13- Are you crazy??

~ Denise's point of view~

Aaliyah Clxxx:

Party's at six!

You'll be there, right?

I sighed, rolling over on my bed and staring at the ceiling. I glanced at my phone and re-read the text message.

`Should I go to the party?

I mean, I do need the distraction.`

I picked up my phone and sent a quick reply telling her I'd be there. Not less than a minute later she sent a sticker of a cat dancing on a pole. That made me smile. I stared at my screen longer and watched the cat dance and I giggled.

Partying wouldn't be that bad.

My stomach grumbled loudly and I lazily got myself out of my bed to get myself something to eat.

2:15pm

I wasn't sure if Dad would be home at this time or not. Part of me wished he wasn't.

I made my way towards the kitchen and poured myself some cornflakes and milk and boiled water to mix it. I sat down in the dining and ate whilst scrolling through my TikTok. I had sixteen new followers and a hundred new likes on my new dance challenge with Summerein and I smiled at that. The sound of glass slippers on tiles made my look up and I frowned automatically.

"What the hell happened to your face." I whisper yelled, still not sure if my father was home or not. I couldn't take any risk.

"It's nothing dear. Your father was a little annoyed yesterday and it was my fault anyway-" I scoffed at my mother's poor excuses to defend my father's aggressiveness.

He was a woman beater, period! I knew this, she knew this too. Then why the hell did she still cover for him? I wasn't not freaking ten any more!

"Mom," I lowered my voice, staring at the bruises on her face with sadness. "Please. Please leave him."

"Denise-"

"He's going to kill you if you keep letting him. Please!"

Mother shook her head and gave me a sad smile. " I can't leave your father, Denise. I love him, and he loves me too. He has a short temper, it's not his fault-"

"Unbelievable!" I exclaimed, pushing my chair back and rising to my feet. I picked up my bowl and hugged it to my chest. " This isn't love, mom. This is toxicity of the highest order. And if this is love? then I'd rather die alone, single, and in a house filled with 25 dogs." Mom pursed her lips, looking surprised by my outburst. I hurrumped, and stormed back upstairs to my bedroom.

Tonight's goal:

-Get crazy drunk

-Have fun

-Forget.

~•~

I stared long and hard at my reflection.

My eyes travelling from my caked face, to my cream colored loose braids, down to my outfit- a white offshoulder long dress with a big slit at the side from my thighs, downwards. I wore one of my old laced heels with it, the lace going criss cross till it almost reached my knees, and a silver pin earring with a silver necklace with my initials on it 'Deni' instead of my full name Denise. I smiled approvingly at my reflection, picked up my phone and purse and left my room.

I was about to walk out the door when a voice called my name from behind me.

"Denise."

I kissed my teeth and turned around slowly. My dad stood by the staircase with his arms folded and he raised an eyebrow at me.

"Where do you think you're going?" He asked.

"A party." I said monotonously, averting my eyes from his intense ones.

"I don't remember being told about this party, Denise. You think you can just leave my house without my knowledge?"

"It's not like I was leaving without telling anyone. I told mom because she was the only one I saw this morning." I mumbled. Father took a threatening step down and his eyes furrowed in anger.

"Excuse me? Who do you think you are talking to?"

"Sorry." I answered grudgingly. I wasn't sorry at all. Father eyed me with a scowl on his face.

"Who's party is it?" He asked me.

"It's Aaliyah's." I muttered, my eyes remaining on the tiled floor.

"Aaliyah Asaolu?" My father questioned, sounding intrigued. I looked up at him and truly, his expression held wonder and interest.

"Yes, sir."

"You can go." My eyes widened in surprise. Just like that?

"Don't get into much trouble. Remember you come from a reputable and respected family." Respected my foot. I refrained from rolling my eyes and made my way to the door again. Just as I was about to slip out the door, my father spoke again.

"Make sure you become close friends with the little Asaolu, Dear. It could benefit us a lot."

Of course. My father had another scheme up his sleeve.

Dear ko.

Dearie ni.

(Dear indeed)

I arrived at Aaliyah's parents' mansion at 7pm and the whole place was already packed.

People were dancing, drinking, chatting and screaming. Some already had their asses drunk, and others were shamelessly trying to hook up.

I scrunched my nose in disgust. The room smelled of sweat and vodka.

I walked majestically and stylishly searched for the birthday girl. On my way to the kitchen, I bumped into a body. I was about to curse his ass out, but then I raised my head and saw his beautiful face.

"Well hello there. Don't you look nice." I bit my lip as I raked my eyes on his body. He was in a light blue graphic tee and black skinny jeans. Then a black leather jacket topping off his looks and white sneakers.

He always knew how to dress. I found that very attractive.

I didn't stop smirking even as he eyed me in annoyance. He tried to walk past me but I held him back. I discreetly inhaled his scent. It was a mixture of sweet and musky, like a blend of vanilla and sandalwood notes.

Oh my!

"Whoa whoa. What's the rush?" I wrapped my fingers on his muscled arms and almost moaned at how good they felt. "Why don't we catch up? It's been a while we've talked. It kinda feels like you were avoiding me."

He forcefully peeled my hands off and moved back, " That's because I have."

I tilted my head, still smirking. " Why's that? I thought we finally had something going on."

He scowled. "You and I can never have anything going on, Denise. You seriously think I'd want to be with someone like you? I don't even want you as a friend not to talk of a lover," I frowned. That hurt a little.

"You hurt my girl and you expect me to be nice to you? Are you crazy?" He glared at me venemously and I cowered back at the intensity his eyes held.

"Stay away from me. Stay away from my Naya. Stay the fuck away from the both of us, Denise. Nobody fucking likes you and your bitchy attitude." He glared at me again, pushed me aside and stormed off.

I stood on the same spot for a while. Frozen. Shooked. Hurt.

` ` Nobody fucking likes you and your bitchy attitude.``

Ouch.