Lovestruck (EDITING)

24: Sorry Doesn't Fix Anything

"He really cares about you," I hear Tasmin mumble as we turn out of her street.

I look at her and sigh, shaking my head and tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I rest my head on the window, feeling the vibrations of the car driving along the bumps in the road.

"It's just too much," I almost whisper, "He's too much."

I feel her eyes on me and close mine.

"He does get that way," she agrees, her eyes returning to the road. "In his defence, though, Douglas is the local high school. I mean, we did live in this area before we moved to New York."

I can hear the smile on her lips and glance over at her to confirm it. She thinks I'm crazy, too.

"I'm sorry," I blurt out, burying my face in my hands. "I've had a rough couple of days."

"I understand," she nods.

We're silent for the rest of the drive. I allow my thoughts to take over as we drive past the house of last night's party. Cups are scattered across the front lawn and numerous cars are still parked out front. I wonder if Shana's car is still there. Did she stay? Did Landon stay? I close my eyes and wish away the past few days.

Tasmin pulls into my driveway and I thank her as I climb out of the car, giving her a small smile and a wave.

"I'll see you next week, Skye," she beams as I close the door and she drives back down my street. Next week. Great.

I get to the front door and pull it open. It's already unlocked, so my mom must be home. I hear voices in the kitchen as soon as I enter the house. I close the door behind me and drop the pile of clothes I'm carrying onto the floor in the entrance hallway before walking towards the kitchen.

I stop dead in my tracks when Shana's eyes dart up at me and she stops stirring the steaming liquid in the mug in front of her. She's sitting on a stool, leaning on the kitchen counter and talking to my mom who's leaning against the counter behind her and holding her own mug. I wonder how long she's been here and continue to stare at her, not noticing my mom moving towards me. I feel a hand on my shoulder and jump slightly, causing her to take a step backwards and look at me with a puzzled expression.

"Sorry," I mumble, running a hand through my now matted hair, "I... didn't see you." I break eye contact with Shana to look up at my mom, who has an amused look on her face. I fail to see anything funny.

"Shana just stopped by to see you," she smiles at me and I return my glare to Shana, "She says you left her house last night when you told me you were staying there and she hasn't seen you since. Now, isn't that strange? Where could you have gone, Skye?"

My mom looks at me expectantly and I continue to glare at Shana. Is she trying to get me in trouble?

"I was at the Youngs' house," I admit, knowing my mom couldn't be angry about me spending time with some old family friends.