Corruption

Chapter 9

Sorry for the super duper long wait! I'm trying to remember what i wanted to do with this story lol thank you for not giving up on me!

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Lip doesn't talk to me for a few weeks. It's not exactly out of the blue either, so when he smiles at me as we pass each other in the hallways or I pick my little brother up from his house, it doesn't faze me as it should.

Lip and I go through periods of absolutely basking in each other's touch to ignoring each other for days, acting as if we've never done anything more than study. I want to feel mad, to get upset or even depressed - just the other day I had been bawling, due to the fact that Lip and Melody were still seeing each other. But as I'm leaned against the Reed's door, waiting for them to answer, I feel...nothing.

It's not empty, it's just a devoid of emotions. The thing is, I want to feel some sort of pain, I know I should, but my heart doesn't even skip a beat when Lip answers, baby Ian in his arms.

"Hey, Fi," he grins.

I smile back, opening my arms for Ian. The baby smiles excitedly and launches forward, grasping my neck, clinging happily to me. "Hi baby," I coo at Ian before flicking my eyes to Lip. "Hey Lip."

He smiles but I notice it isn't quite touching his eyes. I frown a little, asking, "Are you alright?"

He shrugs, "What are you doing tomorrow night?"

I furrow my eyebrows, "Nothing, I suppose." He nods his head in thought, taking this in.

"Close the door, it's getting cold, Phillip," a voice calls. It send a chill down my spine and Lip rolls his eyes, turning back to flip him off. "Is it Fiona?" Will guesses, sauntering into view.

I glance between the cousins, wondering how they can be so utterly similar. It's like they were alternate versions of each other. "Hi Will," I smile and baby Ian claps a little.

He smiles at me and Lip scowls, pushing him out of view, "Fuck off."

"I just wanted to say hello - I haven't seen you in ages," Will looks at me with quirked eyebrows.

"Did you miss me?" I ask before I can stop myself.

His eyes glint at this, he chuckles a little, "Of course. I always miss you when you're gone." My smile falters slightly when I tilt my head, wondering if his answer is as in depth as it seems - like he's known me longer than a few weeks and we've been through more than just a kiss and a late night conversation in my brother's room.

Lip scowls at our interaction and places a hand against my cheek, forcing my gaze to his, "You want to leave, Fiona. You want to go home."

My hand flies to where his is resting, not exactly prying him off but just touching the warmth of his skin. "I should go," I whisper, "I should go home."

He drops his hand and it's not until I've completely turned around do I hear one of them sigh in what seems to be relief.

Lip is not in school the next day. Ronnie catches my mood and asks, "Okay, spill, what's up?"

"Just confused," I admit, grabbing a book from my locker. "With Lip, I mean. I think he's avoiding me."

Ronnie's eyebrows furrow, "Maybe him and Melody worked things out?" it sounds like a question and I know had she told me this a few weeks ago, my face would have paled and my heart would have dropped. I feel nothing, but I know I should.

"It's more than just that," I mumble with a sigh, closing my locker. "Something hasn't been right with the Reeds for a long time."

"It's probably best you don't get involved," a voice behind me says. I'm startled as I glance back to see Melody's brother, Jeremy. He smiles politely at me, spinning the combination lock on a locker I'm sure isn't his. "No offence or anything - you keep Lip grounded, but it's dangerous, Fi." I furrow my eyebrows, wondering if this was his way of protecting his sister or protecting me. He waves at Ronnie, saying, "You didn't hear any of that." And leaves.