Chapter 9

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes I let out a yawn. Fatigue washed over me in waves causing me to groan. Currently laid on my back I stared at the ceiling trying to wake up more. A couple minutes later I let out another yawn as I finally sat up.

It was then that I noticed all the scattered books on the floor, reminding me of last night. Closing my eyes for a moment I let out a breath. I could deal with the books after I was washed and ready.

Thirty minutes later I was picking up books and placing them alphabetically on the bookshelf. It took me twenty minutes, making me realise just how many books I honestly had. After I made my way downstairs, annoying my mother claiming I didn't want breakfast but I didn't care.

I wasn't hungry and if I ate I would be sick.

I decided to just watch TV to pass the time. I knew I had to see Tate. I had made up my mind last night. I didn't need days to figure out what I wanted - I wanted him. After about an hour and a half I was bored. Plus my sister was no where to be found.

Shuffling back to my room I flopped onto the bed. Screaming into the thick pillow, I gave the mattress a quick punch. "That poor mattress, what did it ever do to you?" a voice said sarcastically from behind me. I quickly spun around to see Tate stood in the middle of my room with his arms folded across his chest.

"I thought you were giving me a few days?" And how did he get in? Tate shrugged giving me a cute dimpled smile. Forgetting about how he got in my excitement at seeing him overpowered me. I jumped up and off the bed - straight into his arms.

He managed to catch me but through his surprise he stumbled backwards a little. I wrapped my legs around his waist as I hugged him. He mumbled something but I didn't catch it. I pulled back to look at him.

After a few seconds I did something that shocked me. I kissed him. I think it shocked him too because it took a second for him to start kissing me back. And oh my god! He was a good kisser!

Finally pulling back to look at each other he set me down. "I thought you needed a few days?" he asked.

"I thought I did too." I replied. "Turns out I didn't." He rewarded me with the most amazing smile ever. It was so contagious I started to smile back.

"So does this mean... well, are we..." His stuttering was so cute I bit my lip.

"If you want to be."

"Of course!" he exclaimed causing me to giggle. "I like you so damn much Ruby. Thank you for giving me this chance. I won't let you down."

"You better not." I responded, giving him a mock glare. He simply responded by pulling me into another kiss. It was nice. I had always enjoyed spending time with Tate but I didn't realise how much more I would enjoy it actually being with him.

Sitting in Violets room two hours later I told her everything. She, surprisingly, seemed happy for me. I just wish she would be happy too. Teasing her about setting her up with Justin she blushed, violently shaking her head.

"I'm good." she stammered. Her face was bright red by now that I was surprised she hasn't passed out. I made a promise to myself to get those two closer. Even just start by making them hang out together at school. Well, for now.

Violet had her music playing, like always, and we casually started singing along to it. It turned into us standing on her bed singing, more like screaming, and dancing. I loved these moments with my sister. The times where she let go. They were rare so I cherished them when I got them, always hoping it would happen more frequently.

We both fell onto her bed, out of breath and laughing. We finally managed to calm down but the minute we looked at each other it brought around a new wave of giggles from us both.

We did eventually manage to calm down and I took deep breaths to fill my lungs again. That was the good thing about Violet - you didn't need to talk to enjoy her company. We just laid there in silence, holding hands enjoying the peace.

After some time I realised Violet had fallen asleep so I carefully slipped off the bed trying not to wake her. Making my way to her laptop I turned off the music. Giving my sister one final look I left her room, heading to my parents room instead.

Only my mother was inside.

"Where's dad?" I asked, entering the room. My mother looked up startled. She was sat on the bed reading a book when I entered.

"Oh, he's gone to the shop sweetie." she informed me. I walked further into the room, plopping myself on the bed next to her. It only just came to me that my mother might just be lonely. Violet never talked to anyone except myself and recently I hadn't spent much time with her either.

That only left my dad and he worked during the day. Sure he was working from home but he was still busy and I never saw my mom with anyone else. She must be spending a lot of time on her own. I suddenly felt bad.

"How are you doing?" I asked. She gave me a small smile, trying to convince me she was fine but I knew better. I should really try spending more time with her. "Mom come on, don't lie to me."

"Okay, on the whole I'm fine it's just... a bit lonely sometimes." So I was right. I shuffled closer so I could give her a hug. Feeling her squeeze me so tight brought a wave guilt to surge through me. She had been through so much and now she was alone.

"Next weekend... can we go out. Just me and you?" The moment I asked her I saw her eyes sparkle with happiness.

"I would love that!" she exclaimed. She brushed some of my hair behind my ear and I swear I thought she was going to cry. "I've missed our days out."

"Me too." I said sincerely. Some of my best memories were out with my mom so I couldn't wait for next weekend. Plus it would do my mom some good to get out of this house and be able to do something.

I stayed with her for a while until I heard the front door go which was my cue to leave. My mom went downstairs to greet my dad, Ben. Walking into my room I grabbed my phone to check the time - 5pm. I hadn't eaten all day but then, I still wasn't hungry.

Just as I sat down on my bed I heard a knocking on my window. Jumping up excitedly I ran over to it, yanking it open. The minute he was inside I pulled him into a hug. He picked me up and spun me. I let out a quiet shriek of laughter as he set me down.

I plopped down in my desk chair as he laid down on my bed. "How has your day been?" I asked, spinning on the chair.

"Boring. Just hung out with my brother for a bit." he told me. I stopped. It was strange, he never talked about his family - ever. I smiled hoping that this was a good thing. That he was getting used to me and more comfortable to be able to start talking about it.

"How was he?" Tate looked at me blankly before replying with a shrug.

"Ok I suppose. He doesn't really have a lot of friends so I keep him company sometimes."

"How come?"

"Just doesn't. Doesn't get out a lot." I could tell he didn't want to say much more on the subject so I dropped it, even though I had a lot more questions. I could tell he was hiding something but I knew it wasn't my place to ask or pry. There was silence for a few seconds before Tate asked me what I did yesterday.

"I was at a friend's." I answered slowly, remembering how he acted last time.

"Doing what?" He seemed okay so far.

"Just having dinner."

"What was her name?" I paused. Oh no. Why did he say she? Tate narrowed his eyes at me as he slowly sat up. "Why aren't you answering me?"

"Oh sorry." I mumbled with a forced laugh. It wasn't that I was uncomfortable but he was quite scary when he was angry. Then I realised I must be insane because it gave me weird thrills to see him so jealous.

"Well?" He had folded his arms over his chest and just stared at me.

"It's not a she." Tate didn't reply, he just sat there. He took a deep breath through his nose as though he was trying to calm himself down.

"Was it Justin?" he asked calmly and that's what set me on edge. I slowly nodded my head. "Fuck!" he screamed, jumping up from the bed. I flinched in surprise but was more worried at the noise he was causing. He was going to get himself caught!

He was pacing around my room, hands clutching onto his curly hair. In the next second he was suddenly in front of me. He knelt down so we were level. "Tate?"

"You're not seeing him again!" he ground out through his teeth.

"Tate, he's my friend."

"I. Don't. Care." We stared at each other as though we were trying to talk to each other through our minds alone. I slowly let out a breath, soothingly caressing one of his hands that were gripping the arms of the chair in a death grip.

"Tate, listen to me okay?" He didn't repsond so I carried on. "He is my friend nothing more. I like you not him. He's not going to take you away from me alright?" He took a deep breath and I swear in that second he looked murderous.

"He better not, otherwise I will fucking kill him." The silence after he spoke was deafening. There was a part of me that wasnt taking his threat seriously but a larger part of my brain was. I put a smile on my face trying to placate him as I caressed his face, his eyes closing as I did so.

"Trust me. He won't." Tate leaned up to connect his lips with mine and I let him. I should have told him to fuck off and not treat me like this. I had a right to be friends with whoever I wanted but another part just wanted to do whatever he said, to submiss to him. I didn't understand the control he had over me.

The next day came and I was back at school. I hated Monday's. I said goodbye to Violet as we got to the large building and headed to my first class. By the time lunch came around I managed to persuade Justin to join me. I was getting him and my sister together if it was the last thing I did.

Plus it would help with Tate. He wouldn't feel as anxious if he knew he was dating my sister. Finding Violet was easy. Seeing the look on her face when she spotted the hottie next to me was precious. Violet glared at me to which I gave a fake innocent look back.

"You remember my sister right?" I asked Justin. He nodded his head giving Vi a smile to which she gave a shy one back. She was so cute. The entire way through lunch I forced them to talk to each other and I was thankful to see my sister loosen up a little around the boy.

She was now giving more than one word answers. I was surprised to see how much attention Justin was actually giving my sister and it caused me to smile. I think he found her shyness cute.

Lunch finally ended and we all split as we had different classes. I would see Justin in my last class and when we came together again I smirked at him.

"What?" he asked, giving me a weird look.

"Oh nothing." I sang. "I just noticed all the attention you were giving my sister at lunch today that's all." He stared at me for a few seconds before glancing at the front of the class then back at me.

"I don't know exactly what you mean." I scoffed.

"Oh come on don't play dumb." He took a while to reply as the teacher kept glancing our way.

"Okay, she's pretty." he whispered. "It's just, she's your sister and you're my friend. I didn't think you would like it." I smiled at his sweetness.

"That's adorable but I like you. So I'm fine with it. If you were a dick it would be different but I know you're not."

"Thanks."

"You have my blessing." I joked causing him to roll his eyes. We didn't speak again as the teacher shouted at us to shut up. Finally home I ate tea then headed to my room. I was thankful I ate because my head was starting to get fuzzy because of it.

Setting my stuff down and taking off my shoes I frowned as my door started to open. Everyone knows not to just walk into my room. My jaw dropped at who I saw.

"Tate!"

"Happy to see me?" he smirked, leaning against my doorframe. I jumped up from the bed and ran over to him, pulling him inside before shutting the door.

"You can't just sneak into my house!" I yelled quietly. Tate rolled his eyes as he sat in the desk chair.

"Calm down. I didn't." I stopped in my rantings to give him a confused look. "You look adorable when you're confused."

"Then how did you get in?" I asked, ignoring his comment. He actually looked embarrassed and I didn't understand why.

"Um, don't judge me okay?" I walked over to him just to plop myself down on his lap. I started to play with his chair, something he liked me to do when he was stressed.

"Tate, I would never judge you." He gave me a small smile before replying.

"I'm seeing your dad." he told me quietly. To be honest I was shocked. I didn't expect him to have to see my dad for any reason at all. Then again he had made comments to his family life. Maybe it was to do with that? I decided to make a joke instead.

"You're cheating on me?" I pouted. "How could you do that to me?" Tate rolled his eyes but I could see the relief in them. He squeezed my sides causing me to giggle.

"I would never do that... anymore. He's a terrible kisser." he said, his face serious which caused me to laugh. "I can still feel his lips on me. Please take it away." He used the puppy dog eyes trick, something he pulled off extremely well, which was completely unnecessary.

"Of course." I grabbed his face between both my hands as I brought my face down to his, catching his mouth with mine in a fiery kiss.

All the while my brain kept flickering back to one thing. Why was he seeing my dad?