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𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐈𝐭 𝐆𝐨 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐯𝐨
...🏀...
𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓, 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋
𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟒
"Nathan, really, Mya!" Dad's voice thundered through the house, his anger reverberating off the walls.
I sat on my bed, staring at the patterns on the quilt I'd had since I was a little girl. I glanced at Mom, who stood by the door, her lips curved into a reassuring smile. We both waited for Dad to run out of steam.
"I don't even know you anymore." Dad ranted.
My heart pounded, and I tried to keep my expression neutral. The whole neighborhood could probably hear Dad's tirade.
Finally, he paused for breath, and I seized the moment.
"Are you finished yelling at me?" I asked, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
Dad's face turned an even darker shade of red, and he crossed his arms over his chest. "Why, Mylah? Why were you with him? You know how I feel about that boy and his father."
I took a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts. "Mr. Reynolds sent Nathan to me for tutoring. He's failing his classes, and I offered to help him."
Dad's eyes narrowed, and I could see the muscles in his jaw working as he ground his teeth. "That doesn't explain why you skipped school and went to the beach with him," he snapped.
My cheeks burned as I avoided his gaze.
How could I explain what I felt for Nathan?
I've never felt this way with anyone before, not even Andrew. He made me feel safe and seen for the first time in a long time.
I bit my lip, avoiding his gaze. "Nathan needed someone to talk to," I said softly.
Dad's face twisted with frustration. "I don't want you seeing Nathan ever again, Mylah. He's trouble, and I won't have you mixed up with him."
With that, he stormed out of my room, slamming the door behind him. The walls seemed to shudder in the aftermath of his fury.
Mom stepped forward and squeezed my shoulder gently. "I'll talk to him," she promised, her voice soothing.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
She left me and I sat there as the room fell silent. The weight of Dad's words settles over me like a heavy blanket.
A click echoed, and I looked up as Alex walked in.
He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed in a mirror image of Dad's earlier stance.
