Authors Note:
I'm excited for this chapter. I put a lot into it and I think this is where stuff really starts off in the story. Thank you for the reviews and most recent followers and please keep at it! I take all feedback into account. I apologize ahead of time for any spelling and grammar error too! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Fifty Shades Trilogy

I pull up into the driveway and park the car. "You're alive. I'm alive. No tickets. No problem. And you were so worried that I wouldn't be able to handle it. I think you owe me an apology." I smile innocently at him.

"I don't owe you anything. You rolled at a stop sign, didn't stop at a red light before making a turn and you were speeding on the highway." My smile falls as he gains one. "Exactly." Skyler grabs the keys from the ignition and gets out of the car. Unbelievable.

"We're still alive and I didn't get a ticket. That's the main focus." I firmly pointed out again.

"You are never driving my car again unless I let you but don't ever get your hopes up because I won't ever let you drive my car." He turns around leaving me defeated and I stubbornly follow. I hate it when Skyler does this, It All.

Walking into the house, it seems to be quiet. "I don't think anyones home." I'm surprised because it's after 5 and normally Mom and Dad are home by now. "That's so weird. I hope they're okay." I walk into the kitchen while checking my phone to see if I missed a call from them or anything but nothing came up.

"I'm sure it's just another late day in the office. Your parents do run empires, don't forget that." Skyler says sensing my discomfort. I look up at him leaning over the counter with lazy eyes. He really is tired. His energy is just drained.

"Skyler, you need to get some sleep. Go and rest." I nodded towards the one of the living rooms.

"No, I'm fine. I got some rest when we were at the beach." He mumbles. Skyler is a stubborn boy. Never listens to anyone but himself. Just like my dad. That thought makes me smile in a way.

"What?" He notices my smile.

"Stubborn." I watch him smirk that famous smirk of his.

"I've learned a few things being your best friend." Hinting at something without directly saying it, Skyler is a pro at this.

"Come on. I'll rest next to you. We could both use some sleep and hopefully when we wake up Mom and Dad will be back home and dinner will be ready." I grabbed him by his belt hole and lead him to the couch.

"Does Phoebe want to cuddle?" I hear Skyler tease in a baby voice. I safely roll my eyes at him knowing he can't see me.

"Rolling eyes at people is very rude, Phoebe. Especially when you think they don't know that you're doing it." I abruptly turn around to him with shock. "And I am right, as always."

"You're so mean." I push him onto the couch and he flops on his back. "I was going to cuddle but now that you're being an ass, I'll just be on my own." I sit on the opposite side on the couch, arms crossed and with a smile. In victory, I gain a small pout from Skyler.

"Come back." Skyler reaches but doesn't move. I shake my head at him and keep my smile solid on my face. "No!" He whines. He's such a baby. I love it. I shake my head again. This is fun. I'm having too much fun with this. "Fine." I watch him climb off the couch and come over next to me. "You win... again." I've been winning a lot lately. The thought is sobering.

"Sleep." I grab the blanket from above me and flare it open. Skyler lays down on his side but grabs my waist in the process.

"Sleep with me. You need it too." I hesitate for a second. He doesn't know I've avoided sleep for days now because my dream haunt me. He doesn't know about the abrupt awakening that leave me shaking and sweating and deprived of sleep. I wish he knew. I give in. I lay next to him and he pulls the blanket on top of both of us. I feel safe. I feel like there's no worry. I feel relaxed. I let out a deep sigh and just let the world consume. I feel Skylers hand naturally rest on my waist and the warmth of his hand gives me a small shiver. I smile. I listen to his breathing and I know he's fallen asleep.

Hours passed when my eyes begin to open. I feel disoriented and didn't recognize the room right away. I feel a shift behind me and remember that Skyler is still asleep and we're in the living room. I glance at the clock and read 9 o'clock. My eyes widen with shock. Are my parents' home yet? Why didn't they wake me up? Carefully, I slip out of Skylers grip and thankfully didn't wake him up. He shuffles a little again but remains asleep.

Walking through the halls, I see my dad's office night on. I debate on whether or not I should go in. Him being in there this late at night never means something is good. I know I'm in trouble and I haven't seen him since breakfast. Not to mention that he must of saw me sleeping next to Skyler. Even though Skyler and I are just friends, my dad still has always been a little over protective with that type of stuff.

Daddy is reading over some contracts when I walk in. He doesn't notice me right away and I take the time to look at him. He hasn't really changed over the years. I remember looking at their wedding photos and seeing very little difference. I don't want him to be mad at me. I hate it when Dad is mad at me. I wish he knew that I didn't purposely ditch school. I needed to get away.

In that moment, Dad raises his head from the papers and sees me at the doorway but remains silent. When he looks back to continue reading the contract I knew he knows about the ditch.

"Hi Daddy," I whisper while walking towards his desk. I'm reluctant on whether or not I should sit in the chairs in front of him or stand next to him. After a moment of silence and no response I decide to stand beside him.

"You want to tell me why you ditched class today, Phoebe?" He says softly but doesn't look at me. I let out a deep sigh. I hate when my dad wouldn't look at me. It made me feel invisible and unwanted.

"I needed to get away. People were talking Dad and I couldn't handle it. I know you're mad at me and I'll take whatever punishment but know that I couldn't be at school today." I say softly and fiddle with my fingers. Daddy stayed quiet, he didn't say anything for what felt like hours but was only a couple of seconds. "Daddy, please say something. I don't like it when you don't talk to me or look at me when you do."

"I don't like it when you leave school without security and me coming home to see you sleeping next to a boy under a blanket." My heart sinks. He really is going to play that with me. I have to fight back the tears that were forming in my eyes. He had no idea at all about anything that was going on. If he knew that I left school only to save myself from physically hurting myself, he wouldn't be like this. If he knew that I slept next to Skyler and for the first time in ages had a decent amount of sleep because I'm scared of my dreams at night, he wouldn't be like this. If only he knew.

"It wasn't like that and you know it. I know that security was following us. They always are and they can tell you that I didn't do anything stupid and neither did Skyler. You know Skyler better than that. You know me better than that." I whisper. Did Daddy really think I would do something stupid? Is his trust withering away?

"That doesn't give you permission to sleep next to him Phoebe." He finally looks up at me. Although I'm arguing with my dad, the fact that he's looking at me gives me a little hope that his temper isn't as bad as it was earlier. "You can't leave school Phoebe. I need to know that you're safe. For my sake and your mother sake. Do you know what your mother felt when she got the call saying you weren't at school today? It horrified her. She didn't know what made you do it because you never do this type of stuff so why now? Phoebe, why did leave school today? What's the real reason you left school today?" He firmly says.

The look in my dad's eyes bring tears to my eyes. I didn't mean to cause them pain. I knew they would be mad but I didn't expect this. I never want to hurt my family and to see I did exactly that threw me over the edge. How could I be so reckless? "Oh Daddy, I didn't mean to scare you guys." I begin to cry and crawl into my father's lap. "I can't tell you why I left school, not right now. I'm not ready but just know it wasn't for a reckless thing. Skyler was with me and was watching after me. I'm home and in one piece. Please, forgive me?" I quietly cry on his shoulder as he rubs my back.

"Phoebe, I need to know what's wrong. You've been so fragile lately and it's scaring your mother and I. Teddy has even been worried. He senses that you're always tensed up." He kisses me hair. I want to tell my dad. I want to tell everyone but I can't. Telling Skyler was hard enough for me today. I can't just let everyone that I'm broken, especially Daddy.

"Not right now Dad. I'm not ready." And with that said, Dad lets out a deep sigh and I know he's not settled but will take that answer for now. I feel a soft touch on my shoulder and I open my eyes to my mother. "Hi Mom."

"Hi sweetie." I know she's upset. I'm about to say something in my defense but she stops me. "I already heard. I'm just glad your home and safe." I nod. "How's Skyler doing? We came home at 6 to see you guys sleeping and it's now 10 and he's still asleep pretty deep." She leans against the desk and rests arms on the sides. I haven't told Skyler about the idea I have yet because I wanted to ask my parents first. I know he would shut down the idea right away but he's my best friend and I need to know that he's safe.

"I wanted to discuss something with you guys about Skyler actually." I slowly get up from my father's lap and wipe the tears away from my face. "Mom, Dad... Skyler is being evicted from his house. He hasn't been able to pay full rent and tried to do small payments but the landlord says it's taking him too long and they already cut off his water and electricity. He has until Friday to pack up his stuff and leave the house. He has nowhere else to go." I take a deep breath. "I want Skyler to move in with us." I say firmly. I look at both of my parents and see no reaction. Silence fell between us for a minute.

"No." My dad breaks the silence with the answer I knew that was coming.

"Daddy, please. I get it. He's a boy and you're not comfortable with that but Skyler is homeless now. He has nowhere to go. No family is left for him. He only has me. And he looks up to you guys as if he was one of your own. Daddy please, think about it." I beg. I can't imagine Skyler being out there by himself when he could be here with me and be safe. If anything were to happen to Skyler, I would never forgive myself. "He has watched over me for so long and even when Teddy couldn't, he was there for me and he still is. If anything were to happen to him, I would never forgive myself, Dad. It would tear me apart because he could be here with us and be safe. That's all I want for him."

"Phoebe, have you talked to Skyler about this yet? When did you know about this?" My mother spoke softly. I didn't know what she is thinking. She shows no emotion which isn't normally her thing but today it is.

"He told me today when we left school. That's why he's exhausted and still sleeping Mom. He hasn't been sleeping at all. All he's been doing is long hours at work and trying to keep up with his grades but right now, he doesn't even know if he'll make it through the school year because he needs the money. It's not fair. Skyler is only 17. He should have to worry about this stuff, not yet at least." My voice starts to raise and I try to calm myself down but my parents know that Skyler is a soft spot for me and I will do whatever it takes to make sure he's okay.

I see Dad run his hand through his hair and I know he's trying to control his anger but he knows I have a good proposal to having Skyler move in. "At least let him stay tonight and think about it. That's all I'm asking. He means too much to me to just let him fall through the cracks. Skyler is so smart and I can't imagine him failing out of school like this." I gentle tear falls from my face.

"Okay sweetie. We'll think about it." My mother squeezes my hand gently and pulls me into a hug. After I pull away, I look at my dad to see him standing from his chair.

"Your mother and I will discuss it but I'm promising nothing Phoebe. I understand that he's in a tough situation right now but he can't just move in." My heart breaks a little but I know that he's right.

"Okay Daddy. Thank you." I give him a tight hug. "I know I'm difficult but I still love you."

"And I love you. Never doubt that." I smile at that and leave my parents in his office. Heading back to the living room, I see Skyler spread out on the couch. I giggle a little at the view. I never realized how tired he must have been until I see him now. I didn't want to leave him so I decide to grab another blanket and sleep on the opposite couch. It doesn't feel the same, not without Skyler next to me, holding me. But having him in the room changes the feeling and I still feel safe.

My eyes begin to drift has the darkness once again starts to consume me.