Chapter 9: The Decision to Protect Herself

Bianca slowly bowed her head and slowly shook it, he brought his hands back to his lap and cleared his throat. “Thank you Ms. Washburn for the breakfast”, “no, no don’t call me that call me Ana or Anastasia” she said in a seductive tone. She put her hands on Tyler’s shoulders and gave them a little squeeze. Bianca just sat there before she finally looked at Tyler “Ty you wanna take me to school now please I have to speak to a few teachers about some assignments that are due next week.” Bianca got up from the table and headed toward the door, “home right after school Bianca” Marco proclaimed. Bianca rolled her eyes before looking over at Marco "I have an afterschool meet every day after school until Friday, and if I don’t show up they’ll have questions and might have someone stop by to make sure I am ok since I haven’t missed one ever so I probably shouldn’t miss anything” she stated matter of fact. Marco smiled “ok than as soon as they are done make sure Tyler brings you home”. With that they all agreed, Tyler and Bianca headed out the door. “Ok B what the hell is going on?” Tyler asked with concern. “Shhhh Ty I’ll tell you when we get to the truck”. Once inside Bianca broke down with uncontrollable crying.
“B, please tell me what’s wrong” Ty whispered his voice full of fear. He tried to reach for her and she curled up into a fetal position and hugged the passenger door, “Ty please just don’t touch me”! Tyler started the truck and set out to school. Half way there Bianca asked Tyler if his father Alex had any time open around lunch time or after school to fit her in for some defense classes. Tyler just sat in silence until they came to a red light and looked hard at Bianca. She put a finger up and said “D0on’t ask, I just need to know if he can help me a couple hours before and after school”, “I’ll ask” Tyler said with a low voice. “B I really wish you would tell me what is going on and maybe I can help” Tyler whispered. “Ty I’ll be fine just been dealing with some things and need to know how to protect myself” she knew not to go to far into it with him.
Bianca could see that school was just up a head and started to feel a little more at ease, with it being only 7am she knew the day would go by quick. Tyler pulled in to the lot and right into his spot, turning off the engine and faced Bianca right away, “B this is killing me you look like something happened and you’re more jumpy then you usually are.” Bianca just stared out the window trying to find the right words to explain something anything that would keep Tyler from questioning her any further. Tyler reached for her and grabbed her and as he touched her she winced and opened the door. Not knowing what else to do Bianca walked to her safe place the Gazebo. Tyler trailed behind her and just bristled with a little anger and determination of finding out what the hell was going on. Bianca sat up on the table and stared at Tyler she knew if she didn’t start to hide her emotions something was going to happen.
“B, please tell me something I’m starting to freak out a little”, Tyler said in a firm voice. “Ty I’ve just got a lot going on and right now I just need a friend, so please be that friend for me now" she begged. As she raised her arms to tie her hair up her blouse slid up just enough to show a gash and a bruise. “What the hell is that”, Tyler frowned and pointed. “It’s just um….Ty don’t ask questions I can’t explain right now” she whispered. Tyler pulled her arms up to take a closer look at her “No you’re going to tell me, and tell me now” he said with anger in his tone. “Ty please….just ugh, think about it you are a smart guy and you now know who and what my mother is and her stupid pimp who is NOT my father like you all thought and well I guess now he’s mine too. I really don’t have a choice in the matter either” She cried and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Are you fucking shitting me, run away tell someone for fuck sake B”, she just grabbed Tyler even tighter. “No Ty I can’t if I try to leave he’ll kill us both if someone finds out it won’t help either" she confessed. Tyler wrapped his arms lightly around Bianca and tried to calm her down. “shhhhh B I’m here don’t worry if you want to learn to fight or just protect yourself I’ll teach you if my dad doesn’t have time. Shit if you want I’ll even kick Marco’s ass.” “Good god no on the whole ass kicking, but yes on the other stuff” Bianca cut him off as she looked up at Tyler and smiled kissing his cheek a second later. She could tell Tyler was still blistering with anger and rage as his heart raced below the palm of her hand.
Once he finally let her go only after she shrugged him off and away “Alright now suck it all up and lock it away because I’m not going to let you bring it up again” she half smiled. She sat back on the table and turned her IPOD on to cheer herself up a bit and set one of her favorite songs on repeat Royals by Lorde. “Oh yes now to my happy place…..I’ve never seen diamonds in the flesh….lalala” she said nodding to the music. Tyler just laughed, “you go girl break it down B.. haha, haha” he said as the song played on.
“Omg” Screamed the girls Amanda, Joy, and Stephanie who came running as soon as they saw Tyler and Bianca under the gazebo. “Hey girls” Bianca said as the girls approached. “Why you two here so early you hardly even make it to first period Ty and B you ride your bike and you don’t seem to have it here today” Amanda asked. When Bianca didn't answer and instead pulled the girls into the music playing they all started laughing and then jamming out to their song.
"We don't care, we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams, But everybody's like: Crystal, Maybach, Diamonds on your timepiece, Jet planes, Islands..."
Bianca felt so much better even if it only lasted a little bit longer she didn’t care; she just wanted to forget for a little bit longer and lose herself in happiness. The school bell rang and they all ran in, Tyler carried Bianca’s bag and the other girls all went nuts and started asking if they were together. “Um no were just friends so shut up now, my shoulders hurt so he’s being a gentleman” Bianca laughed back. Bianca felt 50% better as she went to her art class, “Thank god a class I actually like” she said to Tyler who also had the same class 1st period but was hardly ever there.

Once lunch time came around Tyler was waiting for Bianca at her locker. “Alright B I talked to my dad he can see you today and since you lied about having something to do after school well have at least an hour and a half to teach you the basics” he said with a bright smile. “Omg wait a fucking second you’re going to help?” Bianca said with panic in her voice. “of course it is going to be great can’t wait to see you in action B” Tyler said with a big wide smile.
“mmmm lunch is amazing Ty thanks for treating me, but I want to give you money for it due to nothing in life is ever free” she smiled at him. “What the fuck for B, we’re friends and that’s what friends do” Tyler said with a little irritation in his voice. “Wait a minute” Bianca said with a mouthful as they both sat under the gazebo. “I forgot to show you something” she reached into her bag and pulled out 2 envelopes 1 that was left in her room and the other one she hadn’t opened since Marco had given it to her that morning. She sat them flat on the table and Tyler eyed them with suspension waiting for her to tell him what was in them or whatever she wanted to do next. “Ty this is the money I received last night from two of the people had come to see me” she said slowly as she pointed to the envelope that held the two notes inside them. Tyler fisted his fists tightly together and just looked down not knowing what to say, but knowing he felt all types of anger inside. She cleared her throat and spoke “which this envelope holds $1,500 and well this one I’m not sure since I just got it from Marco this morning” she said as she jerked her head toward it.