It's Always 2 VS 1: A LeLi Fanfiction

Chapter 3

I let out a long breath and started.

"It was three years ago on the day Noel was born. I was with my dad and we got a call saying my mom was in the hospital and had gone into labour. So my dad, being him, dropped everything and sped off. We were at a red light and it turned green so we started. An 18 wheeler ran the red light and hit my dads side door, probably going 80, well over the limit. It killed him instantly. I remember crawling out of the car covered in blood and crying. I was taken to the hospital only to be told my mom had died during labour, but Noel had survived. I had to name him, so I used my moms maiden name as his first name, and my dads middle name as his middle name." I paused, not knowing what to say. My eyes were full of tears and my voice kept cracking. I felt pain everywhere and my heart was beating fast with every word. "Please don't tell anyone. I don't want to be put into a foster home. I just need one more year until I can legally live alone." She looked at me for a second. I couldn't tell what she was thinking, but then again, I never could. I could feel myself crying again. I'm so weak when it comes to this. I never cry, especially in front of girls. "I'm sorry. I couldn't do anything." She pulled me into a tight hug. It was awkward. Probably the most awkward moment I've ever had. I don't mind being so close to her, but it's not completely comfortable either. It's weird.

"Ryder-"

"No. I don't need your pity. It was 3 years ago and I'm fine now."

"Just let me speak." Her voice was soft as she spoke. It sounded like she was talking to a crying toddler, trying to calm it down. It felt degrading and humiliating. I felt weak and small compared to her. "Ryder, you should've told me. You risked everything by not telling anyone. I mean, you were about to get kicked of school and your record erased."

"I couldn't tell you."

"Why?"

"I just couldn't." Truth be I really didn't know. It was a lot of things mixed. She's, for some reason, not popular at the school and I pull pranks on her a lot. I was scared she was going to tell. She gets mad at me a lot. I thought if I pissed her off enough, she would tell everyone and I'd be forced to live in a foster home, the possibility of being separated from Noel.

"Ryder?" I sniffed and answered her.

"Yeah?"

"Maybe we could try and be friends again. I think about those days a lot. When you, me and Lena would go out and just do whatever we wanted and it'd always be fun. So, could we try that again?"

"Yeah. I've missed it too. But Lenas pissed at me. She's been ever since I pranked you. Remember the milk?" She pulled a disgusted face and laughed.

"Couldn't forget it if I tried. It was a good prank though, I'll give you that. Lena will come around at some point. She has to. You guys were almost better siblings than we were."

"I guess so." I laughed, seeing her give a real smiled for the first time in years. So, wanna grab food I guess?" I shrugged, pulling out my phone to see my friend, Halton, had texted me.

'Hey man, got a new prank idea. On Lisa. You'll like it.' I thought about it for a second. If we're friends, then she'll laugh at it, right? That's what me and the guys do when we prank each other.

'I'm in I guess.' I texted back and turned my attention to Lisa, who was scolding me.

"What?"

"Did you even hear what I said?"

"Something about food, right?"

"No shit Sherlock. I said we should bring Noel and head to Outback." She smiled at me.