Teach Me How to Love Again (Sequel to Dirty Little Secret)

Chapter 24: At Times Like These, It's Obvious

*~(The title of this chapter is from Obvious by blink-182.)~*

"Yo, Sky. Wake up!" I heard Frank say in his morning voice. I had slept the entire night on the couch.

"I don't wanna," I whined.

"You have to," he said, so I sat up on the couch. He sat next to me. "How did things go with Gerard last night? I didn't get to ask you last night, because you were asleep."

"It went great. That's the problem," I sighed.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean it went too good. We even cuddled and fell asleep together. Now I'm torn. I still have feelings for Gerard, obviously, but I think I might still have feelings for Pete too."

"You need to go with what your heart wants, Sky. I know that was cheesy as fuck, but it's true. Don't let Pete or Gerard pressure you. This shit takes time. If they pressure you, neither one of their sorry asses deserve a girl as great as you."

"I know, Frankie. Thank you," I said happily.

"No problem. Now go get ready for school before you make us late again," he laughed.

I ran off to my bedroom and got ready as quick as possible. I took a quick shower, did my hair and makeup, brushed my teeth and got dressed. I was very nervous to face school today. How would I act normal around Pete now? He can't know that all of this happened. It would just hurt him to know I'm thinking about choosing Gerard.

Frank and I walked to school like always. Today was another boring, uneventful day. I did my best to act normal around Pete, so he didn't need to notice that something was wrong. I managed to walk out without him again, so I could start my walk alone. Frank always walked Jamia home.

On my way out, I ran into Gerard.

"Hello, Skylar," he said politely, then he flashed me a wide smile. I knew he would have given me a more casual hello if I hadn't been around students.

"Oh, hello Mr. Way," I said. I smiled back. We let the crowd of teenagers rushing to get out of this place leave, then we talked.

"Do you need a ride home? I'd be more than happy to give you one," he offered politely.

"I'd like that. Thank you, Gerard," I giggled. I exited the school without him first so we wouldn't get caught. I waited in the parking lot, a little bit away from his car. Eventually, he walked out and got into his car, so I did the same as soon as we knew the coast was clear.

"Doesn't your boyfriend usually walk you home? What's wrong today?" he asked, attempting to make small talk.

"I..." I paused momentarily, choosing my words carefully before I decided to be honest with Gerard. "I'm trying to keep my distance from him so he doesn't figure out what's going on. I need to make my decision first."

"Oh. I get it. Wouldn't that mean you need to keep your distance from me too?"

"Nah. You already know what's going on. I'm just scared of Pete finding out that I'm actually debating leaving him."

"Ah, I see. Cool. As long as we can still hang out, that's cool with me," he chuckled.

"Yeah. We can still hang out. We're at least gonna be friends, right?"

"Of course. You're still best friends with my brother, his fiancee, and my best friend. I have no choice but to like you," he joked.

"Oh, as if that's the only reason you hang out with me!" I accused playfully. He chuckled.

"I guess you're alright."

"Uh-uh, dude. You like me better than alright and you know it!"

"Nah, you're pretty cool, I guess."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "You love me!" I joked. He smiled and chuckled.

"I suppose you're right about that. You win," he chuckled. He just indirectly said he loves me. Wow.

I was beginning to love being his friend. I love these playful arguments and jokey conversations. I love how there's no pressure to have sex or any of that shit, because we're only friends.

He finally made it to our apartment complex, so he dropped me off at my apartment.

"Thanks for the ride, Gerard," I said, and I hugged him. I kissed his cheek, just because I love seeing how he blushes and gets all nervous when I do that.

"N-no problem, Sky," he stammered. He always gets nervous when I come in contact with him. Especially when I give him a friendly kiss or hug.

I giggled and walked up the stairs to my apartment. I waved goodbye to him once more as he drove off to Mikey's apartment, which is where he's still staying.

I threw myself down on the couch and began to weigh the pros and cons of dating each one. Suddenly, something in my mind just clicked.

The answer was obvious now.

I shook with nerves as I pulled out my phone and called Pete.