*Hey, everyone!, I know you're all like "its about damn time this gal gave us an update". And you're right. I wanna start by thanking EVERYONE for their comments and feedback. Granted, some it was hard to handle. I'm not used to negative feedback but I took it into account the fact that I want to perfect my work so criticism is the healthiest factor. So there. By the way, this chapter is short. I'm working with an amazing editor and our flow of communication is still being established. Without out further ado, here's chapter 4. Love, CoCo*
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**2 weeks later**
She never thought it would happen at a time like this. She had changed. Everything changed. Her attitude, her demeanor, and her cheerfulness was gone. She was lost again.
Laying in her bed, Bianca stared up at the ceiling. Her head pounded as she thought about the events of the past few weeks.
She spoke slowly to herself: "All those years of carefully keeping my romantic feelings on a back burner and in less than a week, I find herself hopelessy in---."
**BUZZ!**
Her phone rang, breaking her from a deep thought. Thinking seemed to be all she could do, seeing as how words seemed to fail her lately.
Something told her it was David. She had been ignoring him for almost two weeks. He had called, texted, left voicemails for her to call him back and even came by her place. But she wouldn't see him, like a coward she hid in her room.
And now here she was. Back in front of that mirror. This time the only thing that peeked back was that shirt he slipped on her the first night they spent together. She couldn't resist putting it back on. It was so soft and smelled of him: hazy peppermint. She wrapped herself in a hug and pretended it was from him. She did miss him, but it really was for the best. Pushing him away seemed so much easier than the alternative. Than actually admitting that for the first time in her entire life she actually felt something intimate for someone else.
Being on the receiving end of romantic gestures she was used to letting guys down. She just didn't see it; didn't see the beauty that attracted them. Raking a hand through thick curls she leaned closer, trying to see what it was that made her so wanted. She scrunched up her nose, bit her bottom lip until it turned bright pink and sighed. All she saw was a dark, troubled girl. She felt so alone and empty at times.
The only people Bianca ever really let in were Lanely and CoCo, in fact she was damn near mute the first few months she came to stay with her grandparents. Emotionally, she was still a fragile shell. The death of her mother still rang soundly in her concious, still haunted her wach night. There was so much David didn't know. If he did know, she was sure he would want nothing more to do with her. He'd leave her too.
It took years for her to accept the fact that she had image issues. Body issues. She'd starve herself as a kid. Eating only when exhaustion was close. She was cursed with a plump figure and dark skin. Dark eyes that made her fragile soul even more vulnerable. The training was worth it though. Training herself to be an emotionless wall and to never give her upperhand away helped her early on in life.
Her phone rang again and she jumped.
The word "Duo" flashed across the screen.
"Hey CoCo," Bianca answered walking away from the mirror.
"Hey, babe. What are you doing?"
"Laying out some clothes for work tonight."
"You got work on a Saturday?" CoCo asked.
"Picked up an extra shift."
"Oh okay. Hey, are you good?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"You're a bad liar, Bianca."
"Ugh! You sound like David," the instant she said his name she regretted it. A warm feeling rushed over her as grey eyes clouded her vision. She thought about the first kiss they ever shared and her knees went weak. She tried to pace her beating heart before realizing CoCo was yelling for her attention.
"Bianca! Hello?" CoCo shouted into her ear.
"Huh? What?"
"Girl, I asked you what time you gotta start?"
"Oh, two o'clock, but I think imma head there early so I can grab food before my shift."
"I'm coming too! Meet you there at noon?"
"Okay."
Damn CoCo and her second sense. Bianca really didn't want another lecture from her.
After jumping in the shower, she combed then braided her hair back. Sitting on the edge of her bed, Indian style, in a training bra and boy shorts she looked up just as Chad walked in.
"Morning, sweetcheeks," he greeted walking over to her.
Cynthia's 18 year old brother became even more infatuated with her. His little crush grew into a full force attraction. Keeping a cool and calm demeanor on the outside, he felt his stomach drop every time he saw her.But lately, she'd been in a funk, rarely talking and he was sure she stopped eating. She was still as beautiful as ever, but her eyes held a sadness she refused to admit.
"Morning, CJ."
With a physique just as tan and lean as his sister, 6 foot tall and barely pushing 200 pounds, CJ was the typical high school jock.
"Nice hair," he commented tugging a single braid.
She looked over; once excited brown eyes were now ashen and callous.
"Thanks," she gave him a tight smile and stretched out.
Her diverted gaze gave him the opportunity to once again take a peek at her figure. Usually thick and taut, he could see abs newly forming on her smooth dark tummy. Her legs were more muscular and not an ounce of fat hung. He could write a book on how precious her ass was. She put every girl he'd ever been with to shame. Her body was heavenly. He took a peak at her forbidden zone but stared a few seconds too long. By the time he looked back up, she had already noticed. His eyes widened. They said nothing for a few minutes. Bianca's head was cocked to one side and she squinted at him.
"What did I tell you about staring at me?" she simply asked.
He nervously ran a hand through his bleach blonde hair.
"Sorry," he gave a half hearted chuckle.
Her expression never changed. Standing, she grabbed a pair of pajama bottoms and put them on, well aware that Chad's eyes watched her the entire time. Her full ass bounced when she made a jumping motion as she tried to avoid stepping on a pen.She looked back over her shoulders, his sandy brown eyes shot her an apologetic look. She folded her arms and a geniuine smile emerged.
"Its okay," she sighed. "I've just been really cranky."
He laid back on her bed, "Oh, I noticed. You've had a stick up your ass for a few weeks."
She flung a rubber band at him. "You can be a real dick."
"I know. And speaking of dicks, when was the last time you had some. A good fuck would set you straight."
She groaned. "Don't even start with me."
Stalking across the tion and over to her desk, she hooked up her phone to its charger.
"I'm just saying. Guys would sell their soul for a chance with you."
She walked back over and pulled him up by the collar of his shirt, their faces hovered inches from each other. He inhaled her tropical scent and smirked.
"You never knocked," she said, invading his personal space. She was so close, he could feel the heat from her body.
"What?" he whispered. His eyes roamed over her.
Taking a step back, she looked him up and down. Crinkling her nose, she repeated. "You never knocked."
"Don't change the subject. You need some cock in your life."
She tried her hardest to stay serious. He was like the kid brother she never had.
"Hahaha!" she laughed, clutching her stomach in merriment.
"What?" he feigned innocence. "You do. I'd gladly sacrifice myself."
His face split into a grin and he stepped forward.
"Ha! I'm not going to jail. You're young, Chad Johannes."
Ugh. He hated when she called him by his full name. She gave him the nickname CJ when he was a kid and it stuck. The way it simply rolled off her tongue added to her hotness factor.
"You know I turned 18 last week, perfectly legal. And ready."
He cracked his knuckles and eyed her once more. She laughed again. It felt good to hear her laugh.
"You and your hormones have entertained me enough today."
She walked past him and grabbed her work clothes.
"Gotta nice looking thing picking me up in a few minutes anyway, Bianca."
"Good, Chad. You know, if you weren't so cute you'd be annoying."
"So you do think I'm cute?" he shoved his hands into his jean pockets.
"Of course, you're gorgeous," she honestly admitted.
He blushed, "Thanks, babe," he gave her an enthusiastic smile and a wink.
His phone rung. "Here's my date. Catch you later."
He rushed forward and gave her a tight hug. She returned it and watched him leave.
"I have gotta teach that kid about personal space," she mumbled, closing her bedroom door.
Bianca cleaned up a little, then changed to work clothes. Her muscles were still a little sore from an intense cardio session that morning. Before deciding to work out twice a day, she felt sluggish and unfocused all the time.The grateful energy stretching and sculpting her muscles gave was welcome. She had even enrolled back in karate classes. Anything to take her mind off of David and his perfect world was welcome. After locking up, she jetted down the steps and burst through the front door.
It was a tad too warm for December. There wasn't even any snow on the ground as she made her way to the bus stop. She plopped her headphones in and jammed to the latest Florence and the Machine album. She bobbed her head to the beat of her favorite song before a creepy feeling rolled over. Turning around, she jumped so hard, her phone almost went flying into the air.
Leaning against an oak tree and glaring at her was David.
"Oh fuck!" she yelled, grabbing her chest.
That tantalizingly long and burly forefinger stroked his upper lip. He stared at her with nothing but a cold stance and fiery eyes. His anger was barely contained.
"Hello, Bianca," he spoke calmly but his voice was laced with ice. His eyes ate her alive.
She swallowed hard. "Hi, David."
"I've been giving you the bell for a fortnight," he gritted his teeth. "And you've been ignoring me."
"I haven't---" she started.
He shot off the tree and hastily approached her. She didn't move a muscle.
"That's rubbish!" he seethed. "You gutted me, my sweet."
She could see the pain in his eyes. The confusion. A mental truck hit her: he cared. He also looked miserable. A scruffy patch of facial hair gave him a light beard, his eyes were a tiresome shade of red and his usually polished salt and pepper hair looked dull and uncombed as it swept past his ear.
David's lips thinned, "My goodness! You look dreadful."
She shrugged and looked at him with empty eyes. Her glow was gone, that infectious demeanor that captivated him when they first met seemed to have vanished. His poor girl. He stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace. She felt too light. It was then that he KNEW something was wrong.
She held onto him as the smell of his natural scent hugged her. There was no place on earth she would have wanted to be at that moment. His arms provided such comfort.
He pulled back so he could see her face, "What's the matter?"
"Me," she pushed her tears down. "I'm the matter. And I don't think this will work out."
A sadness clouded his eyes. "Why?"
