Runaways by Nicole Dykes
Ilook into the mirror and smile, fluffing my blond hair out and then applying a little more lip gloss. I’m going to the dance tonight with Lawson.
Who I think might be my boyfriend.
I don’t really know. All I know is I get a crazy fluttering in my stomach anytime I’m around him. And his smile alone is enough to cheer me up. We’re together all of our free time, and knowing I’m going to get to see him is about the only thing that keeps me going these days.
Colin is becoming bolder and bolder, creeping up on me anytime he can. I spend every night in fear, but every morning when I see Lawson, I’m in bliss.
I love my black dress. It goes to my knees, so it isn’t too short. And the cut is flattering, making me look like I have more of a chest than I do. I feel pretty.
I walk down the stairs, but I’m immediately stopped by Colin, who’s waiting by the door for me.
No.
“What?”
“You’re not leaving the house looking like that.”
Do not cry. Do not let him see how he makes you feel.
“My mom bought the dress. Take it up with her.”
He moves to stand right in front of me. “Don’t disrespect me in my house.”
I don’t bother to remind him that we live in the house my mom’s money built. “I’m not. I’m just going to a dance.”
“And how are you getting there?”
“Lawson is picking me up. His brother lent him his car.”
“There is no way you’re riding in a car with that boy.” He moves closer, his eyes darting to my cleavage, suddenly making me feel dirty and not pretty. “Especially in this dress. He’ll automatically think he has a ticket to access between your legs.”
I hate when he says things like this to me. I’ve kissed Lawson a few times since that first time on the couch, but it hasn’t gone far. He’s insanely protective of me and my feelings. He makes me feel beautiful with just a look.
It helps when Colin’s words make me feel ugly.
“Get away from me.” I hope my words sound stronger than I feel.
I reach out to shove him away, and he captures my wrist, making me whimper. “You do not talk to me like that.”
I try to jerk away, but he only holds on tighter. “You better make him wrap it up before you let him fuck you. I’m not raising any little bastards.”
“We aren’t doing that,” I try to defend myself, although I have no idea why.
“Please, guys like Lawson Davis don’t wait around. He probably has several kids by now.”
“He does not.” I know he’s a virgin too, but there’s no way I’m saying that. Colin would just say he’s lying.
“You’re a toy for him. The rich girl type, slumming it with the bad boy.”
I finally jerk away from him, but his body keeps me caged in against the wall next to the door. “That’s not what this is.”
He rolls his eyes coldly at me. “You’re such a child.” His eyes slide lecherously over my body, making me want to throw up. Or poke his eyes out.
I don’t want him looking at me. “A child you can’t seem to keep your creepy eyes or hands off.”
I flinch when his hand moves over my throat but not applying pressure before sliding down over my chest and then down my bare arm. “You act like a child, but you’re not one.”
“You’re disgusting.”
He seems to regain a semblance of composure and steps away from me. “You aren’t going.”
“Yes. I am.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes. I am.” My voice is louder, and I hear my mom’s heels clicking on the floor, noticing Colin take another step away from me now.
“What is going on?”
I put a hand on my hip, facing my mom, tattling, but I don’t care. “Colin said I can’t go to the dance, Mom.”
My mother purses her lips as she eyes me and then turns her attention to her husband, her eyes noticeably softening. “Why not, honey? It could give us some alone time.” She wraps her arms around his waist, and again, I feel like vomiting.
Colin’s eyes darken in my direction. “She looks like a hooker.”
My mother isn’t offended by what he says in the slightest. Instead, she giggles like a schoolgirl and slaps his chest playfully. “She does not. She looks pretty.” Her hand creeps up his chest, and then she palms his cheek. “If she goes to the dance, we’ll have the house all to ourselves.”
He doesn’t look at all intrigued. “I can’t. I’m the principal, and I have to go too.”
I clutch my stomach, feeling it roll. Hating that if I go, he’ll be there. Always unable to escape him. My mother pouts. “How about I go too? Then we can both keep an eye on her . . .” Her hand slides lower, reaching for his ass like I’m not here. “And maybe we can find some time to sneak away.”
He smiles down at her, but I can tell it’s forced. “Okay. Sounds like a plan, sweetness.”
My mom kisses him on the lips, and I see headlights pull up outside. “Lawson’s here. I’m going.”
“Home right after the dance,” my mother says, without looking away from her husband, but I can feel his eyes on me.
I don’t say anything and run out to Nash’s car in my heels, hoping I don’t bust my ass. I pull open the door and climb in, relieved to escape Colin until I see Lawson’s profile.
“Law . . .” I breathe out, and then he turns to face me, the shiner even more visible now. “What happened?”
He shrugs, his eye nearly swollen shut and purple. I watch his Adam’s apple bob in his throat and the shame wash over his handsome features. “My dad came home last night. He was looking for money.”
“So he hit you?”
He shrugs again, and I know he’s embarrassed. “I wouldn’t tell him where our stash is.”
“You have a stash?”
He nods. “Nash and me. We always keep money hidden from our parents. Something we learned to do a long time ago in case of an emergency.”
“I’m so sorry, Lawson.”
He looks pained, his eyes looking over me but not in a predatory way like Colin did, his way makes me feel safe and treasured. Beautiful. “You look pretty. I couldn’t let you down.”
“You didn’t.” He’s wearing black pants and a button-down shirt I had no idea he owned. His dark hair is tousled and perfect with his waves falling over his eyes. “You look pretty too.”
He laughs at that, and it’s good to see him light up, despite the swollen and bruised eye. “I’m so sorry, Rae. I wanted to give you a normal teenage night, but the Davis luck rears its ugly head yet again.”
The way he talks about his last name, it’s like he believes they’re cursed. And it breaks my heart. “I’m just happy you’re here. All I need is you.”
He looks surprised by my embarrassing admission, but I don’t care. I’m glad I said it. He takes my hand in his, intertwining our fingers. “I only need you too.” He puts the car into gear. “Let’s go get dinner, and then I’ll take you to that dance.”
I nod in agreement as we pull away from the house.
It doesn’t matter that my mother and Colin will be watching us at the dance. Or that he won’t be able to hold me as close as I want him to.
Because I still have him.
