I am not used to this lifestyle but I love my mom and I will do what I have to do to stay safe. I still feel bad she will be here alone while I’m at college, though.
Making our way in I see the house is tiny, the kitchen is off to our far left and has old wooden cabinets with laminate flooring.
Our living room is to our right, and it has an old beige couch smack dab in the middle, no TV or anything. An old built-in bookshelf is on the wall, and I smile at the memories of my library in my previous home. Luckily, I was able to bring my books with me, or I swear I would have completely lost my shit.I have a Kindle that I carry around with me as well. There is no way I can leave my house without a romance book.
I love the escape reading brings me, now more than ever.
“I am going to unpack, sweetie, so pick any room you want.” Mom smiles at me. She is so calm about this entire situation, it’s odd. It’s almost like she has prepared for this moment her entire life.
My father was never really around much, and I knew Mom was lonely at times. He was a ladies man, and she knew he had other women on the side, but she stayed with him anyway.
“Okay, Mom.” I trudge down the narrow hall and spot three doors. The one to my right is a shitty little bathroom, and then a bedroom to the left. This bedroom is small, I guess I’ll take this one. It's already furnished with a full bed, dresser, and night stand.
It smells weird. I’ll have to clean this place up. I’m kind of grateful I’ll be living on campus now that I’ve seen this house. I collapse onto my bed and close my eyes, praying that this is all a nightmare and that I’ll wake up and be back in my old home when there was no Luca, no Vasquez family breathing down my neck, and no worries.
The reality is, this is my life now and I can either live with it or not. Only time will tell, and we’ll see if we made the right decision in moving here.
My mom and I are settled in the house, and I can see in her face that she’s disappointed in herself. She wants only the best for me, I know this. The only thing I can do is continue to make herproud by doing well in school. If I didn’t have a full ride, there is no way I would be going to college. I glance in the mirror. Long, wavy, dark hair past my shoulders, my big expressive green eyes on display… I have a nice body with a slim waist and just enough booty to fill my jeans, or so I’ve been told. I have a nice C-cup and always have had the best clothes. Up until now. My looks have always gotten me into trouble, though. Being pretty is not always what it's cracked up to be. Sometimes I would get negative attention from boys at school. As I got a little bit older I would get more and more attention, and it started to make me feel uneasy, and that’s when Luca saw me one day. He confronted my father about wanting to have me, and the rest is history. Both families worked together, and I was the pawn in their game. Over the years I grew used to the abuse. I would take myself somewhere else. It all started when I was sixteen. I’m nineteen now. Luca was eighteen when we first met. I scurry downstairs in my dark fitted jeans and black tank top.
“Mom, I am going for a tour on campus today to check out my dorm and everything,” I tell her while I shove a breakfast bar into my mouth. That’s another thing that’s been hard—not having money for a proper meal. We’re not use to this kind of life, and I am really trying not to become bitter about it.
“Okay, sweetie, good luck. And Erica…just know how proud I am of you, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’ll be back later.” I rush out of the house before I become emotional. This entire week has been life-altering. My dad was an asshole, but he did provide for us. And up until now I never really appreciated it. Regardless, he did leave us with a colossal amount of debt and on the outs with the most dangerous people in the country.
As I pull up to the university in my piece-of-shit car, I realize how huge the campus is. It’s embarrassing driving this car, but I’m trying to stay out of sight. It’s not like we can afford a nicer one.
The school is beautiful, really. Tall brick buildings and green grass. Students are everywhere, with papers in hand, obviously trying to figure out the campus as well.
Mostly freshmen, I assume.
When I shut the car off I sigh and whisper to myself,‘Here goes nothing’. I grab a hold of my gold locket, the inscription seared in my mind. I know one day I will have someone who will actually love me for me. Our hearts will beat as one, and I’ll be happy again. Not afraid or alone. I am a fighter and I did what I did to survive. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.
As I walk over to the main entrance, I get this strange tingly feeling like someone is watching me. I look to my left, then to my right. My heart is pounding out of my chest. All I see are a bunch of kids my age hustling about.
Shaking my head I continue walking to the building, trying to forget this feeling of being watched.
About an hour later, I have seen the entire campus, my dorm, and then some. I feel kind of giddy, knowing I’m going to be staying here. Maybe this will be a fresh start for us. My smile is wide as I continue walking, thinking to myself that I hope this fresh start is the beginning of a new, beautiful, peaceful life for us.
The next day, I start at the diner. It’s not in the best area, but it’s something. I’m a little nervous, but I have to step up and help Mom out.
Twenty minutes later, I arrive at the diner, and it’s a shithole to say the least. I huff out a breath and make my way in. Well, I guess it's not too bad inside but nothing like I’m used to.
The door dings, announcing my entrance. A cute, chubby lady with a kind smile greets me. She has gray hair, and her name tag reads Darla.
“Hi, I’m Erica and I’m here about the job.”
“Oh honey, you’re hired! Look at you all cute and sweet. Kendra and Jessica both called out and I’m just swamped! Come here, sweetness, and put on an apron.” She ushers me in and I can’t even get a word in before she has an apron on me and a pen in my hand.
“Just ask them what they want and pretend to know what you’re doing,” she instructs, and then runs off. I’m left there, mouth wide open, in front of a couple who is smiling up at me and who heard that entire conversation.
“Don’t worry, darlin’, we’ll go easy on you,” the man says. He looks scary with his bald head, tattoos and leather jacket, but he has a kind smile. The woman he’s with is also smiling up at me. I take a deep breath.
“Okay, then, what would you like?” I shudder, feeling a bit uneasy at first. But they order, making me feel comfortable.
I start to get the hang of it, and Darla gives reassuring smiles and taps on my shoulder. I’m making ok money in tips as I start to get a feel for the people and the place. Just when I thoughtmy night was going fine the door dings, and when I look over in walks this man and when I say man I mean… holy mother of all hell, this man is drop-dead fucking gorgeous.
He strolls in without a care in the world. I see him lean down and plant a kiss on Darla’s cheek. She then pats him on the cheek, and he gives her a small smile, and oh my god. I can’t even move from my spot, and I think I’m drooling a little. Out of habit, I grab my locket and feel my heart rate speed up.