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Pretty Things
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Beyond Broken Well Worth It
Danica POVRick stayed on my mind the entire time I rode to school. He was different this morning. He never asked me before where I got things. But then again, I never had new things for him to ask.And that look he gave me when he told me to go on and get to school was chilling. After I peddled away, I looked back and he was still watching me. Even as I grew further away. I couldn't help but feel weird all morning about it.Senior students were on a whole other level this morning. I was almost grateful for the distraction.The girls did in fact wear dresses but the dresses were more extravagant with gaudy designs. And the guys either wore nice slack pants with collar shirts or tight-fitted jeans with designs and small rips on the front and back.Every outfit was a few degrees nicer than what they normally wore but still their style.Once again, I felt out of place. The dress I wore wasn't my style. I mean I liked dresses but this outfit was more than a few degrees nicer than what I w
Beyond Broken Salty Tears
Danica POVLucas’s words followed me through the morning.I had done absolutely nothing to earn this dress. I didn’t work for it. I didn’t buy it. And I surely didn’t open my legs for it.In truth, I had no idea what I had done to deserve the beautiful clothes I received last night. I had done nothing to or for Dmitry and yet he flew in and saved the day.I was zoned out, thinking about the tasteless offer Lucas said. I was nothing more than a conquest to him and everyday he made sure to remind me of such.“Danica Phillips.” I heard my name being called from the front of the room.“Here.” I answered. That earned me a few snickers around the room though I wasn’t sure why.Our teacher stared for a few seconds before correcting me. “I’ve already taken attendance, Ms Phillips. You are needed in the principals office.”I finally noticed a girl who wasn’t apart of our class grabbing the principals note from the teacher and walking back out the door.I stood to walk toward the door, when he
Beyond Broken Nothing To Do
Danica POVThese were the days when I hated myself. The days when I hated my very existence. The days when I wanted nothing more than to disappear. But life didn’t work that way.I couldn’t wiggle my nose and make everything magically okay. I couldn’t say a spell and make the girls pay for what they had just done to me. And I couldn’t do anything to save the blue dress that was once the most beautiful thing I’d ever worn.The girls circled me with laughter spilling from their mouths.Angel looked at me with a crocked smile. “Look at that girls. Mixing red and blue does make purple.”They laughed even harder. And they would probably still be laughing if the speakers above our heads didn’t just blast the announcement dismissing all senior students to the football field.“Angel, lets go.” One girl said while casually walking out the locker room as if nothing just happened.Once both of the girl exited, Angel just looked at me. “You know this is your fault, right?”She paused. Almost like
Beyond Broken All Things Ruined
Danica POVI’d like to say I was in shock, but I wasn’t. I was used to being bullied. To being belittled and embarrassed.I slowly walked down Lake Road with the wet, sticky fabric quickly drying around my body. I picked up my pace, wanting nothing more than to be rid of this dress. But no matter how quickly I walked, I didn’t want to go home.The black car I’ve come to know rolled down the street toward me. When it came to a stop, the driver’s side door opened and the first thing I noticed was Dmitry’s eyes on my dress.The second thing I noticed was the red hair peering through the passenger side window.I didn’t have to look twice. Nancy was in the car.His eyes furrowed as he skimmed me up and down. He rushed toward me with open arms. “Danica! What happened to you?” His big hands landed on each of my shoulders.I folded my arms across my chest, searching for any comfort I can grab before I released the words, “There was an accident at school,” I lowered my head shamefully toward t
Beyond Broken Good Vibes
Danica POV “Now let’s get something to eat.” He said so casually. Like the money, he spent on that outfit meant nothing. When in actuality it was he who should be more upset than me about the dress. It was his money. It was his time spent trying to transform me.My stomach growled and he laughed.“Yeah. You’re definitely hungry and I know the perfect place to get lunch.” Dmitry picked up his keys and led me to the car.“Where’s Nancy?” I asked when we got back into his car. Her perfume still lingered in the small space.“She left.” His answer was short and simple.“Where are we going?” I asked when he turned away from town.“There’s a spot I know across the lake.”His phone rang, not giving him a chance to say the name of the restaurant.“This is Hardin.” He spoke in a tone I havent heard him use since we were in the hospital. The night he made my father look small in more ways than once.“Hardin!” I heard an excited voice come through the speakers of the car. “I hope I caught you at
Beyond Broken Apologies
Danica POV“I find that hard to believe. What happened to him?”“Him who?”“You’re boyfriend. What happened to your last boyfriend? You dumped him because you realize he wasn’t enough for you?”My lips curled but I couldn’t force them to form a smile for something I never experienced.“I’ve never had a boyfriend. Boyfriends complicate things and my life is complicated enough…” I paused trying to remember the exact way he answered me. “Having a boyfriend at this time in my life wouldn’t be fair to either one of us.”“Using my words against me. Not fair.” He said laughing again.“I can’t help it if it’s true.”“Touché.”The waiter brought our entrees and the conversation slowed as we began enjoying the pasta. It tasted like heaven in my mouth. “This is a nice change of pace from the lunch normally served at my school.”“Let me guess. Dry spaghetti. Grill cheese sandwiches. Pizza Fridays.”“And don’t forget the healthy glass of milk to go with it.”“If you like this, you would have loved
Beyond Broken These Four Walls
Danica POVThe school was still jumping with after-school excitement when he dropped me off. Though I didn't see anyone from my classes. I remembered Lucas mentioning something about a party after the senior pictures. Maybe everyone was there.I decided to stop by my locker before heading to my bike to place my book bag in the locker. There was no need to carry it home since I doubt if I would do any studying. When I open my locker, a note fell out. I opened it slowly not looking forward to seeing what I said. I knew it had to have been from a student. If it were from a teacher, it would have just been given to me tomorrow during classes.It read: ‘I notice you missed our class pictures. I was really looking forward to seeing you in that dress again. I hope everything is OK.’Signed L.It was from Lucas. We were going to be arranged in alphabetical order, which meant me and Lucas were going to be right next to each other.With my last name being Phillips and his last name being Pierc
Beyond Broken Dead to You
Dmitry POV As soon as I dropped her off at the school, I knew where I was headed. I jumped on my phone and called the store. I told them I was on the way and needed it now and I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. That dress meant so much to her. I could see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice when I tossed it in the trash. I don't know what came over me. I just couldn't help knowing that she lost something that she loved. Normally I could care less if somebody had lost something if they wanted. It wasn’t my problem. I mean that's not the way I was raised. My father raised me to disregard everyone else's feelings in business and life. It's our family first and that's life. But just seeing the tears in those big, pretty eyes when I picked her up today. That was enough to stir something in me. I got on the phone and made another call before arriving at the store. By the time I got there, my call ended and business concluded. But I didn’t have time to revel in my success. No
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Beyond Broken Epilogue
EpilogueOne Year LaterDanica POV“I still cannot believe you’ve been living here in this house. With those two gorgeous men all year long. Every time I come to town, I’m still amazed.” Grace said while lounging on the float next to me.She was home for summer break, and we were enjoying a nice swim while Dmitry and Cory fixed a few poolside snacks.“First of all, I’m not living here with two guys. It’s just me and Dmitry here. Cory’s just visiting. Always visiting.” I laughed. "Just Like you are visiting me now."Grace flew in from Cali a few days ago. She was on summer break from UCLA. I was on summer break too from University of Pennsylvania. I started attending last semester since I didn’t apply on time last year. Now that I had money for college, the dream of getting a degree in English didn’t seem so far away. Thanks to my grandfather’s generous insurance money.I kept my grandfather’s house, though I didn’t live there. Instead, I visited a few times a week to study and write.
Beyond Broken My House
Danica POVDmitry and I lay comfortably across the couch with me nestled on top of him. We’d been laying here for nearly an hour without saying a word. Simply enjoying being in each other’s space. The kiss we shared was passionate and enticing, but nothing else was needed tonight.Another half hour passed before something started nagging at me.“What did you mean, you were here when Rick left? How did you know he wasn’t going to be here tonight?”He sighed. “There is something I need to tell you.”Dmitry shifted beneath me until we were both in a sitting position.“When you first came to work for me, I started looking into your family.”“You what?!” I jumped off the couch. “Did you run a background check on me?”He laughed. “No.” He leaned forward. “Well, not really.”I folded my arms across my chest. And sighed waiting for him to explain.“I didn’t have to wonder why you wanted to hurt yourself that day on the bike. I knew when the nurses were working on you that something wasn’t rig
Beyond Broken My Feelings
Danica POVI slowly crept my way up the dark stairs, and down the restored hallway to Ricks room. Sweat covered my hands as I thought of all the things that could go wrong if opened this door and he was laying there waiting to meet his intruder.My mind became riddled with memories. I looped the hallway twice, struggling between leaving the house and opening that door. Finally, I came face to face with the bedroom door that used to belong to my grandfather. And now belongs to my father.I twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open at the slowest pace my hand could muster. My eyes squinted at the small rust screech. I peeked through the small open space to see a very vacant, perfectly made bed. My head swiveled around the room as I pushed the door wider.It was empty. The room was neat and clear of sign that someone lived here. I expected to see Ricks clothes thrown across the furniture. And unmade bed with beer cans scattered throughout the sheets. But I found nothing.It is as
Beyond Broken Not Home
Danica POV I pulled off onto a dirt road behind my fathers’ property. I would cut across it every other day to go to Dmitry’s house when I was trying to hide the fact that I’d been working off my debt. I didn’t want my father to know I was sneaking in and out the house late at night. Even if I was working, he would find some perverted way to punish me for it. I parked the car and closed my eyes. I needed strength for what I was about to do. It was late and I had nowhere to go. There were a few hundred dollars in my account from being paid. Enough to get a hotel room at the cheapest motel in town. But I didn’t have a bank card yet. Dmitry took me to set up a bank account after I got my second check. I’d never forget the look on his face when he realized didn’t have one. I was eighteen with little knowledge of the world around me. It was almost ridiculous how much I had to learn to catchup with everything my classmates parents taught them outside of our normal school work. I cut t
Beyond Broken The Truth
Dmitry POVI disliked this night with a small portion of hate. Every year, we have to throw a big party, just to get our counterparts to give to charity.Small dinner plates. Entertaining music. Boring Speeches.I had half a mind to just write a check for the full amount myself. But my mother is always reminding me. This is how we make friends. This is how we leave our mark in life.Every year I plaster on my fakest smile. But this year was different. Its the first year my smile was real.I was happy though I couldn’t completely show it.From the moment I saw her in that dress, I couldn’t stop smiling on the inside. From head toe, hands down she was the prettiest girl tonight.Between her smooth copper tone, the rose gold shimmering of the dress, the dramatic gold makeup, and her hazel , Danica was perfect.There were so many times tonight I wanted to go to her. Sit with her. Chat with her. I wanted to know if she was enjoying herself. And every time I glanced at our table, I found m
Beyond Broken The Tears
Danica POV Dmitry reached for my arm once more, but I wiggled out of his grasp and burst through the door. I didn’t stop there. I kept going, making my way through the same crowd that gawked at my outburst. My feet didn’t stop there. I kept moving. A few seconds after pushing through groups of people, I heard Dmitry shouting my name and a few onlookers pronouncing their shock at his outburst. Still I didn’t turn back to look at him. I knew if I did, he would only end up embarrassed and I would end up hurt. Or should I say, more hurt. I kept going until I reached the front of the ballroom, just before the green artsy hallway. Standing near ballroom entrance was Lacy and her sister. I caught the tail end of her sentence. She noticed me just as the words came flying out of her mouth. “….nothing more than a common girl. No way is he interested in her.” My cheeks flushed as I brushed past them. This felt like school all over again. Mrs. Hardin gave Lacy the ammunition she needed to ke
Beyond Broken Nothing and No One
Danica POV I headed for the garden inspired hallway we walked through earlier just before entering the ballroom. I was certain everyone would be here in the ballroom. They’d had their fill of artwork and beautiful greenery. I could be alone and still in attendance. I’d take some time to view the pretty paintings in the small walking spaces we passed. With my head aimed straight, I walked passed the patrons. I caught a glimpse of Dmitry, who looked bored. Caught between is father and another older gentleman. His mother was nowhere to be found. This would be the first time tonight she wasn’t hanging on her husband’s arm. Cory was nowhere to be found either. Just as well. He was good company, but I just needed a breather. Especially after being the center of attention for a dance that I don’t think ill ever forget. The hallway was nearly empty, I could hear a few female voices from one of the indented corners. No doubt they were marveling over the number of brush strokes in the paint
Beyond Broken A Dance To Remember
Danica POV The violinist began playing Turning Page by Sleep at Last. This was way too much of a romantic song to dance with Cory. He gave me an apologetic look, then leaned in to ask me, “Will you be able to find you way back to the table?” I nodded my head. Then he walked away to meet his mother and another young woman. I was just about to take my first step towards the table when I felt a hand lock onto mine. Instantly, I was pulled into Dmitry’s hold. My senses were invaded by his cologne. I didn’t realize until I exhaled, but I just spent the last few seconds inhaling all that I could. He smelled amazing. “What are you doing?” I asked as he placed his other hand in the small of my back. He smiled, “Dancing. What does it look like?” I quickly glanced around, confirming the feeling I got the moment he grabbed me. Eyes from more than half the room were on us. Just beyond the edge of the dance floor was Cory. He lifted his champagne flute with a subtle head nod. Though we didn’
Beyond Broken Fancy Flutes
Danica POV I suppose the night went on as a normal party of this stature would. We were served a three-course dinner accompanied by champagne in fancy flutes. I've always heard these kind of events leave the stomach wanting more and yet I was completely fulfilled. Not just with the food but also the entertainment. In the center of a dimmed stage sat not four, or six band members, but one lone violinist covering all the latest songs. I couldn't make out her face as she sat on a darkened stage wearing all black, but I imagined she was just as beautiful as her music. Enclosed in her own small garden surrounded by plants and vines. It was absolutely stunning. I kept my eye on her the majority of the night. I knew everyone at the table and still I had nothing to say to anyone except Cory and Dmitry. The entire table occupants consisted of me, my two guys, Lacy and Dmitry’s parents. So when each of them were away, I kept my eyes trained to the stage. Which was nearly the entire time I sa
