I want to thank CohanLove0106 for the review.
Chapter 8
Sitting on my own outside during lunch I thought back on everything that had happened with Tate. He claimed he acted that way because he liked me and he was jealous and maybe I could understand that. People did stupid stuff through jealousy. The thing that got me was how did he know I was heading out in the first place?
I mean, he wasnt in the house and there was no way of knowing. So how did he? I ran my hands through my hair when I felt a headache coming on. I suddenly felt a presence sit down next to me, which turned out to be my sister.
"Are you okay?" She asked quietly. I shook my head and after some deliberation I told her everything about Tate. How I met him before they came back home, how he was sneaking into my room at night and the sudden burst of jealousy last night.
"Well I don't know what to say really." She muttered. "You're right, there is no way of knowing you were going out but I would say he genuinely likes you and really was just jealous."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Do you like him?" I started at the question and took my time answering it. After some time I gave her an answer - one I had been lying to myself about.
"Yeah, I really do." She gave me one of her rare smiles.
"Then be with him. If he makes you happy then go for it." She gave my shoulder a squeeze before leaving me alone once more. I didn't know if I was ready just yet to be with him but there was no harm in getting a little bit closer to him right? I mean, he honestly seemed to care. Suddenly the bell went off breaking me out of my reverie, causing me to pick up my bag off the floor and drag myself back inside the noisy building.
The rest of school went by in a flash and before I knew it, it was over. Skipping down the steps with Justin we headed over to my sister, letting her know I was waiting with him until his mom picked him up. Surprisingly she decided to stay with us. Standing awkwardly with nothing to do I quickly introduced each other and then I witnessed something truly astounding. I watched as Violet blushed when Justin smiled at her.
In my head I was screaming. Violet had never really shown any interest in guys before and I was honestly starting to think she was a lesbian. I mean, not that I have anything against lesbians as I wouldn't care if she was but this was an amazing moment for me.
Violet didn't talk much as we waited but I noticed all the sneaky glances she kept shooting the attractive boy and I had to bite my lip to stop from laughing. She really wasn't being subtle at all.
Soon enough Justin's mom turned up. He gave me a hug and waved at Violet before slipping into the red car. I turned to Violet with a wide smile. "Let's head home then yeah?" She looked at me for a few seconds before slowly nodding her head. I walked home with a smile on my face the entire way.
Arriving home we both headed to the kitchen for our dinner which happened to be a simple pasta dish with mine being filled a lot less than everyone else. After we traipsed upstairs and without permission I stalked her into her room. Plopping onto her bed, ignoring the glare she was shooting me, I got comfortable.
Sitting opposite me she gave me a look that clearly said 'what are you doing in my room?'. I simply smirked in reply. "What?!" she snapped. I shook my head in amusement.
"Nothing."
"Then why are you looking at me like that?"
"Just... you know... I saw the way you were looking at him." Violet looked at me with a blank look but I clearly saw her eyes widen in shock slightly. "You know, my friend Justin."
"I don't know what you're talking about." she grumbled, trying to brush me off. She brought her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them defensively. I just rolled my eyes.
"Fine, deny it all you want but I saw it." I remarked, leaning back on my elbows. "I don't blame you. He is alarmingly hot." I smirked as I saw the blush make its way back onto her cheeks. More proof!
"I don't... I uh-" I cut her off before any more stuttered words left her mouth.
"It's cool, I'll leave it for now." I said. She gave me a small smile in reply. "Hows things going? Had any run ins with Leah?" Violet sneered in reply.
"She stopped me in the hall on the way to class today. Threatened me and stuff but oh well, she didn't do anything." she elaborated.
"Well I hope she doesn't." Nothing was said for a while. Silence wrapped it's arms around us like a mother does her child. After some time Violet got up off the bed to put on some music before making her way back to the bed.
"What are you going to do about Tate?" she eventually asked, breaking the streak of no speaking. I let out a heavy sigh, sitting back up right.
"I don't know honestly," I told her. "I do like him but I don't know, I don't want to rush into things." She gave me a reassuring smile telling me to be careful and not accidentally push him away by waiting too long. It felt nice just sitting here talking to my sister. I sometimes felt she was on her own too much.
Maybe I could try set her and Justin up? That way she could hang out and speak to more then just me. She needed friends. She needed to socialise. I didn't want her to get depressed. The thought of her sat in this room all the time, except for when she went to school, scared me. I knew what being alone for too long could do to someone.
Dropping my bag next to my bed I finally took off my shoes, letting a groan of satisfaction leave my mouth as they hit the floor. Brushing the knots out of my hair I grabbed a makeup wipe to wash my face free of what my old friend from home would call 'war paint'.
Chucking it away I was about to make my way to my bed when I heard a scream that sounded like it belonged to my mother. I swiftly left my room, running towards the sound. It was coming from the attic. Making my way up I noticed Ben and Violet had already arrived.
"What happened?You okay?" Ben asked. They obviously just got here too. It was then I noticed why my mother had screamed and it took everything that I had in me not to burst out laughing. It was that black rubber suit I had found when I was exploring when I first got here.
Violet gave me a look causing me to smirk. "Oh, I guess these guy were into the kinky stuff, huh? Would you like to try it on?" Ew. Just Ew. Did he forget we were here?
"That's not funny." my mom replied, giving Ben a rotten look.
"I think you'd look good in it." he commented. My mother didn't bother to reply this time she just stared at the suit.
"Let's get rid of it. Come on, let's go downstairs. Come on. Watch the steps." Ben stayed up there as my mother had ordered him to get rid of it. He did because I saw him from a window chucking it into a bin outside. Going back to my room I grabbed my laptop before sitting on my bed. I decided to get some homework out of the way since there was nothing else to do.
An hour later and I was half way done but I couldn't do any more - my brain was hurting. Shutting the laptop I put it back before grabbing a book instead. Getting comfy I opened the book to a page I had previously market then started to read.
I didn't know when but I must have fallen asleep because I felt myself being shaken. Letting out a groan, I rubbed my eyes letting out a yawn. Finally opening my eyes I saw Tate looking down on me. "What time is it?" I asked hoarsely.
"Three in the morning." he replied. "I came earlier but you were asleep. I didn't want to wake you but... I missed you so I came back." Oh. I honestly didn't know what to reply so I stayed quiet. "Can I join you?" I slowly nodded my head gaining a cute smile from Tate.
Firstly he pulled the duvet from under me before getting under, pulling it over both of us as he wrapped his arms around me so we ended up spooning. Letting out another yawn I snuggled further into his arms.
I don't know how long we stayed there, lying in each others arms, but it was nice. There was no urgency for anything, no stress, no nothing. It was just peaceful and calm and my sister's words kept coming to the forefront of my mind. 'Just be careful, if you take too long to decide he may not be there when you do.'
I knew she was right but there was still that niggling in the back of my mind telling me to wait. I didn't know which side to listen to. I suddenly felt Tate's arms squeeze me slightly. "What's wrong?" How did he always know?
Twisting in his arms until I was facing him I let out a sigh. "It's just," I was going to tell him but I chickened out. "Just thinking you know."
"About what?"
"Things." I replied evasively. He gave me a sardonic smile, gently pulling my hair.
"I know that but what things exactly?" Chewing nervously on my bottom lip I debated whether or not I should tell him. He just laid there patiently throughout my internal battle. Finally blowing out a breath I decided to just go for it. What was the worst that could happen?
"Okay um, well..." Oh, why was this so difficult! "I like you, a lot." Tate's lips split into the most adorable smile I had ever seen making me blush. "But there is one thing."
"What's that?" he asked, gently rubbing my back.
"I just don't know whether I want it to stay like this or not. Like, I don't know if maybe, possibly, us being together right now would be rushing things." Tate didn't reply but as I looked at his face he didn't seem hurt - he seemed like he was thinking.
"Okay, how about this... Maybe wait a couple of days so you can really think about it. And maybe in those days I won't see you so you can truly decide." I looked up at him surprised. Would he really do that for me? Since meeting we had only spent one day apart and I didn't know if I liked the sound of that or not. Then again, maybe he was right.
"Okay, sounds like a plan. You'll stay for a bit longer though right?" Tate smirked.
"Of course, if I am not going to see you for a few days I am staying right here for now." I smiled back at him, cuddling up into him some more. I really hoped at the end of the few days I had my answer.
The next morning I woke up alone. Sadness filled my every pore as I remembered the plan. Well there goes one point to being with Tate - I was already missing him. The first thing I did was head for the shower and half way through I remembered I was having dinner at Justin's house tonight.
Heading back to my room I went through all my clothes for the perfect outfit. Placing it on the bed I started on my makeup and then my hair which I put up into a high ponytail. Slipping on my clothes which consisted of a black skirt, a red top tucked into the skirt and some black heeled boots. Slipping on a cute necklace with a heart pendant I headed downstairs.
Finding my mom in the kitchen I walked over. "You won't need to make me dinner tonight." I informed her.
"Really, why?" she asked, still cleaning to counters. I told her my plans. "Oh that's lovely. Nice to see you are making friends." I simply smiled, praying his parents wouldn't give me ridiculously large portions.
It was soon time to leave, walking to the meeting spot to get Justin. He gave me a warm hug when he saw me then walking me to his house which actually wasn't that far from my own. That was good... easy to remember.
"Do you want me to take my shoes off?" I asked the minute we got to the door. He gave me a charming smile.
"Yeah, my mom hates shoes inside the house." After doing that he took my hand and pulled me to the direction of the kitchen. "Mom, Ruby is here." His mom was stood over the stove and I had to admit the smells emitting from the kitchen were heavenly.
"Oh, it's nice to see you again darling." his mom said with a beautiful smile. His entire family was beautiful to be honest. His father was attractive and always seemed to wear a suit, his mother looked like a model even though she had some slight wrinkles added to her slim face, his sister Hollie was adorable and he also had a brother who was 10 and looked as though he was going to be a heart breaker when he grew up.
"It's nice to see you too." I replied shyly. "The food smells amazing by the way."
"Oh thank you. Cooking is one of my hobbies." she told me. She really did seem to enjoy it. "Why don't you guys go upstairs and I will call you when dinner is ready." Walking into his room was a treat. He had made it his own and you could tell it was his sanctuary.
Posters littered the walls, a skateboard was leaning against it, he had his Xbox and too many games go try and count. He had two guitars, stereo, record player, so many DVD's and CD's. He had so much stuff but he managed to make it look, well, not cluttered.
We somehow ended up playing a video game to pass the time and I honestly found myself enjoying his company a lot more then I thought I would. I honestly thought tonight was going to be a disaster.
Finally we heard the call from his mother so we headed downstairs. His siblings were already at the table. I sat next to Justin opposite his mother. And, oh my god this food was amazing! I had never tasted anything like it before. She seemed to glow when I told her that which made me feel really good for some reason.
"So, Ruby, what do you plan to do after school?" his father asked.
"Well I haven't really given much thought to it really." I replied embarrassed. "Something I should probably start doing now." I probably wouldn't. The talk turned to Hollie and her dancing and I think I melted when her eyes and face lit up as she was talking about it. It was nice to see her parents didn't force her into it, that it was something she actually wanted to do.
Sitting round the table, watching them, I couldn't help but feel sad and envious. I wanted the kind of family they had. They all seemed to love each other so much. The socialised with each other and took interest in what the others were doing with their lives. It was the complete contrast to my own family.
Soon enough it was time to leave. "Come on, I will walk you home." Justin offered which I was thankful for, it had gotten dark. We chatted aimlessly throughout the walk and hugged goodbye. Throwing off my clothes as I entered my room I quickly removed my makeup and chucked on a baggy top that came to the middle of my thighs.
Feeling tired I crawled under my duvet letting out a yawn. I wonder what Tate would think about me having dinner at Justin's? My eyes snapped open. Why did I think that? I mean, it was probably because he got jealous last time but why would I care what he thinks? Justin is my friend.
I don't need Tate's opinion.
Letting out a shriek of fear I sat up in my bed. My entire bookshelf had been tipped as though someone had pushed it. "Ruby?!" I heard Ben yell.
"It's okay!" I yelled back shakily. "I just tripped." I got out of bed to make my way towards the bookshelf. My door swung open then revealing my dad.
"Why is the bookshelf on the floor?" he demanded.
"I told you I fell. I grabbed on to it as I did and well, you see the result." Ben looked at me for a few seconds before walking over and with a bit of effort he managed to put it back in its original spot.
"Be more careful." he told me. I didn't reply so he left. Giving it one last look I made my way back to bed. It was a difficult journey because my legs were shaking. Hugging the duvet to my chest I tried to relax but I couldn't. I was feeling like I was being watched.
I jumped hearing a thump, as though someone had punched the wall. Closing my eyes my body shook. It was strange but nothing ever seemed to happen like this when Tate was around. It was always when Tate wasn't here when I felt like I was being watched.
I didn't like it and right now I was terrified. I wanted, no I needed, Tate. I didn't need those few days because I already had my answer.