The next few days are awkward, scary, some would say. Toby hasn't come to school since that party, no one has seen or heard from him, actually. For someone who gave me a bruise I sure do care for him too much, it's pathetic, he doesn't care about me. He would've apologized if he did.
Tony hasn't spoken about this night since then either, he apologized for Toby's behavior but that was it, but now everytime he looks at me it looks like he's guilty, like he wants to turn back time. I've been spending more of my time with DeAndre, not alone, of course, but with his friends. Tony had to come, of course, his definition of keeping me 'safe'.
DeAndre isn't half bad though, I mean don't get me wrong, I'm still a little skeptical, but he's not half bad. "Dom?" im snapped out of my thoughts when DeAndre reaches his hand out for my arm, but stops when Tony gives him a look, "can I talk to Dom, in private, please?" DeAndre looks to Tony for approval, and surprisingly enough, Tony says yes.
DeAndre takes my hand and leads me to a corner of the room, far enough to be in private, but close enough that Tony can see me. "What's up with your guy Tony, is he your baby sitter or boyfriend or something?" the look on his face tells me that he's hurt, in some way. "he's just making sure I'm ok, you and I have literally only been hanging out for 4 days, and I don't feel safe without him around" I say, standing on my tip toes trying to look him in the eyes, which I'm failing at. He looks down before saying "girl, you know I'm 6 feet tall right? You're 4 feet tall" he chuckles a little "you'll never be as tall as me, come on now let's go" he grabs my hand and plants a kiss on my cheek and we head back to the rest of the 'crew'.
"yo, I gotta close up man, I'm leaving early to see my dad in prison" one of DeAndre's friends, Jamal, says. He owns the dance studio we're sitting in, well not technically, but this is where DeAndre and his friends dance, and Jamal paus the rent and keeps it tidy, so I'd say he owns it. "Jamal, let me halla at you real quick" Tony jumps on top of the stage and places his hand around Jamal's shoulder, and they have what seems to be a rather lengthy conversation.
"well, let's go Dom, Faye just called me" Tony grabs our stuff and holds my hand, "you're my babysitter now?" I ask once we're outside, he looks at me and stands still, like he does everytime he wants to discuss something serious, "Dom, I don't want you getting hurt, and you know I'm always here for you, these streets are dangerous, so unless you want to sit in front of a police officer and explain how you were molested, let's go" he looks serious, he sounds serious too, he's been this way since that fight. He blames himself, for some reason.
"what Toby did wasn't your fault" I say, squeezing his hand in mine, "he gave you a fucking bruise, Dom! If I can stop that from happening again, I will, regardless of whether you want me to or not." we don't say anything for the rest of the way, we just walk in silence, calming silence though.