Bad Memories // a.u.

chapter 14: trouble in paradise

"What's taking you so long with the-" Skylar came up behind me, but stopped in her tracks once she saw Jake. "What are you doing here? In California?" her voice shaking. 

"I missed you," he said simply, shrugging.

I turned to look at Skylar, trying to read her expression. She was either fuming or in shock, maybe both. "You can't just show up here. I haven't talked to you in over two months."

"But you broke up with me for no reason, Skye!" He sounded pathetic to me. I never liked Jake and I don't think he really liked me. He probably blamed me for them breaking up.

"Shhh. We have company!" she whisper-yelled at him and dragged him outside, slamming the door behind them. I rolled my eyes and walked back to the living room, upset the pizza wasn't here yet.

"Where's the pizza?" Wes asked at the same time Drew asked, "Where's Skylar?"

"Not here yet and taking care of something," I told them, sitting down next to Keaton.

"Everything ok?" he whispered in my ear.

I shrugged. "I don't know," I answered honestly. 

**********

Skylar sulks into the living room forty-five minutes later after our pizza has been devoured, not a single piece left. She flops on the couch next to Drew, snuggling up next to him. "You alright?" he asked. 

"Yeah, don't worry about me. But I think I'm gonna head upstairs." She kissed him on the cheek before getting up and slowly walking up. Drew watched her go up and I could tell he wanted to go after her. 

"I'll go," I told him and he nodded, realizing that she needed me more than him right now. I found her curled up in a ball on her bed, clutching the stuffed turtle that Jake gave her on their 1 year anniversary. "Skylar," I started. "What happened?"

"He wants to get back together," she whispered, her eyes squeezed shut.

I sat on the edge of her bed and moved her hair away from her face. "I thought you were over Jake, Skye. Didn't you break up with him to have a new start here? I thought you liked Drew now. Didn't things go well at the beach?"

"But what if I'm not over him? Seeing him brought back all of my old feelings and don't you remember how good I was with him?"

I sighed, trying to think of what to tell her because to be honest, Jake was a jerk to Skylar. He treated her like shit the majority of the time and I couldn't believe they lasted as long as they did. The only thing I thought he had going for him was that he looked kind of like Dylan O'Brien. "Skylar, I'm going to be honest with you because I love you, ok?"

"I know you don't like Jake. You've made that very clear, but I loved him and I think I still might."

"He treated you horribly, Skylar! He always broke his promises to you and he acted differently around you when he was with his friends. Drew doesn't do that to you," I pointed out.

"Drew kissed that girl right in front of me! Jake never cheated on me."

"You weren't together. That's not cheating."

"God, Noelle. Why is this so hard?"

"What did Jake actually say to you?"

"That he misses me and he wants to get back together. Why?"

"Did he say that he still loves you?"

"No..." she squinted her eyes at me. 

"I honestly don't think he loves you, but that's just me and I don't think he'll treat you any better than before. You need to make up your own mind, but you can't keep this from Drew. You need to tell him that Jake is here."

She groaned. "I can't do that to him."

"Where did Jake go anyway?"

"He said he has a room at some hotel not too far away. Apparently your aunt gave him our address."

I shook my head, "I can't believe she would do that."

She shrugged, "Whatever. It's done."

I nodded. "I'm gonna go back down. Are you gonna be alright for now?"

"Yeah. I'm gonna think about things up here. Will you tell Drew and the guys goodnight for me?"

"Sure thing, Skye." I wished I could help her more, but I knew she needed to figure it out on her own. I was glad Jake didn't end up coming inside. I feel like that would've ended badly. 

I pulled my blonde hair into a messy bun as I clambered down the stairs and made my way back to the living room. They guys had turned the TV on and were now watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

"What are you guys watching?" I laughed.

Drew grabbed for the remote and turned it off. "Hey! Don't make fun of the show, but what the hell is going on?"

I sighed. I should've known this was coming. I should've known he was going to ask questions. "Skylar just isn't feeling too great right now, so she's resting. I'm actually kind of tired too, so I think I'm gonna head up to bed."

"You can't expect me to believe that bullshit of an answer!" Drew stood up and I actually felt a little scared.

I sucked in a breath and hugged my knees to my chest. Keaton pulled me close and said, "Don't yell at her, man. She didn't do anything."

Drew turned away, running his hands through his hair. "God. Sorry, Noelle. I just don't understand it."

"I know, Drew. She'll explain it all to you, just not tonight. Ok?" I tried to give him a sympathetic look.

He nodded and walked out. Wes followed him and I collapsed into Keaton's chest. I was comforted by the circles he rubbed on my back. "I'm here to listen if you want to tell me what happened, ok Elle?"

I squeezed my arms tight around him and nodded against him. "Skylar's ex showed up and she thinks that she still loves him. He's a complete jerk though. Drew is so much better for her and I tried to make her see that, but I think she's just thinking about the past. I don't know. I just hope he doesn't show up here again, but I know Jake and he will."

"I'm sorry. That must suck for her after what happened with Drew at the beach."

I nodded. "Yeah. I feel bad for Drew. I wanted to tell him, but I know she needs to be the one that tells him about Jake." I feel Keaton nod against my head. "Will you stay with me tonight?" I whispered.

"Of course," he answered, placing a kiss to my cheek. He picked me up and carried me to my room where I layed with my head against his chest, the steady beat of his heart lulling me to sleep.

hiiii (: so what do people think of jake and who do you think that Skylar should be with? thanks for all the reads, it means so much! please vote/comment xx zoe