Chapter 46
Zion's POV
We lost again in our Inter-school football league. It was already twice in a row. One more time and we'd be out. It was really depressing. All the hard work and training didn't pay off. Izzy wouldn't give the ball to me even though I was open. He did not want me to get the shots. He messed up the games.
Our coach, Mr. Garrett was so upset and kicked Izzy out of the team. He was warned before but he did it again.
And now, Izzy blamed me saying that it was my idea that he'd be out of the team. In fact, I told Mr. Garrett to give him a chance. But Mr. Garrett would not consider him anymore. Izzy became a nuisance in the team - skipping practices, always late and being stubborn in following instructions. One time he argued with our team mate, Norman Hart when the latter accidentally tripped him during our practice. Until now they were not in good terms. wedding dress sale
I was in the toilet washing my hand when Izzy came. We were both alone and the tension was deafening. He was glaring at me furiously, then chuckled - like something was funny.
I avoided looking at him and just continued washing my hands. I couldn't believe that this guy standing beside me happened to be my best friend for ten years. We knew each other's secrets. We had adventures together learning swimming, football, basketball, skateboarding - even dancing and other things. We learned some good and bad stuff together. But now, the lively, adventurous and funny guy I knew was gone. He was like a stranger to me.
Yeah. It was my fault. I made him this way. I apologized but still, he wouldn't have a heart to forgive me.
"You really have the nerve to cross anyone. You don't care who gets hurt as long as you get what you want." Izzy said, looking at me on the mirror. "You're a piece of shit!"
I did not respond. As much as possible I wanted to stay out of trouble. I knew once I'd say anything, it would just provoke him and make the situation uglier.
"You know what I think of you? You're a
snake . A traitor! You don't deserve to be a friend of anyone." Izzy continued. He was emotionally attacking me. Trying to find ways to hurt and kick me in my most sensitive spot. "You're so f*cking insecure! Nobody wanted you even your parents when you were born. They had you adopted!"
That was too much. He became abusive, hitting me below the belt. But still, I controlled my temper. I went passed him, leaving him alone.
"Claire is a slut! A gold digger!" Izzy shouted, and that made me stop.
I turned to him and gave him a big punch on his face. He stumbled on the floor. "Say that again, and you're dead."
Claire's POV
It was Saturday of April and a very special day. Zion and I celebrated our third monthsary. We spent the whole day together. We had lunch in a very fancy restaurant and afterwards we watched Wonder Woman movie.
Zion took me shopping. I didn't want to but he insisted. He spent too much on our last monthsary, giving me three pairs of Italian shoes. He said it was time for me to get rid of the old one.
And now, he made me pick some clothes and heels in a very expensive clothing store. I modeled for him and he gave the thumbs up or down. It was very enjoyable though. I felt so fancy.
"Do I look beautiful now?" I asked Zion when I modeled to him a floral white and yellow sundress.
"Trust me. You don't need these dresses to look beautiful. Even you're clothe with a sack, you'd still look so beautiful." He said, before he pulled me on his lap and kissed me lingeringly.
The evening dinner was so special. It was a very romantic candlelight dinner in a secluded garden of a fancy restaurant. An orchestra was playing instrumentals of our favorite love songs.
For the first time, I wore a dress in our date. I picked the blue cocktail dress that Zion loved when I modeled to him earlier with its matching blue stiletto heels. I braided my long black hair and twisted it up in a bun - leaving some tendrils at the sides of my ears. I used my red lipstick to color not only my lips but also my cheeks and dabbed a little on my eyeshadows. It gave a glow to my pale face.
I knew I looked so different that night. Like a grown up woman. More confident and mature. If only my parents could see me.
Zion was so awed when he saw me. He couldn't take his eyes off me.
"Will you stop staring at me."
"I can't. I'm mesmerized." He said, pulling me closer to him.
We danced a lot to the soft music after dinner. Being held by Zion tightly in his arms, with his soft kisses and whispers of love and admiration... made me feel like I was in Heaven.
"I love you so much, Claire."
I circled his neck with my arms, opening my mouth, welcoming the deepening of his kiss. "Ohhh Zion..."
"Oh Zion what?" He lifted me up until our face leveled.
"I love you too... so much."
He smiled. That same tantalizing smile that made me so weak.
****
My happiness faded the moment I entered our house. Nightmare greeted me.
The house was almost empty. All valuable things were gone. The painting. The Television. The appliances. The antique mirror. The vases and other things.
"What happened?" I asked Aunt Abby who was looking so upset, sitting on the couch.
"It's Dante. I didn't know that he came out of the rehab already. He took everything! Even my money. That bastard!" Aunt Abby said angrily, kicking the center table. I stepped backward. Terrified that she'd turn her anger on me.
Dante was Aunt Abby's ex-husband and Ashley's father. He was a drug addict and alcoholic. He was in and out of the rehab for many years. He was also imprisoned before for stealing to suffice his addiction.
"Hey! What are those? Your rich boyfriend took you shopping?" Ashley said behind me. I turned to her immediately. Her eyebrows rose as she eyed the shopping bags I was holding. "And you're wearing a fancy dress! It doesn't suit you. You still look like garbage!"
I just pretended that I didn't hear her. I felt bad that the valuable things inside the house were stolen. It belonged to my parents. And having Ashley unconcerned about it and provoking me was too much. I walked towards the basement to check if my things were still there but Ashley stopped me.
"Where are you going? I'm not done with you yet, bitch!" She snapped at me then pulled the shopping bags out of my hands.
Jordy was so noisy barking at Ashley, attempting to bite her.
"Let go... Ashley..." I pulled the bag away when her grip loosened and ran to the basement. Jordy followed me.
I was catching my breath when I arrived at the basement. My heart sank. My camera and guitar were gone.
I cried so hard, holding Jordy in my arms.
The following day, I saw Ashley wearing the floral yellow and white sundress that Zion bought for me.