social casualties | 5sos au

Chapter 19 {By Ramey}

Rylie's POV

After Neptune's dad set up our fire, he went back to work on his motorcycle. That seemed like all he cared about honestly.

"Hey, Rylie. I'm gonna go get marshmallows." Neptune said, patting my shoulder and heading inside through her back porch.

I got up and went to the garage, the door wide open.

"Ryan." I called out to Neptune's dad.

"Oh Rylie! What's up?" He asked, wiping his brow of sweat.

"Luke." I say, "Luke and her are together. Respect that. She's almost sixteen. It's time you let her go. I know it's hard, she's your baby, your little girl. But just imagine if your parents didn't let you be with Anne? At some point you have to let go of Neptune. The time is now. For Neptune."

"Lane." He corrects.

"She goes by Neptune." I correct.

"Doesn't mean anything. Her name is Lane. And I'm her father. I decide what's best for her." He says sternly.

"Neptune is doing what's best for her. She's finally happy. Leave her be. We don't want her in the hospital again, do we, Ryan?" I ask.

"You know what Rylie? You're right. She can do whatever the fuck she wants. When she gets hurt, don't say I didn't tell you so. It's gonna turn around, and bite her right in the ass." He sighs.

"Have a great day, Ryan." I smile falsely and head back to the bonfire in the backyard.

I know he wants the best for Neptune, but this is the best for Neptune. She'll get hurt, that's for sure, but she'll be okay in the end.

I took off my baseball shirt and set it on the wet grass and sat on it, leaving me in my white baseball pants, sneakers, and white tank top.

Neptune came and sat next to me.

"Hey, where were you?" She asks.

"Oh, just the bathroom." I smile and brush off her question.

She hands me a handful of marshmallows and a metal skewer.

"I'm gonna go talk to Luke. I mean, if you're okay. If you need to talk to me about something, then I'll stay, but if not then I'll go tal-" I cut her off.

"I get it. Go talk to him." I smile reassuringly and I see a spark in her eyes.

I lightly squeeze the marshmallows in my hand and stare through the fire at my best friend and Luke.

Neptune rubbed her arms and Luke said something that I couldn't hear from over here, then handed her his flannel to wear.

She smiled and accepted it. His face got rosy, maybe it was because he was cold without the plaid shirt keeping him warm, maybe it was because he secretly was in love with Neptune. Maybe both. Who knew?

He wrapped his arm around her and she rested her head on his chest. I smiled at them.

Luke pointed at the sky which was now a dark blue, freckled with white and yellow stars.

I was watching them until I was interrupted. I glanced over at who had touched me.

Michael.

"Hey, Rylie." He smiled nervously.

I smiled back.

"Hey." I whispered.

"So I heard the news. I'm happy for you, Rylie." He smiled half-heartedly.

"Wait, what news?" I ask.

"You and Calum. You don't have to hide it from me. Neptune told me. I'm happy for you." He glanced down at his hands.

"Wait, no. Me and Calum aren't together. She was misinformed." I sigh.

"Oh. Misinformed by who?" He asks.

"Uh..I don't know." I replied slowly. I thought about telling him the truth, but didn't want him to think I was lying.

"So, you're single?" He asks, hope laced with his voice.

I sighed. I knew where this was going. I looked at the fire in hope of an answer. A sign.

I saw Calum staring at me from across the fire.

He was clenching his red solo cup of whatever it was. Probably something alcoholic.

"Like a Pringle." I sighed.

His smile grew, matching the crescent moon that was hidden among the dozens of stars.

"I meant to ask you this sooner, but would you consider a date with me?" Michael asks.

I sigh for about the fiftieth time.

"Michael, I'm confused right now. I'm not really in the right mindset for a relationship. I'm sorry." I say, pinching the bridge of my nose.

His smile faded away.

"Oh...ok" he sighed. "I'm gonna go talk to Ashton."

I nod.

Neptune comes over to me.

I smile.

"How are you and Luke?" I ask, curiosity clung to my words.

"Great. What about you and Calum? Or Mikey? Or whatever. I saw Mikey talking to you." She says.

"Oh. Just asking if I wanted something to drink." I lie.

I stare at my marshmallows.

"Are you okay?" Neptune asks.

I nod.

"Yeah, of course. Just not hungry. Actually, it's getting late and it's a school night. My mom would be mad if I didn't come home soon. I'm gonna head out." I say, dropping my marshmallows and handing her my skewer.

"Ok. Tell your mom thanks for letting you come." She smiles, heading over to Luke, snuggling into him, resuming to where they had left off.

I smiled at them once more.

I began walking to my car, driving down a few blocks to my house, getting out and heading to my room.

I flopped down onto my bed and sighed.