Chapter 11

Loretta's POV

So apparently my sister is also crazy because she is convinced that I called the JFK Airport and somehow managed to get her cello sent here. Why would I do that? In no way, shape or form would that ever cross my mind, not that she would believe that.

I heard her playing early that morning so I snuck outside her door and listened. She was playing the one duet we knew. I hated it, but I remembered it nonetheless. She was playing awfully loud so I assumed my grandparents were already up. I sat down at the sleek bench of my piano, all of my own accord. I paused and figured out where she was. I played along. There was no sign that she heard me, however, the way the house echoes, I would severely doubt that she didn't. We stopped at the same time. I walked up the stairs and stopped at her door.

"I'm shocked you remembered that" I said

"I'm shocked you had the guts to play along with me"

"Well, I have nothing to be afraid of. I wish I knew who sent you the freaking cell Thea. Perhaps the fact that your name and address are on the inside of the case and the doorman knew where to forward our belongings. But if you don't believe me on that, call someone and figure it out. Paul understands me and listens to me without judging me. Maybe when you are ready to grow-up, we can be friends. Until then, don't attempt to contact me" I walked out of her room feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. I had ample time to get ready for school.

The day went by quickly. Sam spent the entire thing quizzing me about my "boyfriend"

"Paul isn't my boyfriend"

"Really? I am pretty sure he is"

"Well we aren't declared"

"You are in love with each other- I think you are past the point of declarations" I knew she was right, however I was not going to assume.

"We'll see" Thea and I didn't speak at all during the car ride. Apparently Kevin was upset with her too because he only talked to me during the car ride home. I parked, let her out and pulled away. I saw her yell something after me. I ignored it.

The wind at the beach caused me to shiver. Apparently this was my go-to place. I walked along the shoreline dancing away from the water. My ipod gently played piano music as my mind went past these whirlwind few weeks with Paul. Instinctively, I knew he would show up here. I didn't know when but I could feel that I wasn't going to be alone here for long.

"So you can't stay away for long can you?"

"Nope"

"Why is that?"

"I found my place"

"With me"

"At the beach, actually" I said turning to look at him. The wind had blown a piece of hair onto my face. He reached and brushed it away.

"How was your day?"

"It was fine, better now" He smiled brightly at my comment "Yours?"

"Better if you were with me"

"Paul- am I your girlfriend?"

"What?" he sputtered.

"Oh- I'm sorry, I –"

"No, no- I didn't mean it like that. I mean- I thought we assumed that"

"Oh, okay"

"We did assume that didn't we?"

"Can we?"

"Let's just declare it" I nodded "Loretta, will you be my girlfriend?"

"What does that entail?" I said as he inched closer to me.

"Oh- letting me spoil you. Listening to me, playing me music, telling me everything" I must have frowned because he said "I know its gunna be rough but it will be worth it" I nodded. "is that a yes?"

"That is an absolutely" I closed the distance between us and hugged him.

"How is your sister?"

"How about we not talk about that?"

He stopped and gave me a look "Maybe everyone else lets you change the subject when things get personal, but not me."

"She is upset with me because she thinks I got her cello sent to her. We played a duet this morning and I told her off"

"Well that is a start"

"Where are we going for dinner on Saturday?"

"A nice diner in Forks"

"Oh okay- so this is our fourth Saturday, don't you think that I am gunna stick around?"

"Fifth Saturday Loretta"

"Okay okay" I said smiling and putting my hands up. He grabbed them and pulled me in close.

"So let's go introduce me to your grandparents and sister as your boyfriend, shall we?"

"Ugh, I mean, yeah let's do it!" I faked a smile. I knew this was going to end badly, I just knew it.

Teddy's POV

"Ted you look horrible."

"Thanks Kev! You look great too." I gushed slamming my locker shut.

"What happened yesterday, you were so perky and now…?"

"My cello came in the mail."

"Your cello?"

"I left it in the bathroom of JFK airport and then I got into a fight with Paul and Loretta had them ship it over here just to spite me."

"What did you fight about with Paul that could make her call JFK and have them locate and ship your cello?"

"A misguided attempt at caring about her. Stupid me asking about her feelings, think I'd know better by now. Paul was being a possessive asshole, telling me what to do. And to make it worse it was about how I was treating Loretta. I don't care that you're a freakishly tall and a freakin' huge bastard, I will hit you with my car. Then this morning to make it all that much worse we played this duet together and then she told me off, told me to grow up. Big talk for the emotionally stunted girl." After my rant was over I felt a lot better.

"I highly doubt that Loretta would do that."

"I know, but she has been looking for an excuse to get me out of her life since I came into it and now she does. I gotta go."

"Time heals all wounds."

"I guess. I gotta get to French, I'll see you later."

"Oh yeah, I'm counting the seconds until biology."

That made me smile.

I was out of it all day, I even got into a fight with Kevin because I wasn't all there. I don't even remember what it was about. He chatted happily with Loretta the whole way home though. The minute I stepped out of the car I barely had time to close the door before she was speeding of again.

"At least I don't run away!" I screamed after her.

Argh!! I wanted to throw something at the car I was so mad.

Why was I pushing everyone away? Maybe the commitment gene doesn't run in my family. I pinched the bridge of my nose, I was going to have to stop blaming everything on my family soon. Maybe Loretta was right all those times when she was lecturing me on taking responsibility for ones actions. I had been getting that lecture from professional and family member alike, but I didn't see anyone else doing it. Loretta ran away, my parents covered up what they didn't like with money. Why was I the one getting the lecture then? Why was it always me getting the blame for everyone else's actions? It was always me that had to change.

I was startled from my thoughts as two tan warm arms wrapped around my waist.

"What are you doing standing out side getting drizzled on?"

"Huh?" I suddenly felt the wetness against my face, I shook myself back to reality. "Oh nothing, just thinking."

"About what?"

"Just my family."

"You were blind to the world, I wish you'd be more careful."

I smiled up at him, humorlessly. "No need to worry, I seem to be pushing everything away today."

"Well I'm not going any where." He stated as his arms hugged me tighter.

Not going anywhere yet I amended in my head. If Loretta was right about me, and she always was, then this wonderful man and relationship wouldn't last. I just had to appreciate it while it lasted before he realized what I really was.