So, here's the thing. You're getting the entire rest of the old chapters. Right now. And no, I'm not kidding. I'm way too impatient to wait, and you guys are pretty amazing. And you all should also thank this gues reviewer who finally convinced me of this. Chapter 25 will be up tomorrow, but you guys have to deal with my old author's notes, because I'm lazy as all hell. xD Anyway- sit back, relax, and enjoy.
A feeling of warmth crashes over me, as I turn to Rocky, nodding frantically. "Yes, oh my god, yes!"
He grins. "Similar to Ratliff's reaction. I should've guessed. We'll get to work on this, love. Only instead of actual homeschool, Riker said he'd try to find you both something online. Sound good?"
"Yeah," I say happily. "Help me up? I need to go hug him."
"Aw, of course," Rocky chuckles. "You're so cute."
"Call me cute one more time, and this crutch goes in your eye," I mutter.
"Well then, Mr. Feisty. Come on out with me." He ignores my crutches, instead lifting me into his arms and kissing my head when I attempt to protest. "You're exhausted, love. Let us help you- you don't need to use those plastic pieces of metal when we're home."
"Plastic pieces of metal? Really?"
"I tried, so shut it."
"Hey! Are we making fun of Rocky again?" Ratliff greets us with wide eyes and a large grin on his face, leaving Rocky groaning.
"What the fuck did you give him?"
Rydel sighs. "Nothing. He's just naturally hyper. Have fun with it. I'm stealing my Austin."
She stands up, and pulls me from Rocky's arms, her strength amazing me. I'm not that light, and she doesn't look like she could lift someone of my weight, but I guess she can. "Let's go find Riker," she mutters.
"Since when did I go missing?"
"Rik," I say, stretching my arms out for him. "I love you so much right now."
He laughs, reaching out and taking me from our sister. "You love me all the time, we all know it. But why do you love me so much now?"
"Homeschool," I murmur into his neck. "I need it so badly."
"Yeah, you do." Riker's tone is serious. "We don't want you to have to call us every day to come get you. We'd rather- I'd rather- you both home safely, doing your work with no distraction, where we can protect you and love you guys."
"It's all set?"
I nod. "Yep. You two officially no longer attend public high school. I still have to actually register you guys for online school, but I found a good one, so it's basically done."
"Amazing job, Rik," Rocky murmurs, leaning over to drop a kiss on my head. "Thank you."
"Yeah, thank you so much," Austin seconds. "Ratliff's sleeping, but I'm sure he'll be grateful." His eyes widen slightly, and he sighs. "I need to go clean out my locker…ugh…"
"Hey, Ratliff has to do it too. So tomorrow morning, we'll take you both over so you can do that. All your credits are transferring, so you don't need to worry about that," I offer. "It'll be fine, you'll see."
"Just…ugh. Why the fuck would she even lean on me? That fucking hurt…"
"She's batshit crazy." A voice rises from the couch, and I have to hold back a laugh.
"Ratliff!"
"What? It's so true!"
"That doesn't mean you say it!" Austin giggles.
"You should know by now, that idiot has no fucking filter. He says what's on his mind, and half the time, the things aren't pleasant," Rydel mutters darkly, glaring at Ratliff.
"You know you guys love me," Ratliff grins. "And I know I love Riker because no fucking bullying anymore thank fucking god."
"I love you too, in response to whatever that was," I reply, laughing at him. I'm actually happy, for once in a long time, and it's heart-warming that a mere conversation with my siblings can do that much to change my mood.
I thought Austin was strong.
I mean, he works out, right? So when I leaned on him, I assumed he'd be able to hold my weight, like he used to be able to. Has he gotten weaker or something?
I just…I don't understand him anymore. He's not the Austin Moon I know, and I don't know who the hell this guy is. This guy is bitter and rude, yet he cries like no tomorrow. It's like he's bipolar- his mood swings are uncontrollable, and I don't know what to even say to him.
Leaning on him was something I did a lot of, when we were best friends. He'd laugh and hug me, and I'd laugh too. Where's that Austin? This depressed, angry Austin is pissing me off- he needs to take a chill pill and relax. He needs to have some fun in his life, and learn that not everyone deserves to be fucking screamed at.
He's also too damn dependent. It seems like he's attached to Rocky and his siblings. Like, the Austin I know isn't dependent- he's the fucking opposite, and doesn't like to be molly-coddled. He doesn't accept help from anyone, and he's always trying his best to satisfy everyone with help from no one. Where the hell did that Austin go?
He's changed, and I don't like it. I want the old Austin Moon back- this one is the exact opposite of him, and god, he's acting like a completely different person. What happened to the funny, happy guy that was once my best friend? Where'd he go?
"We're just gonna go in, clean out your lockers, and come back. It shouldn't take that long, and hopefully, we'll be in and out by the time the period's over, so you won't run into people you know and have to explain this."
I nod, limping forward with Ratliff beside me. "How're we gonna do this?"
"Rocky, Rydel, you come with me. Riker, you go with the cripple," Ratliff orders.
"Excuse you!" I reach over to thump his forehead, glaring at him. "Who're you calling a cripple, you asshole?"
"Ratliff, run! Before he goes for your eye!" Rocky mock yells, feigning fear with wide eyes.
"You better," I grumble, as Ratliff dashes down the main hallway, and disappears into A-hall.
"Well, Rocky and I are gonna go chase an idiot. See you guys soon," Rydel mutters, pulling a protesting Rocky down the hall.
"So, locker?" Riker asks.
I nod tiredly, hobbling forward. This school is fucking huge, and crutching through it is exhausting. I feel like I want to drop fucking dead, and by the time we get to my locker, all I want to do is curl up in fetal position and sleep.
"Let's just get this done, then we can go home and nap," Riker whispers. "Here, put those down. I've got you. Won't let you fall."
"Ugh…" I groan. "I fucking hate this."
"So do we, love," Riker replies sadly, as I pull various books from my locker and set them on the floor.
"Austin? What are you doing?"
When I turn my head, I catch Ally's eyes, and groan loudly. Why does she need to butt into every single goddamn thing I do, for fuck's sake?!
"Clearing out my locker. What does it look like I'm doing?" I reply bitterly, pulling a sweatshirt from the small space, and tossing it on the floor with everything else.
"Why? It's November, the school year isn't close to over."
I sigh, slamming my empty locker shut. Riker helps me to turn around, so I can face her, still supporting me so I don't fall. "I'm not coming to school here anymore. Neither is Ratliff."
"What the hell?!" Her voice rises in disbelief, as she stares at me. "You can't do that!"
"And why not?" I shoot back. "I didn't know it was you who made my decisions for me."
"What are you gonna do? Drop out and end up on the streets?! I didn't know you were the type to quit when things get difficult." Her voice is cold, and it angers me even further. Does she always need to see the bad in me? I'm not a fucking coward- I'm switching to homeschooling, so I don't end up committing fucking suicide, not because I'm selfish or trying to avoid her. Trust me, she's the least of my worries.
"No," I say steely. "I'm being homeschooled. And honestly, I don't see why it matters to you. You're being a fucking bitch, Ally. There. I said it- I said what's been on my mind since that damn episode with Dallas. You're being a bitch, and I'm fucking sick of your shit. If you wanna be my friend, you're not getting yourself any closer by acting like this. It's my choice, and my decision, and Rocky is the only one who has a say in it. You don't control me- you don't decide what I do. I'm doing what's best for me. It may not be the best for you, but god fucking forbid, you don't have your former best friend by your side 24/7. When I was there, I was treated like gum on your fucking shoe. When I'm leaving, you suddenly care. You're not my goddamn damsel in distress- if you need someone, you have Dallas. And Trish. And Dez. Not to mention, you're fucking popular. I'm the person everyone fucking hates, thanks to Dez. You guys have ruined my fucking life, so why are you so damn interested in it now?! Do me a fucking favor, and stop poking your ass into my life. I'm fucking done with you. All you've done is ruin me."
Reviews would be amazing- thanks guys!
-Neha