by Blue Saffire
I looked up at Lorenzo. “Yup,” I smiled.
I introduced Angie to Chris, before she exploded. Then we all headed into the mall. We went to the arcade I had first seen Lorenzo hanging out in front of. Lorenzo is just as competitive as I am. We played game after game, arguing over who was cheating.
He had no idea I was so good at playing video games. One game, I was beating him so bad, he started to bump me and push me off the controls. When that didn’t work, he wrapped his arms around me and started to kiss at my face. I laughed so hard, he was able to grab the controls again and win.
Chris and Angie were getting along well. They were hanging out by the basketball games, with Matt and some other people Matt and Chris seemed to know. We were having a great time.
“I’m taking Lucie for ice cream later. You want to come?” Lorenzo asked out of the blue.
“Sure,” I beamed. I love his little sister, she reminds me of Toni.
“Good,” he said with a pleased smile and leaned over to kiss my lips. He looked at his watch. “It’s one. We should probably get going soon.”
I looked at my phone to see he was right. We would need some time to make it to meet my father at the dealership. I could feel the excitement in my chest.
“Hello,” Lorenzo answered his phone as it suddenly started to ring. “Hey, Ven. We were just getting ready to head to the dealership.”
I figured right away, it had to be my father. Lorenzo paused to listen. He nodded at my father’s words and I started to frown. I had a bad feeling. Whatever my father was saying, I wasn’t going to like it.
“Okay, sure. No problem. I understand,” Lorenzo replied. “Okay, talk to you later.”
Lorenzo looked at me with sad eyes. “Sorry, Baby. He’s not going to be able to make it,” Lorenzo said tugging me into his embrace.
“He didn’t even have the nerve to call me,” I grumbled.
“He said we could still go without him. You can just let him know which car I want. He’ll make sure you get it,” Lorenzo said softly.
I was so mad. “He’s the one that said he would take me. Now he’s standing me up?” I fumed.
Lorenzo started to look upset as I showed my anger. He tried to hide it as he comforted me. I shook it off and we played a few more games. When Lorenzo knew I was letting him win, stopped to turn to me.
“You want to do something else?” he asked. “We can still go. Just say the word.”
“I’m not in the mood,” I murmured.
He nods and wrapped an arm around me, kissing the top of my head. We gave up on playing and Lorenzo walked us over to the others.
“Dude, I’m starving,” Chris griped.
“Good, it’s not just me,” Matt groaned, while rubbing his stomach.
Lorenzo nodded. “Yeah, I could definitely eat.”
Without another thought the three started for the food court. Angie and I followed them, but took our time so we could talk. Angie was all giddy about hanging with Chris.
“Oh, my God. Thank you so much for this,” Angie sang.
“No problem,” I mumbled.
“What’s the matter, Vic? You look so sad now,” she questioned.
I shrugged my shoulders. “I was supposed to be meeting my father to get my car today, but he just stood me up,” I responded.
She started to squeal. “Oh, my gosh. So that was his car you were driving earlier? You looked so hot.”
I rolled my eyes. Angie was so missing the point. I could care less about the car.
“Can we please focus here? Yes, that was his car, but that’s the same car I want. He knows I like it so he let me drive. Anyway, I really wanted to go car shopping, with my dad,” I grumbled at her.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please, Victoria. Your father is going to buy you whatever you want. What’s the big deal?” She said it as if I were overreacting.
“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “I’m just disappointed, but I kind of don’t want Lorenzo to think I’m spoiled. So, I don’t want to tell him how disappointed I am,” I admitted.
“You are spoiled,” Angie pointed out.
“Look who’s talking. My father said Lorenzo should still take me, but I really wanted to go with my dad. We have been doing more stuff together when we’re not arguing and it’s kind of nice,” I confided.
“So, wait for him to take you,” she said nonchalantly.
I was annoyed with Angie. This was one of the reasons I’d been talking to Lorenzo so much on the phone. He understood what I was trying to say. Angie was used to getting what she wanted. Her father would take time out from anything for her.
I just gave up. Angie would understand. I just felt worse trying to explain.
Angie and I sat at a table at the food court, waiting for the guys to return with their food. Angie babbled on about Chris, while I was lost in my own thoughts. Suddenly, I felt like someone was watching me.
I started to look around the mall to see if anyone was. That’s when I saw her. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t remember from where I’d seen her face.
It bothered me because I knew I should know. Her eyes looked as if they wanted to burn through my skin. She was about my height, maybe a little taller. Her hair was dark blonde and cut into a short bob. She had on a black t-shirt and faded blue jeans. She was nothing special.
The way she looked at me made it hard to decide if she was pretty or not. Angie shut up long enough to see what I’d been staring at.
“What’s she looking at?” Angie asked, irritated.
I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know, but in a second, I’m going to ask her. Do you know her? She looks familiar.”
Angie looked at her for a second. “Victoria, her name is on the tip of my tongue. Give me a minute,” she pondered.
Then, it clicked. I didn’t need a minute. I know exactly where I saw her face before. The image of her profile popped right into my head. I spoke her name out loud.
“Sabrina.”
Angie looked at me puzzled. “Yeah, that’s it. She goes to school with Lorenzo and Chris.” Angie hangs out way more than I do. Mostly with older crowds. So she would know more than I would.
I folded my arms across my chest and stared Sabrina down with a warning look. However, she refused to look away. Just then three other girls joined her.
I could see her telling them something, causing them all to look over in my direction. This girl had no idea. She was picking the wrong day to second guess what I told her. Just then Lorenzo appeared taking the seat next to me and placing a smoothie in front of me. He kissed my temple.
“Something to make you feel better,” he said into my ear.
I ignored him, shifting to look around his back. Sabrina and her friends were now walking in our direction. She seriously was making a mistake.
I hardly ever gave my father much trouble, but when I did it was usually because of my temper. Most girls at school stayed away from Angie and me when it came to starting drama. Someone should have given Sabrina the memo.
Lorenzo’s eyebrows drew to the middle of his forehead, while he watched my expression. “What’s wrong? I’ll take you to the showroom if you want,” he said thoughtfully.
I rose from my seat. “This isn’t about the showroom,” I growled.
He turned to see what I was looking at, in time to see Sabrina stop a few paces from us. She had her entourage with her. So bold with reinforcements, was she?
“Oh, fuck,” Lorenzo curse under his breath. He stood behind me and place his arms around me. I knocked them away and stepped forward.
Sabrina twisted her face. “Are you Victoria? The one from the phone?” she asked.
“Who else did you think you were staring at?” I roared at her. In that instant, I felt Angie step to my side.
“I just wanted to make sure,” she scowled back.
“Well, now you know. Is there something you need?” I queried.
“I just wanted you to say whatever you needed to say to
my face,” she shrieked boldly.
Was this girl dumb or what? I had it. Why did people act like they could step all over me? What made her think I wasn’t true to my word? I meant what I said, unlike the people around me. I would protect what was mine.
I got all the way in her face. “I said what I had to say to you. You understood it when I did. Your friends don’t make a difference to me. I’ll hurt them for just standing with you. Like they would do something, cause they won’t. Did you think I was joking? I’m done talking to you. Next, I’m gonna put my hands on you.”
She backed up a step and looked over to her friends. Only one of them was bold enough to step closer to her, which made Angie cross behind me and stand in the bold one’s face. Sabrina cleared her throat, then looked behind me.
“Lorenzo, you should learn to control your girlfr…” She didn’t get to finish her sentence.
I had hauled back and slapped her across her face. “I told you don’t even breathe in his direction. Didn’t I?” I stood over her bellowing through my teeth.
Her friends stood with their mouths hanging open. Sabrina had fallen to the floor. You could see the blood creeping out of the side of her mouth. Angie still stood in the bold friend’s face staring her down.
I was pissed. Just staring her down wasn’t good enough for me. I walked over and with the other hand slapped Sabrina’s bold friend across the face too.
I hit her with so much force, she spun before she fell to the floor. The other two girls backed away in shock and horror. I went to step toward them, but felt hands grab at both my wrists.
I turned to see Angie had one. She was shaking her head no at me. When I pulled away from her, I looked the other way. Lorenzo had the other, looking down at me with a half angry, half shocked expression.
I twisted my arm to release his hold, but he wouldn’t let go. He was just making it worse. When I got, loose I was really going to hurt someone.
I looked over at Matt, who was standing by the table with his mouth jarred open. I gave him a look that said, “Get him off of me, now!” Matt just stood there and folded his arm against his chest. This enraged me to no end. I couldn’t even focus.
“Let me go, now!” I spit out.
Lorenzo grabbed my other wrist. “Calm down,” he growled back at me.
Since he wouldn’t let go, I stepped right up against him and lifted myself on my toes to reach his face. “Let. Me. Go!” I barked.
We were nose to nose, the energy passing through us was crushing. I could feel his chest heaving against mine. His breath was blowing roughly in my face.
He narrowed his eyes at me. “Victoria, you better back down and get yourself under control,” he cautioned.
I didn’t move an inch. He was going to let me go and I was going to finish what I started. After what seemed like hours of silence, which was only seconds, I had had it.
I stepped back and relaxed my body. He loosened his grip on my wrists and when he finally let go, I turned to sprint for the first one I saw. I felt a set of arms catch my waist.
“Don’t even think about it,” Lorenzo growled in my ear.
What was Lorenzo’s problem? She had annoyed him as much as me. Why was he stopping me? I wanted her to fully understand what I meant. I was going to kill those traitor cousins of mine. Why were they not helping me?
Lorenzo grabbed my arm and started for the parking lot. The energy between was taking on physical shape. Swirling around us like a cloak. Just his hand on my arm made my hairs stand up. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to hit him or kiss him.
When we got out to the parking lot, Lorenzo stood in front of me with his arms folded, looking as if he wanted to commit a murder himself. I stared back at him to let him know I wasn’t scared of him. If I wanted to get pass, I would. I turned and marched for the car, not stopping until I got to the passenger door.
I realized I had left my bag in the mall and that was where the key was. I turned to head back that way, but Lorenzo was right on top of me. He threw his arms on the roof of the car, locking me in between him and it.
I officially had to stay put. I looked in his eyes and my grey smiles were gone. They looked like grey steel. He took a deep breath.
“What in the world is wrong with you?” he asked sounding concerned.
I stared at him not answering.
“Victoria, do you hear me? What was that?” he asked.
I didn’t want to fight with him. Why couldn’t he just leave me alone right now. I needed to think. Couldn’t he understand that?
I needed to relax for a second. I just stood there not looking at him, trying to stare pass him. He wasn’t satisfied with my silence, so he shouted in my face. “Talk to me!”
I felt the tears coming, so I shouted back. “She asked for it!” I roared.
“That’s not what I’m talking about. You just snapped, you were ready to fight me. What’s wrong with you?” he roared back.
I hadn’t realized that that was what I was doing, or that that’s what it looked like to him. I started to cry. “I’m sorry, I… I didn’t see you. I just wanted you to let go,” I told him.
“Victoria, this had nothing to do with her. She just picked a bad time to pick a fight. What’s really going on with you?” he asked softly.
“I don’t know. She made it seem like I wouldn’t do what I said. I never say something I won’t do,” I explained.
“Victoria, this is about your father, isn’t it?” he accused.
I began crying more and shrugged my shoulders in reply.
“Please talk to me. If I don’t know what’s wrong, I can’t fix it,” he pleaded.
He was only trying to be there for me, but I snapped again. “Fix it? How can you fix seventeen years of lying? What can you do to fix my heart from being ripped apart? I’m only some kid he had so he could marry me off for something I don’t understand, which makes me even more angry. Can you fix that?” I fired at him.
Lorenzo’s face changed to a face of complete hurt. “I can only try to fix it if you let me. I can love you. That won’t fix what has been done to your heart, but I swear to love you so much it will cover all that pain. Victoria, I don’t know everything about your father, but I do know you weren’t just some kid he had so he could marry you off. He does love you,” he said sincerely.
I released a long sigh. “Lorenzo, you can want to try to fix it, but it’s not your problem. You shouldn’t be forced to make up for his mistakes. You shouldn’t have to take me where he won’t,” I replied.
He frowned. “Why should you hurt when you don’t have to? If I can fix it, if I can make you happy, why won’t you let me? I want to make sure you get what you want. I’m not making up for any one’s mistakes. I’m making sure the person I love is always happy, no matter what that takes.” He touched my face and I looked into his eyes.
“I don’t know, Lorenzo. I wanted to tell you how I felt, but I don’t want you to think I’m being a brat. I don’t want you to think I’m spoiled,” I shrugged.
“So, you’d rather I think you’re crazy?” He raised a brow.
“I’m sorry I lost my temper with you. I really didn’t mean to. I’m embarrassed,” I whispered with my head down.
He lifted my chin to see my face. “You’re something else. Those girls never had a chance,” he said and laughed.
I was even more embarrassed. “I’m sorry I embarrassed you. I understand if you don’t want to deal with crazy,” I replied.
He tucked my hair behind my ear and pressed his mouth to it. “I like crazy. Crazy excites me. My father raised me too proud to be embarrassed. As far as I see it, not only is my girl the prettiest, she the most dangerous,” he whispered and gave a quick chuckle.
Before I could respond, he had me pinned to the car. As our lips touched, I could feel the energy that was cloaking us serge through our lips. I wrapped my arms around his neck and lost myself in his kiss. Lorenzo wasn’t holding back.
He pulled away to look me in t
he face. The look in his eyes was intense and confident. He watched my eyes as he traced my face with his fingers. I was overwhelmed by his touch. All the emotions that were running through me came to the surface. I felt the tears begin to flow. Lorenzo gently wiped the tears away and kissed my cheek.
“Why are you crying?” he asked. “Please let me know what I can do to make it better,” he whispered.
“You are making it better. Thank you,” I shrugged.
“You’re welcome. Are you ready to leave? We can go hang at my house. I am starving. I kind of didn’t get to eat,” he smirked.
I gave him a bashful look. “I left my purse and the key is in it,” I told him.
He pulled his phone from his pocket, sending a text. He smiled as he sent his message, peeking up at me as he waited for a reply. I reached out for his hand and he came closer, locking our fingers together. After a few seconds, his phone lit up and he read the message.
“Cool, your cousins and Chris are coming with us. We can hang at my pool. Angie is bringing your bag,” he said as he went to reply to the message.
“I don’t have a swimsuit. I don’t want to hang by the pool in this,” I complained.
He chuckled. “Chris just said Angie was running into a swim shop. Do you want me to ask her to get you something? I can go in and pay for it,” he offered.
“You don’t have to pay for it. She has my wallet in my purse.”
He ignored what I said. Finishing his text, he leaned in to kiss me. Lorenzo turned to walk away.
“You’re going to need to get used to me doing things for you. Stay here and try to stay out of trouble. Is there a special color you want?” he called over his shoulder.
“Ugh. Black please. Thank you,” I called after him.
I was glad for the time alone to think. I wanted to try to focus the emotions I was feeling. Lorenzo was truly trying to make me feel better. To make sure that I was okay.
I thought about how he was more concerned with my reaction to him, than what I had done to Sabrina. I guess he did feel she did deserve it. What bothered me most was that I didn’t notice what I was doing. I was so far gone in my rage.
I could never hit Lorenzo. I love him too much. I feel like he understands me so much.