Fix Me

Chapter 11

"Aye!!" Jake comes out of his house to meet Skye and I as we get out of my car.

I smile, "What's up, man? Where's this girl you've been talking about?"

As if on cue, a pretty black haired girl come's out of the house and stands in the doorway, looking at us in curiosity.

I lean toward Jake and whisper for only his hearing, "Isn't she a catch."

Jake chuckles, "She sure is," then he turns around and waves to her, "Hey Melissa! Come on out, they don't bite."

Melissa smiles and starts to walk toward us. I look over at Skye, who is looking at her feet and I link my fingers with hers, "She's got nothing on you, babe," I whisper in her ear and she gives me a reassured smile.

Jake takes hold of Melissa's hand and motions to Skye and I with the other hand, "This is my friend, Riley and his girlfriend Skye," he says and I can feel Skye tense up beside me.

"I know who Riley is," She smiles and I'm immediately confused, "but I didn't know he had a girlfriend," She smiles sweetly.

Skye mumbles something for only herself to hear and I give her a sideways glance. She looks so uncomfortable, looking down at her feet with her curtain of hair around her face.

I sigh, " Um, I'm quite confused. How do you know me?" I ask Melissa.

"Our dads worked together. You all use to come over for dinner every Friday," She explains.

I tense at the mention of my father, though I slightly remember the little girl I used to play with on the weekend.

"Oh yea! I remember you! How have you been?" I say grinning at the memories.

She smiles, "I've been great! How about you?"

"Pretty crappy, until I met Skye," I turn to look at her as her face heats up and I chuckle.

Melissa looks at Jake, then back at me, "Well that's wonderful! How long have you been dating?" She directs the question to Skye who goes stiff and looks up at me then back at Melissa.

"Um.. Well. Riley hasn't actually asked me to be his girlfriend yet," She offers a small smile, then looks back down and I frown.

Why is she acting so strange?

Melissa gasps, "Oh my! I'm so sorry!" she turns to Jake frowning, "You said they were dating!"

Jake throws his hands up in defense, "They sure as hell act like it!"

I laugh and turn to Skye, "I just haven't gotten the guts to ask her yet," Then I look at Jake, letting go of Skye's hand, "What if she rejects me!?"

Jake smiles catching on to what I was doing, "Then you're screwed, man. You're too much of a cheese ball to find another girl."

Skye giggles and I continue, "But you managed to find someone."

Jake gasps, "Don't drag me into this! You're the one too scared to ask!"

"Well, I was planning on doing that later tonight, but," I turn to Skye, "Would you like to be my girlfriend?" I ask holding out my hand, which she receives laughing.

"Why yes I would," She smiles and I pull her to me, placing a kiss on her cheek.

Melissa and Jake applaud and cheer as if I had just proposed and I laugh, "Come one guys! Time to get this show on the road!"

~~~~

The night was great!

We went to a small cafe and just sat at our table, talking. Well, I didn't talk much, but Riley made up for that and I just enjoyed listening.

Melissa seemed really nice, but I can't shake the feeling theres something off about her.

Riley is making a point to take the long way to my house and I can't help but smile at the fact that we are officially dating.

"What are you thinking?" He asks as we pull into my driveway.

"That I want to give my boyfriend a kiss before I get out," the words left my lips before I had time to think about it and my eyes go wide.

Riley smirks, "I think I can handle that," and he leans over, planting a kiss on my cheek.

I smile and start to get out of the car when I see my mom storming out of the house.

"Where the hell were you?!" She yells as I shut the car door.

"I- I told you I was going out."

She stops right in front of me, close enough to smell the alcohol in her breath.

She grabs my arm and tightens her grip, I glance at Riley's car, that still hasn't left and begin to dread what's about to happen.

"Mom, you need to sleep," I say calmly.

Her grip tightens, "Don't you dare tell me what I need to do! You are to listen to me and you didn't tell me where you went!" She shouts.

"But i-" I'm cut off by a slap to the face.

"You are not sleeping in this house tonight!" She yells and wobbles back into the house, leaving me with a red mark on my face.

Tears begin to fall from my eyes before I feel Riley's arms around me, leading me to the passenger side door.

"What are you doing?" I ask as he opens it.

He sighs, "You don't need to stay here."

I shove the door shut, "Yes I do! Its my fault she's like this! I didn't come home last night and she needed me! I have to stay." I start to cry.

"Okay," Riley let's go of me, "I'll call you when I get home."

"No," I say when he walks to the driver side and he pauses, "Stay with me," I look at my feet.

I see his feet appear next to mine and a soft pair of hands on my shoulder, "As you wish, Princess," he whispers for only me to hear even though no one else is out here.

I give a small smile and kiss his cheek, "Thanks."

He links his fingers through mine as I lead the way into the house, being wary of my previously angry mother.

I shut and lock the front door, leading the way to my room and passing my mother's sleeping form on the couch.

Good. She's out.

Once in my room, I leave Riley and walk back to where my mom is sleeping to put a blanket on her and head back.

I continue to think about my mother's slap, remembering the times my dad came home drunk. I shutter as I open my door and as soon as I look at Riley the tears start to pour down my face as the anger takes over and I turn to punch my bed.

I can faintly hear Riley trying to calm me down, but I continue to cry and beat my hands on the mattress. After a few seconds there is a pair of arms wrapped around me and I turn into the owner's chest.

"It's going to be okay," he whispers and strokes my hair, "It's okay."

My muscles relax as he sits onto my bed and leans against the wall with me snuggled up next to him.