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"I dont blame her.." I said softly. I glanced at her and I then looked back around the old fort, it needed an upgrade, real solid walls and a working door, new windows.. "How about we work on this." I said holding both hands up gesturing to the room. "It needs an upgrade." I said.
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I smiled slightly. "I guess it does.." I answered. I sat up and hugged him. "I missed you a lot, you know.."
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"Maybe this summer." I said, and I smiled slightly when she hugged me, and I wrapped my arms around her slowly. "I missed you too.." I said, rubbing her back.
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"So much has happened.." I whispered, closing my eyes. He gives the most amazing hugs. I rested my face in his neck, like I used to.
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"Like?.." I asked, and I laid back on the pillows, my arm still around her.
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I snuggled close to him and closed my eyes. "A year after you left, I got in a car wreck and almost died.. Remember Chuck, my ex? Last year he invited me to a party and he got me drunk, and he.." I sighed. "He raped me.." I felt silent sobs start to rock my body. "I just remember the pain because I was still a virgin, you know? And the I found out I was pregnant.." I sat up and covered my face. "I had a fucking abortion. I killed the life inside of me because I was so scared Angus..." I cried harder, my body shaking.
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I was shocked.. speechless.. I held her to me tightly as she sobbed, so much has happened to the both of us.. "Astoria I'm so sorry.. im so sorry that I wasnt here to be with you in that hospital.. to beat that guy to a pulp.. and to help you through that especially.." I said, more guilt came over me. "Hey.. hey.. look at me..." I said, and I gently grabbed her fave and had her look at me. "No secrets.. we tell eachother everything.. we always stick together, no matter what.."
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I nodded and tried to stop crying, my chest heaving in shaky breaths and hiccups. I laid back down and wiped my face. "Now the girls at school hold it against me that I had an abortion.. You can't keep secrets in this town, you know that.. And all the guys think I'm a whore because of Chuck.. They call me Angel Face because Chuck said I have the sexiest face ever when I give blowjobs.. And I've never given anyone a blow job! I just can't do this anymore.. I'd rather go to France with dad, but I can't leave my mom.."
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"You're not a whore Toria.." I said, using her old nickname. "And you know youre not one. Those people are sick. Im going to give that Chuck a little talk." I said, standing, anger voiling inside of me.. I wonder if the prick still lives whee he was a few years ago.
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"No no, please don't.." I said, getting up. "The last thing I need is for all of this to be brought up again.." I said, grabbing his hand.
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It took every ounce of me to not go against her wishes, and I sighed, and I looked down and nodded. "Okay.." I said.
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I kissed his cheek gently. "Thank you..."
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"You're welcome.." I said, and I looked down at my school bag. "Lets get our minds off this stuff.. okay? How about some frozen yogurt?"
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I grinned and hugged him. "You know me so well.." I said. We walked out and went over to Orangeleaf, the frozen yogurt place.
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I smiled and I kissed her forehead. I took my leather jacket off and set it down. "Lets go." I said, and soon we were at the frozen yogurt place, I got salted caramel pretzel, with brownie bites on top, I always got the same thing.
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I just got regular chocolate with cherries and m&ms. We sat by the window as we ate and talked about old times.
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"And remember that one time in 8th grade when we snuck out of class, and we ran from the principal to 7-eleven?" I said, and busted out laughing, that day we both laughed till we cried, and I think we were about to do it again.
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I laughed and hit my hand on the table. "Yes! We got in so much trouble.. Remember when we went hunting for big foot in the woods?"
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I chuckled even more. "Yes.. good times, holy shit.." I said, taking another bite of the frozen yogurt. "Brain freeze." I said, holding my forehead
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I giggled. "That's funny!" I laid my head on the table, hardly able to contain my laughter. He's so adorable.
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"Its not funny!" I insisted, shaking my head, and it was soon gone. "Brat." I said, chuckling. I got up, and pretended to throw my yogurt away, but I pressed the container to the back of her neck,
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I gasped in surprise and whipped around, knocking the container out of his hand. "You asshole!"
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I leaned against the table, laughing, then I stuck my tongue out at her. "Bleeh." I said, and I looked down at the container on the floor. "Look what you did."
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"Oh hush. Help me clean it up." I got some towels and I began to wipe up the mess.
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I shook my head and I heloed clean it up, and I threw it aawY. "There." I said. "Lets get out of here." I said, smiling. Wow, she has changed so much.. but shes the same ..
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We walked out and I bumped his shoulder as we walked. "So.. Where are you staying now? Are you on your own, or do you have a roommate?"
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"Homeless shelter.." I said, scratching the back of my neck. I ran away from home, and came back here.
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I frowned. "What about your old place?" I asked.
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"People live in it now." I said, and I continued looking at the ground. "Im fine where I am, its.. decent."
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I took his hand and made him stop walking. "No.. You shouldn't have to live there.. You can come live with me. You're always welcome in my home."