Kingdom

06 | fools

f o o l s

      I nearly choke when I see the text message Mark sent me. Theres a nervous lump in my throat that makes it hard for me to swallow. I can't afford to be in trouble. Part of me wants to stay at Jade's for the night, but I know that it would only make things worse. I have a shot; maybe I can make Aaron drive away and I'll climb in through my bedroom window, lock myself in, and stay there so Mark wouldn't be able to hurt me.

"Aaron, I have to go. It's past my curfew and my mom's boyfriend is waiting for me." I explain quickly, shuffling off his bed and onto the carpeted floor. "I'm going to be in a lot of trouble, please put on a shirt."

"When's your curfew?"

"Six 'o clock,"

"It's only 6:02, you'll survive."

He just doesn't know. "Can you bring me home, please?"

Aaron sighs and rolls over from his position. He's face down on the bed and I hear him respond Fine, his voice muffled by the pillow.

I smile timidly and turn to his dresser. I catch a glimpse of myself in his mirror and gasp at my appearance. Small, bright, pink bruises are scattered across my neck and chest. My cheeks are flushed, and my hair is an absolute mess. Anyone can take one look at me and know just what I've been up to.

I blush again when I look at Aaron, who's pulling a red sweatshirt on. There's clear evidence of our activities on the skin of his neck.

"Aaron, do you have a comb I can use?"

"I look like I use combs?" He blinked. I looked at his buzz cut and smiled abashedly.

"Never mind, then."

"I have a brush, if you wanna use that? Check the bathroom." He gestures with a flick of his head. I nod and follow the direction he aimed at, walking into a large, elegant bathroom. The enormous shower itself is half the size of my bedroom. The walls and floor is smooth, white marble, while the handles and sinks were glass and gold. I really want to know what his parents- well, mother and stepfather- do to be able to afford all of this.

I walk to the counters and see a hair brush and moisturizers. I look at the mirror again, quickly making my hair look as presentable as possible. I feel like I'm going to pass out anytime soon, the fear of Mark gnawing at me again. Flashbacks of Mark throwing me down cause me to visibly shiver. What if he really hurts me this time?

"Elle, you finished?" Aaron snaps me out of my thoughts and I nod meekly, following him out the room. He hands me my things and thank him before quickly descending the stairs.

"Try to relax, ma. Your people's ain't gon' kick you out. Gettin' yelled at ain't that bad." He tries to reassure me as we climb into his car.

You don't know.