BRUISED PETALS

Steve's pov: "Hey, Good morning". Testimony greeted as she hopped into my truck. I looked her over and smiled at her. She was putting on my purple hoodie. She has no idea how much I have longed to see her in my clothes. She has been herself this past few days. My mum told her it was alright to stay with us for a few days since her uncle will be out of town for a week. I'm always happy whenever her uncle leaves town for whatever reason. She smiles more often when that devil isn't close to her. Her uncle is a devil. He abuses her every time they're home alone. We have tried reporting it to the police. But, her uncle held a very high position in Texas. The last time we called the police on him, they told us to get them proof. Immediately they saw it was her uncle,they dismissed the case. He locked up Testimony for a day and that's when the s****l assault started. I couldn't forgive myself because I pushed her. She was reluctant to go to the police but i somehow convinced her. That's over a year ago, but she has never held it against me. "You have been smiling at me for like 3 minutes now. It's becoming so creepy. Ain't we going to school again? Start the damn car and move it". She replied and pulled down her hoodie to hide her face. She is being insecure again. It hurts knowing her uncle has messed her up this bad. Whenever I stare at her for long, she starts being defensive and tries to hide her scars. She doesn't let me touch her because she feels I'm trying to look at her scars. "Look at me Tessy. Your eyes are swollen. Did you even sleep last night?" I stretched and turned her head to get a better look. "Leave me alone!" She snapped and pushed me away. She entangled her her index finger in her hair and faced the window. She only does that when she is nervous, scared or uncomfortable. "It's okay. You can show me Tessy. I have been your best friend since five years ago. Hell, that's a long time. Isn't that enough time to feel safe around me?" She turned to look at me only to turn away before our eyes met. "It's not that Steve. I trust you more than anything. You're the only one who knows me for me. The only one who wants to talk to me. Many people in school won't even look at me. Some call me ugly because I always hide myself and refused to show more skin than necessary. You're different. You understand me. We have been best friends since forever but I won't wish for you to have to look at my scars each day. You shouldn't bother this much about me. Get a girlfriend to be busy with". She replied sniffing. "You don't get to decide what I do Tessy. What if it's you I want?" I asked,then regretted it immediately. s**t, what's wrong with me. I don't want her to know I have had a major crush on her since the first day we met. She suddenly looked at me and laughed. "Why are you suddenly laughing?" I asked seriously but she didn't stop and suddenly started coughing. Whenever she laughs too hard, she ends up coughing. I grabbed my water bottle from the back seat and gave it to her. "Thanks". She said amidst laughter and drank some of it. I watched her and damn she looks so attractive. How can you look so sexy while drinking water? I looked away immediately, if she catches me starring at her again her insecurity will swing in. "So why were you laughing". "Don't remind me! You're so funny. Just start the car before we're late for school". I refused to look at her but she looked back at me. Then, she burst out laughing again gripping onto me. I don't know how it happened but I started laughing too. She is crazy. ************************* "Mr Okoye, can you attempt the question on the board?" My eyes snapped open immediately I heard my last name. I looked around alert and only to meet a very furious maths teacher. I can't believe I slept again. I hate maths and always end up sleeping every single time. No matter how hard I try, I always fall asleep. Maybe, it's not me. Mr Michael is just totally boring. "You called?" I asked and crossed my legs. I'm rude to him because it's maths. It's freaking maths and I don't need it. I want to be a journalist but why do I need to do maths? I'm being forced to pass what I don't need. "Grab the marker and solve what's on the board". He replied obviously annoyed. " And if I don't?" I challenged. "Don't test me Stephanie". He replied and the whole class laughed. He always calls me Stephanie to get on my nerves. "It's Steve. You can't even remember my name. How the heck are you a teacher? You keep forgetting my name yet you can't forget how to find x any y. Are you sure that's not what your brain is only built for? Knowing the position of x and y's". I replied rudely and heard a lot of 'ohs'. The class suddenly became quiet as they awaited more drama. "Enough! If you disrespect me one more time Stephanie you're off to the principals office. You're just too dull for this class. Imagine scoring 0 in a class activity. A class activity! You're allowed to ask your friends yet you still failed". He replied and everyone laughed. "Michael, if you take out time from your x and y's schedule you will find out I only suck at your subject. I score A's in other subjects. Bro, don't you think it's high time you quit? My results shows I'm not dumb it only proves you're just to boring. I fall asleep every single time because you recite lullabies whenever you come to class and you call it teaching". "To the principals office right this moment!" He replied angrily getting a few "whoa". "It's that all you have got? Thankyou for doing me a great favor. It was getting really boring in here". I replied packing my bags quickly and standing up. "Sit your ass down right now Steve". I smiled. "Guess who remembered my name. I underestimated your brain for real". I replied sitting back down and placing my head down to return back to sleep. "Sit upright Stephanie. You're in my class not your sitting room. Don't make me send you to detention. I only took pity on you". He replied and walked back to his board. "Of course Michael whatever makes you sleep well at night". I smiled knowing I was victorious again. "Mary over to you". He ignored me and everyone murmured. The show was over and they didn't like it. I rest my head back on my desk to go back to sleep. Who said he gets to decide what I do? ************************ "What took you so long?" I asked immediately after she hopped in. "Sorry, Gideon stopped me. He said he wanted to talk". She replied smiling. She has a crush on Gideon. One of the reasons I can't tell her how I really feel for her. Last two months she was paired with him for a English assignment. Ever since then she has had a crush on him. "What did he say? I asked frowning. "Nothing much. He just invited me for a party and I said yes". She replied smiling. "What party?" I asked forcing a smile. "His birthday party tomorrow night". "We can't go. Tomorrow is Wednesday. We cant go to a party on a weekday. Mum would definitely say no". I replied hiding my happiness. "We can at least try. We can always come back before our bedtime. I just want to go. My crush finally acknowledged me. Please Steve". She asked pouting and blinking. I laughed. "Stop or your eyes will fall out. Jesus". She frowned and I laughed even harder. "I'm ignoring this because I need you to convince your mum". Way to ruin the atmosphere. I started the engine and drove out of the school premises, to avoid the conversation.