Don't Judge Me || Ricky 'Horror' Olson

Chapter 7: When Love Has Lost All Its Meaning

Song for this chapter: Badly Broken- Get Scared

Rachel's POV

"Where have you been?" TJ demanded as I walked in.

"Work." I shrugged.

"You didn't think to call and say you'd be late?" He demanded.

"I didn't set an exact time!" I defended myself.

"No you said 6ish and it's 8!" He exclaimed.

"Okay I'm sorry," I apologised. He scowled at me and crossed his arms over his chest. "I have food," I sang and held up the plastic bag in my hand.

"This isn't over," He mumbled and took the bag off of me, peeked into it then ran into the kitchen. I shook my head and followed him. We got out plates, sat down and helped ourselves to food. "So are you going to tell me where you were yet?" He asked.

"Work," I shrugged again.

"Just work?" He asked skeptically. I nodded. "How come your shirts on backwards then?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Shit," I mumbled and fixed it quickly.

"Now tell me where you actually were," He chuckled, knowing he's caught me out.

"I can't," I sighed.

"Are you serious?" He asked and he looked sort of disappointed in me. "You promised you'd never keep things from me."

"TJ please believe me when I tell you that I can't tell you," I begged.

"I don't even know anymore to be honest," He sighed, wiped his mouth and stood up. "Talk to me when you're done with the secrets okay?" He said and ran up the stairs, slamming his door behind him.

I groaned and threw an apple, from the fruit bowl on the table, at the wall out of frustration. It split in half and dropped to the floor, but something metal clanged as well. I carefully made my way over to it and picked up what looked like a metal blade from a small knife. A piece of paper was taped to it that said, 'I know what you did.'

Someone knows how to get into the house and they've obviously got skills and knowing what I did could mean anything, but if it's about what happened earlier then I can't risk going to the police about it.

"Oh my god," I murmured. TJ was in the house before and he was fine, they don't want him he'll be safe. I however need to get out of here now.

--

"Who is it?" He called through the door.

"Rachel," I squeaked nervously.

The door clicked and I was greeted by his smiling face, but it quickly dropped when he saw my panicked, desperate expression. "Are you alright?" He asked worriedly.

"No," I shook my head. "I need somewhere to stay and I figure this is the only mildly appropriate place I can go."

"You're welcome to stay as long as you like," He offered.

"Thank you," I sighed.

He moved aside to let me in and I walked past him quickly and stood in the middle of the hall. He lead me up the stairs and into a room that had a bed, bedside table and attached bathroom.

"You can stay in here and I'll be in the room across the hall if you need me." He smiled warmly.

"Thank you so much Chris," I smiled gratefully. "I hope this isn't too weird or inappropriate considering the case at hand?"

"Of course not you're just helping my friend out that's all," He smiled. "I'll go get you some pajamas."

"Thank you Chris," I smiled.