Walking Straight

Chapter 5

PICTURE OF AN ANGRY RHETT IN THE MEDIA!!!!!

songs for this chapter: 

                  Afraid- The Neighbourhood

                  How-The Neighbourhood

                 Do I Wanna Know?- Arctic Monkeys

                Let It Go- The Neighbourhood

              W.D.Y.W.F.M- The Neighbourhood

The movie with Rhett was tonight. I dressed myself in ripped low-rise skinny jeans, Converse shoes, and  long-sleeved slim t shirt. I wait out on the front porch, my elbows on my knees, and my head in my hands. My long hair draped over my shoulders, creating a curtain of straight dark hair around me. Why was I even doing this? Why did I choose to let him get close to me? I should've ignored him the second I met him, I should've requested to work alone in Photography. The crunch of gravel under tires startles me, shaking my thoughts off of me. I look up to see him dart out of the truck to meet me. 

"Hey, Taylor. You look great!" He gestures at my outfit. I give him a tense smile and walk to the passenger side of the truck. Rhett skirts to my side, opening the door to the car for me. We drive to the small theater. I don't even pay attention the comedy movie we are watching, and pull away when he suggests any move to touch me. The closest he got to "making a move" was our elbows touching while on the armrest. When we get out of the theater, he stops me. 

"So do you want to go somewhere, or I can just drop you off at home, whatever you want." He says, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.  He rocks back and forth on his heels, staring into my eyes. Shit, he had some pretty eyes. I look away. I couldn't let myself fall for him, I would just get hurt again.

"Sure, just take me home I guess, I don't want to cause you any trouble."  I look down. Rhett runs his hand through his short hair.

"Yeah, okay, let's go."  He presses a hand at the small of my back, leading me into the parking lot. I tense. He stops, grabbing my forearm where my cuts are still healing. I surpress a yelp and tighten my fist in pain. He looks down at my arm and jerks his hand away, fear filling his eyes. 

"I'm, I'm so sorry, I'm just wondering.. Why don't you let me get close to you? I just want to know you. That's all I want." He has his hands behid his back, afraid he would hurt me again. But it wasn't his fault my wrists were getting in the way. It wasn't his fault I didn't want to get close to him. None of it was his fault. I shake my head.

"Look, Taylor, I could tell that you wern;t into this whole thing, anyways. C'mon let's get you home." Rhett starts walking, his hands to himself. The rest of the car ride is agony, Rhett's hands grip the wheel, his knuckles white, overplayed pop songs barely fill the silence. When we get home, Rhett stays in the car, staring straight ahead. He doesn't look angry though, he almost looks... pained. Why does he want to know me so much? I lean against the driver's window. 

"Rhett? You wanna come inside?" I ask timidly, avoiding his gaze. He purses his lips.

"Sure, okay. But are you going to talk to me?" His eyebrows push together. I nod. Was this a good idea? How would I be able to carry out my plan if I didn't want to hurt whoever I got close to? I shook off my thoughts and took Rhett into the TV room. Mom was gone again, so we wouldn't get bugged by her nonsense muttering. 

"I'm sorry I wasn't... " I start.

"It's fine, just tell me what's going on, why you pushed me away." He places a hand on mine. I swallow and pull my sleeves down my arms.