Chapter 17: Chapter 17

"It's the pizza." I said softly and he nodded curtly and went to go pay. Seconds later he returned with two boxes. He sighed and balanced the boxes with one arm and pulled me into the dining room with the other. He sat me down at a large mahogany table and slipped into a seat across from me.

He handed me a plate and when I got one piece of pepperoni pizza he huffed and piled three more slices on my plate.

We ate in silence until we were full and I couldn't help but notice how tense Daimen was. I tried to lighten the mood various times, but he only shrugged or gave a small fake grin or just didn't respond at all. Lets just say it was a very much awkward meal, but the pizza was good... That's what mattered right?

"Hey.... remember that time in seventh grade?" Daimen asked suddenly and blinked at him.

"You mean when you...?" I started and he nodded.

"Oh." I nodded softly as I was pulled into a memory...

I walked down the halls. My heart hammered in my chest as I thought of what I was about to do. I was young and caught in a stupid fantasy, at only thirteen in the seventh grade, I was going to do it. I was going to tell him. To ask him.

I caught sight of him and my heart stuttered as butterflies swarmed in my stomach. I pushed my brown hair from my face and was suddenly self cautious. Did I look okay? I took a deep breath and walked over to the boy.

He fiddled with his locker. His dark hair was adorably messy and his amber eyes were trained on his lock as he put the code in. His muscles flexed under his clothes and I admired his nice build... I couldn't help but fawn over how cute he looked with his tongue pressed against the corner of his lips in concentration. He finally got it open and he huffed and started rummaging inside. I made my way to stand beside him and worked up the courage to speak.

"Umm hi." I said softly and the godly young boy grunted in response and shut his locker turning his amber eyes on me. His gaze hardened as he looked at me and I felt small suddenly.

"Hey?" He said looking me up and down and raising a perfect eyebrow. I almost lost my words and stood there awkwardly.

"Uhh okay?" The boy said and turned away with an inaudible mutter.

"Wait Daimen. I wanted to know if you'd... Go out with me?" I asked quickly before I could back out.

The boy froze and turned back to me. The look in his eyes took my breath away... Not in a good way though. Cold amusement was dancing in his beautiful eyes.

"Me and you? Ha, you've lost your mind!" He doubled over laughing his musical laugh. My heart twisted in pain and I fought back the tears that were pushing at my surface begging to be released.

"You could've just said no..." I breathed feeling my lip quiver in hurt and humiliation.

"Oh my... That was good. You actually thought that for a second I would go out with you? Oh God." He broke out in laughter again. I looked at him in pain.

He was right, why would the drool worthy boy that is Daimen Princeston want me; the ugly, little girl that no one barely notices?

"I-I know it was stupid..." I managed to whisper and Daimen chuckled. His laugh only made my heart ache more. I couldn't help I'd had a crush on him for a while and when I finally get the courage to ask him... This happens.

"Damn right. You've got to be retarded or something. I thought you nerds were supposed to be smart." He said cruelly with an evil smirk. Tears began to well up in my eyes.

"Omg it's like hard to watch." A voice made me turn to see a crowd had formed watching the scene as if it were some television show. The tears really wanted to fall now. My throat tightened as I was met with horrible smiles and whispers and pity glances.

"Aww you gonna cry River?" His voice brought my attention back to the boy I'd had a naïve crush on.

Suddenly, the quivering of my lip stopped as anger flowed through my veins drowning out my hurt and confidence sparked inside of me. I blinked back my tears and locked eyes with Daimen.

"Not for you. Fuck you Daimen. Take my offer and shove it up your ass." I said almost growling. Surprise flickered in his eyes for a second before he scoffed.

"You think I give a damn?" He said darkly. He stood tall and glared down at me. The muscles in his jaw twitched, "I don't care about you. No one cares about you." His words managed to cut deep and I gasped at the pain. The smirk forming on his lips was enough to make me release a tear. It slid down my cheek and disappeared.

"You're right. No one cares..." I said softly and backed away from him, "Whatever."

"I care." A voice said and April walked over I smiled at her and she gave me a nod. Then she marched over to Daimen.

"What do you want lesbo?" He growled and April reared her hand back and punched him in the face.

"Go suck a dick Princeston." April huffed as she walked back to me, unbothered by the obscenities Daimen began to call her.

My heart pounded as I turned and we walked away. Tears fell down my cheeks, but I held my head high.

He wasn't the right guy for me. Hell, he wasn't the right guy for anyone.

I blinked out of the thought and shrugged, "Yeah, what about it?" I asked softly.

"It was just a stupid crush when I was like twelve." I added dismissing the issue, but I felt my stomach churn uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry. I was going through some stuff, but I shouldn't've taken it out on you like that." Daimen said sincerely and for a moment my mind went blank.

"Okay..." I said finally.

"You don't believe me?" He asked and I sighed.

"No; I do." I said. For a while all was quiet between us.

"Is April still mad about that?" He asked and I shook my head.

"She doesn't care about you... Er that came out badder than I meant it to." I said softly.

"It's cool." Daimen said. I looked at my nails trying to avoid eye contact.

Silence.

"You'll sleep in the same room as last time okay?" Daimen said and I glanced up at him and nodded. With a nod of his head he stood up and grabbed the empty plates and headed for the kitchen.

"You can take a shower and everything in your room." He called as I began mounting the stairs and I replied back with an okay.

"Even though I kind of don't have any clothes." I grumbled to myself. I walked to my door and opened it, stepping into the room and I gasped in shock.

No way.

River

I stared at the room in astonishment.

There were white roses in a case by the bed placed neatly on the desk and I looked over and was shocked to see the closet door slightly ajar. I made my way over to it and peered inside and got another surprise.

Clothes graced the inside and I stepped inside and felt the soft material. They were all woman's clothes and I couldn't help noticing it was all in my size. I glanced at the shoes lining the wall and I just stared for a little while before going to exit the closet. I walked out and shut the closet softly and walked over to the desk with the roses. I noticed a piece of paper folded by the vase and I picked it up and opened it. It was a note that read:

Don't fuck up your room. If you make a mess, clean it.

I read the words a few times and set the note cautiously on the desk again. My heart drummed in my chest and I felt strange. He really got all this for me?

I walked into the bathroom and saw new shampoos and conditioners and everything just looked perfect. I opened a cabinet by the mirror and saw a lot of feminine care items and paused. He bought all this? I shut the cabinet and then the bathroom door. I walked over to the glass shower and turned it on. I quickly stripped and got into the hot water and then I lost whatever grip I'd been holding.

It felt like everything just came crashing down on me. Yet my gratitude towards Daimen only made me cry harder.

Tears ran down my face and soon I was huddled up under the water crying. I didn't think I was crying that loud but soon the door was opening and Daimen came barging in. His eyes were wide as he looked around and when his amber orbs met me his eyes changed into an expressionless look. He blinked slowly and grabbed a towel from the cabinet and rushed over. The muscles in his arm flexed softly as he pulled open the shower door and knelt beside me careful to steer clear of the water. He turned off the water and put a towel over my body.

"C'mon." He grunted and picked me up with ease. I was still crying heavily and I buried my face in his shirt as he carried me out of the bathroom. He set me gently on the edge of my bed and grabbed some silk pajamas out of a drawer. He pulled out some underwear as well and handed them to me. Slater kept his eyes on my face as he ran the towel over my trembling form and soon had me mostly dry. He sat down beside me and wrapped the towel tightly around my shaking form. I closed my leaking eyes as he pulled me against his body and held me as I cried.

"Get dressed." He said softly and brushed the tears from my eyes. I'd stopped crying. If I wasn't so distraught I may've blushed at our current closeness.

"Okay." I gasped and Daimen softly kissed my head. Sparks zapped in my stomach and I squeezed my eyes shut before looking up to hesitantly meet his eyes. He ran his fingers through my hair and stood up straight.

"Thank you Daimen." I managed to get out and he shot me a look as he made it to the bedroom door.

"Welcome... I'll see you in the morning." Daimen said with a soft smile and left the room in a rush.

I sighed and dried my remaining areas, mainly my breasts and in between my legs. Daimen had been careful not to go those places and I finally managed a blush at the thought. I slipped on my underwear and pajamas and got into bed.

My eyes shut slowly and I was sucked into a nightmare.

I was sitting in my room and the door burst open. I yelped in shock and my uncle stormed in and shut the door. As soon as the door shut it disappeared and so did my window. My uncle turned to me with a disgusting smirk and I gulped and scrambled away from him so that I sat on the far side of the bed. He chuckled and walked toward me and I tried to move away but he grabbed my ankle and yanked me to him. I screamed and he pressed his hand over my mouth and I kicked and fought as he climbed on top of me.

"No!" I yelled and he pressed his lower half against mine. I cried and he ripped my shirt off. My eyes squeezed shut as he leaned closer and I lashed out and hit him in his face. He cursed and grabbed my wrists and pinned them by my head then he swooped down and his lips kissed on my skin. I writhed under him and tried to kick him but he only pressed against me and started sucking and biting on my neck.

"Stop! Leave me alone!" I screamed and he started shaking me and suddenly everything was shaking.

"River! Wake up!" A yell woke me and I bolted awake with a scream. Daimen stopped shaking me and looked at me with wide eyes. Tears stained my cheeks and I fought to get my breathing under control. My sobs caught in my throat and I nearly chocked.

"Hey it's okay... It was just a dream." Daimen said softly and I buried my face in my hands.

"Shh I got you..." He added gently and sat next to me in bed and pulled me against him. My head laid on his chest. I then realized he didn't have a shirt on. Great now I was going to get my tears and stuff on him. I tried to pull away but Daimen just held me closer and laid his chin on my head.

"He tried to have sex with me, t-the other day after you left." I sobbed and Daimen tensed.

"What? Who?" He asked softly.

"My uncle-he said he was adopted so it would be ok. Then he just grabbed me and kissed me and I didn't know what to do, but I pushed him out of my room... That's why I didn't eat all weekend. I-I'm so stupid I-" I cried and Daimen pulled me closer.

"I should've stayed with you. I could've protected you." Daimen gritted out and hugged me tighter.

"It's okay. You're okay." Daimen sighed and rubbed his hands down my back. I let out a shuddering sigh as he massaged my back and I relaxed my body against his. I could feel his strong steady heartbeat against his warm muscled chest and I wrapped my arms around his masculine frame.

"Slay... Can you stay with me?" I asked softly. My breath caught as the words just slipped out and I froze. Daimen stopped his rhythmic rubbing and silence ran rampant through the room.

"You know, I hate people calling me 'Slay,' but its nice when you say it." Daimen said softly.

"Oh... I can not call you it, if you want-" I started.

"No, it's fine." He huffed.

Then with a sigh Daimen laid down and pulled me with him. He pulled the covers up around us and wrapped his arms around me in an almost protective manner.

"Go to sleep." He grunted softly and I nearly swooned at his voice.

"I'm sorry-" I began softly and Daimen scoffed.

"Don't apologize to me. Now go to sleep." He said huskily and hugged me to him. I sighed softly and let myself slip back into sleep.

I woke up with with moan and stretched only to gasp as my body rubbed against Daimen's. He groaned and his hands which held my waist pulled me closer. I glanced over in shock and saw him still asleep. I looked at his hands holding me to him, Does he not realize what he does in his sleep?

Daimen muttered in his sleep and pressed against me. I gulped as I felt him pressing more into me and I involuntarily moaned. Yep it was time to get up.

I wiggled out of his grasp and landed on the ground with a loud thud. Maybe not the most graceful thing to do but it got the job done.

"Wha- what the? Riv?" Daimen said jolting awake and sitting upright. He looked at me with confused sleepy eyes. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and ran a hand over his messy yet unexplainably cute hair. His eyes focused on my face and he smirked a little.

"Did you fall?" He asked softly and I could tell he found the thought very amusing.

"What does it look like smart ass?" I said with a frown and he chuckled.

"Hey guys." A voice said and I yelped and whirled around to see Rick standing in the doorway with a knowing smirk. I felt my face heat up as he fixed his green eyes on me, "So... What happened in here last night?" He asked and Daimen scoffed.

"Nothing happened. Well nothing sexual happened... I- umm-" I began but faltered.

"We just slept together. She had a nightmare or something in the middle of the night so I came in here. That's it." Daimen added gruffly and sat up. I stood as he got out of bed and stretched. He shot me a look before exiting the room leaving me with a smirking Rick.

"Aww I thought I'd get some dirty details." Rick sighed with a smile. I looked at him and grimaced but then started giggling. Rick's smile widened and he shook his head softly causing his blond hair to shake a little.

"Honestly nothing happened." I said softly shuffling my feet.

"Well I believe you... But that hard on Slay just had states he sure wanted something to." Rick said and chills ran through my body. My throat dried and I cleared it. My mouth almost dropped open and my face reddened as I blushed heavily.

"Oh my God, Rick hush." I said as I shook my head and tried to forget what he'd just said. He just chuckled and shrugged.

"Hey we were put on this earth to repopulate. It's our God-given right to make love all day and night if we please. Just lots and lots of se-" he started boasting like a sermon was beginning. He was so wrapped up in his little speech that he didn't notice the footsteps our way.

"Rick what in the hell are you talking about?" Daimen growled coming back all dressed and Rick jumped. I laughed at the shock on his face and he shot me a glare.

"You got scared." I said between laughs and Rick crossed his arms in indignation. Daimen looked at me and smirked softly.

"Hey we got any food?" I asked after my bouts of laughter. Rick sighed and nodded.

"Yeah I brought doughnuts. They're in the kitchen." Rick said and I smiled.

"Let's go eat then." Daimen said and we all went down stairs.

There were some boxes of doughnuts sitting on the table waiting for us as we made it to the dining room. We all sat down to eat and grabbed our choice of yummy goodness. I grabbed some delicious chocolate glazed doughnuts and a pig in a blanket. The boys grabbed their food and soon we were all eating and having little talks.

"So wutcha doing here River?" Rick asked past a mouthful of bread and sausage. I tensed a little but then reminded myself that he didn't know.

"No reason really, just wanted to get away from home awhile." I lied smoothly and took a bite of my doughnuts. Rick nodded slowly and Daimen gave me a long look before going back to his food. A silence rang on and I sighed and finished my food.

"I'm assuming we're all just gonna stay here today?" Rick said casually.

"Well Riv's already missed the start of her class... unless you still wanna try and go?" Daimen said turning his attention to me. For a second I was dismayed but once I thought about it I shook my head.

"I can miss it a few times." I said and Daimen grunted in agreement.

"Slay wanna go out somewhere?" Rick asked and we looked at him. Daimen shrugged and Rick smirked.

"How about you Riv?" Rick said and I bit my lip softly.

"Sure..." I said and Daimen shot me a glance.

We all hung out for most of the day. Rick left around five o'clock to catch his flight.

"Why'd you lie to Rick?" Daimen asked once Rick was gone and I sighed. We were walking back to my place to go home. Well, I was going home, he was just walking me there.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You didn't tell him all of it; why you were with me, at my house." Daimen said.

"I didn't lie. I just left out part of the truth." I said before walking ahead of him.

"That's lying by omission." The young man said catching up to me and I shrugged.

"I just didn't feel like stirring up things for no reason." I explained casually and Daimen let out a breath.

"Come on." He said throwing an arm over my shoulders and I rolled my eyes as we walked along.

"You're uncle's gone, right?" Daimen asked and I nodded.

We didn't speak anymore until he dropped me off then it was a simple 'bye' and he was gone.