"I missed you too baby. I promise, no more 2 month business trips for me, okay?" She pulled me away and smiled than sweet smile she always had when she was trying to make me feel better.
"Deal." I laughed as I shook her hand. Then, I headed over to the long wooden table that had presents and a very large cake that was covered up.
I groaned in frustration when I saw the white cover over the top of the cake.
"Why?!" Everyone laughed at me as I went to pull it off. My mom slapped my hand away and I pouted at her.
"Not until we're ready." She said, waving her hand in the air. I looked around, and noticed all my friends from school and all of my family were pulling out earplugs. Then, my eyes fell on him. My eyes widened and I screamed. My scrunched her eyebrows and looked to where I was looking, then sighed.
I ran toward him and glomped him in a hug, knocking us both to the ground.
"Hey Lillith, nice to see you again too." He laughed.
"Je-"
"Lillith, you in here?" A voice that wasn't at my party said, knocking me from my past.
"Lillith, are you okay? What happened?" I looked up and saw Justan walking over. I shook my head and buried it back into my knees. "Awe, come on, if you can talk to the maids, why can't you talk to me?" He whined, which made me giggle.
"Cause." I said, muffled by my knees.
"Cause why?" I heard the bed squeak, indicating that he was getting on the bed. I felt a finger poke my ribs, causing me to giggle. "Oh, what do we have here? You're ticklish." He teased me. I shook my head and tried to get away, but a pair of arms gripped around my waist, and I was hoisted up onto the bed. "Yes, you are." Justan laughed form next to me, as he began tickling my sides.
"O-okay, I give!!" I squealed like I use to when my dad and mom would team up on me and do this kind of thing. Thinking of those times made my eyes tear up and I sighed, sitting up as Justan pulled his hands away from me.He was laying there, looking up at me.
"What?" I laughed at him. No, I didn't sound sweet and nice. But, in a weird way, I felt comfortable around him.
"Nothing." He laughed back. "So, you ready to talk?" I sighed deeply and turned myself so I was facing him.
"Since you want to so badly, sure." I smirked at him as he sat up, cross legged. I pulled my legs, and mimicked his position.
"Okay, I'll let you ask questions." He stated.
"Fine. Why is your mom .. so ... nice to me? She doesn't even know me." I asked.
"Because, she's ... weird." He laughed, and I giggled at his answer.
"Okay then. Why are you so nice to me?" He stiffened and he looked a bit nervous.
"Because you seem pretty cool, and I have no reasons to not be nice." He shrugged and I laughed. He looked at me with a smile.
"What's with the attitude you had at the auction?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, and pointing out that I noticed his change.
"I was always told that you have to act tough if you want to win things like that." He smirked at me.
"Alrighty then. Why do you hate my dad so much?" I asked. I really wanted to know why. I could tell that he didn't like him, just by the way he looked at him.
"He's a jerk. Besides, he pissed me off." He smirked, and I laughed at him, causing him to laugh.
"Why am I here?" I asked the question that was bugging me since the auction, getting serious in an instant.
"Your dad sold you." He said matter-of-factly, with that same smirk.
"No shit." I laughed. "Why did you bid so high to get me though?" I heard his deep sigh and saw his face get completely serious.
"Okay. Your mom," He paused when I stiffened. "You can't get upset when I talk about her if you're going to ask questions and want the truth." I nodded, signaling him to continue. "Your mom wanted you to be with someone that she trusted when you got older. She wanted you with someone she knew, and someone that she knew you would love, or at least care about. So, she called up her friends that had sons when you were about 4 to 7 years old, and let you hang out with each of them. You spent at least 3 months playing with them almost every day. You had no idea what was going on, of course, but she picked the one you grew closets to. To be -" He just stopped and I scrunched my eyebrows.
"To be what?" I asked, now he got me curious, he couldn't just stop like that!
"You know what? That should be for another time. How about a different question?" He gave a camera smile, trying to change the subject. Fine, I'll play your stupid little game. But, you will answer me.
"Okay, fine." I grunted and he smiled in victory. "Tell me why you really don't like my dad." I knew what he said before was bullshit, and I wanted the truth. He sighed again, and looked at me.
"Maybe this just isn't the time to ask questions."
"But you sa-"
"I know, and I'm sorry that I got you all curious." He laughed at me. "But, this just isn't the time." He looked at my face, which was twisted in anger. How could he just do that? That's so not fair! "Let's go do something!" He said suddenly.
"When do I get my answers?" I asked, thinking of how he cut himself off earlier.
"About a week." He smile innocently, causing me to grunt.
"Ugh! Fine. But you owe me." I laughed.
"You betcha." He smiled, pulling me off the bed and out the door. What in the world happened to the cool, calm, and collected Justan? I laughed to myself.
Chapter 10
"So, you like it here, right?" Justan asked, handing me cotton candy on one of those white cone-type sticks, and sitting on the swing next to me.
"Yeah, your house is nice ,and your mom is ... pretty cool." I smiled, taking a mouthful of cotton candy, and closing my eyes in pure bliss as it melted in my mouth.
I heard him chuckling, and when I turned to him with a confused face, he burst into laughter.
"No, Lillith. I meant the park." He laughed again and I felt my cheeks getting hot. "Awwe, that's cute." He smiled, looking at my cheeks, which caused the rest of my face to flush.
"Shut up." I mumbled, watching my feet drag the ground.
"Alright." He sighed, causing my attention to turn on him again. He was so beautiful. The way his hair fell over his face, and how his hoody would hug his abs when he zipped it up, and- Oh, shut - up Lilli! I scolded myself. Apparently, he noticed me looking at him, because he looked up from the ground and into my eyes.
When are you going to hurt me? And why haven't you already? I finally realized the questions that were at the back of my mind, and mentally kicked myself for not asking them earlier. Slowly, his face came forward, and I could hear the swing squeak as he leaned toward me. I didn't know what to do. I've never been kissed by anyone but my dad before. Boy, that sounds so wrong. Anyway, my mom had someone she wanted mt to be with, so I can't be with him. Plus, he - he can't like me.
My eyes shot around as he was mere inches from my face, his own eyes slowly closing. Once I remembered my forgotten cotton candy, my hand shot to my face, putting the blue glob of softness between our faces, causing his partially parted lips to crash into it.
I heard him sigh, for a second time today, and his face dropped. Not even 5 seconds after, I could see a smile creasing that of his face I could see behind my blue shield. Then, I saw his upper lip, and teeth, come over a large portion of my cotton blob, and I witnessed it melt away into his mouth.
My jaw dropped at him, and he just smirked at me. When his pink fluff caught my eye, I snatched it from him and took two big mouthfuls, almost eating the whole thing.
"Nice one, real mature." He laughed as I handed it back, and I just smiled innocently at him. His eyes caught onto my lips, and I thought he was going to try and kiss me again. Was he going to kiss me earlier?
His hand moved toward my face, and immediately, my eyes squeezed tightly shut, and my shoulders lifted up to my neck; I was shaking, cowering from his hand. I knew it. He's not nice. Only pretending.
I heard his sigh again, then felt a soft finger rub the corner of my mouth. That's ..
. it?
"You had cotton candy on your mouth." He whispered, and as I felt his breath hit my ear, I tensed up.
I felt a cool pair of lips lightly touch my sweet spot, on my neck, and I bit my lip to keep from moaning. Once again, the lips landed on my sweet spot, but harder this time. I sat up straight, my eyes squeezing tighter. Don't do it Lilli. I warned myself. Justan chuckled against my neck, and I opened my eyes.
"What?" I asked, barely above a whisper. I wanted him off me oh-so-badly. But, I don't know how to say it, I'm afraid to ask him to stop; the fact that I could be hit helped me in that department.
"It's not important." He sighed, lifting his head and sitting correctly in his swing. I hadn't even noticed that he was sitting with one leg on either side of the swing until just then.
"Okay then. But, can I ask you something?" I asked, not looking at him, but back at my dragging feet.
"Uh, sure."
"Why are you being so nice to me? Why haven't you hit me yet?" I heard him sigh. He does that alot. But, I never got my answer, just a squeak, and some slow footsteps.
When I looked up, Justan was walking away, his hands in his pockets.
Chapter 11
I just sat there on the swing, staring at his slowly moving form. Wh- what did I say? I saw him slowly turning around, and when he noticed I was just sitting there on my swing, my cotton candy dangling in my hand, he chuckled and motioned me to come with him.
I looked back over to his swing and saw his cotton candy was just sitting there on the ground. So, I picked it up and put it in the trash bin along with my own. Then, I walked up to him.
When I was at his side, I put my head down, and just watched my feet moving as we continued walking.
“I wasn’t ignoring you.” Justan broke the silence, causing me to look up at him with confusion in my eyes. “I just don’t know how to answer your question, and I was tired of sitting on the swings.” I sighed and looked back down at my feet. “Can I ask you a question?” I blinked a few times at the ground, then nodded slowly, still not looking up at him. “Why are you acting so different?” His footfalls ceased, and a pair of black shoes came into my view as a large, yet gentle hand lifted my head. My eyes instantly connected with his, and I was at a loss for words.
“I- I really don’t know.” I said, my small voice returning. I was frightened, I’m not exactly sure what of, but I was. “I- I just -”
“Hey, Justan! What’s up dude!” An all but familiar voice called from behind me. Justan’s gaze followed the voice and a smirk grew to his face.
“Give me a second.” He whispered to me, and I just nodded at him. I was thankful that I was interrupted, now I didn’t have to answer anymore questions. And so, I just stood there, waiting for Justan to come back so we could do whatever else he had planned. “Hey, Lillith! Come over here!” He called out to me, and I did as I was told, my head still watching my feet. Right, left, right, left, right, le- Four more feet came into view and I stopped. “Matt, this is Lillith. Lillith, this is my buddy Matt.” I slowly lifted my head and I had to force my eyebrows not to scrunch up in confusion. I’ve seen him before. He smiled at me and after a few more seconds it grew.
“Wait! Lilli?!?” He asked, sounding really excited. “Little Lilli Cartwright?! Is that you?!” My eyes widened at him in horror. How the hell does he know me?! I couldn’t help but be scared. I mean, if he was one of my dad’s friends, I definitely didn’t remember him, and I really didn’t want him around me. I slowly made my way behind Justan, who looked a lot more confused than I did.
“You, know her?” He asked, pointing a thumb at me.
“Yeah, dude. Her mom and my mom use to be friends, and I used to hang out with her all the time. Until I moved about 3 or 4 months later. Haven’t seen her since I was about 6 years old.” My eyes widened and I ran out from behind Justan and jumped on Matt.
“Matty? Little itty bitty Matty?! I didn't even recognize you!!!” I said in astonishment and he picked me up in a large bear hug, spinning me once, like he use to always try to do. Except now, he could do it with no effort at all.
“Yeah, it’s me. And, I ain’t so itty bitty anymore.” He laughed. He was really .... different. He didn’t look like a jock like I expected him to. But, he sure as hell was hot. I use to have a huge crush on him, he was the cutest little boy you could ever see. He was short too, always got picked on because how short he was. Now, he was helluva lot taller than me. Probably around 6’2, and I was a shorty at about 5’ 4. He had dark hair with red and orange it it on each side with bangs that hung in his face. I think I saw some purple in his hair, but I couldn’t really tell. He also had snake bites, and he was wearing eyeliner. Guess he grew up a bit. I giggled as I thought of how he use to have the blondest hair, and how he was so small. But, his eyes, he still had those gorgeous sea foam green eyes. I loved his eyes.
“Look at you!” I laughed. “You’re hot!” I poked his cheek and we both started to laugh at my choice of words.
“Glad you think so. And look at you! You .. well ... I don’t know how to compliment you in a gentlemanly manor, and I don't want you kicking my ass again.” I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“So, glad you don’t have to endure her shy streak.” Justan laughed, tickling me, which caused me to laugh, then Matt started laughing.
“Lilli, shy?! Right, that’s less than likely.” Matt laughed and my cheeks flushed.
“Actually, I’m a lot different than you would remember Matt.” I said in a small voice.
“Huh? Why would you be different? You had such a great life, and -”
“My mom’s dead Matt, she’s gone. She ... she left me here...and my dad...he...he..” My voice got choked up and I just shook my head. “I- never mind. I’m just not the same Matt.” I whispered.
“Hey, don’t cry!” Justan said in a panic, pulling me into his chest. “What did your dad do?” He whispered to me, but I just shook my head again, telling him that it wasn’t the right time to talk about it. Plus, I knew he already knew. I mean, he had to know. He bought me.
“Oh, hey, I didn’t mean to make you cry sweetie.” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and start laughing at him.
“Matt, you’re such a dork.” I mumbled into Justan’s chest.
“Hey! I’ll have you know....yeah, okay, you’re right.” He said, sighing toward the end, causing me to laugh even more.
“You know Matty, I thought you were going to grow up to be some big ole’ jockey.” I smiled at him after I pulled away from Justan, wiping at my eyes with my palms. His face contorted in disgust and he scoffed, causing me to laugh again. “Didn’t your mom want you to be a jock?” I asked, remembering how she use to make him run laps and play football with me.
“Yeah.” He laughed. “See how that turned out?” I laughed lightly and shook my head.
“Looks like all those weekends throwing football was for nothing.” I shrugged and he shook his head.
“Nah. We got to play together, so it was cool. Not to mention how funny it was when you would tackle me.” We both started laughing, and I looked over at Justan, who looked a bit uncomfortable. Like he wanted to say something, but he just couldn’t. I don’t know how I understood that, I just ... did.
“Okay Matty, me and Mr. Justan here are going to talk. He owes me explanations, and I owe him an answer.” I smiled over at Justan, who’s face lit up and nodded at me. I turned back to Matty and hugged him. He returned the hug and I pecked his cheek.
“Alright, have fun Lilli. Glad you found someone! Later Justan!” He smiled as he walked away.
“We’re not -”
“Alright, later Matt!” Justan cut me off. What the fuck?! “Okay then, Miss. Lillith. It’s time for your explanations. Let me tell you, I really didn’t expect that.” He chuckled as we began walking on the little trail thingy again. Oh, believe me, neither did I.
Chapter 12
"Okay, so, let me get this straight. You're dad abused you?" I nodd
ed, looking at my lap. We were still in the park, but on a bench in front of the "path" we were walking. "And ... raped you?" I nodded again, biting my lip, doing my best not to think about the things he's done. "No wonder you thought I was going to hurt you." He mumbled and I just nodded again. "Is that why you're so quiet?" I nodded once again, and his hand found my chin, pulling my face to the left to look at him. "I'm sorry. I know that must have been hell. But, I would never do anything to hurt you. Not purposely at least." He smirked and the side of my lip twitched. His hand fell from my chin, and his face moved toward the aura of colors in front of us, as did mine. It was sunset, and it was the most beautiful thing I've seen in the longest time. I haven't seen sunset since I was 12. I use to all the time, but then I got caught up in things, and then mom died, and dad went ballistic.
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