Chapter Seven

Angela
The boys had a surprise party for Nancy's birthday. Anthony invited me to come so I could meet his family. Everyone was nice to me except for Rissy. She gave me and up and down look and a fake hello. It didn't faze me though. I'd met many Rissy's in my lifetime. As with any party the drinks were flowing and everybody was having a good time. Some one called Anthony away so I was leaning on the wall watching Jake and Grady battle. Then JR walks over to me.
"Where's Ant?"
"He's talking to somebody."
"You want to dance?"
"Sure."
It was an innocent dance but I guess Anthony saw more into it. He pulled me from JR and pushed him into the wall. Everyone rushed them trying to pull them apart. The force of him pulling me from JR caused me to lose my balance and I fell on my butt. So much anger was in his eyes. I'd seen that look too many times.

High School, the junior dance. Me and Meech were the life of the party as usual. While dancing a guy came up and started dancing on me from behind, no big deal so I thought.
"Angie!" his voice deep and strong.
"Reggie, I didn't think you were coming."
He grabbed me by my arm and pulled me out of the gynmasium.
"Who's that nicca all on your ass like that?"
"I don't know. We just dancing. Why you trippin?" I said pulling my arm from his grip.
"I don't appreciate my girl acting like a slut."
SLAP!
He slapped me across my face so hard I felt my brain shake.
I don't know where Meech came from but she rushed him from the back. He jerked forward from her push but when she tried to swing on him he pushed her down. I heard the thud as her head hit the ground and she was out.
"Come on," he pulled me away before people saw what was going on.
"I have to see about Meech."
"She okay."
I looked back and she was dazed but getting up.

My eyes adjusted and I was back at the party. I had to get of here. As I got up Grady came over to help me.
"You okay?"
"Yeah," I said.
But I was far from okay. I was shaking. I couldn't go through this again.
JR was still trying to figure out why Anthony attacked him like that.
"I think I better go." I told Grady.
Rissy gave me an evil look as I walked by.


Anthony
"Will you fukin drive!"
HONK! HONK!
"Turn already shxt!"
I was almost to her apartment buildings.
I saw her car. I parked in the stall next to hers not caring who it belonged too. I'd pay the fukin tow I just had to talk to her.
I gave three taps on the door trying not to wake up her roommate.
She opened the door.
"Can we talk?"
She opened the door wider and let me in. I could tell by the look on her face I was going to have to make this good.
"I'm sorry you had to see that, I don't know why I got so angry when I saw you dancing with JR."
"I don't know either."
Just tell the truth man, you really like this girl and you don't want to be hurt anymore.
"Look," I started, "let me just be honest. I'm not really good in relationships, either I hurt the other person or the other person hurts me. A few years back after I broke up with Anaya's mom I met this girl. I thought she was special. We dated close to a year. Everybody told me to be careful but I didn't listen because she was everything I was looking for. When JR got out of jail and needed a place to stay I let him come and stay with us. When I came home one night I saw her coming out of his room. I confronted them."
"And?"
"And long story short JR said she tried to get at him but nothing happened."
"And you believed him?"
"Yeah I believed him he's my brother, but seeing him dancing with you tonight just made me angry. I really like you Angie and I want to be with you but I don't want to be hurt anymore so before this relationship goes any further I have to know that you want to be with me and only me."