Lucky's Real Life Romance Novel

Chapter 27

There was a Cold War in the house. I was frustrated at River, but I knew my frustration was really just because he put so much weight on everything Kata said. I also knew that it was Kata that drove the wedge between us. I wasn't an idiot. My gut told me when I first met her that she wouldn't do me any favors. He had been hanging out with her for a few days now. Even as I sat in the living room with Mia now, River was gone to hang out with Kata again. Our Spring Break was pretty much ruined because of her. When he came home, she was still with him. She came inside and smiled innocently as her eyes landed on Mia who was perched on my lap. Kata waved at her.

"Hi, Mia," she greeted her. Mia only stared at her before wrapping her arms around me and burying her face in my chest. I held her head gently as my eyes flickered to River. Why he thought bringing her here was a good idea, I didn't know.

"Hi, Lucky," she said to me as an afterthought. I didn't say anything to her. What was there to say? I knew she was talking trash about me to River behind my back, but I didn't know how to confront her about it.

"River, what are you doing?" I asked him.

"I want you two to get to know each other. There's obviously some sort of misunderstanding between you guys but I think you might be able to be friends," he explained. I took a breath to keep from yelling at him before turning my attention to Mia.

"Mia, sweetie, do you want to go to the park?" I asked her instead. Mia peeked up at me to nod.

"River, don't push her. People who grew up spoiled are like that. They'll never understand people like us. Self involved, only child types. I told you she would never understand us," Kata said. My eyes went to Kata. I tried to hide the fire behind my eyes, but I couldn't.

"Mia, go watch tv in your room upstairs for a little while. I'll come get you when we're done," I said softly. Mia ran up without any questions. I think even she could feel the tensions in the room. I stood and took a step away from the couch.

"Us? Spoiled? You don't know anything about me. Who are you to judge me?" I snapped at the stranger.

"Lu, Kata didn't mean it like-"

"I swear to God, River, if you speak up for her right now, we're done," I cut him off. He wisely kept his mouth shut.

"You are an only child, right? Your dad is that famous writer. You've never had to want for anything. You never had to know what it's like to struggle. You could never know what it's like growing up like River and I have had to," she tried to explain.

"I am an only child... because my mom was murdered before she could have any more kids, and my dad loved her too much to move on. My dad and I struggled a lot before his works became known. Do you see my dad home at all? When it was just the two of us, he was always off researching because he can't sit still for too long looking at me. I look too much like my mother. Sure, once his books became famous, money wasn't an issue anymore, but I practically raised myself. Who are you to judge how hard my life has been? And why do I have to explain myself to you? So what, you taught River one thing that helped five years ago, and now you want to keep your claws in him for the rest of his life? Who the fuck do you think you are?" I asked. My attention turned to River next as my eyes started to water. I didn't want to cry because I wasn't sad or upset, I was angry. They were tears of anger and frustration.

"If you want to hang out with your old friend, I will never try and stop you, but I refuse to let an outsider judge me in my own home and make make Mia uncomfortable in hers," I said to him as the first tear finally fell. River's face changed. His nervous expression went to one of worry and understanding. It was like something finally clicked for him. He stood in front of me and wiped my tear away gently as he held my cheek. River stepped in front of me to face Kata as I looked towards the floor.

"Kata, you shouldn't have judged Lu without getting to know her first. She isn't like that at all. She's the furthest thing from spoiled. She does try to help me in her own way, but she means well, and she always asks my permission first. Lu is a great person, and she's my girlfriend. I've always seen you as a friend, but now you're attacking the girl I love. I owe you a thanks for helping me back in eighth grade, but that doesn't give you the right to control and hurt the people in my life," he said to her. Even I was shocked as I turned my head to look at River.

"River, you're speaking up for her?" Kata asked as if she didn't believe it. River held my shoulders before pulling me into his side.

"I don't know why I hesitated until this point. I should've spoke up earlier. Lu is my girlfriend. You've helped me before, but Lu and I have been through a lot, and we promised to have each other's back. At first I was hoping you two could get to know each other, but I never want to see Lu get this upset ever again. If I had to choose between you and Lucky, I would choose Lucky every time," River stood up for me. He held my hand in his gently and offered a soft smile.

"I'm sorry for not taking your side sooner, Lu," River apologized to me. I sniffled before swiping under my eye discreetly.

"You would really drop me for her? Does she even know you really?" Kata asked.

"She knows about my fighting, if that's what you're asking. Lu probably knows more about me than you do," River answered.

"I think it's time for you to go, Kata. In the future, don't come see me. I'll be alright on my own," River said. Kata glanced at the two of us in disbelief before leaving, closing the door behind her. I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding as I released my hand from River's to wipe my face dry.

"I really am sorry, Lu. I only realized when I saw your face that Kata was manipulating me into distancing myself from you," River apologized again.

"I had a feeling but didn't want to say anything out right because I knew it would only backfire, so I'm glad you realized it on your own. But honestly Riv, I'm not okay. For the last few days, you've been ignoring me to hang out with Kata. You'd been on a pride trip but only against me because of the things Kata was saying about me behind my back. And you believed all of it. I'm going to need time before I'm okay again. It took you days before you tried to think of things from my side. You were so wrapped up in her. Only when we were in the same room did you see what she was doing. I shouldn't have to be on the edge of a total break down for you to finally take my side," I rambled as more tears of frustration rolled down my cheeks. I sniffled and wiped at my cheeks. River pulled me into a hug as he sighed.

"I know I was wrong, Lu. I'll try to make it up to you," he said gently.