Chapter 6 Rescue Dinner
I rush to the door, not even caring about my purse. There is nothing worth getting anyway. What do I care if my Aunt steals my ID? She's already controlling my life!
I throw open the door and throw my arms around my boyfriend James. He's cool from the night air, but his arms are warm. I nuzzle his face, taking in his familiar woodsy scent. I take a deep breath, trying to find my center so I don't blow up.
"Woah! Baby girl. What's wrong?" he asks rubbing my back softly. I don't answer him, I just burrow deeper into his arms, keeping my eyes closed. All the words I want to spew die on my tongue as he places a soft kiss on my cheek.
I need to hold him for just a minute. I've had such a crappy birthday already. I just need him. How am I supposed to tell him everything I've been feeling lately? How do I tell him I'm drowning and I need him to save me. He'd think I was being dramatic and laugh at me. And really, that is the last thing I need tonight!
James is good at giving hugs and affection, but he's really not one of those guys you can tell your feelings too. He likes to make light of my emotions, saying it's not as bad as I think it is... Only he really has no clue! He's had a pretty easy life! He didn't lose his parents. He also doesn't have two younger sisters (one of which hates his guts) depending on him.
I pull away from him and he winces as he sees the blood on my temple form earlier. He places another kiss on my cheek, but keeps well away from the bloody bump. That's okay. I'm not expecting him to kiss it better like a little kid. I just need him to acknowledge that I'm hurting.
"Let's get you outta here," he suggests, pulling me around the waist and out it his car. I lean into his hold and look out into the dark night. It's late October and it's pretty dark but it's only 7. Soon it will be winter and the world will be washed in white, preparing for a long sleep. It wont wake til spring. That seems so far away. Will I be able to make it that long with Beth being a pain in my ass?
I slide into the seat and buckle up, and just watch the scenery pass us by. Mostly just dark shadows and the occasional lamp post. Red break lights and street lights blink red, yellow and green. Bright neon signs showing different restaurants are open, welcoming us in for the dinner rush.
I don't say anything until we reach the restaurant. James loves Italian, so he drives us to his favorite little restaurant. My favorite is Japanese, but James always says we can't afford it. I never complain, since he insists on paying for dinner. He knows I'm saving and he also knows Beth stole everything from my wallet today.
Well, he insisted he take me out today because it is my birthday and I only turn 21 once, and someone has to be willing to celebrate the accomplishment with me.
The hostess gives us both practiced smiles, "Table for two?" I'm glad she's not like the last one and completely ignored me. She'd been flirting with James the whole damn time, and I told him I never wanted to come back. He promised it was nothing, and he was just being friendly.
Something about the way he answered me that twisted my stomach. Am I supposed to watch my boyfriend be 'friendly' with other women forever too? What would he say if I started being 'friendly' with all his friends? He'd be pissed as hell!
"Yep," James says, keeping a tight hold on me. I'm glad he is also only paying attention to me. If his attention was on someone else tonight, I might just break up with him. That is how messed up my emotions are tonight.
I don't know why I've become so anxious around James lately. It can't just be PMS. And I'm not normally a bitch. I don't know... something is just rubbing me the wrong way... Maybe it's that I want to leave Aunt Beth sooner rather than later.