He didn’t seem to realize that, or he didn’t care, because he pushed off the wall and gave me space to escape. With the new opening, I fled, pushing my body just hard enough to get to the main sidewalk. Then with fear pounding my heart, I called Asher. “Cynthia,” he said, never much for greeting
I went about my day, and Joseph did not bother me further. But his threat, you will regret this, stuck with me in the back of my mind. Only after a couple of days, did I start to relax again, not checking over my shoulder every time I went outside. Joseph liked to make threats. They didn’t alway
“Don’t get upset,” Elena said, though she was smiling. “It’s important that people know their limits. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.” I turned from her, and rushed back to Nicole’s side. She was with a few other cheerleaders, who were much more supportive. “You got this!” they told me.
Over the phone, I briefly explained my situation to Nancy, trying to leave out the details, and asked, “Is it safe for the baby if I have… physical intimacy with… someone?” Nancy replied, point-blank. “You want to have sex with Asher?” My face burned hot. Asher was standing nearby, watching me c
“You can talk to me,” Asher said. Could I? Asher hadn’t been the most supportive of me lately, in regard to the transfer exam. If I told him what Elena said, how would he react? If he didn’t respond in the way I wanted, I thought my heart would break. A wedge would form between us. It wasn’t worth
Asher Maybe we shouldn’t even be friends. Even as I said it, I didn’t mean it, but once the words were out, it was too late. Cynthia was so expressive. She didn’t hide things like I did. She projected her hurt across her entire body, stepping back from me like I had physically struck her. I ha
Since leaving Asher’s, I was an absolute mess. I was ugly crying, all sobs and hiccups, and blowing my nose every twenty seconds. I tried to call Nicole, but she couldn’t understand what I was saying through my tears and sniffles. I supposed that I shouldn’t have been surprised when she and Aimee
But at least I had my friends. “Your ice cream is melting,” Nicole said and passed me my pint again. With them by my side, and enough ice cream, maybe I would be okay again in time. Because I remained confident that I would pass the transfer exam, I continued attending my classes. Unfortunatel