Jezebel

I robotically rolled over once I heard the tinkling instrumentals of "Jesus Loves Me" play from my alarm clock. I silenced it in one swift motion and decided to rest my eyes for five more minutes. My eyes flew open when an arm wrapped around my waist. My head snapped to the side, and Jesus almost took me home when I came face-to-face with Erik.

He's supposed to be gone! The last thing I need is for Daddy to find out that I let him spend the night!

I didn't know what I was thinking, allowing Erik to spend the night. I didn't know him from Adam. He could've hurt me in my sleep, but then again, if he wanted to hurt me, he would've done it while holding me hostage. He also wouldn't have tried to protect me from my father.

We stayed up late watching The Color Purple on mute with the subtitles on. I was fascinated by how enthralled Erik was by the scenes that flashed on the screen. He mindlessly soaked up the drama while simultaneously whispering the lines and putting a healthy dent in my chocolate stash. Erik was a sucker for Snickers.

I shrieked when I heard loud knocking on my bedroom door. The doorknob turned back and forth several times.

He's trying to get in. Thank goodness I blocked the door.

"Jezebel! Open this door, right now!" my father bellowed.

"Squeak, tell him to shut the fuck up," Erik whispered in my ear. I swatted at him like a bothersome fly and shook my head. The church would be planning my funeral if I ever did something like that.

"Daddy, I can't open the door right now because I'm changing. I'll be downstairs for breakfast in a little bit," I shakily replied.

"You better be downstairs in ten minutes," he growled through the door.

"Y-yes, sir." I let out a sigh of relief as soon as I heard him stomp away.

Seconds later, I gasped when I found Erik lighting a cigarette in my bed. "Are you trying to get me murdered?" I hissed, snatching the cigarette out of his hand.

"Right. What was I thinking? Your dad probably comes into your bedroom after you're gone and wallow around in your sheets like a pig in mud. If your panties start magically disappearing, then you know why."

"That's disgusting."

"It might be disgusting, but it doesn't make it untrue."

He has a point.

"I gotta go, Squeak. My mom is on one," Erik mumbled as he typed away on his phone.

"Yes, that is for the best. You shouldn't worry your mother."

"I'll see you at school. Where is your phone so I can put my number in it? Better yet, what is your phone number?"

"Why do you want my phone number?" I curiously asked.

"So I can send you unsolicited dick pics, duh. What's your fucking number?"

"T-that's a c-crime," I stuttered, willing myself not to look in Erik's direction again. He was no longer in bed and stood in my bedroom in his boxer briefs as if he belonged there. He had an erection that his briefs failed to hide. I wasn't an expert in penis sizes; however, I didn't have to wonder where Erik got his big ego from.

A sinister grin spread across his face. "Your response says a lot, Squeak."

"What are you talking about?"

"You mentioned that I'd be committing a crime, but not that you wouldn't want to see it. Do you want to see it?"

"N—AHHHHHH!" I yelled, covering up my eyes when Erik flashed me.

"Jezebel!? What is going on in there?" my father yelled.

"I-I thought I saw a roach," I lied, trying to catch my breath. I wasn't ready.

"You wouldn't have roaches if you would stop eating candy in your room!"

How does he know I eat candy in my bedroom? Erik's earlier theory is starting to freak me out.

"Hurry up so we can pray together before you go to school!" he shouted before leaving again.

"Just say the word, Squeak. I'll push him down the stairs."

I ignored Erik's less-than-subtle threat against my father's life. "I hope you know that you're a sex offender."

"Why? For giving you something you wanted?"

"I didn't ask for that, Erik."

"You didn't vocalize it, but your body language spoke for you," Erik challenged.

The boy is demented. But...I have a question.

"Erik?"

"What's up?" he asked, tugging his pants on.

"Why was it pierced?"

"I got bored," he casually replied as he finished dressing. "I'll probably be a little late for first period. Save me a seat."

And just like that...he was gone.

I fell back on my bed and laced my fingers on top of my stomach. I experienced a lot in the past 24 hours and needed a moment to process. I went on my first date, was waterboarded, had a boy spend the night in my bed, and saw my first penis.

"I need to pray extra hard this morning."

I was about to leave my bed when I caught a whiff of Erik's seductive cologne. Again, his comment about my father rolling around in my sheets anxiously clawed at me. I immediately stripped my bed and planned to toss the sheets and duvet in the wash before leaving for school.

***

I was halfway to school and was already sweating from the turtleneck I wore. It was August. No one in their right mind would be wearing a turtleneck unless they were covering something up. I prayed that my classmates and the faculty continued to ignore me like they always did and didn't ask questions.

It's hopeless. The kidnapping sex offender will somehow manage to draw unwanted attention to me.

Breakfast with my father was...surprising. I prepared myself for the emotional abuse and shame that he'd hurl my way, but instead, I was met with apologies and a plea for forgiveness. He claimed he reacted harshly because he feared something had happened to me. He returned my phone, slid two folded $20.00 bills toward me, and told me to buy myself something nice.

Too bad he can't buy himself patience, kindness, and understanding with that money.

***

I was grabbing a few books from my locker when my name was called.

God...please...not now.

"Hey. Good morning, Jezebel."

"Good morning, Tucker," I politely responded without meeting his eyes. I instinctually attempted to make myself as small as possible when he crowded my space.

This boy has no respect for personal boundaries.

"Listen, I want to apologize for swiping your lunch on the floor yesterday. It was childish. Can I get you lunch today? It's my treat?"

I am curious...

"Why did you do that?" I questioned. "Matter of fact, why do you do any of the things that you do to me? Why are we having a conversation right now?" Tucker nervously stared at me like a child with his hand caught in the cookie jar. I didn't bother waiting for a response, closed my locker, and shuffled to class with my head down. The curious and accusatory glares were suffocating. I already knew what was on their mind. They wanted to know why Tucker Harrison was towering over Jezebel Holmes, exchanging a hushed conversation like two bickering lovers.

The whispers were at their loudest, buzzing like a swarm of locusts ready to devour everything in sight like the eighth plague. I wished I could say the buzzing stopped when I entered Chemistry, but it was just as loud. I found my seat in the front, pulled out my books, and kept my head down until class began.

I almost deflated from my sigh when Tucker sat behind me.

Why can't he just leave me alone?

Minutes later, the tardy bell rang, and class began. We were ten minutes in when Erik King swaggered in.

"Mr. King. You're late," our teacher said in a disapproving tone.

"I can tell time," he nonchalantly replied as he made a beeline toward me.

"I thought I told you to save me a seat, Squeak," he said, placing a coffee drink with a pile of whipped cream and chocolate drizzle on my desk. It was from Starbucks. "Here. You need to drink this to keep your energy up since I kept you up all night. My bad."

12/02/2022

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Squeak is updated every other week on Wattpad. The next update will be 12/16/2022.