I gasped and he smiles at me with his white teeth and stares at me with his glowing hazel brown eyes.

"Ariel, would you like to go to the dance with me?" He softly asked.

My smile fades and my heart races faster as he waited for me to answer. I had no idea what to say. The flowers. The chocolates. I appreciate it but- I want Michael...

He was still on one knee smiling at me. He knew that I looked very shocked. I guess he thought it was in a good way of shocked but I'm really not. He waited patiently for me to answer but I just stood there not knowing what to say.

"Ariel. I really want to go to the dance with you. I asked girls to go with me to the dance and they said no and start being mean to me. Mostly every girl is mean to me but you. You're my only female friend." He smiled. "You're so nice and sweet. You're always there for me and I would like to go with a person that was there for me when I'm in trouble. You took care of me when I got beaten up last week and I owe you a date to the dance. You're my type and to see you with another guy like Michael it breaks my heart." He spoke.

Man what should I do? Dammittt!!! Ugh. I don't know! I reallly want to go with Michael but Prince wants to go with me.

My cheeks start to hurt and my breathing slowed down.

"P-Prince. I-" I hesitated.

He smiled waiting for my answer.

Just say no. Okay? But he looks so happy! I don't wanna hurt his feelings!

Just say it...

"I- I can't. Sorry."

He frowned.

"Why not?" His voice sounds hurt.

"B-because. I already have a date." I lied looking down.

I didn't want to hurt his feelings but it looks like I already did. I didn't want to tell the truth because that'll hurt him more.

He took a deep breath and looked down.

"W-ith who?" His voice was quiet.

"Michael." I lied.

He squeezed his eyes shut and stood up slowly.

"I-I'm sorry Prince." I put my hand on his shoulder. "We can probably go next time."

"Yeah." He mumbled looking down.

I feel so wrong doing this to him but I had to.

I walked outside and hugged him tightly as he rested his chin on the top of my head.

He look so down I just had to.

I heard him take a deep shaky breath, it sounded like he wanted to cry. Our hug was warm and silent.

We haven't hugged like this in ages. I kinda forgot how his hugs are. It's warm and tight and sometimes he would play with my hair but he's not.

"I'm sorry Prince." I apologized again still holding him.

"Can I tell you something?" He whispered.

"Yeah."

He sighed and pulled me closer to him.

"I like you. You're my crush." He whispered. "I don't want to see you with another guy." His voice shook.

Gosh I feel bad. I'm his crush. I like him too but I like Michael more. I know how it feels when you see your crush with another person. He's feeling... hurt.

*          *            *

I still feel bad for letting him down like that. If I told the truth, it'll ruin our friendship cause I have a crush on Michael and I wanted him to ask me out instead. He still wanted me to have the flowers and the chocolates so I took it. I thought he should keep it and give it to another girl but then he reminded me that no other girl likes him...

I took a hot shower and put some pajamas on and start talking to Latoya on the phone.

"Girl, what's going on? What happened?"

I sighed and sat on my bed.

"Prince asked me to the dance."

"And what did you say?"

"I said no."

"Good. Because I really want you to be with Michael. Why are you sad about it?" She noticed my sad voice.

"Because I hurt Prince's feelings. He told me how he felt about me and he was smiling and stuff and I said no then he got all sad. He also said that I'm his crush and he likes me." I laid back on my bed.

"Prince likes you? I knew it!" She exclaimed. "I think you and Michael are meant for each other. Y'all should date."

I sighed loudly getting a little annoyed.

"Latoya, I can't date. I can't date until I'm eighteen. Remember? I'm just saying that I want to go with Michael but Prince wants me to go with him. They both like me. I know it's wrong to go with Michael because we don't really hang with each other but Prince...." I sighed. "Prince. I've known him since kindergarten and we're really close and he probably felt this way about me for a long time cause God know how many times he tried to kiss me." I chuckled a little.

"I don't know Ariel. I really think you should go with Michael. He's a good guy. Prince on the other hand, he's a player." She spoke sounding serious.

"How is he a player? I've never seen Prince hanging with girls but me."

"Ask Nia. She dated him before and she told me that. Michael is not a player, he actually treat girls right."

I still don't believe her but okay.

"Good. I hope Michael asks me tomorrow or Friday. I can't wait." I changed the subject.

"Girl, he will ask you to the dance. I can't wait either. I'm going to the dance with my crush-"

I heard a great big slam from downstairs. I sat up quickly from the loud sound.

"Hey Toy, I gotta go. I think mama is home." I nervously said.

"Okay bye."

She hung up.

I slowly walked out of my room hearing no sound coming from downstairs.

"Mama?" I called out her name.

No answer.

"Mama!" I raised my voice.

No answer.

I chuckled and skipped downstairs.

"Mama. I got to tell you about the dance right quick. It's-" I stopped and stared at William standing there with a glass bottle in his hand.

My heart raced faster when he looked up at me standing on the steps. He has a beer bottle in his hand, his pants sagging way down low and his shirt is covering it, he look like he hasn't slept in days and he smells like cigarettes.

"Yo mama is still asleep baby." His voice sounds dry and irritated.

I cringed at him looking him up and down.

"Don't call me that." I rolled my eyes.

"I'm sorry." He laughed. "Come here." He motioned his finger.

I shook my head and turned around making my way back upstairs.

"Come here. I wanna talk to you." He laughed walking towards the stairs.

I climbed the stairs faster and quickly went in my room slamming the door behind me as he chased after me. Then, I heard him stumble on the stairs.

That drunk fuck.

I turned on the tv and mind my own business sitting down on my bed.

There was silence out there, he probably fell and died. Hopefully he did, he get on my nerves.

I jumped when the door swung open revealing William with his shirt soaked with beer.

I spoke too soon.

"Hey bitch you made me fell!" He raised his voice.

"Get out!" I demanded pointing at the door.

"For that, No!" He slammed the door shut and locked it.

Why and I so stupid? I should've locked the door after I came in.

"Get out!" I yelled.

"No. I want to talk to you." He said calmly walking towards me.

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.

"What were you talking bout that dance?" He asked.

"Huh?" I looked at him puzzled.

"What were you talking about when you said you had to talk about the dance when you thought I was your mom?" He asked again looking at me up and down.

"None of your business." I mumbled.

He furrowed his eyebrows and walked closer to me.

"Don't talk to me like that." He mumbled.

"Can you leave now?" I mumbled sitting back down in my bed.

"I could if I wanted to. Answer my question." He had a serious tone in his voice.

"No." I said looking at the tv.

"Answer my question!" He raised his voice causing me to jump.

"No!" I yelled.

He grabbed me by the neck and pulled me up. I couldn't do anything about that, he's really strong and if I fight back, he could do something worse.

"Tell me NOW before I choke you to death!" He yelled in my face.

I could barely breathe. His hand is hugging really tight on my neck making it hard to breathe.

"Okaay" I struggled.

He let me down and I took a big gasp of air putting a hand on my neck.

"Tell me now." He quiet down taking off his belt.

"William- no- don't!" I cried.

"Tell me NOW!" He yelled in my face grabbing my shirt.

"Why do you want to know so badly?!" I pushed his hands off me.

He gasped my pants and tugged them down.

"Take your pants off baby." He mumbled.

"What are you doing?! Get off me." I slapped his hands off.

"Since you don't wanna tell me, take your pants off, I'm giving you a little punishment." He laughed.

I really don't wanna get raped again. Last time I was raped from him was when I was last year. I don't know why he rapes only me. It's always me! I can't tell anyone and if I do, he'll kill me and my family.

I ran to the door terrified and tried to get the door open.

"If you run away, imma kill you and your family." I mumbled.

"What the fuck. No you're not!" I cried.

He pulled up his shirt revealing a gun sticking out his pocket.

"Come here baby. Everything is fine if you would just listen to me." He said.

"I'm calling the police." I opened the door.

He ran quickly and grabbed me.

"YOU AINT CALLING NOBODY!" He yelled grabbing my neck again.

He slammed the door shut and pushed me on the bed. I took a gasp of air while he took off his wet shirt and pants.

"OKAY! OKAY! I'LL TELL YOU!" I cried putting my hands in front of my face.

"Too late now." He laughed.

He got on top of me and pinned my arms up on the bed. He took of my clothes while I fought so hard for him not to.

"MMAMA HELP ME!!!" I screamed as loud as I could.

"Ha. Yo mama can't hear you." He laughed.

"MAMA!!!!" I screamed again kicking and hitting him.

"SHUT UP NOW!" He pulled out the gun and held it in front of my face.

I laid there and start crying and doing what he said so I won't get killed.

"Good girl baby." He chuckled putting the gun to the side.

He took his clothes off and start beating me up and... he raped me...