Dmitry POV“I came home and she was still waiting for me. Like we were in some kind of relationship and that was the norm. I only left her here, alone, because I had to check a shipment for the old man. Otherwise, she would have been gone.”Cory uncontrollably. He stopped long enough to say, “You know what they say.” When I didn’t answer, he spits out, “Beware of a persistent woman. They always get what they want.”I laughed at the ridiculousness, but he was right. Persistent women always got what they wanted in life.I instantly thought of Danica. She wasn’t persistent at all.I replied to my friend, “I don’t care how persistent she is, she is not the woman for me.”“Then why did you invite her over?” He walked to the fridge and pulled out another beer. “Hey. I know I’ve talked to more than a few girls in my time, but I’ve never led any of them on.”He was right. I had never seen Cory lead one girl further than what he wanted. I also wasn’t that kind of guy. But Nancy is persistent a
Dmitry POVWe wasted twenty minutes listening to her reject my offer to take her shopping. It was easy for her to come up with the reasons why we shouldn’t all pile into the car.Her top reason being that she still owes me money and didn’t want to add this to her debt. Her last reason being that she didn’t deserve my kindness. She recklessly stole my bike. Though she still hadn’t told me the real reason why she did it, she was really close to giving me an actual apology.I all but picked her up and threw her in the car. We were doing this.I had watched Danica since the day I met her. Though she always looked pretty, her clothes were far from anyone’s standards. I knew she would dress down when she came to clean my house, so I’m not referring to her spandex tights and baggy t-shirts.No. I’m referring to her old jeans, with the real holes in them. Not the fashion holes that come with jeans now.It is the shoes that look like she walks a hundred miles in them every day. And the shirts
Danica POVAngels lips were so pinned together I thought she would be stuck like that forever. No one had ever talked to her like that. No One.She was Queen Bee everywhere she stepped. And yet, Dmitry made her feel smaller than an ant and I could tell she didn’t like it.As for me, I somehow found myself not liking it either. She was staring at him but I knew her anger would be aimed at me tomorrow.Satisfied with her silent compliance, Dmitry took the dresses from my hand and shoved them into her arms. “Now do your job and bring us some new, crisp dresses.”I heard Cory tell a few people to move along in a nothing to see here manner.Dmitry took my hand and led me to the dressing rooms. Cory took a seat next to the entrance, but Dmitry just stood there while I waited for Angel to return. She didn’t bother coming back. Instead, she sent another girl with the dresses. Figures. There was no way she would serve me in any capacity.“Here you go ma’am.” The girl said in a nervous tone,
Danica POV It took ten minutes to convince Dmitry not to pull too far into the driveway. I noticed the auto garage doors closed when we approached and told him my father was probably sleeping. That wasn’t a total lie. Even when I claimed I didn’t want to wake up, it was all true. I knew by now he had passed out. I just wasn’t sure where. If it was in our living room, Dmitry’s tires rolling over the rocking driveway would surely wake him. Dmitry pushed through his self-disappointment and let me walk the rest of the way. As stern as he was, he hated not being a gentleman when the opportunity arose. I assured him that having me carry five bags would not make him any less of a gentleman. I carried the bags toward the house, taking my time. I didn’t want Dmitry to see me pass the porch and walk toward the backyard. It took three long trips up my old trellis to get all the bags up to my room without making too much noise. It didn’t help that I barely had any arm strength. After makin
Danica POVRick stayed on my mind the entire time I rode to school. He was different this morning. He never asked me before where I got things. But then again, I never had new things for him to ask.And that look he gave me when he told me to go on and get to school was chilling. After I peddled away, I looked back and he was still watching me. Even as I grew further away. I couldn't help but feel weird all morning about it.Senior students were on a whole other level this morning. I was almost grateful for the distraction.The girls did in fact wear dresses but the dresses were more extravagant with gaudy designs. And the guys either wore nice slack pants with collar shirts or tight-fitted jeans with designs and small rips on the front and back.Every outfit was a few degrees nicer than what they normally wore but still their style.Once again, I felt out of place. The dress I wore wasn't my style. I mean I liked dresses but this outfit was more than a few degrees nicer than what I w
Danica POVLucas’s words followed me through the morning.I had done absolutely nothing to earn this dress. I didn’t work for it. I didn’t buy it. And I surely didn’t open my legs for it.In truth, I had no idea what I had done to deserve the beautiful clothes I received last night. I had done nothing to or for Dmitry and yet he flew in and saved the day.I was zoned out, thinking about the tasteless offer Lucas said. I was nothing more than a conquest to him and everyday he made sure to remind me of such.“Danica Phillips.” I heard my name being called from the front of the room.“Here.” I answered. That earned me a few snickers around the room though I wasn’t sure why.Our teacher stared for a few seconds before correcting me. “I’ve already taken attendance, Ms Phillips. You are needed in the principals office.”I finally noticed a girl who wasn’t apart of our class grabbing the principals note from the teacher and walking back out the door.I stood to walk toward the door, when he
Danica POVThese were the days when I hated myself. The days when I hated my very existence. The days when I wanted nothing more than to disappear. But life didn’t work that way.I couldn’t wiggle my nose and make everything magically okay. I couldn’t say a spell and make the girls pay for what they had just done to me. And I couldn’t do anything to save the blue dress that was once the most beautiful thing I’d ever worn.The girls circled me with laughter spilling from their mouths.Angel looked at me with a crocked smile. “Look at that girls. Mixing red and blue does make purple.”They laughed even harder. And they would probably still be laughing if the speakers above our heads didn’t just blast the announcement dismissing all senior students to the football field.“Angel, lets go.” One girl said while casually walking out the locker room as if nothing just happened.Once both of the girl exited, Angel just looked at me. “You know this is your fault, right?”She paused. Almost like
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