Chapter 40 Harsh Memories
I'm so conflicted right now. I want to do the right thing for everyone. Including my sisters. I know Rick could take care of us, but what would they think if I ditched James for Rick for no good reason?
"Little dancer, be mine and everything you are dealing with right now will disappear. You will no longer have to deal with Beth, and your sisters would be safe. And if you are mine I swear I would never cheat," he continues to state his point.
I look up at the man who is offering me a lifeline, and not one in a few months. Right now. He could make everything go away. I wouldn't have to worry about Charlie not getting the help she needs, or Beth and Ava's influence over Liv. I wouldn't have to worry about being hit every damn day or my money being stolen from the only 'family' we have left.
He could be the savior I've been needing for 5 whole years. He could be my everything... But then my memories come crashing down on me.
Him and all his little friends making fun of me. Punishing me for absolutely no reason. They just wanted to humiliate me.
"You will never amount to anything, Little Dancer," Rick sneered, cornering me on the sidewalk as I was walking home from school.. He pulled me behind a tree and loomed over me like a giant as his friends gathered around.
"No one would ever find you attractive," chuckled one of his friends. "You are too tiny and you are so damn ugly. No one would want a dirty little thing like you."
"Just because your parents own a dance company doesn't make you worthy of any of us," another pushed me to the ground, kicking a chunk of dirt on my face. "Dirty little dancer," he called.
I'd scraped my hands and knees. I couldn't understand why they were picking on me. If they didn't like me that was fine, just leave me alone!
I couldn't stop the tears from falling down my face, and I looked up at Richard. Something in his eyes flickered for a moment before that cruelty came back ten fold. "Look, Little Josie is crying! I always knew you were a cry baby."
I blink and the memory changes to a school hallway. Richard was there with his arm around Mandi. He was smirking down at me as she was trash talking me in front of the hallway full of other students looking for some entertainment.
"Look at you! You call yourself a dancer? You don't have moves to satisfy a man, let alone Richard Kingston," she jeered. "You're just a little twinkle toes! No one cares about a little dancing princess like you! Especially Richard!"
"Why the hell would I want someone like Richard anyway?" I growled. "You can have the bastard. I'm gonna find someone who is capable of actual feelings!"
And then I was up against my locker. "You have no idea what are you are talking about, little dancer! I'm more than capable of feeling, but you aren't worth it!" He snarled with fire in his eyes. He was furious, and I didn't understand why. Why was he always like this?
"Keep telling yourself that Richard. Some day, I will be rid of you and I'll be married and happy. And all you will ever be is a jackass!" I hiss, trying to push him off me. "A Jackass who only knows how to give pain... And I hope one day karma comes and bites you in the ass!"
"Don't you dare call me that!" He growls, shoving me hard. "You don't know a damn thing! You are just filth! I wouldn't even look at you if I could help it!"
"Then why the hell do you go out of your way to keep touching me?" I demanded, with tears running down my face. "For someone who can't stand the sight of me, you sure know how to find me no matter where I am!"
Suddenly he pulled away from me like I'd burned him. He was panting and glaring down at me, before turning around and grabbing Mandi and marching away from me.