Danica POVI’d like to say I was in shock, but I wasn’t. I was used to being bullied. To being belittled and embarrassed.I slowly walked down Lake Road with the wet, sticky fabric quickly drying around my body. I picked up my pace, wanting nothing more than to be rid of this dress. But no matter how quickly I walked, I didn’t want to go home.The black car I’ve come to know rolled down the street toward me. When it came to a stop, the driver’s side door opened and the first thing I noticed was Dmitry’s eyes on my dress.The second thing I noticed was the red hair peering through the passenger side window.I didn’t have to look twice. Nancy was in the car.His eyes furrowed as he skimmed me up and down. He rushed toward me with open arms. “Danica! What happened to you?” His big hands landed on each of my shoulders.I folded my arms across my chest, searching for any comfort I can grab before I released the words, “There was an accident at school,” I lowered my head shamefully toward t
Danica POV “Now let’s get something to eat.” He said so casually. Like the money, he spent on that outfit meant nothing. When in actuality it was he who should be more upset than me about the dress. It was his money. It was his time spent trying to transform me.My stomach growled and he laughed.“Yeah. You’re definitely hungry and I know the perfect place to get lunch.” Dmitry picked up his keys and led me to the car.“Where’s Nancy?” I asked when we got back into his car. Her perfume still lingered in the small space.“She left.” His answer was short and simple.“Where are we going?” I asked when he turned away from town.“There’s a spot I know across the lake.”His phone rang, not giving him a chance to say the name of the restaurant.“This is Hardin.” He spoke in a tone I havent heard him use since we were in the hospital. The night he made my father look small in more ways than once.“Hardin!” I heard an excited voice come through the speakers of the car. “I hope I caught you at
Danica POV“I find that hard to believe. What happened to him?”“Him who?”“You’re boyfriend. What happened to your last boyfriend? You dumped him because you realize he wasn’t enough for you?”My lips curled but I couldn’t force them to form a smile for something I never experienced.“I’ve never had a boyfriend. Boyfriends complicate things and my life is complicated enough…” I paused trying to remember the exact way he answered me. “Having a boyfriend at this time in my life wouldn’t be fair to either one of us.”“Using my words against me. Not fair.” He said laughing again.“I can’t help it if it’s true.”“Touché.”The waiter brought our entrees and the conversation slowed as we began enjoying the pasta. It tasted like heaven in my mouth. “This is a nice change of pace from the lunch normally served at my school.”“Let me guess. Dry spaghetti. Grill cheese sandwiches. Pizza Fridays.”“And don’t forget the healthy glass of milk to go with it.”“If you like this, you would have loved
Danica POVThe school was still jumping with after-school excitement when he dropped me off. Though I didn't see anyone from my classes. I remembered Lucas mentioning something about a party after the senior pictures. Maybe everyone was there.I decided to stop by my locker before heading to my bike to place my book bag in the locker. There was no need to carry it home since I doubt if I would do any studying. When I open my locker, a note fell out. I opened it slowly not looking forward to seeing what I said. I knew it had to have been from a student. If it were from a teacher, it would have just been given to me tomorrow during classes.It read: ‘I notice you missed our class pictures. I was really looking forward to seeing you in that dress again. I hope everything is OK.’Signed L.It was from Lucas. We were going to be arranged in alphabetical order, which meant me and Lucas were going to be right next to each other.With my last name being Phillips and his last name being Pierc
Dmitry POV As soon as I dropped her off at the school, I knew where I was headed. I jumped on my phone and called the store. I told them I was on the way and needed it now and I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. That dress meant so much to her. I could see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice when I tossed it in the trash. I don't know what came over me. I just couldn't help knowing that she lost something that she loved. Normally I could care less if somebody had lost something if they wanted. It wasn’t my problem. I mean that's not the way I was raised. My father raised me to disregard everyone else's feelings in business and life. It's our family first and that's life. But just seeing the tears in those big, pretty eyes when I picked her up today. That was enough to stir something in me. I got on the phone and made another call before arriving at the store. By the time I got there, my call ended and business concluded. But I didn’t have time to revel in my success. No
Dmitry POVI turned the car off once we were inside my garage. Danica hadn’t said a word the entire ride back to my home. Not even when I asked if she needed to go to the hospital. She just simply shook her head no. And not once did she look my way.I placed my hand on the handle of the door but took it off as soon as I noticed the stillness of her body. She wasn’t ready to leave this car. And no matter how anxious I was to get her inside to check her for injuries, I had to wait for her.After a few minutes, she snapped out of her trance and said, “Sorry.”I winced hearing her say sorry. She had nothing to be sorry for. “We can sit here all night if you want to.”When she remained still, I leaned back in my seat and waited patiently for her to show me something. After a few more minutes, I finally heard the sniffles. Which soon turned into heaving. “I…have…to..go..back!” She said. “Rick is going to be angry. You have to take me back!”Her door flew open. Somehow, I knew she was going
Danica POVMy eyes stung a bit as they embrace the sun beaming through the window. It took me a few seconds to realize that I wasn’t in my bed. The room was too large and too bright. And the sheets were way too nice.This was Dmitry’s bedroom. I rolled over to check for him, but I was alone. The last thing I remember was him laying down beside me.I didn’t want to be alone and when I asked him to stay, he obliged me.I expected Dmitry to pull back the covers and climbed in bed with me. But instead, he laid on top of the fluffy comforter, leaving me safely tucked inside.We lay there together staring at the ceiling until I fell asleep.The bed was still made on the side where he fell asleep. Or maybe, he fixed it when he left. The room was completely empty.I looked around for a clock remembering there was an electronic clock somewhere in his room. It was Friday morning and I should be heading for school.I got out of bed in search of two things. A clock and Dmitry.I had to go all the
Danica POV This past week has flown by with ease. Dmitry set me up with everything I needed. He replaced my phone and got me a new bike to ride to school. Though it wasn’t as fancy as the bike I wrecked, it was a lot fancier than my grandmother’s beach cruiser. I didn’t have any clothes or shoes, so he took me shopping once again. It took a little convincing but I was able to stop him from taking me to Lords. I didn’t want another run in with Angel. And I definitely didn’t want to have to throw away anymore expensive clothing. He took me to the local mall and brought several pair of jeans, shoes, skirts, and shirts. No matter how many things he bought me, none of it topped the food. I nearly threw up after eating four slices of pizza the first night we ate dinner. I hadn’t eaten that much in one meal in years. Even better, I slept like a baby. I didn’t have to worry about my father raging tempers. Was I going to wake to him ready to fight? Was I going to come home to find hm dr