Secrets

Chapter 11

For two weeks things continue on painfully.

Just about every morning I leave with a mixed group of my siblings' friends, guilt tarring my heart apart with the knowledge that Ryan's been hitting the bottle and passing out in random places all over the house each night.

Though that only really gets to me because I know that it's all my fault.

Vanessa tried to walk me to school two days ago, on Monday, but I'd refused to leave the house until she left.

At this point, I don't care if I hurt my sister's feelings.

Until she apologizes for hitting me, I want nothing to do with her...and I don't feel anything about that one.

What has been tarring at me though, besides the guilt over Ryan, is heart ache.

Lance and I exchange small, quick glances when we pass in the halls, but otherwise we haven't talked once since that day in the janitor's closet.

I mean, there's been numerous time's where I've wanted to text him, to call him just so that I can hear his voice, but...I just couldn't do it.

And though I want to believe that it's because of any reason other than what I know to be true, I can't deny the fact's as they are.

Lance is the first person I think of each morning, and the last person I think of each night.

I don't know how or why but...I like him.

A lot!

Maybe even more than just like...

Shaking my head, I glance up and realize that we've stopped –my three escorts and I- and Rick's eyes meet my own.

"You okay, Rose?" He asks.

Not really paying attention to my own actions, I nod and continue forward, leading the other's whose eyes I just register as widening slightly before I tune them out again.

"I miss talking to Lance, and I haven't been able to find out anything new where my siblings are concerned...but things have cooled down a lot since the day after I found out about Nessa..."

"Maybe it's time to-"

"Hey, Kid!"

Lifting my eyes once again, I find Ryan standing with crossed arms just a few feet ahead of us.

Wearing the first shirt I've seen him in in days –a green and black skull printed T-, my brother flashes me a wide smile as I stop before him.

"Mind taking her bag back to the house man?" Ryan asks, turning his eyes on Rick.

"No problem."

"Great!"

Shrugging my bag off, I hand it over to Rick, then run my eyes over Clara Mall, a large, red haired girl who always wears the same red summer dress, and Kylie Cheer, a thin, chocolate colored girl whose waist length, braided dreads and signature green beany always make me feel relaxed.

Both the girls are friends of Noah's, and both wear matching frowns.

Turning my eyes back to Ryan, I watch as he looks past me and flashes Clara and Kylie a dull frown.

"Get lost. I've got things under control now."

"Since when do we listen to you?" Kylie sneers, the accent of her voice changing slightly.

"Since I decided that Rose and I are gonna go out and fix things between us." Ryan replies. "The last thing I want is two of Noah's dogs stalking us around. Why don't you just run along back to the bone yard and we'll be on our way."