Page 46 of Ride or Die
They grab the car keys to their shitty car and head out the door.
I really hate my parents. It wasn’t my choice to be born. They had me, and despite doing everything I can to provide for myself, including buying food that they eat, they get upset over a thirty-cent bowl of cereal.
Meanwhile, they spend all their money on drugs and alcohol. Fuck them.
I throw the soggy contents of my bowl away, leaving their dishes, and head upstairs. I’m two steps up when there’s a knock at the door, so I reluctantly head back down to answer it.
When I pull it open, I find Daya standing in front of me.
“Daya?” I ask, surprised. She doesn’t acknowledge me, but steps inside.
I close the door behind us as she looks around, her hands in her jacket pockets, nodding her head. She looks effortlessly gorgeous as usual.
“I never get over how all these homes are the exact same,” she says, looking me up and down with a judgmental glare. I know I look like shit. I haven’t really slept.
“Why are you here, Daya?” I ask, crossing my arms in annoyance.
“You look like shit girl…but I’m here for a talk.” She lets out a breath and leans against the back of the couch. “The world you entered into is fucked, Layla. The drugs, gangs, weapon trafficking, gambling, drinking. The girls are always backstabbing and gossiping. Everyone is only doing shit for themselves, using each other to get what they want, to get ahead until the next day or week, and they don’t care who gets hurt in the process.”
She places her hands on the couch on either side of her.
“I’ve hung out with these people for years. I’ve been one of them. But I’m growing the fuck up and can see how pathetic it is. You’re a ‘good girl’, Layla, but that’s not a bad thing. You work hard, you’re genuine, you deserve good things. Colton wants you. I’ve never seen him this way with any girl. Ever.”
I stand here with my guard up, arms still crossed as I lean against the wall looking away. I bite my cheek, waiting for her to continue because I have nothing to say.
“I was there. He didn’t do it. They attempted to lure him in by making out, hoping he’d want an easy threesome like he would have before. They were hoping to entrap him and break you up, but it didn’t work. He went to the bathroom and left right after that video was taken. I’m assuming to go see you.”
I look into her eyes, trying to read her. See if she is telling the truth. She doesn’t give me any reason to believe she is lying, but I still can't help being suspicious of her intentions.
“Oh, come on, Daya, you expect me to believe you just came over today out of the goodness in your heart? I'm not new. You’re just coming to his defense because he’s your friend. Heprobably sent you to talk to me, or you have some other trick up your sleeve,” I accuse, still on the offensive.
She shakes her head. “He has no idea I’m here. I was at his place last night when you showed up, and I was there that night at Axel’s when they pulled that shit. I watched them do it. They had some new girl they hang out with record it. Then I overheard them talking about it in the kitchen after he left, saying they still needed to send the video even though their plan didn't work. It’s pathetic, really. Simone has always tried to hookup with Colt, and he always turned her down, and now it’s really pissed her off because of all people, he chose you instead.”
I snort. Fucking Simone.
“I know I overreacted. I just needed space to think, away from all the fucking drama,” I admit. “Is he okay?”
“He’s angry that you’re hurt, worried you’ll break up with him. He lost his shit on everyone last night, then kicked them out, except for Axel and me. He told us what happened." She stands up straight and puts her hands back into her pockets, readying to leave.
"My advice is it's time to establish your place, girl. You’re Colton Hawthorne's girlfriend. You need to show them you ain’t the bitch to fuck with. You need to start proving it, or else this bullshit will never end. If you want to be with Colt, you have to stand your ground. You think shit’s tough now? Just you wait. You can’t keep running away when shit gets hard.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Why are you helping us? No offense, but why should I trust you?”
She shrugs. “Honestly, you can’t and shouldn’t trust me. Trust no one in this fucking place. But if you choose to walk away from the best thing that's ever happened to you, you will regret it for the rest of your life. And that’s on you. Truthfully, I’m telling you all of this because I’m sick of this shit. These fucks ruin people’s lives for no fucking reason. I’ve watched it happento so many people, myself included. I’m so over this high school bullshit.”
“It happened to you?” She nods.
“Uh-huh. With my ex, Austin. Fucking bitches broke us up. Broke my heart.” She looks away for a moment, and I see a hint of hurt cross her face before she looks back at me.
“You’re good people. You don’t deserve to be put through the wringer just because you’re in love and other people are jealous. It’s bullshit. Colt has been my friend for years, and the way that boy looks at you…you can’t fake that. Plus, you’re way more mature than everyone else I hang out with, I could see you and I becoming good friends. So I figured you should know you have someone in your corner. It’s time to put these bitches in their place. If you need help, just let me know.”
Hearing her say all these things really warms my insides. I’ve never had a friend before, and I feel like I may have just made one.
“Thanks for everything, Daya.”
“No problem, girl. Now go get your man.” She winks and heads out the front door.
For some reason, I trust what she had to say. Colt has said nothing but good things about her, so she is the right girl to have on my side to help me navigate this world.
