World Behind My Wall (A7X/The Rev)

Chapter 19|Suspicion

At school the next day, I could tell that Rylie wasn't herself. She was kind of quiet and closed up, and I had to really work to get her to show her beautiful smile. It worried me, especially after seeing the way her father yelled at her yesterday afternoon. It still really bothered me, and I'd laid awake in bed for half the night thinking about it, but I couldn't really get anywhere. Rylie didn't look she'd been hurt physically or anything, there weren't any bruises covering her anywhere so I kind of ruled out abuse. I'm not sure if he'd do that anyway, because Rylie did say that he's very withdrawn and mostly just works. It's very little from what I've seen that he's home. I remember in one of her notes, she did say that she was getting hurt by someone before, but it would it be him? I mean, it could be someone in our school that does it to her outside of school, or it could just be someone outside of school in general. It doesn't necessarily mean it's her father, and I can't jump to conclusions. I'm going to her place today after school, and I'm going to try and talk to her about what happened yesterday after she went inside. 

I did notice at lunch today that when Rylie went to sit down, she looked like she was flinching from pain or something. That definitely stuck in my mind and placed concern within me, and I'll make sure to ask her about that when we get to her house too. Right now, it was the end of the day and we were at our lockers. So far, Brian had ignored me all day and I ignored him, and I haven't seen a whole lot of Matt but I know that he's probably still spending a lot of time with Camryn, as he has been lately. He really seems to like her, and she makes him very happy. 

"So have you talked to Brian at all since...?" Rylie asked as we were just getting finished doing what we need to at our lockers.

I shook my head. "No, we're not speaking to each other. I guess Zacky told him off pretty well after I left to go to your house, he was telling me about it last night. At least he's got my back for sure." 

Her face saddened. "I'm sorry, Jimmy. Now I feel bad, because it's sorta my fault." 

"Woah, wait a minute! How is this your fault? I'm the one that chose to be with you no matter what anyone thought simply because I love you, and I'm smart enough to know not to let go of something that I'm certain is worth keeping." 

Not meeting my eyes, Rylie said quietly, "Your friends are worth keeping too." 

I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling closer and making her look me in the eyes. "Not the ones that aren't true friends. Brian seems to care less whether or not I'm happy with you, he just seems to care about the fact of who I'm with, basing it off the lies about you. I always thought that it wouldn't be him to turn his back this way, but if he's not a true friend, then he's not worth keeping, and that goes for anyone else too." I tucked some hair behind her ear and let my forehead rest against hers. "The ones that stick around anyway are the ones I'm gonna keep, along with you. So don't you dare ever blame yourself for something like this again, ok?" 

She smiled a little and replied, "Ok." I smiled back at her and gave her a kiss. 

Just after we pulled away and were getting ready to head out and walk to Rylie's house, Matt came around the corner, and it was clear that he was going to approach us. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Rylie tense, and I put an arm around her waist again, this time protectively. Matt didn't look hostile as he walked up to us though. In fact, he had kind of a smile on his face. 

He stopped when he was right in front of us, and I gave him a friendly smile while Rylie did her best not to look scared of him. "Hey, Matt. What's up?" I greeted him.

"Not much, I was just hoping to catch you guys before you left." He said lightly, looking between us. Then more seriously, he continued with, "Look, I know Brian's not in favor of the two of you being together, and Rylie, I know I've been a huge dick to you, but I want you both to know that I'm not opposed to you being together. It's clear that you make each other happy, and that's all that matters."