Promise.

Chapter Fourteen

Scolded?

I was thrown on a bean bag at the far corner of the stage as Slate and the band practised for the next concert. Brian was trying to loft up my mood, by making silly faces, but my mood wouldn't be lifted, I mean I had been grounded by Slate. He had decided that because I had read all the hate and let myself be affected by it, he decided that for me to be with my electronics, he had to be present.

Letting out a sigh, I lifted myself off the bean bag only to find Slate staring at me, I rolled my eyes and motioned him that I was going to the bathroom and he relaxed completely. This was stupid, not even my mother scolded me like this, here was Slate, trying to protect me as if I was some crystal that breaks down so easily...

After I was done with my business, I took slow steps to get back towards the stage, only to find Ronald alone waiting for the others. I frowned confused, but with a small shrug, I decided to say hello.

"Hey," I smiled as I approached him.

He raised an eyebrow. "You're talking to me?"

I rolled my eyes. "If you wish for me not to, I will gladly turn around and leave," I crossed my arms. "I just thought that it is stupid to hold a grudge against you, what happened happened and that's that,"

Ronald gave me a small nod. "I'm sorry about that," He spoke. "I didn't know how important it was for you and Slate to keep your identity a secret,"

"I was scared you know," I sat down next to him. "I was, well, am, scared of what people think and say about me," I shrugged. "And I know that it is very lame,"

"It is not," Ronald patted my head. "People can be mean just because you have what they want. But, they don't know your story, and they don't care about it," He turned to grab his guitar. "I'm sorry about that. If it serves as anything, I can tell you that Slate cares so much about you, I know you think that what he is doing is stupid, but everything he does, he does to protect you, the only issue is that he thinks that you can't handle things,"

"But maybe he is right," I whispered as he stood up.

"Maybe, but you need to learn," Ronald added and walked away from me.

I laid my head back to the wall taking in a deep breath before staring out the empty stadium. I smiled as I took in the scenery, something about lonely places always called out to me. I love the lonely places but I hate being lonely...

The thought had nothing to do with the fact that Slate might be overprotecting me, but at the same it does. Slate knows that I love being in lonely places, hence, if I read the hate he is afraid that I will lock down and that he might lose me.

"I hate him, Slate!" I cried to the phone. "I hate him so much! How dare he leave my mother and me alone? How dare he?!" I shouted. Tears flowed down my cheeks, yet my door was closed and Slate was outside sitting waiting for me to open the door. It took me three days to leave my room. Three days to accept the fact that my father was never going to return, three days in which Slate didn't know if I was okay.

I stood up from the floor and walked back to the bunker bus. I had to prove to Slate that I was capable of handling the hate, even when he thought that I wasn't. I really hope he is there so I can speak to him. The most logical place to look for him would be his dressing room, but then again, we are not common, so yeah, search in the most odd places.

"Slate?" I questioned. "You here?"

"I'm here Princess," Slate appeared from the hallway. "Anything you need?"

"Yes," I spoke. "I want to have a word with you," Slate nodded. "Why are you trying so hard to keep me in the dark about the things people say about me? I know that they are hurtful and that you are trying to protect me, but don't you think that I should learn how to deal with that? Maybe not alone, with your help, but let's not be dramatic about the situation," I sighed. "You took my phone and laptop away, not even my mother does that," I grabbed his hands. "I know you mean well, but how about we protect each other?"

Slate cracked a side smile and hugged me. "I can't stand seeing you down Scotty," He kissed my head. "I know that I was a little out of line, but can you blame me? When you are upset you lock yourself and you don't let me in, and I get scared that you'll do something stupid and that I will lose the one thing that matters the most in this world to me. You, Scotland Inn, you mean everything to me, and if you want my help in dealing with hate then so be it."

I chuckled and hugged him harder. "You're so, ugh!" I nuzzled my head on his neck. "That's why I love you,"

"I love you too Princess," Slate whispered. "I love you too,"