“Alright. But seriously, we’ll just be going as friends,” he assured me. When we ended our call I tried to imagine us going out just as friends. Was it a possibility? Or would there be another stain forever on my relationship with AJ?
I’d nearly forgotten about Angel this morning. In a rush to check on her, I pulled myself up off the bed and got ready for the day. I went into the bathroom to do something to my hair and I was startled by the size of the deep purple bruise on my face. I forced myself to look away, quickly pulled my hair up in a messy bun and hurried out of the bathroom.
After cleaning up behind myself, I went down to join the others. I didn’t see Karl which probably meant that he’d joined AJ on his run. Deanna was busy fixing breakfast for everyone. Apparently she and Angel had become fast friends last night while I slept. They were talking and laughing with one another when I entered the kitchen. Angel turned to look my way when she heard my footsteps.
“Good morning. How you feel?” She asked caringly.
“Better,” I replied, which was only partly true.
When she caught sight of my cheek she was on her feet and nearly running toward me. “I had no idea that he’d hit you so hard. If I didn’t think he could take me I’d lay him out myself. Uncle or not.”
Angel motioned for me to take the seat next to her and I did. She put her arm around my shoulders and hugged me gently. I couldn’t express how much I appreciated her for having my back the way she did which made me sad to think of her leaving next week.
A couple hours passed before AJ and Karl returned. I was off the couch almost instantly to meet him at the door. It was such a huge relief to be in his arms again, so I allowed myself to enjoy the moment – that is until it was interrupted.
“My parents know that you’re here,” he whispered into my ear. I looked at him curiously, unsure how I should react.
“How did they find out?” I asked with a hint of nervousness in my voice.
He began to smile. “I think it tipped them off when I told them,” he replied sarcastically. My expression was blank. I’d had enough drama and didn’t think that I could handle anything else. What if they reacted the same way daddy had? What if they really hated me and convinced AJ that I was no good for him?
“What’d they say? Are they upset?” I asked frantically.
“No, I told them that you needed someplace to go and that I wanted you to stay here. They were fine with it, didn’t even ask any questions.”
I didn’t understand. “What made you tell them?”
He smiled and cocked his head to the side. “I’m not hiding you. I was wrong for not being more open with them before. You don’t have to go meet them or anything; telling them just felt like the right thing to do.” He stared at me thoughtfully for a moment. “You’ve been through a lot for me.” His eyes shifted to my bruise momentarily before looking down at the floor.
AJ gave me new reasons to love him more every day. He’d stepped outside of his comfort zone and let his parents in on the part of his life that included me. It made me feel like I was important to him, not just another girl. He was definitely much more than just another boy to me. In that instant I believe that I fell deeper in love with him if that were at all possible.
He kissed my hand and walked to the living room where everyone else was seated. I wanted to join him, but I’d left my cell phone upstairs on the nightstand and I wanted to call my mom. When I got to it, the red light was flashing on the top and I found that she’d beat me to the punch. After taking a few deep breaths I sat on the edge of the bed and returned the call. She answered the phone in a panic.
“Samantha? Where are you? Is everything alright?”
I sighed. “Yes mom. I’m fine.” I wanted to tell her everything, but I didn’t want her to be upset that I was with AJ, so I had to lie again. “I’m staying with Deanna for a while until things settle down. Try not to worry about me.” I knew that was impossible and she would worry until I was back at home.