7

River

Three years later*

Three years it's been since I graduated high school.

My life was going alright. I was currently attending college for a degree in Literature. My classes were going pretty well.

My uncle would occasionally crash at my house, I still lived in my childhood home. He'd lost his job some months ago and my parents wanted to help. I on the other hand, could care less. He was messy, annoying and seemed to get drunker every time I saw him.

I hadn't seen Daimen since that last day, but I'd heard he went to trial for murder about two years ago. He won the case, that's all I know.

Well let's talk about boyfriends for a moment.... since they've impacted me so much....

My first actual boyfriend was Ryan Stevens, sophomore year in high school.

He was the adorable, smart-mouthed class-clown, with the most gorgeous, deep blue eyes you could've ever seen. His dark hair had hung down on his forehead brushing his eyebrows and he was just amazing. That was until he tried to get with my best friend April. She immediately shot him down though, kicked him where the sun doesn't shine, and told me.

It was stupid really for Ryan to try and go for April.

She was my best friend, what'd he think was going to happen? That she'd be fake and sleep with him? No, not that ride or die chick.

She'd always hated him and definitely wasn't having him try and apologize to me. Ha, when he did though, she was with me at the time, she'd pulled a gun, she was legally licensed to carry (sort of), and that was the last time I'd seen him really. Of course he'd tried to call and stuff, but I blocked his number.

Then there was Christen Gordon. Christen and I had met my freshman year of college (I know you're probably wondering why I waited so long, but guys didn't really interest me.).

Anyway back to Chris... We took the same Biology class. He was charming and nice and we hit it off. After a month of hanging out, he asked me out and I happily accepted.

It was stupid really, my starstruck feelings around him.

I still remember that last day as Christen's girlf-as his side chick...

I walked into the house (he had is own place and I was staying with him) after a long day of school and sighed. College was stressing me out. I'd even found a graying hair, that I plucked out.

I threw my coat onto the back of the couch and blew out another breath, relieved to be home. I started toward the kitchen, but paused as I realized boxes were by the door.

I was about to open one when the sound of footsteps caught my attention. I turned and smiled softly at the sight of Christen. He'd combed his messy blonde hair and had on a nice suit that hugged his muscular frame. I felt my heart stutter at the sight. He was so handsome.

"What's the occasion?" I asked him playfully and he smiled softly.

"My fiancée is moving in." Christen said and I blinked in confusion. My smile slowly dropped.

"What?" I asked softly.

Christen sighed and looked at his watch, "Look Sweetheart, it's been fun, but did you really think I'd stay with you? I'm engaged and your stuff is all in those boxes. You've got to go." He finished nonchalantly and my heart broke. He was engaged? And kicking me out last minute?

"B-but Christen I-I thought you loved me, w-why didn't you tell me you were getting married, h-how long have you been engaged?" I whimpered my lips beginning to quiver. He gave me a long look before walking over to me and laying his hand against my cheek, I pulled away from the touch. He lowered his hand to his side.

"I do love you Sweetheart. But I love my fiancée more, we've been engaged for two years. She'll be here in an hour, by then you need to be gone." Christen said and I swear I was going to pass out. This was too much. Tears ran down my face and my body shook.

"I'm sorry Sweetheart, if you need help getting all this into your car, I can help you." Christen said and I just turned and grabbed a box. His voice drowned out as I walked outside and tossed it in the back flinching as I heard a crash. I did the same with the other boxes and soon I was stomping back inside.

I marched right up to Christen and slapped him as hard as I could. He glared at me and I sneered at him. My heart beat painfully and tears welled up in my eyes.

"I hope she breaks your heart." I hissed brokenly before leaving, getting in my car, and driving away.

Of course it hurts looking back. I'd loved that boy with all my heart and what he'd done humiliated me and broke my spirit.

So, when I got with Mike... well, I wasn't the best girlfriend.

Mike was a nice guy; a true golden boy. We were together for eight months. He would always help me when I needed it and when I cried he was always there to lend a shoulder. He'd always tell me that I shouldn't have beat myself up about Christen, that I should just let it go, but I couldn't. And when Mike had told me he loved me, I freaked.

He said he understood why I couldn't say it back, but I know that it hurt him. He was a girls dream boy, caring, thoughtful, and, like the bitch I was, I couldn't reciprocate his feelings.

I knew I was hurting him, so I ended it. Mike had never really yelled at me but that day he did.

"Kitten you need to stop running away from your feelings! Just because that son of a bitch treated you like shit doesn't mean I will!"

We argued for about an hour before I finally left. We hadn't really talked since. I hoped he was doing well though, wherever he was. Maybe he'd met a nice girl, someone who wasn't afraid to really love him.

"Stop!" I said loudly and ran after Rocky. The big black hound only barked and put on the cheetah speed while dashing off. Three years it's been and this dog hasn't changed one bit.

Still a stubborn mutt.

I muttered a few curses and went after him to the best of my abilities. Naturally, I rounded the corner on verge of collapsing.

"Sit." A deep voice made me pull up short and my mouth gaped slightly at the sight before my eyes.

A man stared down at a sitting Rocky who looked calm as ever, he looked annoyed and the look only deepened when he caught sight of me.

No way...

He'd changed a little, his dark hair had the same soft look, his amber eyes were dark, he'd seemed to have grown a bit... a lot. He was ripped, well from what I could see; he wore dark jeans and a black t-shirt. A holster hung at his belt with a gun tucked into it and I couldn't help looking cautiously at the weapon. But above everything else, and I hate to admit it, he was just downright sexy. Like take-me-now sexy.

"Well well well... Why if it isn't little Miss Sparrow..." Princeston said in a voice that sent a needing thrill to my core yet at the same time still frightened me.

Get ahold of yourself, you've seen plenty of hot guys before, this is Daimen Princeston; my mind scolded me.

"This yours?" He asked pointing at Rocky and I felt myself want to melt as I crept over.

"Kind of, he's from the shelter I just walk him sometimes." I said and Daimen nodded curtly and glanced back down at the dark hound.

"What kind of dog is he?" The young man asked and a bit of interest seemed to coat his voice.

"Italian Mastiff and American Pit Bull." I said while looking at Rocky who trotted over to me after glancing up at Daimen.

"Sit." I told Rocky, but the mutt only grumbled lowly and wagged his tail. I went to grab his lead, but he hopped quickly out of the way with a playful yip.

"She said sit." Daimen cut in and Rocky looked ashamed as he gazed back at Daimen before sitting back down.

I grabbed the lead and looked at Daimen as well. I tightened my hold on the lead and let out a breath. "Thanks." I said softly and Daimen raised an eyebrow.

"Next time hold the damn leash." He said then turned and walked away. Same old Daimen. After he was gone from sight, I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding and Rocky whined softly while pawing at the ground.

I'd taken Rocky back to the shelter before making my way home. My feet trudged against the ground as I walked on.

I was walking along the road when I noticed a man coming around the opposite corner. I frowned realizing who it was.

He shot me a glare and I scoffed. I kept my pace and realized he was going the same way, though he was in front of me.

I took out my phone and looked through it for a bit before turning it off and tucking it back into my pocket. Glancing up, I realized Daimen was gone. I shrugged and kept walking.

I was just passing a bakery when suddenly I was grabbed and pulled into an alley. I yelped as I was shoved against the brick wall and I saw stars as my head hit the stone. I groaned and blinked several times before Daimen's blurred face came into view.

"What the fuck?" I said groggily. I shook the dizziness out of my head and soon my vision was clear. Not that it was a good thing; Daimen looked pissed off.

"Are you following me?" He asked in a gruff voice that instantly had me on edge. I shook my head frantically.

"That's crazy. W-why would I?" I said and he frowned.

"Remember what I said about stuttering?" He asked and leaned closer and I looked at the ground. I had to think about it for a bit.

"Not lying! People stutter when they're scared too, ya know." I said and bit my lip nervously. Daimen scoffed and moved back out of my direct personal bubble, but believe me he was still rather close for my liking.

"I swear, how are you not in jail?" I grumbled and the man frowned.

"Nice to see you're still a bitch." Daimen snapped crossing his arms and glaring at me.

"I'm not a bitch." I retorted and the man raised an eyebrow.

"You just implied I should be in jail." Daimen said harshly.

"You just slammed me on a wall because you thought I was following you. So yeah, if you treat others like this, you should be." I spat my temper flaring.

"It didn't kill you." Princeston growled annoyance flickering in his eyes.

"It hurt." I countered and narrowed my eyes at him. Stupid idiot.

"You were following me." He said.

"I'm walking home you asshole. Well I was, until you shoved me into a fucking brick wall!" I snapped. I walked around him rolling my eyes.

"Fuck you Daimen." I spat and went out of the alley before stomping down the sidewalk.

Fortunately he didn't follow me and I managed to make it home without another incident. I trudged inside and locked the door behind me, groaning at the pain in the back of my head.

"Bastard." I grumbled and warmed up some of last night's spaghetti before sitting down at the empty dinner table and eating in silence.

My eyes drifted around the vacant room and part of me wished for there to be bodies filling the chairs around me, but I brushed it off and took another bite of food.

It was still cold.