TTEOTB -- Ch. 9

Chapter 91

"You fucking bitch!" Donnie’s loud roar flooded out the barely cracked living room window. I heard something break. "What the fuck is your problem!? Going around and telling people about our personal life!"2

"Donnie, please--"3

"Please? Please what?!"4

"Please stop yelling." Arianna pleaded. I heard something thud loudly against the wall, Arianna’s fragile body I guessed, since I heard a gasp. 5

"Don't, Donnie!" she cried. 6

"'Please stop yelling, Donnie! Don't push me!'" He scoffed. 7

I took a risk and peered in the window. A few glasses were broken and Arianna was crying on the ground, Donnie over her. She started to get up but before she could Donnie entangled his hand in her brown hair, thrusting her up against the wall.8

"Donnie, please. I-I'm sorry."9

"Yeah, you better be, you dumb bitch." he snarled, ripping his hand out of her hair. "And clean this up, you good for nothing slut. It's a mess thanks to you."10

"I will…”11

I ran to the side of Arianna's house, waiting for Donnie to leave. I heard the door of the house slam shut and his car door open. I listened closely as he sped away and waited a few minutes [which seemed like forever] before knocking on the door. 12

“Who is it?” Arianna asked, obviously trying to sound cheerful. She was really good at this acting thing. 13

“Anika.” I asked, “Can I come in?”14

The door flew open, “What are you doing here?!”15

“Well, since you couldn’t come to my house I came here.” 16

“Anika… ugh, hold on.” She closed the door fast and I heard glass clattering together inside the house. 17

She came rushing back out closing the door behind her and leaving the trash bag full of broken glass on the curb. 18

“The doors open,” She told me, “You can go in.”19

I opened the door and walked into the house with Arianna following close behind. 20

“So, what’s up?” I tried to start a mellow conversation. 21

“Not much, just cleaning up a bit before my parents get home.”22

I noticed a slight limp in her walk; he’d really hurt her. 23

“What’s wrong with your leg?” I asked, staring at her as she walked over to the couch. 24

“I fell down the stairs earlier.” What a liar!25

“Oh, yeah?” I asked, “How about that bruise on your arm?”26

“Did you come here to hang out with me or interrogate?” She asked, spinning around, narrowing her eyes at me with her hands on her hips. 27

“I was just asking a question, no need to get defensive…” 28

“I’m not getting defensive!” She just about screamed it, “You wanna know what happened? I was being a bitch and he’s tired of it. It was my fault. He loves me so much and I treat him terrible.” She sat down on the couch.29

I rolled my eyes; I didn’t even want to know what would come out of my mouth if I opened it. How could she defend him like that?! I didn’t understand. 30

I sat down next to her and mindlessly took off my hoodie; it was kind of hot in her house. She looked towards me and her eyes fell on my arm. I took my hoodie quickly and draped it over myself. There were questions in her eyes but she didn’t ask them. 31

The front door opened; Arianna got up to go see, it looked like she knew who it was. I followed. 32

“Hey, mom.” I heard her say before I reached the front door. “Where’s dad?” 33

“Hey, sweetie.” She kissed Arianna’s forehead, “He’s getting the groceries out of the car.” 34

“Oh, alright.” She said, “Oh, mom, this is Anika.” She threw a thumb in my direction. 35

“Hi, Anika.” Mrs. Costa smiled at me, “Nice to meet you.” 36

She had short black hair that came to her shoulders and soft hazel eyes. She was about the same height as Arianna. 37

“Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Costa.” I smiled back. 38

Mr. Costa came to the front door, hands full. 39

“Here I’ll help you,” I said, grabbing a few bags from him.40

He was a tall man with dark brown hair and brown eyes. 41

“Thanks,” He said, “Arianna, who’s your friend?”42

“This is Anika.” She told him, kissing him on the cheek.43

“Hello, Anika.” He said, “Nice to meet you.” I wish I could have met them both at once.44

“Nice to meet you, too” I said, smiling. 45

We all stood in the kitchen emptying grocery bags when the doorbell rang. Mrs. Costa put the peanut butter in the cabinet and went to answer the door.46

“Donnie!” I heard the smile in her voice, I cringed.47

“Hi, Mrs. Costa, you look lovely this evening.” I swear I was about to vomit. 48

“Oh, thank you.” She giggled, “Come in, come in.” 49

Mrs. Costa came back into the kitchen with Donnie close behind. It took every ounce of self control I had not to grab the butcher’s knife and slash him to pieces. 50

He was carrying a bouquet of flowers which he handed to Arianna. 51

“Awh, Donnie, thank you so much.” She cooed. 52

“Anything for you, sweetheart.” He smiled while his eyes danced with wickedness. 53

Mrs. Costa took the bouquet from Arianna, “I’d better put these in some water, they’re so beautiful, Donnie.” 54

“Beautiful, just like Arianna.” He smiled. 55

I’d like to knock that smile right off his pretty little face. He pulled Arianna into a faux affectionate hug. 56

“Alright kids, break it up.” Mr. Costa’s voice boomed in the quiet kitchen, “Too many people in the kitchen.”57

“Sorry dad,” Arianna took the blame. Again. 58

“I’d better get going.” Donnie announced as if he were important. 59

“Alright, bye dear.” Mrs. Costa waved.60

“Could he stay for dinner?” Arianna piped up. I threw her a nasty look. “Or I could just see him tomorrow.” 61

“You’ll see him tomorrow.” Mr. Costa decided. I was starting to like this guy. Her mom: clueless. “Bye, Donnie.”62

“Bye Mr. and Mrs. Costa,” He waved. “Bye Anika.” I nodded. 63

I ended up staying for dinner at the Costa’s that night. 64

“So, Anika, what do you parents do?” We’d been conversing for a while and I was hoping this topic wouldn’t come up. 65

I sighed, “Uh, my dad works from home.” I told Mr. Costa. 66

“Ah, and your mother?” He asked.67

I flinched, “She… she um..” I stuttered, “H-hey, Arianna, could you pass the ketchup?” I wasn’t trying to be rude; I just couldn’t bring myself to answer that question. 68

“Sure, here.” I took the bottle from her and squirted more than I needed onto my plate. 69

“Something wrong,” Arianna asked, quietly.70

“No.” I whispered quickly, “I’m fine.”71

“Do you have any siblings?” Mrs. Costa spoke up. Way to kick me while I’m down. 72

“Uh... No.” I told her. I could feel the tears burning in my eyes. “Excuse me.” I said, pushing away from the table and running to the bathroom. 73

After calming myself down and finding a way to suppress all the tears I walked back to the table. 74

“Sorry about that.” 75

“It’s okay.” Mrs. Costa laughed. “No need to be sorry.”76

* * * *77

I went back to my house to pick up a few things before heading back to Arianna’s. A sleep over would do some good, I needed to get out of my house. I’d get a ride from too-sweet-abusive-boyfriend to school. 78

I took the five minute walk back to her house instead of the two second drive. I was hoping no more mom or sibling questions would rise. I knocked on the door three times before Arianna answered. 79

“Sorry, busy.” She told me, nodding at her arm which was now covered by a light sweater sleeve. 80

I nodded to tell her I understood. We walked up the stairs and in to her room. We both sat down on her bed quiet for a few minutes.81

Arianna spoke up, “So… not to be rude or anything but what went on at dinner today?”82