**DISCLAIMER**
Me: (to the readers) This chapter is really a continuation of chapter four, but decided to cut it in half cuz it was REALLY long. I hope you enjoy it!
Tommy: (comes in frowning) I'm not going to get hit by a bus or anything am I?
Me: (fake pouts) Aww how did you know?
Adam: (Snickers beside me, dressed in his Glam Nation get up.)
Me: (realizes both of them are dressed for a show.) You guys have a show tonight? (frowns)
Adam: Yep.
Me: (real pouts) But what about my chapter?
Tommy: (Thinking he is gonna get out of reading the chapter grins.) Well shoot, I guess you'll just have to give us the summerized version. . .
Adam: (shakes head smirking) Oh no Glitter's, we will read it after the show. (drapes arm over Tommys shoulder and walks off.) Now come on, we're late.
Me: (laughing) I don't own those two, no matter how much I wish I did. Read, Review and Enjoy!
~CHAPTER FIVE~
And you, let me kick it to the floor
And you still come back for more
You're too good, what did I do to deserve you?
- No one Else
As it turned out, Adams house really wasn't that far from mine, but the scenery was considerably different. The sidewalks weren't cracked and uneven, and most of the houses were surrounded by tall iron fences that kept kids like me out. I couldn't help but feel that wall start to materialize between the two of us. He was so different.
I was amazing how just a few blocks could change so dramatically. The phrase 'From rags to riches' took on a whole new meaning. Honestly, I didn't know why I expected anything less than perfect when it came to Adam, he himself was almost just as flawless. This was one of the nicest neighborhoods I had been in, and the longer I walked down the pathway, the more out of place I felt. People that were out in their yards enjoying the nice weather, turned their heads as I walked by. My ripped blue jean, dirty sneakers and odd hair style were and obvious give away that I didn't belong here. They were the 'Polo' people.
Adam lead the entire way, his long strides taking us quickly down the smooth concrete walkways, until we reached a medium sized home. The outside was decorated neatly. The narrow foot path leading up to the house was made of red brick, lined on both sides with various flowers and small solar powered lanterns. The thick blanket of grass was the greenest I had ever seen in my entire life. Every blade was the same perfect shade of emerald green, and looked like carpet. The patio, which easily could set ten to twelve people, was shaded by large, towering palms from the front yard. There was an elegant setting area, with fancy metal chairs and a glass top table with and umbrella that provided more shade from the burning sun. Long story short, the house was a work of art. It was an old two story Spanish style home with archways and red curved shingles that I couldn't remember the name of. There were hair- like vines that snaked up to the balcony on the second floor.
Like him, I stopped in the middle of the pathway , marveling at the elegance of the home. Adam chuckled slightly seeing me, then continued on up to the front door.
"Your house is…uh…nice…" I nervously scratched the back of my head feeling obligated to say something. After all, he had been able to find beauty in the ugly oversized shack I called a house. Beauty was the most prominent feature of his house, and it seemed rude not to complement it. He glanced over his shoulder with a smile on his face.
"It's just home." He said modestly.
He removed a set of keys from his pocket, as I made my way across the patio. When he found the right one, he opened the door and I followed him hesitantly inside.
The interior was even more breath taking. The foyer into which we entered had high ceilings that stretched both stories, and was lit by a bright chandler suspended from a thin iron chain. The banister on the staircase was made of the same dark metal, twisted into elegant knots. I looked around, taking in everything I could, and all of a sudden felt even more out of place and uncomfortable. I didn't belong in a place like this. I was the kid from the wrong side of the tracks. Being in Adam's house made me feel like a trespasser.
Gradually, I heard light foot steps coming down the stone steps. I looked up to see a woman with dark shining hair descending the stairway. Her eyes lit up, and a familiar smile painted her pink lips when her eyes fell upon Adam.
"You're home!" she said delightfully reaching out to embrace her son.
The same smile parted Adams lips as he returned the hug, kissing his mother on the cheek. I stood awkwardly off to the side, impatiently tapping my foot as I watched the sun sink deeper into the horizon. If Adam planed on helping me, he was gonna have to save this happy family shit for later.
"Who's this?" Adam's mom asked raising her thin brow like I had seen Adam do.
Adam's cheeks flashed a vivid pink before he said anything. "This is Tommy. Tommy Ratliff." He told her.
I gave best almost smile, knowing until my mother was safe I wouldn't even be able to think about actually smiling. "Tommy this is my mother Leila."
"It's nice to meet you." I insisted, holding out my hand.
She smiled and took it. "Like wise."
Leila looked me over - with a slight smirk on her face, then looked at her son. "I like him Adam. He's cute." With that said she walked past both of us and into the kitchen down the hall. My eyebrows pulled together, confused by her comment. I looked at Adam, hoping for and explanation, but only received an nervous laugh as he walked the way his mother had gone.
Before I followed him, I glanced around the room, taking in all of it's magnificence, then with a heavy sigh, proceeded into the kitchen. Like the foyer, it too was finely decorated with top of the line appliances and little nic-naks, and everything was so clean it sparkled. It was insane.
Leila was sitting at the small kitchen table with a pair of glasses placed at the tip of her nose, looking over various fabric samples.
"Interior Designer." Adam informed me upon seeing the strange expression on my face. I nodded. Now it made sense why everything was so spotless.
"Hey Mom." Adam said grabbing a set of keys from a hook on the wall. "I'm gonna go to go help Tommy, so I'm taking my car."
"Help Tommy with what?" she asked looking up from the samples laid out before her. I froze. I wasn't about to explain my life story to his mother. She seemed kind enough, but I had only met the woman three minuets ago. At least I'd known Adam twenty-four hours before I told him. Even that was way too short of a time, but I blew it.
I glanced at Adam, hoping he could make up something, because at the moment I was at a loss of words.
"Home work, and it might take a while so I'm talking the car so I don't have to walk home in the dark." His smooth lie came out so effortlessly I even believed him. Not once did he fidget of stutter like I sometimes did. His voice was just as flawlessly even as always.
"Okay. But first go help your brother find his Nintendo before he rips the entire house apart. He can't find it." she said looking back to her work.
My fists clenched together at my sides to keep myself from screaming. I needed to fucking find my mother, and I was about ready to ditch Adam and go by myself. I heard him sigh, and he gave me an apologetic look before quickly making his way to the stairs. Just because I found it rather awkward standing in his kitchen alone, I tagged along after him
The upstairs was less decorated and more un tidy. There were still unpacked boxes lining the sides of the hall - I had forgotten he had just moved here. Adam entered a bed room that was near the end of the hall, which I assumed belonged to his brother. The inside of the room was the exact opposite of the down stairs portion of the house; boxes on top of boxes were stacked and knocked all over. The contents spilled onto the floor piles of useless shit; clothes, books, magazines, there was too much to name. The only thing in order was a bed, a book shelf and a TV all placed neatly along the back wall.
Adam gracefully maneuvered himself around the mess, making his way to the dark haired boy digging angrily through a box in the corner of the room. He was mumbling profanities to himself as he ripped at the boxes fiercely then forcefully threw it to the side.
"Whoa, calm down Neil before you break something." Adam chuckled.
The boy, who looked like he was about fourteen, glared at him.
"Where is my Nintendo?" he hissed, then his eyes landed on me. "Who are you?"
I had been in the kids presence for ten minuets and he already annoyed me. I wasn't in the mood to handle this kind of shit from a little prick like him. Before I got an attempt to introduce myself, Neils eyes got really big, as if coming across some grand realization.
"Ooooohhh." he drug out the word. "Are you Adam's boyfr-"
"Here it is!" Adam cut him off suddenly, bringing his brother the game console. He gave Neil a long knowing look, the same one he had given his mother down stairs, then turned to face me.
"Come on Tommy. We got to get that homework done." Adam grabbed the sleeve of my hoodie, pulling me back down the hall and into the garage.
~oOo~
"What the hell was that about back at your house?" I finally asked as we pulled onto the busy streets of LA. We drove with the top down, the warm September wind blowing our hair from our faces. Adam's thumbs had been nervously drumming the top of the steering wheel ever since we left his house
"What do you mean?" He asked. There was a hint of uneasiness in his voice.
"Well your mom called me cute for one...and then your brother looked kinda freaked out when he saw me." I explained.
Adam didn't say anything. Instead he kept drumming the top of the steering wheel. I didn't take my eyes off of him, knowing the longer I staired at him, the sooner he would tell me. From the time we left the house to now, his aurora had changed. He didn't seem as free, but rather restrained.
"Um...my mom was being friendly. And Neil is. . ." He paused. ". . .Neil."
For the first time I since met him, his voice was shaky and uneven. He was lying, and this time it wasn't easy for him.
"Bull shit!" I exclaimed glowering at him.
Adam winced at my harsh tone, opening his mouth to say something then didn't. I waited annoyed, still keeping my eyes on him. When I realized he wasn't going to say anything, I looked out were the window would have been. I didn't appreciate him lying to me, but right now I had bigger problems.
Just then, as Adam stopped at a red light I glanced into the window of a bar, and there she was. My mother was sitting alone at the counter, with what looked like a bottle of whisky sitting in front of her.
"Stop the car!" I yelled as Adam began to pull away. "She's in there!" I pointed to the building.
Adam shot a quick look inside the bar, then as quickly as possible, pulled the car over, parallel parking next to the curb. By the time I jumped out of the black mustang, we hadn't made a complete stop. I landed wrong on my foot and fell over skidding my palms on the rough concrete. The car skidded to a stop, I brushed my self off and once again I could hear the sound of Adams heavy steps behind me as I entered.
The inside of the bar was dim and foggy due to the permanent cloud of smoke hanging in the air, which upset my stomach. On the wall hung bright neon advertising signs for various beers as well as other random pieces of junk. It was almost empty inside apart from the few people in the very back of the old bar, but that was about it.
With out hesitation I walked right up to my mother, ignoring Adam's warning- he didn't know to deal with her like I did.
"Mom?" I spoke quietly so I didn't startle her, knowing at this point she would be a loose cannon. Just by looking at her blood shot eyes and clenched fists I could tell that she left the broken drunk at home, and had let the anger and resentment consume her.
Her head snapped my way, her eyes wild. "Whothe fuck areyou?" her words slurred together. Adam defensively stepped forward, flanking my left side.
"It's me, Tommy." I said taking a step closer to her. She turned back to the bar, her fingers now twitching. I motioned Adam to step backward, and he did so. It was only a matter of time before her short fuse burnt out. Slowly, I reached out my hand and placed it gently on her shoulder.
"Mom?" I tried again. This time she didn't turn around, but her fingers continued to twitch nervously.
"Mom?" my voice was shaky.
When my fingers made contact with the skin on her shoulder she spun around, her blood shot eyes full of wild rage. Her arms lashed out and pushed me away.
".!" she growled.
I stumbled backward, tripping over my own feet and fell onto the cold, hard floor. A sudden jolt of pain shot through my body like lightning, and almost instantly there was a loud ringing in my ears. My mother continued to cry out lividly, someone was shouting my name, but all the sounds blurred together in one muffled noise and my vision started to tunnel. I felt myself go weak and my head began to throb, but before I could slip into unconsciousness a pair of strong arms pulled me to my feet. It took a moment for my sense to go back to being somewhat normal, but as soon as I could stand without Adam's help, I went after her again.
Not the smartest thing I know, but I couldn't leave her here in the state she was in. This time she threw an empty shot glass our way, Adam and I both dodged it. With all the strength I could muster up, I jumped on her back locking her arms behind her. She fought back valiantly, trying to buck me off like a wild horse, but I held on. The struggle didn't last much longer though. My mothers strength was draining quickly with me weighing her down. With one final attempt to throw me off she spun around, crushing my lower back into the edge of the bar. More pain shot through my already aching body, and she threw her head back, splitting my lip in the process. Instantly, the rich metallic taste of blood filled my mouth and my head began to throb again, causing the ringing to return.
When her plan failed to throw me off, she sank to the floor with me still on her back. In a split second her body was on the ground and the angry drunk was gone, replaced by the depressed one. My mothers eyes welled up, and she began to sob uncontrollably - tears rushing down her cheeks like small rivers.
"I'm sorry." she cried. "I'mso so sorry."
My mother continued to weep until her body went limp beneath me, and I let go. I crouched beside her, using my sleeve to wipe away the blood pouring from my lip. She just laid there, trembling and crying, mumbling apologies that were nothing but hollow empty lies. By morning she wouldn't remember anything and none of it would matter.
I managed a glace in Adams direction from under my long bangs, who had watched the entire horrendous scene in silence. His face shown no expression of what he really thought, he only looked down at my mother in pity. I didn't want to know what he was thinking, because I knew if nothing else, with what he had witnessed today, would scare him away for sure. A person could only handle so much, especially someone as sheltered as Adam.
I stood up, brushing the sweat from my forehead, and my mother curled herself into a ball on the cold floor, crying harder.
"Would you kids get her the hell out of here." the bartender behind the counter suddenly spoke. He was a short, squatty man with no hair on his pointed head. The white shirt he wore was stained and unclean and a cigar hung form his fat lips.
"Fuck off." I snapped, picking my mother up from the ground. I placed her arm over my shoulder - like I had done so many times before- leading her to the exit, keeping my head down so I couldn't see what ever look was on Adam's face.
"Hey, you don't expect me to let that bitch walk out of here do you?" the bald man working the counter snarled. His snake like eyes bore into me like knives, and I felt my blood begin to boil. Now was not the time test the boundaries of my temper. Before I could open my mouth to say anything, Adam whispered beside me. "It's okay, I'll take care of it."
"Are you sure?" I asked knowing I wouldn't be able to pay him back for a while.
"Yeah, go get her in the car." Adam pulled his wallet from his back pocket and walked over to the bar to pay the ass hole, while I took my mother out to the car.
Outside the sun was almost swallowed by the vast horizon, and the LA skyline was painted with vivid gold's and oranges. The people passing by on the street watched with curious eyes as I loaded my mother in the back seat of Adams black mustang. As soon as I let her go, she fell over in the seat, curling up and whimpering. I shook my head disapprovingly at her. I wanted so much better for her than this, she had the potential, or at least she used to. Now I didn't even recognize her anymore like I thought I did. My mother was dead.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my head as I got into the passenger seat. There was a lump beginning to form and when I leaned my head against the soft head rest, a sharp twinge shot down to my toes.
"Ow...God Damn." I rubbed the spot again, this time checking to make sure it wasn't bleeding, which luckily it wasn't. My head started to ache after that. The throbbing was pulse like, and I took deep breaths, closing my eyes hoping that would make it better. My hearing wasn't ringing anymore but it still felt like I had been hit with a baseball bat.
"Here." Adams soft voice said quietly. I opened my eyes to see him holding out a small bag of ice. "It should help the swelling."
I looked up into his beautiful, smoldering eyes, gratefully taking the bag from him. Not once had he uttered a complaint or showed any sign that my life repulsed him like it would so many others. In my gut though I felt that something else was off, and this time I wasn't sure what it was.
My life was the opposite of what people thought it was like in this fucking city, like I've said before. I had no glamour, no fame, no fortune.
"Thank you." I told him. "and not just for the ice." I added.
He gave me a forced smile, something was bothering him and my gut feeling got stronger. I tried to ignore it- blowing it off as nothing. I had hit my head pretty fucking hard, so it had to be in my mine. He quickly got in the other side of the car and drove me back to hell.
~oOo~
The second my mother passed out, the ride became painfully silent as we drove home. Neither of us said a word, I kept the ice on my head, and Adam drove, drumming his thumbs on the wheel again. The soft glow from the dash board controls just barely lit Adams face, but it was enough for me to see that something was still bothering him.
My heart sank- jumping to conclusions. It all had gotten to him after all, my life was already pulling him from me just when I had let him in. Why didn't I wait? I thought. If only I had put it off, gave him more warning. If I would have been stronger, I would have left him standing alone in the parking lot earlier. But I ignored my instinct and it would leave me broken. As soon as he pulled up to the curb in front of my house, I would be this close to him. The thought pained me more then it should have. The hole in my stomach would be empty again, and everything would go back to the way it was before, the way it was meant to be.
I closed my eyes and let out a long breath to diminish all the thoughts I was wasting energy on. Things were always going to be a disappoint ment in my life, and I was just going to have to live with it.
Soon I felt the car stop underneath me, and my eyes opened. I was back. Back to my useless house that only brought my nightmares and self loathing.
Adam turned off the engine when he pulled up to the curb, and sat back in his seat looking at me.
"I'll help you get her inside." he finally said, unbuckling.
I removed the ice from my head, knowing if I left it there any longer, that part of my scalp would permanently be frozen. The two of us got her out, distributing her weight of both of our shoulders. I pulled the house key from her pocket and Adam helped me get her settled in her bed. The whole ordeal took a lot longer then it should have, just because she refused to cooperate when she woke up, but we managed to calm her down eventually.
A while later, the two of us stood in the door way, saying nothing, just looking at eachother. It would have seemed odd to anyone else, but it wasn't to me. Our gaze wasn't awkward or uncomfortable. It was deep and meaningful, like we were reading eachothers intermost thoughts.
There was something Adam wanted to say, I could see it in his blue eyes. It seemed though, he wasn't sure he should say it.
"Thank you." I said again, hoping that if I spoke first it would encourage his response.
If he planed on telling me that he could handle my life and never wanted to see me again, then I'd rather him tell me now and get it over with.
"Don't mention it." He paused, rocking back and forth on his heels. "I'd better get home."
The tone in his voice was anxious when he turned to walk back to his car. I whispered a good bye under my breath and leaned against the door frame watching him. He stopped half way between the house and the car.
"Can I tell you something?" he asked, sounding unsure of himself. In three long strides he was standing on the porch in front of me again.
"Yeah, sure."
I braced myself for the lashing of good byes that would surely follow. Adam looked down at his feet, biting his bottom lip, still rocking on his heels. He fidgeted a little while longer, as if rethinking his actions.
"I have to admit," he finally started, still looking at his feet. "earlier when you told me that it was a bad idea to walk home with you because you lived the way you do, I thought you made it up so I wouldn't follow you. But now I can tell you weren't kidding-"
"And after living it for a day you don't wanna have to deal with it. I understand." I finished the sentence for him in a whisper, looking down at my feet. Adam's focus was suddenly on me, his face looked hurt.
"No. Not at all. Is that what you think?"
"Well who would want to put up to this?" I asked holding my arm out. Adam just shook his head.
"What I was going to say was, that since you were so honest with me- having just met me I might add. I think it's only fair if I'm completely honest with you."
"Okay. . ." I wasn't sure where this was going.
"I wasn't going to say anything until I knew you and Monte better, but I think after today you deserve to know." His voice although some what shakes, was fueled by the same passion like yesterday in Government class. He paused shortly, and swallowed. I had never seen him so nervous.
"You can tell me Adam." I said softly, letting him know he could be open with me. After what I had put him through today, he deserved that much. For a brief moment he broke eye contact to look back at his feet, then took a deep breath and locked his blue eyes on mine.
"I'm...gay..."
Suddenly a lot more made sense. His whole paper about freedom of speech and expression, as well as the way his mom and brother acted earlier. Sure I wasn't expecting it, but when I thought about it now, it really did make sense.
An odd sensation came over me then, and I started laughing uncontrollably. I couldn't even remember the last time I had laughed so hard, and boy did it feel good. The only down side was that it wasn't the best time to start laughing again.
Adams expression turned to annoyance. "What the fuck Tommy? It's not funny!"
Hastily, obliviously pissed at my reaction, Adam made his way back to his car. I realized instantly how it looked to him and composed myself the best I could and rushed after him.
"Get the hell away from me." he scolded, his blue eyes firey.
"Adam hang on." I caught my breath, still not done laughing. "You misunderstood. I'm not laughing at you. I swear to fucking God I'm not." I took in another breath. "It's just the past few hours have made me sorta crazy, and all this excess build up of emotion finally burst." I looked deep into his eyes, connecting with him. "I'm sorry. I couldn't stop myself."
I hoped he believed me after all I had put him through. Adam's face lightened.
"So you're not making fun of me?"
I shook my head. "Hell no!"
Adam let out a sigh.
"Did you really think I would throw a fit because you're gay?" Dude that is so not me!" I laughed, placing a steady hand on his shoulder.
"So we're cool then?" Adam asked, his voice turning back to normal.
I could almost see the weight lift form his shoulders
"Yeah." I shrugged. "I'm cool."
Adam smiled the widest I had ever seen him smile before. "I'll see you at school then."
"Okay."
He waved when he got to his car, and drove off into the night. I stood on the porch for every bit of ten minuets after he was gone, letting the cool night breeze calm and relax me. Adam was the most heart warming, understanding, accepting person I had ever met. I couldn't deny him access in to my life any longer. I would let him in, and hopefully he would never disappear.
A/N: That is my new record on updates! lol you guys are spoiled, but i love you all! don't forget to follow me on twitter Glampire92 and tweet me so i know who my readers are and i will follow back! :D but yes please leave me a review, they make me smile soooo much!
**Thank you readers who review! i love ya all soooooo much!
~Jackie
