I know it's been a month since I've uploaded and I am sincerely sorry! To be honest, between work and school, I lost inspiration to write for this but I'm slowly finding it again. This chapter isn't really all that informative as I just need Phoebe to realize that she is on the track of getting better but there will be a twist going on later, I promise! Again, thank you for those who are following me and reviewing. And I thank you for being patient with me.
I do want to let you guys know that I'm thinking about starting another story! I still need to figure out how the plots going to go but it's in the making and if I have enough courage for it, it'll probably be my 2013 start :)
Enjoy the chapter and please do review. I love reading them! And any thoughts/ideas for this story please don't hesitate to speak, I'm always open-minded about this story.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Fifty Shades Trilogy
I wake up with a smile. I haven't slept this good in months aside from the nights I had with Skyler. The feeling of the house is different now. I feel more safe then I did before and I know it's because Skyler is here too. I glance over at the clock and read 6 o'clock. I have to go back to school today which seems impossible after this whole weekend.
Senior year was suppose to be fun and enjoyable but here I am fighting myself to stay alive. Now that I have somewhat opened up to Skyler, there is a little hope that I can get through this. Quickly, I jump into the shower hoping the hot water will wake me up more.
I stare at my clothes in the closet for a good fifteen minutes before settling with a simple long peach sundress. I've been wanting to this for awhile but never found the right occasion for it. This is the first time Skyler will see me in the morning time before school. I normally don't put on any make up but today I wanted to feel pretty. For once, I actually wanted to put effort into the way I look. I wanted someone to notice what I did.
I look in the mirror and see my loose wavy hair fall down to my breast. I pull it into a side braid with little strands falling from my layers. I find one of my two piece headbands and set it close to the front of my hair but back enough so it won't fall forward. I apply a thin line of brown eyeliner and small mascara and pinch my cheeks for a little redness.
I had a new thing for gold jewelry. I put on a couple of thin rings on both hands along with a thick bracelet set my dad bought for me over the summer. With a quick top off, I found my long owl necklace and watch it settle right at above where my belly button is. I feel pretty and put together. After a weekend with my brother, I don't want to dwell on my problems. I need help but I can try to take care of myself in the process.
Returning to my bedroom, I find my brown rope sandals and slip them on before grabbing my bag and heading downstairs to the kitchen. As I reach the family room, I spot Skyler's bag and smile at the thought. He's really here. I get to see him every morning when I wake up and get to say goodnight every night when I'm off to sleep.
"There's no way he pitched that. Not after the pre-game they had last week," I hear his voice from the kitchen. Of course my dad and Skyler are talking about the Mariners game. I won't be surprised if this turns into a daily morning conversation between the two. I know Daddy misses taking sports since Teddy left. I'm not big on baseball but get my talking about shoes and you'll be with me all day long.
"Good morning Phoebe. Did you sleep well?" I see my mom pouring out her morning tea.
"Morning Mom and yes I did, but I'm not too excited about going back to school." As I make my way around the kitchen island, I see my Dad glare at me. "Calm down, it's not how I want to start my morning. Daddy's death glare." I mock his glare and Skyler tried to suppress a laugh but fails. Dad shakes his head but I can see a growing smile.
"Morning sweetie, you look different." Dad says while scanning me over. I know it doesn't approve of the straps of my dress but at least my legs aren't showing.
"Morning Dad and I feel different. It was good seeing Teddy after so long." I make my way over to give him a quick kiss on the cheek and in the process I find Skylers hand from behind my dad's back and give it a quick squeeze before letting go and finding my breakfast.
Skyler is unaffected by the gesture but I know he enjoyed it. Our little secret. "How's your morning Skyler?" I take out a cup from the cabinet to pour myself a cup of tea and join everyone at the breakfast bar.
"My morning has been good considering the past mornings I've had. Again, thank you for letting me stay here, Mr. Grey." I watch Dad put down his coffee and look Skyler straight in the eyes.
"Skyler, it's our pleasure to have you here. Please don't feel like you're intruding and thats an order not a request." Just so Skyler doesn't freak out, Daddy flashes his all-American boy smile.
"Ooh, Daddy ordering you around now. How are you going to take that?" I say through a laugh.
"Anyway I can get it." Skyler stands and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek. This is normal between us so my parents aren't suspicious of it but we know better about it now. "We have to get to school before we're late for zero period. It going to be a long day considering how much we already missed in two days."
I look from the corner of my eyes to see my dad smiling. I'm annoyed by it. Daddy knows Skyler is a watchman on me now. Not that I don't mind but he's double dipping on this. "Take that smile of your face." I point at it with a straight of a face as possible which causes Daddy to laugh.
"Can't a person smile?" He say innocently and my mom hits him with a towel. "What is up with the women in this house?" Dad rolls his eyes and get off the bar stool. "I am off to work." Dad kisses my mom on the cheek and makes his way over to me. "Promise me you will stay at school from now on." He lifts my chin up. He knows I'm about to say something but stops me. "If you're having trouble being at school, call me. I may not let you leave but I want you to talk to me or your mother. Can you at least do that, angel?"
"Yes, I promise. Don't be mad at Skyler for leaving school with me. You know how stubborn I can be about it." I hug him tightly and I feel Daddy's hand run up and down my back.
"I know. I already talked to him about it. I got to give the guy some credit. He's practically at my level of concern with your safety. It's very rewarding to see that you have someone like that." He kisses my temple. "You look beautiful today. It's a good sign to see you dressing up again." Daddy looks at me and I smile.
"Slowly I'm getting there. Just be patient, Dad. I need to figure stuff out with myself before I confront myself with it but I promise I won't keep anything from you and mom. You guys are my lifeline. I love you so much, Daddy." I reach up on my tiptoe to give Dad a quick kiss on the cheek before letting him go.
"And I love you, very much." He grabs his jacket and suitcase. "Remember, you call me. I'll pick up the phone even if I'm in a meeting or signing a million dollar contract. I will stop and talk to you. Family comes before anything, you know that."
"Yes, I do and I will if anything comes up. Bye Daddy." I wave to him as I watch him leave with Taylor. I take a deep breath and walk to the living room to find Skyler reading his English book.
"Are you ready?" I grab my bag from the couch and my keys from the table.
"Yeah. Your dad wants me to drive us to school now." I roll my eyes at the request. "Phoebe, you know I have thing for eye rollers." He's standing in front of me with a smirk on his face. "What am I going to do with you?" He grabs me around the waist and carefully kisses my neck to make it seem like we're only hugging.
"Behave, my mothers still home." I giggle and push away. "Let me go say bye and we can leave."
"I'll be here." Skyler rests himself on the side of the couch.
I walk to the library and find my mom reading over some manuscripts. "Are you going to the office today?" She looks up from the seat.
"Yes, but not until 10. Are you leaving for school?" She gets up and walks over to me.
"Yes. I wanted to say bye before we left. Mom, thanks for letting Skyler stay here. You have no idea how much it means to me that he's here." I let out a deep sigh and feel tension leave my body with it.
"To my surprise, it took no convincing for your dad. He's very fond of Skyler even if he hides it all the time." She rubs her hand against my arm and I welcome the gesture. "Be safe at school today, sweetie. I don't know what's bothering you but I know time will allow that to surface." She gives me a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks Mom. I don't know what time we'll be home but it'll be before dinner. I'll probably stay back at school to study for a bit with Skyler." We start walking back to the living room.
"That's fine. Just makes sure you call your dad and let him know so he won't freak out." I nod and walked over to get my bag. "Have a good day at school." Skyler and I both wave to my mom and head out to the garage.
Once we're in the garage, Skyler grabs my hand and pushes me gently against the car. "Are you sure you can handle going to school today?" I can see the worry in his eyes and I feel guilty.
"Even if I wasn't, I would have to go anyways. I feel better that you're here, Skyler. I had one of the best nights of sleep and it's been awhile since I've had one." I smile and bring my arms around his neck.
"I can say the same. I still can't believe I'm living under the same roof as you. It's almost like a dream I don't want to wake up from." Both his arms wrap around my waist.
"Then don't." I whisper against his soft lips and take advantage of the moment. I let our lips meet briefly but grows within seconds. I know Skyler has been wanting this for awhile. I can feel it in each kiss I get from him. I can feel the passion. For once I can feel.
"We're going to be late." Skyler reluctantly pulls away but keeps his smile. He opens the car door for me and I quickly take my seat. Climbing in, Skyler adjust his seat since I was the last one driving. "Short people," he teased.
"You love short people." I lean against my seat and watch Skyler pull out of the driveway.
"You look beautiful today. That little gesture at the breakfast table was a bold move." I laugh at Skyler's embarrassment.
"Why? Did you think we would get caught?" I say innocently although I know exactly what he's referring to.
"My ass would be dinner if your dad found out that I'm dating his only daughter, who he is extremely protective about and living under the same roof. I mean come on, doesn't it feel a little scandalous? Just a little...?" He stretches out his last sentence. I can see the amusement in his eyes.
"You're enjoying this too much, you know that?"
"That's because I'm allowed to." Skyler grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles and continues to hold it while driving to school. I smile at the moment. I allow myself to happy in the moment. Just while it lasts.