Rinse

Chapter 3

We finally made it to my house. If you saw her, you would think she was s*x trafficked. That’s how bad she looked. She was covered in bruises and blood. “Hey, take a shower, I’ll set up your sleep area and get some food going. Be careful with how high you put the water level, you don’t need to be flinching because of how hot the water is.” This poor girl goes through hell every day, I’m glad I can finally help that change for her. As she is showering and getting dressed, I whip up some leftovers my mom cooked before she left for her trip. It was some baked chicken, greens, and some mac’ and cheese on the side. “Harlem, do you think Raheem will find me...” I get confused, “Define that? Was he coming over tonight or?” I see guilt, my worst fear now. “When I was running home, I ran into him by accident. It wasn’t on purpose I promise. He stopped me and said, ‘Where you going in such a hurry ma?’ I told him home and he laughed. He asked if I wanted to have a special night tonight and before I could say no, he said “Expect me there baby, if you not there we having problems.’ I didn’t text you ‘cause I was so in shock, he has never said that to me before.” Now, I want to kill him. How dare he? He came to my house before trying to beat me ‘cause I was protecting Jas. Luckily, I was with Corey at the time, and he beat his ass for me. That was also the day I also found out he was fuckin’ on that red-headed bastard. “If he tries it, he getting that ass beat. And I don’t need no man to protect me, not this time.” “So, we don’t need to call Corey... He beat his ass last time... I know you don’t like him but you sure?” I can never trust him again. The main reason I won’t call Corey ‘cause he can tempt me good. His luscious dark chocolate skin, his smooth lips, his ocean eyes...LAWDDDD! I just know Corey is trouble in any kind of way. “Why do you want him to even defend for us, you tryna make a move or what?” I wasn’t trying to have an attitude, but I just hate his name, why does Jasmine need him to defend us, like I ain’t got protection enough?! “No, Corey isn’t my type 1, and 2 Raheem fears him. He flinches every time Corey comes by him.” Bullshit. “Girl, I don’t care. You got protection. Me! I’m protection. So, f**k Corey and f**k Raheem.” I saw her roll her eyes. To be honest with you, Jasmine used to f**k around with Corey before we broke up. She doesn’t know I know but I do. I forgave her ,I guess, but Corey told me the whole thing. Another reason why I left him, but I thanked him for his honesty. “Anyways, you want some food, or your just gonna starve yourself?” Jasmine and I haven’t talked before. The day I found out Corey and her slept together, I lied to her telling her I was taking a cleanse out of the country with my family. But that wasn’t true, I was home. Crying...and crying...and crying. I started self-harming myself and my mom soon found out. I passed out on the floor from the lack of blood. That’s how bad the situation was, and I regret ever putting myself through that.