Drella

I walked outside and looked up at the sky. It was raining. Is this even allowed in San Diego? Rain wasn't part of the deal when I moved here. In New York I was used to it. But here? No way. I held my bag above my head and and ran out. I hurried through the car park not really knowing where I was going. I couldn't see Vic's car because of the bag that was balancing on my head. I was still wondering around aimlessly when a car horn went off, starling me like a air raid siren. I ducked, nearly falling over. I turned and saw the culprit. Vic and Mike in Vic's car, dying with laugher. I glared at them and pulled the the backseat door open. I got inside and threw my bag down onto the car floor. They were still laughing when I shook my head, sending water splattering on the windows.
"It's not funny," I glared.
"It is," Vic laughed.
"What is going on here? Rain was not part of the contract!"
"Suits you though," Mike grinned, looking at my shiny, water splattered thighs. "I like you wet," he smirked back at me.
"You did not just say that!" Vic exclaimed.
"You dick!" I hit him across the back of the head. Vic hit his arm and Mike ducked down into the foot well.
"Ouch!"
"Control your virgin," I grumbled to Vic.
"He's nothing to do with me," Vic shook his head. Vic started to reverse out but I stopped him. "What?" Vic frowned.
"Who's that guy staring at me?" I asked.
"You made him stop for that?" Mike laughed. I looked out at the two guys standing in front of Vic's car. They were both Hispanic, but one had untamed tight curly hair, while the other had straight hair.
"It's Jaime Preciado," Vic explained. "He's in our grade. He's funny, plays base too,"
"And his friend?" I urged.
"That's Tony Perry," Mike filled in.
"What's he like?"
"Cool guy. Super shy though," Vic said.
"And he plays guitar," Mike added.
"Yeah he does," Vic confirmed. "Can we leave now?" he asked and I nodded. Vic reversed out and started driving out on the road.
"Jaime is cute," I said quietly.
"You are such a chick," Mike commented, making me shrug.
"I thought you'd left without me," I said, leaning forward.
"Ella, I've picked you up and dropped you off every day since your second week. Why would I leave you?"
"I don't know," I shrugged. I yawned loudly and they both turned to look at me. "I'm tired," I shrugged.
"You get much sleep?" Vic asked.
"Some . . ." I trailed away.
The truth is after that night with Mom I haven't spent a night in my room. Vic drops me home every day. I usually sleep for a few hours before waking up and making myself dinner. Then when Mom gets home I leave through the backdoor. She doesn't even know I spend my nights at the park, sat in trees sketching and listening to music. I'm not even sure why I spend my nights that way. It just makes me feel safe.
Then I get back to my house after Mom has left for work to get ready. Just in time for when Vic picks me up for school.
"Drop me off at Kian's?" Mike said.
"You're not going to . . . you know?" Vic asked.
"Know what?" I interrupted.
"I don't know what we'll be doing," Mike said evasively.
"I think he's lying," I commented.
"I know he's lying," Vic said. "If you come home smelling of it Mom will kill you,"
"I know. That's why I brought a change of clothes," he grinned.
"Are you talking about weed?" I frowned.
"It's a good thing she's pretty," Mike said dryly.
"I didn't know you smoked it," I said.
"He shouldn't. He wastes all his allowance on his kicks," Vic explained.
"If you can afford that on your allowance, damn I wish I had your parents,"
"We split it," Mike explained.
"Is it all golden leaf?" I asked casually.
"Oh yeah," he nodded. "All domestic,"
"I didn't know you were a baker," I poked him in the back of the head. "You up against the stem?"
"Oh she can talk," Mike said fondly.
"You smoke?" Vic asked.
"I used to," I shrugged. "Not anymore,"
"You just get hotter and hotter," Mike said happily.
"Why are you in my seat?" I suddenly asked.
"This isn't your seat," he laughed back. "But you can sit on my lap if you like,"
"Vic, make him go away," I whined.
"Leave her alone," Vic snapped.
Vic stopped the car and Mike turned around to blow me a kiss before he climbed out. I rolled my eyes at him and got into the front seat. Vic looked at me, asking if I were ready and I nodded in reply. The car moved again and I looked out of the window.
"You okay, Ella?" he asked carefully.
"Yeah," I sighed.
"What's wrong?" he urged.
"I've been arguing with my Mom a lot," I explained.
"About what?"
"Just things in general," I shrugged.
"You tried talking to her?"
"A little. She never listens to me though,"
"Maybe you should try again. It'd make you feel better,"
"I don't know," I mumbled.
"Try again, please,"
"Okay," I eventually nodded.
"And if you don't want to be at home promise you'll come to my house?"
"I promise," I smiled.
"You sure?"
"Back off, Vincent," I teased.
"Leave it, Monroe," he warned.
"Ugh, how did you find out my middle name?" I groaned.
"I'm your best friend, it's my job," he shrugged.
"What kind of people give their daughter Monroe as a middle name?" I grumbled.
"The same that give their daughter Drella for a first name?" Vic offered. I glared over at him, making him smile.
We pulled up outside my house and I looked at Vic. "Call me," he said. I nodded and got out. I started inside and heard Vic drive away behind me.
That night I was waiting for Mom when she came home. She walked into the sitting room and frowned when she saw me. "Can we talk?" I asked.
"Okay," she agreed and took a seat. "What's going on, Drella?"
"Why don't you care about me?" I asked quietly.
"What? Of course I care about you!" she exclaimed.
"Then where was I last night?"
"In your room studying, then you fell asleep,"
"No. Just like every night this week I was sat up a tree,"
"Why?!" she snapped. "Why are you doing this? Like I said, it's happening again. Drella, this is ridiculous! It's not normal!"
"I wanted you to notice! I wanted to get away and for you to come after me. But it won't happen. It never has. You leave me for hours, just like you did in New York!"
"I have never left you!" she screamed, standing up and glaring down at me.
"You liar! You have and you know it!" I said, standing too. "Just admit you don't care. It would at least give me some closure," I breathed.
"Say it again," she dared.
"You don't care," I looked down. Then I felt her hand smack off of my cheek. I gasped and held where she had hit. I stumbled back and looked back in shock.
"Don't you dare talk to me that way!" she snarled.
"I can't believe you just hit me," I muttered.
"I'm sorry," Mom frowned.
"No, you're not. I can't talk to you. I don't want to," I shook my head.
Then I turned. I ran out of the house and started down the sidewalk. I don't know where I was going. I stopped in front of the stretch of grass and saw only the stump of my favourite tree. What could I do? My one safe place was gone. I started running again, the only problem being I no longer had a destination.
After a while I stopped running. I was standing outside a house. When I looked up it was Vic's house. I bit down on my lip and sighed. Something must have brought me here. I saw a tree in line with Vic's window. I pulled myself up and started to climb. I settled myself on one of the top branches and got out my phone. I called Vic and waited. I hope he isn't sleeping.
"Hey Ella," Vic answered.
"Hi, are you still awake?"
"Obviously," he laughed. "I'm just listening to music, finishing off my bio homework,"
"Can I come round? I really need to talk to you,"
"Sure, do you need picking up?"
"No," I smiled. "Open your window," I urged.
"What?"
"Just open your window," I repeated. I saw Vic come into view. He opened his window and his eyes widened when he saw me.
"What the hell are you doing up a tree?" he exclaimed.
"Can I come in?" I asked.
"Of course," Vic said. He helped me inside and I thanked him. I straightened up and sighed. "You okay?"
"Can I stay here tonight?" I asked awkwardly.
"Sure," he said quickly. "I'll get you some clothes," he added. Vic went to his wardrobe and got me out some of his clothes. He handed me some sweat pants and a long sleeved t-shirt.
"Thanks," I said. "Turn around then," I laughed.
"Sorry," Vic rushed. He turned his back to me and I took my clothes off. I slipped his on and sat down onto the couch. Vic disappeared to get some sheets and pillows then gave them to me. I lay under the covers and pulled them tight around me. "Want to talk about it?" he asked.
"Okay," I nodded and made room for him under the covers. Vic lay down with me and I held his hand under the covers. "If I tell you something do you promise not to call me a freak?"
"I promise," he smiled gently.
"Um . . . I don't know. I just hate my mom so much,"
"You don't,"
"I do," I sighed. "She doesn't care. She never has. They just want me gone,"
"That isn't true,"
"She hit me! She just hit me, Vic," I rushed. "She doesn't care,"
"I'm sorry," he said genuinely. "Is there something else I don't know?" he frowned.
"Okay," I puffed out. "When I'm sad or scared or angry or feeling anything bad I run away. But I go to my safe place,"
"That's okay,"
"My safe place is at the top of a tree,"
"What?"
"I climb trees. I sit there so no one can find me," I explained.
"You just stay up there? That's really dangerous, Ella,"
"I know," I sighed. "It's just the only place I feel safe,"
"Do you feel safe now?" he asked and I nodded. "How long have you been doing this?"
"Since I moved just this week," I replied. "I've been out every night this week though,"
"It's really dangerous. You shouldn't be out on your own,"
"I used to do it when I was little. I wanted to see if my parents cared. I thought they didn't love me. Maybe I was right," I muttered. My eyes were full and I felt Vic's thumb wipe my tears away. "Anyway, I just would run away and wait. I'd wait all day. They never did come to find me. I used to go home when it was dark. They never even noticed,"
"Oh Drella, I'm so sorry," he said gently. I wrapped my arms around Vic and buried my face in the crook of his neck.
"Mom still doesn't care. Vic, I just want someone that actually cares," I rushed sadly.
"Ella, I promise you, I care. I care about you more than anything,"
"I care about you too," I told him.
"Promise when you want to climb you'll phone me or come to me here?"
"I promise," I nodded.
"Go to sleep. We'll go do something fun tomorrow," he told me softly. I sat up and kissed Vic's cheek.
"Thank you," I told him. Vic got up and went to his own bed after he turned out the light. I heard him lie down and I pulled the covers up to my chin. "Vic?" I asked.
"Yeah?"
"You're a good friend," I told him.
"So are you," he replied easily.
"Vic," I said again.
"Yeah?"
"You're my best friend,"
And you're mine,"
"Vic," I said a final time.
"God what?" he laughed.
"Goodnight," I said gently.
"Goodnight Ella," he said tiredly and I closed my eyes.

Notes

Soooo . . . I knowis said I'd update yesterday. But I have a good excuse, okay? This week my senior type mom person at work found out about my eating disorder and self harm. And now my manager knows so I'm super stressed. But yesterday I only ate 300 and went to see Sleeping With Sirens. When I nearly passed out and was sick! I had to go to the medic room and missed the entire fucking concert! I'm so pissed off right now!

Anyway, how did you like it?

Also you guys can follow me on tumblr if you like! We can talk and shit :) My Tumblr

Edit - Hey! This is a never before seen chapter. The story is I was convinced I uploaded this and then what I wrote disappeared off of the face of the earth. So when people asked me why Drella climbed trees I'd be all haven't you even read my chapter! I finally rewrote it! I hope you like it :)