In My Defense

Guitars

Chapter Seven

(one week later)

The sun pried my eyes open, blinding me momentarily. My bones screamed in agony as I got up, begging me to stay down, not to move ever again. There wasn't much I could do, though. So I got up and started my daily routine.

After I stepped out of the shower, I got dressed and put my cover-up on. The house was almost completely silent, which was odd. I mean, Frank was usually up by now, blasting music or screaming at a hooker. He's always really loud and obnoxious. To not hear any noise at all. . . Well, it kind of made me happy. There was always the possibility that he was asleep, but still. Maybe I could actually enjoy a bowl of cereal.

I bounded down the stairs, taking them two at a time.

"Fr-Dad?" I yelled out. No answer.

I did sort of a lame happy dance and walked into the small and cluttered kitchen. As I passed the fridge, my eyes landed on a small shred of paper stuck to it.

Rae,

I'm going out of town for a week. The house better be clean and no boys. I mean it, slut. And trust me. I'll know.

I winced and set the note aside. Then a small giddy feeling washed over me. An entire week to myself. If this was a dream, then my subconscious was a complete ass. But I knew I was awake. I hardly ever dream. Aside from my nightmares, but those don't really count.

After breakfast, I fast-walked (skipped) to school. I was actually early, and managed to avoid the She-Devil because of it. My music was on full blast and I didn't even think of where I was going. Somehow, I ended up in the school library. To, of course, download more music onto my iPod.

Every computer in the library was visible from the librarian's desk. Except one. The one very few students, including myself, knew about. It was tucked in safely around the corner away from wandering eyes. See, this was the computer that girls used to go on Facebook and guys used to look at "unmentionables." I used this for musical (sometimes school projects; surprising I know) purposes. I printed sheet music and even had a personal folder for songs that I was working on.

Anyway. I sat at The Computer and logged into my iTunes account. I then proceeded in pulling out my USB cord and a list of new favorites.

"Well, well, well," a voice whispered into my ear making me jump.

I turned face-to-face with a smug Ryan.

"What the crap was that for?" I hissed and smacked his (very muscular, might I add) stomach.

He just laughed. "Chill Rae. It's only me."

I glared at him, straight into those deep stormy eyes. "Yeah, well you scared the crap out of me. What are you doing at school so early anyway?"

He shrugged. "What are you doing downloading music at school so early?"

"I asked first," I shot back.

"School was beckoning for a hero." He smiled this big smile. He kept it up long enough for me to notice a dimple in his left cheek, which was absolutely adorable.

"Ha-ha. And I do lots of musical stuff here. This is my haven." I spread my arms out wide to encompass "This."

Ryan nodded slowly. "Scootch over or I'll sit on you."

I immediately made room for him a) I had bruises all along my thighs and b) I didn't want his weight crushing me. Ryan sat next to me and grabbed the sheet with band names and song titles sprawled across every inch.