. The cool yet rugged brick wall the only stability he can find at the moment.
This week has barely started and it's already gone to shit.
His fingers subconsciously trail the brick as his mind goes into hyperdrive.
Thoughts about the past few days, months, he'll even years, flow about as he tries to make sense of it all. Trying to understand why everything is so perfectly connected.
"Well, if it isn't Nevy's little boy toy." Anger with a sprinkle of irritation floods his veins.
"What are the odds of me finding you here?" Leon grunts over his breath, keeping his eyes closed.
I should be saying the same thing.
"Anyone in there?" He feels him get a little closer then sighs frustratedly before opening his eyes.
"What." He stares at Hunter's smug face wanting so badly to punch a hole in it.
"Not with the girl?" The asshole mocks as he shoves his hands in this pockets.
Leon grunts, knowing that using actual words won't end well..
For him.
"Not much of a talker huh." Hunter nods to himself.
"Well, it's fine 'cause that's my job this time around."
Leon lifts an eyebrow but otherwise doesn't acknowledge him.
"Now, going back to Nevy, how do you know her?" He chuckles.
"I thought you were doing the talking?" He clicks his teeth.
"You got me there..." he hums before continuing.
"How about this, answering these simple questions could potentially save her later down the road." Leon glares at Hunter.
"Do you not remember what happened the last time you got near her?" He shrugs which only irritates Leon even more.
"Make it quick."