14. Learning To Love - Part Two

*Let me just silently freak out at those 17 comments! That's the most I've ever got lol anyway THANKU so much, now I'm super, super anxious about posting :/ Also some of you might have seen on tumblr or twitter that FY, HIA and maybe even CAHM will be ending within the next two weeks, thanks to those who have been reading them :)) Hope this is okay for you all :/*

"You love me?" She let the hanger and bikini in her hand drop to her side. His face looked a little nervous as he rubbed his thighs.

"Yeah, I do." The cubicle fell silent again before she shuffled towards him shyly.

"I love you too." The relief was written all over his face, as if he was actually worried she didn't feel the same way. Little did he know she'd been itching to tell him for ages. Grasping at her hand he smiled up at her before moving his mouth again.

"We done here? 'Cause I'm starvin'." Her blank expression made him laugh before she swiped the bikini across his face.

"Why'd you have to go and spoil the moment you big doof?" Pouting angrily she grabbed her purse from the hook and pulled the curtain back.

"What? I'm hungry and we been shopping for hours. You still love me though." There was a second of silence before she answered.

"Yeah, I suppose I do." She emphasised the word 'suppose' and went ahead to buy the bikini, even though she hated it.

The rest of their afternoon was perfect to Nicki, although he just saw it as a day out at the mall she saw it as so much more. Plus, he said he loved her. She kept replaying it in her mind just in case the moment slipped away.

"Hello? Earth to Nicki." She snapped out of her drifting, dreamy thoughts and looked at him. "Yo, you were like full on sleep with your eyes open."

"I was day dreamin' actually." Flipping her hair over her shoulder she undid her seatbelt and turned to face him. "I think you should come meet my Mom."

"Really? But won't your da-"

"He's gone." She licked her lips nervously and looked back up at him. "So, d'you wanna come in?"

"As long as your Mom doesn't mind."

"She won't, I promise." Her words persuaded him it was a good idea and he soon followed her lead, walking behind her to the house. It smelt so good when they walked through the door, the aroma of food instantly waking his stomach. "Ooh she's cooking. You want dinner here?"

"Sure, smells good."

"Mhm, Mom's cooking is pretty damn good." She smiled sweetly and dropped her purse before leading him through to the kitchen and greeting her Mother. She was slightly nervous since this was the first time Safaree was meeting her but the nitpicking was non-existent much to her relief.

***

"I cannot believe you ate two full plates!"

"That was some good food though. Had to stop myself from gettin' thirds." He nodded matter of factly as she lay behind him on her bed.

"You're so greedy." Letting her foot slip off the edge, she kicked him lightly in the head since he was sat on the floor resting against her bed frame.

"Aye, don't be pickin' fights with people more than double your size. You got any idea how stupid that is?"

"No 'cause I'd win." She giggled whilst looking down at him.

"My ass you'd win, I could toss you across the room with my pinky."

"No you couldn't Safaree, stop lyin'."

"Oh yeah?" He whipped his head around and laughed seeing how scared she looked as he got to his feet.

"No wait! Please! I'm sorry I didn't mean it!" Holding her hands up in defence he slapped them down playfully. "I know you're not lyin'!" Letting her giggles overtake the last of her sentence he smiled back at her and flopped on to the bed, causing her body to bounce up a little.

"You're just lucky all that shoppin' made me feel mad sleepy."

"Aww." Rolling over on to her stomach to get closer to him she removed his hat and ran her long nails up and down the nape of his neck, stopping each time when she got to his shirt collar. "Poor Saafaareeee."

"Yeah, poor me." He shut his eyes, enjoying the relaxing moment until a firm slap to the back of his scalp made him jump. "Nicki, what the hell?!"

"Get over yourself, it was just a lil' bit of shopping Safaree. Not a freaking marathon."

"Well it sure as hell felt like a marathon to me. You need serious preppin' for shit like that." His last comment made her laugh, although it sounded mangled and ugly because she was laying on her front he still thought she sounded cute. The comfortable silence soon washed over them both again before she broke it abruptly.

"I'm nervous." The quick and random topic change made him look at her seriously. They probably looked more than ridiculous, both laying motionlessly on their stomachs as they stared at one another.

"Why you nervous for?"

"This stupid ass pool party. I'ont wanna go, Safaree." Her voice was low and quiet.

"How many times do I have to say this Nic? I'm gonna be there with you at all times, I don't get why you're so afraid." He studied her features, waiting for a response and he could immediately tell that there were words on the tip of her tongue. They just weren't coming out. "Nicki?"

"I just am SB. I don't know why, I just..." Her words fizzled out slowly. She was so close to telling him, opening up to him but in one swift moment she panicked and let her problems collect in the pit of her stomach where they'd forever give her grief. Why couldn't she talk to him? Or anyone for that matter. However many people were surrounding her she still felt alone.

"If it's the same issue that we talked about in the change room I honestly don't understand you Onika."

"What?" Her brow furrowed as she moved back to stare at him more fiercely.

"You! You hate everythin' about yourself and I just can't figure why! I obviously see somethin' completely different to what you see when you look in the mirror!" Her face retracted, visibly hurt by his words. Her biggest fear, the possibility that nobody understood her and never would.

"Well I apologise for feelin' so insecure all the time. I didn't know it bothered you so badly." Quickly getting to her feet she jumped to the floor and shut herself in the bathroom. His loud sigh was audible on the other side of the door. He knew he handled that the wrong way, in fact there was nothing right about how he even approached the topic but how could he help her and try to understand her when she wouldn't even confide in him. Groaning angrily at himself he returned his hat to his head and made his way over to her bathroom door and knocked lightly.

"Nicki, I'm sorry. I didn't meant to yell I just, I don't know what's goin' on in your head half the time. I need you to talk to me." He waited for some sort of acknowledgement but didn't receive one. Her sobs were pretty damn clear though. "Look, I'm gonna sit and wait for however long it takes for you to come out but hear this, how can you let anyone else love you if you don't even know how to love yourself?"

***

It had been almost an hour and her tears were still actively pouring from her eyes as his words continued to plague her mind. He was right. How the hell was anyone else supposed to love her if she didn't even love herself? Piecing her own feelings with his impacting words she felt as though everything was pointless. She could never love herself, the relentless months of torture certain people had inflicted upon her already damaged self esteem was irreversible. Or so she thought. Wiping her face with her hands she sniffled before resting her head against the wooden door, his in the same spot on the other side.

"The hell is this?" His sneer made her blush and start to fidget instantly.

"It's a card, I uhm, I made it for you." The indentation of her dimple deepened as she chewed anxiously on the inside of her cheek.

"I can see that, I'm not backwards Oinka." The spin he put on her name made everyone around them laugh lowly. "Why would I want a card from you?" Her eyes began to sting feeling everyone staring at her and smiling smugly. The embarrassment was unbearable.

"It doesn't matter." She shook her head, the soft curls tickling her cheeks as she urgently caught herself before the tears attempted to surface. "I'm just....I'm gonna go to class." Quickly pushing past everyone she walked speedily to the bathroom and secured herself in a cubicle, letting the hurt start to cut deep into her heart as the pain refused to cease with each teardrop she shed.

Back out in the corridor the laughter was still going and Drake's conscience was screaming at him to run after her but his mind was stopping him from making any sort of movement.

"I can't believe she actually gave that to you! Here, lemme see it?" Tyrell made a grab for the pink valentines card in Drake's grasp. Not able to stop him in time he ripped it from his hands and began to read it aloud.

"Aubrey, for as long as I have known you I've always felt something towards you." He paused to absorb the few giggles that were audible."Wait, wait there's more." He cleared his throat after laughing and proceeded. "I don't know what it is that pulls me towards you but just know that I've never felt this way before. I feel something between us and I hope you feel the same way back." He carried on reading until he reached the end of her heart-felt confession. Her first valentines card she'd ever wrote and it was cruelly broadcasted to the majority of her school in the canteen. Drake felt sick, not just at how horrible he was feeling at that point but at the pain clearly visible on her face. She looked broken.

"Nicki, please?" The low volume of his voice woke her from the seemingly real memory. Her defence mechanism was harming any future happiness she might have to face. Shutting everyone out of her life and trusting only herself was secluding her emotionally. Taking a deep breath she got to her feet and smudged the tears away before turning the handle. He was more than shocked when the door pulled open, his head losing its place of rest before he jumped up quickly. Staring at her heart-broken face whilst she kept focused on her feet he waited for her to say something first. A few long seconds passed before her hoarse and shaky voice was heard.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to push you away." She shuffled out of the bathroom, her arms crossed tightly over herself.

"I know you don't mean to do it. I just wish you'd stop, Nicki." His warm arms embraced her firmly, letting her feel that he was there in more than one sense.

"I can't."

"Why not? This is what I'm talkin' about Nic. Let me in, tell me why you can't." The silence became overwhelming.

How could she tell him something so embarrassing? The fact that it was his friends that made her this way worsened the situation. Folding her lips tightly she hurriedly blinked the tears away and kept her voice suppressed whilst she hugged him back tightly. The sigh he emitted was one she could both feel and hear and honestly she didn't know how much longer he'd put up with this. She was rigid for a moment or two, just waiting for him to release her from his hold and walk away but instead he held her tighter.

"I'm not goin' anywhere Onika. Just remember that."

...

*This is a three part chapter, so you will get the pool party in part three :) Super sorry I was late posting and it's kinda short. None of my chapters are ever long anyways lol thanku to those who commented last chapter, it'll be a miracle if I get that many comments again XD Hope this was alright :/*

13. Learning To Love - Part One

*Thanks for all the previous comments ^_^ I hope this is alright for you all!*

"I'm gonna have to go home at some point." She spoke quietly into his chest as they lay on the couch. It had been almost three days and she'd been back once when she was sure her Father was out so that she could pick up some of her essentials. Safaree and his family had been great, without them she feared what would have happened. It turns out their two month mark was celebrated with the perfect gift for both of them and today was Safaree's birthday but the pair of them had other things on their mind.

"I was thinkin' the same thing in the shower this mornin'." His words fell from his mouth lazily as his chin rested on top of her head. Their movie had ended and as always they were sat, basking in the silence as the credits rolled up the screen.

"Oh? You didn't tell me that."

"That's 'cause you was too busy lettin' your eyes wander, I wouldn't have wanted to distract you."

"Ew." She sat up quickly and stared at him as he smiled. The feeling he gave her was unexplainable and she knew it sounded stupid but she really didn't want to leave him to go home. His eyes flicked from her eyes to the tiny shade of purple that used to be a bruise, it looked more like a faint shadow now though. He knew she had to go home but he was scared for her to be in the house with that deranged lunatic that was her father. He was so deep in thought at that point he hadn't felt her hand caressing his cheek until now as she spoke lightly. "What're you thinkin' about?"

"You."

"Do you always think about me?" Her eyes depicted the intrigue in her mind as she continued to look at him.

"Every minute of the day."

"Not a second less?"

"Never."

"Good." She smiled into the kiss that she initiated and pulled away, the smile still plastered on her happy face. He loved seeing her like this. No makeup, no worries and most of all happy. Seeing her happy made him happy. "Get up, I wanna show you somethin'." She stood up quickly causing him to grab her hand.

"Wait, where you goin'?"

"Just get up. I'll show you."

He did as she asked and followed behind her up the stairs and into his room. His Mom and Nina had gone out to spend time together and left Nicki and Safaree to have their space too.

"Nicki? What are you doin'?"

"Stop asking me questions and sit." She grasped at his hand gently and led him to the bed before turning to her backpack by his wall. He had absolutely no clue what she was doing but he was fascinated so stopped asking questions and just let her continue to rummage through her bag. Slowly standing up she turned back to him and sat by his side on the bed with a long box in her hands. She was holding it out for him but he looked confused.

"Nicki, what is all this for?"

"Your Birthday. Here, open it." Her small hands handed him the box, which he took from her gratefully.

"Nic you dind't have to get me anythin' I'm happy with no gift I swear."

"But I wanted to get you it. So, I hope you like it." She blushed slightly before kissing him. "Happy Birthday."

"Y'know what? I don't deserve you." He smiled back at her and began opening the box only to feel his eyes pop out of his head when he lay eyes on the chain inside. It had his name encrusted on the front, which only became more visible as he lifted it out. Placing it in his palm he brushed his thumb over the letters before turning it over to see her name with heart beneath it engraved in the back. The growing silence as he admired his gift was starting to make her feel nervous.

"Oh my God, you hate it don't you? I knew I should-"

"No!" He stopped to place it around his neck effortlessly. "Nicki, I love it. Thank you." Pulling her worried frame to his body he embraced her in a hug before kissing her affectionately.

"Really? You're not just sayin' that?" It was obvious that she was pouting as she spoke.

"No, if I didn't like I'd let you know don't worry." His obnoxious laugh made her pull away quickly as she slapped his arm. "Damn, I was jokin'!" He laughed. "But seriously I really love it Nic, thank you."

"You're welcome."

***

"If anythin' happens and I mean anythin', you call me and I'll come getchu. Kay?" He stared at her worried face as she sat in the passenger seat. They were parked outside of her house, today was the day she was finally going home. She'd called her Mother the day before and found out her Dad had been called out to work away for another five weeks.

"It's fine Faree. Nothin'll happen, I promise." She smiled and leaned in to kiss him before getting out. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow." His eyes were glued to her as she made her way inside, turning at the doorway to wave one last time before entering. She didn't want to be back, in fact it was taking everything within her being to not run back out the door and back into his car but she didn't want to impose on his family any more than she felt like she had. Steadily setting her bag down at the bottom of the stairs she looked around nervously. It was eerily quiet as she started walking through to the kitchen, which is where her Mom usually was.

"Mom?" There was no response. Continuing through all the rooms on the lower floor she started making her way up the stairs after grabbing her bag. "Mom? You home?" Her brow was furrowed with concentration whilst listening for a reply, still nothing. Suddenly catching sight of movement she jumped out of her skin. "Oh my God! Lambchop you scared me!" She laughed out of relief and walked over to where he was stood, still in his pyjamas. "Where's Mommy? And why aren't you dressed yet?" She held her bag with one arm and grabbed his little hand with her own.

"Mommy's sleeping."

"Sleeping?"

"Mhm." He nodded dramatically and carried on trailing behind her.

"Well you stay in here and I'll go see if she's awake yet, kay?" He didn't respond as he'd already raced over to her CD rack and started pulling them all out. She never understood the fascination he had with that. Not bothering to stop him she dropped her bag on the bed and moved through to her Mom's room. it was dark and dingy inside, not like it usually was. The furniture was turned over and there were things all over the carpeted floor. Cai was right, she was asleep but that was so unlike her. Especially to leave her five year old child alone, unfed and still in his PJ's at almost three in the afternoon. Looking back at the shape in the bed worriedly she moved back out to her own room. Things needed to get back in order and it looked as though it was all up to her.

"C'mon we're gonna go eat." She extended her arm out for him to hold her hand as they headed downstairs and into the kitchen. "What do you wanna eat?" She asked as she helped him climb onto a chair at the table.

"Mac and cheese?"

"Good, me too." Scruffing up the little amount of hair he had she smiled at him and went to go make their food.

It was almost 8pm before Mama Carol made an appearance. Nicki was in the middle of bathing Cai when she heard her door creak open.

"Is Mommy awake now?" His little whisper and wide eyes made her laugh as he sat surrounded by bubbles in the tub.

"Sounds like it, so we better hurry up and get you in bed before we get in trouble." She finished rinsing off the suds and pulled the plug out before wrapping him in a towel. He was dried and laying in his sheets in no time. He'd managed to talk her into reading him a story, which he had missed immensely in the four days she'd been gone. After finishing the story she tucked him in again and turned his light off on the way out but once she reached the hallway his little voice stopped her.

"Nicki wait!" She turned around quickly, walking back to his half open door.

"What is it?"

"Can you please close my door?"

"Close it? I thought you didn't like the dark lambchop?" She smirked at him acting all grown up but his reply made her feel as though she was about to break down in tears.

"I am afraid of the dark." His lip quivered as he spoke. "But sometimes when it's shut Daddy won't come in and get mad at me." Her heart sank like a ruined ship.

"But he's not here anymore." Making her way back into his room she sat on the side of his bed.

"Yes he is." The worry in his voice, face and eyes was killing her. It almost mirrored how she was feeling the day he attacked her.

"No, he's not Cai. He's gone away, I promise."

"He's still in my dreams though." He sniffled as the tears began to roll down his little cheeks.

"I won't ever let him hurt you, I'mma make sure he can't come back."

"Will you sleep in my room with me?"

"Of course I will." She kissed his forehead before standing again. "I gotta go get ready for bed first but I'll be back soon." Holding the tears back she left his room and went to perform her usual rituals, her Mother had disappeared back into her room again and Nicki figured it would be smarter to talk to her in the morning. After brushing her teeth and showering she let herself back into Cai's bedroom and crawled under the sheets with him, settling in a comfy position for the night she let his soft snores lull her to sleep.

Across the hallway Carol had watched her daughter walk from the bathroom and back into Cai's little room. Intrigued, she dragged her sore and aching body across the wooden floor and peered through the doorway. The sight before her made the pain gradually worsen. The two bodies laying asleep were the most important people in her life and she'd failed to protect them.

***

"I don't know 'bout this, don't you think this is goin' a lil' too far Mia?"

"Kelly, I swear if you open your mouth one more time." Along with her intimidating stare the threat didn't even need to be finished for Kelly to silence herself.

"So you're really gonna try this?"

"Yeah, I mean I know it's kinda harsh but it'll see her outta the group, that's for sure." She laughed a little after answering Callie's question. "She's an outcast. She doesn't fit anywhere, especially not with us."

"I don't even know what SB sees in her, like..." Zara trailed off whilst bugging her eyes at her friends.

"Exactly, and tomorrow we'll be rid of her and her dorky ways."

"What if it doesn't work?"

"The fuck is up wit'chu Kelly? You sound like you actually care about her?" Mia shot her an evil glance.

"I don't care about her. I just don't wanna be too mean, y'know?"

"Well get the fuck over it."

"She has a point Mia, I mean what if SB don't fall for it?"

"He has to." She laughed in Callie's direction. "Besides there's gonna be alcohol there so once he's sipped a few he'll be all over me. He practically is anyway so, it'll work. Trust me." She turned away to grab her nail file whilst the other girls shared a doubtful look. Too scared to voice their opinions they just let her keep talking, highly anticipating how tomorrow would turn out.

***

The next morning Nicki was woken by Cai trying to climb over the top of her. She could tell he was at least trying not to wake her up but it was a failed attempt.

"Hey, where you goin'?" Her raspy morning voice made him halt on the spot and turn to face his older sister.

"Downstairs, Mommy's up."

"She is?"

"Yeah and she's cooking something!" His wide grin made her laugh a little as she threw the blankets back. She was apprehensive as she followed behind him, scared of what she might be greeted with but to her surprise the house was spotless and along with it was the aroma of breakfast cooking. Watching Cai run off ahead she stood in the doorway watching her Mother. She looked okay from where she was but a soon as she moved further into the room the bruises became more visible. He'd done it to her too.

"I'm sorry I wasn't awake when you got home Nika I-" She stopped talking and stirring in her pan once she felt Nicki's arms wrap around her gently from behind.

"It's okay Mom." She released her from the hug and stepped back. "I'm sorry I left you and Cai with him but he-"

"I know what he did. That's why he's gone." She looked down solemnly. Although she was glad to be rid of his monstrous ways it was still sad to have seen her marriage fall apart the way it did.

"I should've told you, I was just scared. I'm sorry." Blinking the tears away quickly she smiled at Cai waiting impatiently at the table, his knife and fork pointed upwards in his little hands.

"You don't need to be sorry for anything Onika, now go sit at the table I'm cooking breakfast for both my babies today." She smiled tearfully and ushered her daughter away, more than ready to embrace this new start.

***

"Come on Nic." Safaree tapped the changing room door and waited for her to open but she was refusing to let him in. It was Thursday afternoon and she'd been trying to get hold of Mia and the others for days but they were all ignoring her, so Safaree kindly offered to take her shopping.

"No. I look so dumb."

"Nicki I have seen you-" He paused quickly and lowered his tone after looking around. "I have seen you naked before y'know?"

"Safaree!"

He laughed at her yelling and sat on the changing room couch again. "Well I have and you look great so just lemme see."

"No." Not taking her say as the final answer her slid in through the curtain, making her jump. "Oh my God! Would you please get out?!" She tried to cover herself but he pulled her hands away. Standing before him in a bikini she suddenly felt really embarrassed and looked down to avoid his roaming eyes.

"Nicki, what are you talkin' about?" He looked dumbfounded by her behaviour. "Would you look at yourself?"

"I already saw. I wanna get changed so could you please get ouuuut?" Her attempt to push him out failed miserably.

"Nope. Not 'til you turn 'round at look at yourself and I'm bein' serious right now." To prove his point he made himself comfortable on the ledge in the corner and folded his arms.

"Ugh, you are so annoying y'know that?"

"Yup, thas my job. Now stop looking at me and look in the mirror Onika." He turned his own focus to the mirror, waiting for her to do the same and slowly but surely she rotated her gaze to the foot of the glass. Staring intently at her feet she spoke up again.

"What am I 'sposed to be lookin' at Faree?"

"The girl stood in fronna you right now? Do you see her?" He watched her face in the mirror.

"Safaree I-"

"Do you see her?"

She huffed irritably. "Yes, I see her."

"What don't you like about her?"

"What do I like about her is more the question." She shook her head. "Safaree this is silly, I look stupid. I'm not wearing this on Saturday."

"Well what about what I like about her? Can I answer that question?"

"Go ahead, but look away whilst I change." He did as she asked just to avoid wasting more time.

"Mmkay, Onika Maraj. I love her smile. I love her dimples and the way her eyes go all squinty when she laughs. Oh and that too, I love her laugh. Her weirdly long fingers and tiny wrists." He paused when he heard her laughing. "And the ass, how could I forget that?" He chuckled to himself a little when she hit him on the back of his head. "She's aggressive sometimes, I like that shit too. Y'know I could go on for a whole eternity sayin' everythin' I love about her." He trailed off for a second before expanding his sentence. "How much I love her." Turning around in time to catch her ass disappearing under her jeans, she pulled them up quickly and turned to face him.

"Love?"

"You heard right." He folded his lips nervously. "Nicki, I love you."

...

*My brain hurrrts I hit a wall with this chapter so bad so I apologise! It's a little draggy onny and you'll have to wait 'til the next post to see how things go at the pool party haha thanks SO much for reading and for those who left comments on the previous chapter :))*

12. Security

*So, I haven't posted on this one in what feels like forever! I'm not sure if people are still interested in it but here goes! Alsooo I know I said no more of those kind of scenes, I was gonna get someone else to write it for me but I didn't so please excuse any errors. I am, after all, still an innocent little lady :3 So there are bound to be mistakes! Oh and thanku so much for all the previous comments, I think this chapter is a lil longer so I hope it's okay :/*

Having made his way downstairs that morning Safaree was sat with his Mom and Nina at the table. Only the sound of them eating breakfast could be heard before Mama Samuels spoke up.

"I thought you said Nicki was staying over last night?" She continued spooning cereal into her mouth after talking.

"Yeah, she did. She's still sleepin'. She's gon' be stoppin' for a couple days though, that okay?"

"Of course, she's always welcome here and she knows it." She smiled sweetly and stood, carrying her bowl and spoon over to the sink leaving the siblings to talk.

"How is Nicki? I saw her go out the bathroom last night, she didn't look too great." Nina tried to mask her worries with a smile.

"Nah, she won't speak. Somethin' happened with her Dad last night."

"Like what?" She frowned.

"I'ont even know." He rubbed his head remembering yesterday. "Her Mom and Dad was away for a few days and when they came back he went mad and threw me out like I was yesterday's fuckin' trash."

"Damn." Her eyes widened dramatically. "So, you think he was mad with her for havin' you over?"

He shrugged in response. "I'mma go see of she'll talk but I have a feelin' she's just gon' bury it all."

"Well, good luck." She smiled at her brother as she stood up. "And if you want, I could try and talk to her later?"

"Thanks, I'll see if she even opens up to me first."

"Aight, well I gotta get to work. I'll talk to you later." She finished clearing her dishes away and grabbed her coat before leaving. It was times like this when he was glad he had a sister.

After washing his own breakfast plates he made sure his Mom was busy doing something downstairs before moving up to his room to see Nicki. She was still sleeping, her hair laying over her bruised face. How could her own Father do that? He wondered to himself and shut the door before sitting on the edge of the bed. His weight caused the bed to sink as she opened her eyes slowly. The way her small hand swept the hair from her vision made him smile.

"Hey, how you feelin'?" He lay back down, facing her on his side as she stretched out slowly.

"Okay, I guess."

"Yeah, well you don't look okay." He frowned as he spoke to her. "Nicki, what the hell even happened last night?"

"Nothin'." She was speaking quietly and calmly. "And I'm sorry he threw you out yesterday." He could feel her hand on his face but ignored it, trying to work out what happened.

"Nothin'? Nicki, I'ont believe that. Look at your face." He folded his lips and ran his finger gently across her bruised cheek as she avoided eye contact. It felt hot and a little swollen. "Did he hit you?"

"Safaree, please could you just leave it?" The tone of anger and upset in her voice made him wary of making her bottle up even more than she already was.

"Fine. But you're stayin' here for as long as you need."

"Thank you." She kissed him sweetly and pulled back before settling in his arms again. Surely she'd open up to him soon, maybe if he stopped pressing her for answers and let her talk in her own time she'd tell him what really happened.

"You want somethin' to eat?" She shook her head no against his chest before sitting up slowly, reaching for her pounding skull as she winced.

"You got anythin' for a headache though?"

"Yeah, but you gotta eat before you go poppin' pills Onika." He sat up too and slid off of the bed. "C'mon, I'll go make you somethin'." Holding his hand out her let her place hers in his grip and led her to the lounge room. "I'll bring it through, you just sit still and take it easy." She got comfortable in the cushions and did as he ordered, waiting for him to return with her late breakfast.

***

The pills did their job and thanks to the pain relief they had her sleeping again in no time. Safaree couldn't believe how much she was bottling things up with him, how she wouldn't confide in him. They were supposed to feel like they could tell each other anything. His face remained troubled as he stared down at her sleeping into his side. Honestly, out in the day-time light her face didn't look all too bad, just a little bruised on her cheek.

"Safaree, what would you and Nicki like for dinn-" Her little voice interrupted his thoughts but by the time he'd tuned in she'd stopped having laid eye's and Nick's tinged cheek. "Oh my goodness, what happened?"

Thinking fast, SB spoke up. "Oh, she uh, took a toy truck to the face yesterday." He nodded and folded his lips as his Mother still looked just as confused. "Her little brother Ma, he threw a toy at her face."

"Oh!" She chuckled lightly. "Well, at least it didn't break the skin. There's some arnica gel up in the bathroom cabinet, tell her to put some of that on when she wakes up."

"Aight, thanks Ma." He grimaced after her comment, thinking of what her face could have looked like had her Father hit her any harder. He didn't need for her to say it was him, he just knew it. There was something about her Dad that didn't sit well with him but he couldn't work out what it was.

"Anyway, I'm going grocery shopping. What would you two like for dinner?" Her purse and keys were already in her grasp as she continued walking to the door.

"I'ont mind Ma, whatever you cook is fine by us." He turned to smile at her. "But thanks for askin'."

"Okay, well I'll be home soon. Don't forget, if you go out leave the spare key under the mat for Nina."

"Aight, will do." He waved once more before she left. Leaving him with his thoughts and Nicki's light breathing for company.

***

Sitting in the centre of her pink, girly, over-sized bedroom Mia was surrounded by her friends, her hangover finally subdued as she sipped on some sparkling water. Kelly was studying her reflection intently whilst Callie proceeded to get her hair done by Mia and over in the corner Zara lay comfortably on her side reading a magazine. Having avoided the topic for a while, Callie decided to bring it up.

"Mia, I thought you said you was gonna get your "revenge" on Nicki soon? And you stayin' over at her house and shit, what's up with that? Y'all best friends or somethin' now?"

"Please? Me? Friends with Onika? That's a goddamn joke Callie. I already said that I gotta be close to her before I can get her back." Mia continued braiding Callie's hair as she spoke to them all before Kelly interrupted.

"So you're gettin' revenge on Nicki for somethin' that her guy said?" Her face contorted with confusion. "Call me stupid but that's a lil' harsh, don't ya think? And ain't he Drake's friend?"

"Yeah, you're right Kel. You are stupid. Now stop questioning my decisions. Ever since that day Aubrey stuck up for the four-eyed bitch in Math she's done nothin' but rub me the wrong way. Drake has tonnes of friends, losing SB ain't gon' cost him anythin'."

"So, what are you gonna do?" Callie's voice was breathy as she tried to cope with how roughly Mia was handling her hair.

"I still don't know yet." She sighed. "I was supposed to try and think of shit I could get on her when I was at hers last night but I drank too much." She stopped braiding for a minute and pondered before continuing again, much to Callie's horror. Suddenly a devious smile found its way to Zara's face.

"Y'know, I was gon' have a pool party over at mine next weekend. We could invite Onika."

"Why the hell would you wanna invite-" She stopped dramatically and dropped the unfinished braid. "Ohh I get it." Her face mirrored Zara's as she nodded. "Oh my God. This is the perfect opportunity." The four girls started to plan for Saturday night, their devious minds pulled together could be a dangerous thing for someone classed as an outsider. Especially someone like Nicki.

***

Across town Safaree sat comfortably between Nicki's legs on his bed as she squirmed to get away from him.

"Nicki, would you sit still. I'm gonna miss and get it in your goddamn eye or somethin." Using the strength of his muscular arm he lay it across both her thighs to hold her still whilst he resumed his attempt to paste the arnica gel on her cheek.

"Safaree! That hurts!" She turned her head away from him. "It is a bruise y'know? They hurt when you touch them."

"Well if you sat still then I wouldn't keep on accidentally hurtin' it." His last words made her cease all movement as she held her breath and winced when he gently rubbed it on. "There, see? Now how hard was that?" He stood up and screwed the lid on trying not to smile at her pouting face.

"I'm doin' it myself next time. Your hands are too big and ungentle."

"Ungentle?" She nodded sadly as he got on to the bed again. "You don't think I could be gentle?"

"Not with those big ass hands." Softening her answer she let a small giggle escape before allowing more to follow when he moved over the top of her. Resting with his face just above hers, the small smile she had on her face soon disappeared once she felt his leg laying between hers with his other to the side of her.

"What is it?" He scanned her eyes for an answer when he noticed there was something obviously on her mind.

"Can I ask you somethin'?"

"Sure, go ahead." He maintained his position above her whilst she played nervously with the chain dangling from his neck as it rested on her succulent chest.

"Why do you like me? I mean, of all the girls you coulda gone for and have prolly been with before, yet you're layin' here on top of me. Ol' Goofy Nika. Why?"

"Nicki, I really like you." Her eyes flicked up to catch his briefly before he continued on. "Not just all of this." He said as he ran his hands gently over her body before tapping where her heart lay. "But all of this and what's inside too. You're the nicest, most kindest person I ever met and that's the God honest truth." Leaning down he kissed her delicately, feeling the tears on her face as he did so. "That gentle enough for you?" He smirked at her smiling through her tears as she stared up at him affectionately.

"Yes." She whispered and kissed him again.

"And don't think that I ain't noticed any of this shit either." He said sternly and rubbed the foundation from her cheek, most of it had gone milky with her tears. Pulling his hand up she studied it carefully and blinked. "Or that."

"What?" She sniffled and moved slightly under him to get more comfortable.

"Your contacts. I know you hate wearin' 'em. Where are your glasses?"

"I left them at home. I look better without them on."

"You look beautiful with and without them." He sat up, pulling her with him as they moved to sit against the headboard.

"Y'know, apart from my Mom you're the only person to ever tell me that?"

"Well, me and your Mom speak the truth and know when we see somethin' special." He pecked the side of her face, careful not to press on her sore cheek in the process as she stared ahead deep in thought.

Neither one of them could have guessed what would transpire that evening as their small exchanges of kisses turned into a more passionate make out session before he lay her beneath him once again. Feeling her breath quicken she decided to enjoy the feeling he was giving her as he took in every part of her body. His lips grazed almost every inch of her being that was accessible before he slowly began pulling her shirt up. He looked at her face, waiting for a signal but she just kept her eyes locked on to his, silently giving him permission to carry on undressing her.

He did exactly that as he peeled the thin fabric up over her head and cast it to the floor before placing his lips back upon her warm skin. It seemed as though each time he pulled away and moved back to her again her breathing would become more erratic. Her chest was heaving as she closed her eyes only to open them suddenly, feeling the coolness of his chain once again resting on her chest. Following it with her eyes she trailed them back up to his neck and reached out slowly to remove it, gaining more courage with each second that went by she felt herself grasping gently at the bottom of his shirt, pulling it up and over his head. His toned, dark chest now visible she unconsciously bit on the corner of her lip.

Completely unaware of how much she was exciting him at that moment, she let her hands trail along the sides of his muscular teenaged body whilst letting her nails rake up the curve of his back as he slowly unclasped her bra at the front. Her hands stopped moving instantly as she gasped before covering herself, quickly becoming shy and self conscious. It was as if that one movement had knocked her back ten steps.

"Hey, it's okay." He tugged carefully at her wrist, encouraging her to let him see her body. She was unsure at first and never spoke but wanting to continue she reluctantly moved her arms down to her stomach nervously. Her eyes were fixed on her own fingers before she felt his face nearing her. She inhaled sharply at his breath hitting her exposed chest. Slowly and tenderly he kissed, nipped and sucked at both of her breasts whilst she fought the urge to moan out. He could hear her stifling the moans and detached from her nipple quickly, causing her to open her eyes.

"What's wrong?" She immediately tried to sit up, thinking she'd done something wrong but felt his warm hands pushing her back down lovingly.

"Nothin's wrong. I just wanna hear you." Before she got chance to let another word leave her mouth he pressed his lips to hers again, she readily granted entrance to his tongue as he ran it along the part in her lips. Whilst they continued to massage one another's tongues her mimicked the same speed of movement with his hand on her breast, her fight to stop the moans was diminishing as she finally gave in and let his ears hear just how much he was pleasing her. She pulled away from the kiss and shut her eyes, sensing his hand gravitate lower and lower down her front until he reached the top button of her shorts. With one swift flick he'd unbuttoned and unzipped them already, allowing the top of her panties to show through the denim. Since pulling away from his mouth she'd gotten continuously louder as he ran his lips along her neck after kissing down her jawline. What she felt next however was beyond what she could have ever imagined. Her knees automatically raised and her mouth gaped as he pressed his finger down on to her sensitive area, his hand resting beneath her shorts but above her panties. She wasn't aware of how moist she was until he slipped his hand under the soft material of her underwear, slowly rubbing and massaging her attentively. Noting her breath changes and the noises that she made in order to repeat what she liked.

"Oh God." He smiled down at her exasperated moan as she let her hips move back and forth with the rhythm he'd set in to motion with his hand.

"You like that?"

"Mmmm." She moaned out loudly before attempting to talk, her words layered with lust. "I do, I really do. Please, don't stop." He did as she asked, flicking his fingertip faster over the swollen bundle of nerves as she got closer to climaxing for the first time. "Uh, shit! I feel like I-"

"It's okay, let it happen." He speeded up the rhythm more and more as the frequency of her moans indicated the onset of her orgasm. To her the overwhelming feeling of heat and pleasure that washed over her was intense, she could feel her walls pulsating as she gripped on to his arms with her hands. Her eyes slowly de-wrinkled and opened up to look at him.

"Oh my God." She breathed out and continued to stare up at his face, still panting with bliss. Leaning down to kiss her he lingered for a while before returning his hand back to her shorts. She waited in anticipation for him to remove them.

***

She felt like a silly schoolgirl with a crush who couldn't wipe the goofy grin off of her face. Only she head every reason to be grinning like a cheshire cat. For behind her lay Safaree, the both of them laying intertwined and on a high after what had just happened. Although he wasn't a virgin she was, well, not anymore. She sighed happily feeling his chest rise and fall against her back, even though it had been her first time it felt right. Obviously it hurt at first but after the discomfort diminished she liked it. A lot.

"Yo, Nic are you still awake?" His voice interrupted her pleasant memories.

"Yeah."

"My Mom's gon' be home soon, we better get dressed."

"Kay." She still didn't move causing him to nudge her playfully. "Okay, Okay I'm gettin' up now." Letting out another giggle she pulled the sheet with her, wrapping it around her naked frame as she clumsily gathered her clothes from the floor. Looking back at him she squinted as the backlight of his phone illuminated his room when he received a text. "Who is it?"

"Drizzy. He said they all goin' to Zara's place next weekend, you wanna go?"

"I'm not sure." She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked down, tightening the sheet around herself shyly.

"I'll be there, I won't leave you. I promise." He got off the bed and moved over to where she stood, once again his tall body towering over her as she peered up at him.

"Fine, but I have nothin' to wear." She pouted before he pulled her chin up.

"It's a pool party, y'only need swimmin' stuff."

"A pool party?" She shook her head unsurely. "Safaree, I've never even been invited to a birthday party before never mind a Goddamn pool party."

"You'll look great. Please? Don't make me go alone?" She delayed her answer for a while before reconnecting their gaze, he was playfully pouting before a smile took over.

"Ugh, you owe me."

"Oh? I think I know how to make it up to you." He smirked at her back as she walked towards the light switch, removing the element of darkness from the room.

...

*Thanks for reading :)*