"Lost in darkness, you're my focus love me hopeless"

~Sabrina Carpenter.
(On Purpose)

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Dominika's POV

I've learned that avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Because the fearful are caught as often as the bold.

"Dominika." Amalia called again snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Did he do anything to you?" She asked again with concern in her voice.

"No, I sped off before he saw me." I said, letting out a long breath I didn't know I was holding.

"I wonder what Xavier was doing in this part of town, didn't we leave everyone back in strysville?"

"I wouldn't know, I'm just glad he never saw me."

Xavier Houston was one of my biggest bullies back at my old school. What terrified me the most was his vigorously bad reputation and harsh attitude, he caused me both physical and emotional pain. I had been called names and treated badly. That was another reason I changed schools, to get away from all the trouble and grief.

"Get some rest Dominika, you had a rough day. Also, it's 4 o'clock in the morning and I need my beautiful sleep." She said with a yawn, causing me to laugh. I just hope I don't see him again.

One week later...

"At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side
But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong
And I grew strong
And I learned how to get along"

Sitting in the diner with a book in my hands and a plate of fries on my side filling me up, I watch as Kelsey and Natalie sing to I will survive by Gloria Gaynor for tonight's karaoke. With a whole week of school and my nose constantly being under books, they decided to spoil me to dinner. I'm pampered to go sing along too but as usual I repudiate.

But with the rushing adrenaline within me, it gets even more exciting with the cheering crowd, the catchy rhythm that I feel the need to step out the shell and enjoy my day out. I giggled as Kelsey dramatically moves her body to the beat and taps her foot aimlessly, and the way they each tried to make the same moves.

"Oh no, not I, I will survive
Oh, as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
And I've got all my love to give and I'll survive
I will survive
I will survive"

They finally came to an end and I stood up to clap along with all the other people.

"Wow! That was amazing you guys!" I chuckle, giving high-fives to each of them.

"You should've been up there too, it was so thrilling!!" Natalie beamed with ecstasy.

"I bet it was." I grin.

"You having a great time?" Kelsey asked, once both girls were sitted.

"Well yeah, you guys are the best." I beam in ecstasy.

"Are you sure?" Natalie jumped in, eyeing me with suspicion.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" I answered nonchalantly hoping they wouldn't notice but the look in their eyes gave it all away.

"Okay, alright I'll come clean." I groaned, raising my hands up in surrender.

"We knew something was up, you never have a great time when we are out now spill." Kelsey said quoting on 'never' as if to make point.

"He hasn't returned any of my calls in the past two days and our project is due-"

"I knew it," Kelsey laughed laying her right hand out to Natalie, "I believe that'd be 20bucks, and tops for getting her to say it."

Raising my eyes in confusion I watch as Natalie hands 30bucks to Kelsey and frowns. "Did you guys seriously bet on me?"

"Well, technically yes."

"You're impossible!"

"No, we just know you all too well darl." She winked and I rolled my eyes. "Besides, He'll probably call back. Why don't you just go to his house anyway, you are literally neighbors."

"You know I can't." I said, laughing nervously.

"Right. Because you think all the cliché stuff that happens in the books you read are gonna happen, yeah? Right." My face turned bright red, making them laugh. It's not my fault I read alot of novels.

"Stop it. I'll just talk to him when I get the chance."

Dominic and I were paired up as partners for a project in our arts and design class. The project was to create or design a piece of art that portrays an intimate message with recognition and mystery. A heart-felt message that has a solution to it, or something like that. The project is due in three months time and I don't really know where to find such ideas for our project.

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"I'll see you guys later." I say, waving my friends off as we walked our separate ways. Neither of us came in cars and I fully regret that now. The fact that I have to walk home when it looks like it's gonna rain anytime soon sucks. Plus the book I need to return to the local library before it closes too is worse than awful.

Once I return my book in time I walk quietly along the road. I notice a body lieing on the floor just across the street and walk towards it. My jaw drops when I notice the blood on his shirt and scars on his face.

"Dominic." I shake his body, and he instantly wakes up.

"What?" He breaths out holding onto his head and groaning in pain. I slightly flinch and wrinkle my nose in disgust when the scent of nicotine hits my nose. His been smoking.

"Why are you laying on the ground all bruised up?" I ask, but he only shrugged with nonchalance.

"I needed to clear my head, how did you find me anyway? You were stalking me?" He cocked a brow. I fight the urge to roll my eyes at his pathetic excuse. Pssh stalking him.

"No. And we need to get you home right now, you're bleeding Dominic Jesus I'm worried sick." I raised my hands in frustration holding him up and wrapping my hands around his waist supporting half his weight.

"You really care?" He asked softly looking down at me from his tall figure and I couldn't help the butterflies I was feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Uh, yeah. Why wouldn't i?" I chuckled nervously looking straight ahead to avoid his gaze. But he made it so hard with the way he looked down at me intently. "Why do you always stare at me?" I asked after mere seconds of silence.

"To be honest, you are quite the specimen. And also because you're such a dork." He laughed hard, almost causing us both to fall.

"Whatever." I muttered but did a little happy dance in my head to the fact that he found me to be 'quiet the specimen'. Weird but ok.

We chatted the whole way and laughed at some jokes he would crack. "Who knew you had a sense of humor Rhodes." I laugh.

"Everyone, for your precious information." He smirks.

We had finally reached our street and where currently standing at Dominic's door. "I should head home now." I say.

"Or, you could come in for a while? Kiss my wounds better?" He suggested, pouting his lips. Those pink lips are what i'ld like to kiss...

Wait what?!

"How tempting Rhodes, but I have to decline your offer." I said without thinking.

"I'm glad you find it tempting, at least I know you want some of this." He smirked, taking a step closer to me. Is Dominic Rhodes flirting with me?

"You're not my type." I lie, running my hands through my hair awkwardly.

"Who said anything about types?" He smirked even wider. That's when my face flushed with embarrassment.

"I, uh...um." I stuttered once he was just a step away from me.

"I'm only kidding, slick. You're such a dork." He laughed taking a step back and going into his house. Once Dominic attempted to turn the handle, a tall man in about his mid forties who I assume is his father stepped out raged in anger.

"You!" He spat bitterly and grabbed Dominic by the collar, his hand forming a fist and charging it at his nose.

Crack!

His nose began to bleed and I gasped loudly. That was when my presence was noticed by Mr. Rhodes who sent me a murderous glare but soon covered it up once he realized what I had witnessed.

"Leave young girl, your boyfriend has things he needs to attend too." He scolded and I flinched at the tone of his voice.

I made quick eye contact with Dominic and my heart skipped a beat. He had sadness in his eyes, hurt and sorrow. Almost as if there was something behind this whole fiasco and I wanted to know every detail, to be the one to mend all his broken pieces to see him happy.

And without any other glances, I left his house not turning my head back.

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Phewww*rubs forehead* this chapter took me a while to write but it's finally here and i'ld like to thank you for your patience. I think i'll have to make an update schedule to make things easier. Anyway, please comment, vote and point out little mistakes made. We are at 822 reads??!! Thanks so much, keep reading and share. I promise it will get better as you go on.❤❤❤ Until next time my loves...