Confessions of a teenage bystander.

Chapter 12.

I thought long and hard on what to wear. So many options! I ended up wearing a mid-length blue strapless dress. Something my mother approved of exceedingly. As me and my family slowly walked up to the front door of their house. I noticed with every step i became more ragged and nervous. Slowly the tension built.

Right up until the door swung open then i felt relieved. My parents began drifting off. My father with George and my mother with Tanya. They were getting along so well. I wish I could say the same for us. We were spread in the lounge room. Some mindless show was on. The quiet aggravated me. I was listening to my iPod while Chris and Jason were fiddling with their phones.

I sighed. Yeah, woohoo, I’m having so much fun! I mocked to myself. Instead of being glum I decided to make things a little interesting. At least for me. I got up and plugged my iPod into the stereo and turned the volume up high. The music boomed and the walls shook. Things started to vibrate and move. I turned it down a little so the room would stop shaking.

“Oops” I laughed and they cracked up. Finally the boredom was fading away. I started to dance to Fall out boys ‘America’s sweethearts’. I was jumping and head shaking while they stared at me. They both gave me concerned looks. I wasn’t going to stop until they joined. After a while I motion them to join me. They looked at each other and smiled a no. I stopped and scowled at them.

With my hands on my hips and my foot tapping impatiently they got up and joined in. It actually seemed pretty funny dancing in room with two guy’s right next to you. Well that was before our parents came in and were shocked! We all froze. I guess it looked a little something else to them. I shuddered at the mental image my parents must have of me, Chris and Jason.

It must be bad. Normally they would just laugh it off. We sat down quietly and ate dinner. Mostly our parents talked about work and such boring things. I was relieved to finally leave at the end of the night. Before we left the subject of me being alone came into conversation.

“Yes well we leave tomorrow afternoon unfortunately.” My father sighed.

“Oh all of you?” Tanya asked pleasantly not wanting to intrude.

“No just me and John. We have to return to work. Unfortunately we won’t be here for Ella’s birthday next week” My mother explained.

“Oh neither will we actually! Oh dear I’m sorry. We had made plans to visit my brother and his family next week. If you want you are welcome to come with us!” Tanya cheered. I thought it over.

“Uh no thanks I’ll be fine! Besides with me here I can take care of everything for you!” I offered. After our goodbyes I went to bed. My mother and father had gone out. I told them I was too tired. As I was silently resting on my bed there was a sharp knock on my window. I jumped up and ran over to investigate.

I shuffled around and grabbed my baseball bat. Finally it would come in handy. It was dark as I peered out my window. My eyes adjusted to the darkness to find Rick. I stammered back falling to the floor. W-What? I crawled over and scanned my eyes for the dark figure. My eyes bulged as I took in the dark features. Tall, man, quite large.

"Ella it’s me!" The figure called in a familiar voice. I sat with my back against the wall. Reassuring myself. Eric! How could I be so silly? Rick wouldn’t dare come back. Would he? I stood up slowly. Calming my nerves. There stood Eric. I gave him a sheepish smile and my face flushed a dark red.

"What are you doing here?" I blurted.

"I ah, can I talk to you for a minute?" He asked. He looked sad.

"Uh yeah sure, hold on I’ll open the door!" I was about to sprint downstairs but he shouted me to halt.

"Wait! Don’t worry about that. It’s not the only way in!" He smiled a little. Something was seriously wrong. As he jumped and started climbing to my open window my mind brought up memories. Bad ones, ones that I haven’t thought of for years. I saw how easy it would be for basically anyone to reach my window. I felt insecure.

I was lost in thought when I finally realised I was not alone. I stepped back in shock. I zoned out. But mostly I was in shock of the sight of Eric up close. His eyes were red, swollen and puffy. Like he had been crying. His lips were damp and his cheeks had stained streams of dried tears. His eyes were blank with no hint of expression.

"Come here" I said abruptly. He stared at me and I sat on my bed. He came over and sat next to me.

"What’s wrong?" I asked without thinking. It took him a while to sum up the words.

"I ah, Rachel and me ah, well we art together anymore. I dumped her." He was heartbroken I could tell.

"I came here, sorry. It’s just I don’t trust any of them anymore. She has them all under her spell. You're the only one I knew who would believe me." What did he mean?

"What do you mean?" I asked astounded.

"I found her screwing another guy at this party. I couldn’t take it again. I already forgave her for so much. She wasn’t worth half the things I looked over." He said in discus. Well, well, well. Seems nothing much has changed with Rachel. Poor Eric, he didn’t deserve that.

"She keeps hassling me. She's trying to get me to take her back. Do you think that maybe I could. I don’t know maybe crash here?" He asked needing with a puppy dog look on his face.

"Sure" I said quickly. Without really thinking of the details. He shined a bright grin. Then started looking around.

"Well I’m going to bed. You can crash anywhere. But it has to be in my room. My parents will be back soon." I rested my head on my pillow and drifted silently to slumber. I felt shuffling and bouncing next to me. Then a large warm bulge was next to me.

I felt his hot heavy breathing on my face. I turned over to get back to sleep. My eyes shot open as I woke with extreme heat. I blinked rapidly at my flashing clock. It beeped 3:07am. I realised his arm was around my waist holding me close to his bare hard chest. I closed my eyes shut falling back into sleep. Hoping this was only a dream.

I woke to a loud knock on my door. I shot up hazily along with Eric who sat up next to me. The door swung open quietly. Chris was there. His large smile quickly turned into a look of shock. His fists clenching tightly.