With Me (2) Chris Sturniolo

9

By the time Nate dropped me home, it was two in the morning. I stuck my head into Mom's dark room, announcing I was home from hanging out with my friends and walked away before she got up question me. After sending Chris a text, quickly brushing my teeth and getting into my pyjamas, I took my sleeping pill and got into bed.

Chris called me two minutes after my head hit the pillow. I tell him what happened with my finger, and he seemed more amused.

"Guess that means I'll have to teach you how to throw a punch when you're feeling better" he said, with amusement in his voice.

"I know how to throw a punch, Chris" I groaned. "Justin must have a metal plate in his jaw or something"

"I can assure you, he doesn't" I can hear the smirk in his voice over the phone. "But when you're better, I will teach you. It'll make me feel better"

"Make you feel better?" I asked. "I'm the one who has to change tape on my fingers every twenty four to forty eight hours"

"If you're going to keep punching people, I'd rather you not hurt yourself every time"

"I'll never live this down, huh?"

He laughed. "Give it a few days and it'll pass"

"How are the twins?" I asked, rolling on my back and staring at the ceiling.

"They're excited about Christmas but wondering how Santa will know they're staying at Nate's house over break instead of home. I told them Santa knows everything and they'll still get their presents no matter what"

"Have you heard from Madison?" I asked. "My calls are going to voicemail"

"Mike said she's fine, she just turned off her phone to relax. They're coming to Nate's tomorrow"

"I'm glad she feels better" I said, before adding, "And I'm glad Jimmy is out of your life. You shouldn't go through life looking over your shoulder"

It sucks, I should know. Chris understands the deeper meaning. "I know" he whispered. "It'll get better, Rachel. I won't let him hurt you"

No, Chris. I won't let him hurt you.

~

On Sunday morning when my Mom walks into the kitchen, she looked straight at my fingers.

"What happened?" She moved to grab my hand, but I pulled away.

"I'm fine, I dislocated my finger. It'll be back to normal in a few weeks"

She narrowed her eyes at me. "How did that happen?"

How would she react if I told her I punched a guy? That's not keeping out of trouble like I'm supposed to be doing. I just shrugged

"You don't know?" She asked, putting her hand on her hip.

"You know me, I'm clumsy. I was being silly with Callie and Madison and I banged my hand on a table"

Nothing on her face changed, except her eyebrow raising. She wasn't buying it. "You banged it on a table?"

"Yes. What do you think I did? Punch a guy?"

She studied me for a minute before turning and pulling a box of cereal from the pantry. "If I know my daughter, that's exactly what she did"

Is she spying on me again?

"Ha" I said dryly

She grabbed a bowl and poured herself some cereal. "You have to be careful. Stop adding to your list of injuries"