4

The following morning, we headed back home without speaking the whole drive, we headed straight to school and went our separate ways. Months have passed and we did just that, he got to know Crystal and I grew closer to Devon. We crossed each other in the halls, but never paid any attention to each other. Everything went back to how it should've been to begin with. A few more months passed before we spoke, I was at my locker and he approached me leaning on my locker

"Hey princess, how are you doing?"

I shut my book and looked up

"Fine. You? Or should I not care how you are doing?"

He appeared nervous

"Are you still mad at me?"

Just as I was going to answer his question, Devon walked up

"Hey babe, what the hell do you want Connor?"

I became rude to him

"Yeah Connor what do you want, it's not like we have any reason to be speaking."

I walked away, Devon said

"Be smart because if her dad found out you came around her like this, you understand the ending."

Connor laughed and walked away saying

"I don't talk to pussies."

After school, I was outside waiting for some friends, Connor walked up

"Hey I'm sorry about what I did before but I can't give up wanting to be with you no matter the consequences."

I looked up from my book

"It was fun but it has to stop now because you're right we can't be together."

He faked a laugh

"So you'll marry Devon? Who only wants to be in control and doesn't love you?"

I put the book down and crossed my arms

"You're marrying Crystal in a few months, how's that any different?"

He frowned

"I'd rather marry somebody who is interested, but she's not available."

I glanced at him with annoyance

"You wanted this!"

He shook his head

"I regret that day so much now, but make an effort to be happy with Devon."

He walked away and I looked down attempting to hold back my tears, I honestly didn't want Devon, I loved Connor but we both understood we couldn't be together even if we ran away together. Later that night, I sat down on my bed with Devon and talked

"Devon I can't marry you."

He looked at me with anger

"You don't have a choice Kayla!"

I got heated

"Really? Because I just told you I'm not going to marry you. Connor was right it's just about control with you!"

He scoffed

"You would go listen to him Kayla! Hes in your head telling you this because he wants the control of both of our gangs and youre too dumb to see that!"

I scoffed

"So I'm dumb now? Connor is the only honest one with me!"

He chuckled

"Then tell your father because I genuinely trusted you cared for me too but if you like him go marry him and see how it will be any different."

I blurted

"I'm in love with somebody else, I love you like a brother!"

He got up from my bed

"Whatever Kayla at least I'm not some stranger."

He stormed out of the room. My dad came into my room angry

"What the hell Kayla?"

I looked up at him

"What did I do now?"

He shook his head

"You're marrying him. You no longer have a choice. You're suppose to be a leader not a disappointment to this family!"

I stood up

"I could say the same for you dad. You really gave me the true picture of this life so get out of my room before I scream."

He sighed and looked back up

"This is my house and you will not."

I cut him off

"And I'm still your daughter not your ring you can pawn for fucking money. Imagine how mom would feel if she were here right now?"

He shook his head and walked out the room with nothing left to say to me. The following day, I was standing in the hallway with my best friend Hope, Connor walked by with Crystal holding hands. He glimpsed at us but kept on walking, I noticed he saw us but pretended I didn't care. They stopped at her locker and he glanced back at us, I quickly glanced at him then looked at Hope. She repeated herself

"Kayla who are you staring at?"

She turned around and looked around then faced me

"Concentrate, I'm telling you something serious."

I gazed back at him and Crystal was angry at him about something, she rushed off and he looked at me, shook his head then wandered off. Hope got angry, then slammed her locker

"Screw this talent show then, I'll invite somebody else to assist me!"

I stared at her

"I'm sorry, I didn't sleep much my dad and I got into it again."

She sighed

"I'm not surprised anymore, so Devon? Where is he?"

I shrugged my shoulder

"Who cares, I'm going to class now."

Hope hollered

"Fighting is supposed to come after the honeymoon stage! Not before!"

I ignored her, took off walking to class and walked past Crystal talking with her friend, I only caught part of it

"It's not worth it, his mind is somewhere else, god knows he's already cheating."

I sat down in class and pulled out my phone to text him

"See me at that park after school asap!"

I put my phone away and opened my book, Devon walked in and took a seat next to me

"Hey I'm sorry about last night, I overreacted and so did your dad."

I shrugged my shoulder

"Sure. Whatever Devon."

He exhaled

"So who is it?"

I looked up

"No one you know. Okay?"

He sighed

"Well the dance is coming up, does he go here?"

I threw my hair behind my ear

"Devon... no he doesn't, can you forget about him now."

He smirked

"I don't have a date to the dance want to go?"

I sighed and thought about it

"Sure but as just friends."

The bell rang and class started.