Less than Perfect

5. Open and Closed {part one}

Chapter Five

Open and Closed

Part One

"Skye, I should get you home," Jules said as he held her so close she wished he never would let her go.

Skye sighed and pulled herself away, she couldn't show the fact that she needed him. She had to be strong. "Right, of course." She whispered. Her arms were shaking and she wiped her eyes from all of the tears and smeared makeup. I should have taken one of Rachel's wipes with me. She laughed at herself inside.

Jules helped her up and stared into her eyes. "Did you come here with someone?"

"Yeah, my friend—" Her voice caught when she saw Bryan standing a few inches from Jules. "Jules!" She shrieked as Bryan swung his fist at Jules.

Somehow, Jules avoided the punch and dropped Skye out of the way protectively; his body landing inches above her shielding her from Bryan's trashed self. "Stay down," he whispered into her ear harmonious.

Skye nodded and closed her eyes, fear clutching a hold of her. She didn't want to see a fight, she couldn't handle it, and she didn't want to see violence again, not this soon.

Bryan grabbed Jules by his back and pulled him up. He spun him around and spat in his face. "What are you still doing around my girl? She is my life. I thought you were going to be a good little boy and stay out of it. You wouldn't want to upset her now, would you? See she's hurting, you're the reason." He warned.

"No, Bryan, you're the reason she's hurting. I'm not going to fight with you; I just want you to stay away from her. You can't help her while you're wasted; in fact, you can't help her now at all. If she was your life you would let her go, leave her alone. Haven't you done enough to her?"

Bryan actually took everything Jules had said and thought about it. He looked into Jules' calm eyes and took a breath, shoving Jules away. "Fine, you're right, I am wasted. But if you so much as touch her again, I swear you'll regret it."

"And I'll be looking forward to it." Jules said coolly, a smile tipping at the edge of his mouth. He watched as Bryan wobbled back over to the house and sighed as he was lost in the crowd.

Skye sat up and stared up at Jules, her heart racing and breath scratchy. "Is he gone?"

"Yeah, he's gone." Jules said, taking in the realization of what he had just done. He had just opened the door to a fight; and when that fight broke out the only thing he could wish is that Skye wouldn't be around. He painfully took in the fact that he should watch out when he goes around Skye. Jules let out his hand and helped Skye up. She instantly ran into him, throwing her arms around him and embracing him, ignoring the beating pain.

"Thank you," she said against his chest, closing her eyes with security, "for everything."

Jules cautiously watched the yard as he soothed her, wrapping his arms around her and holding her as if she was his own. "I'm going to be here for you, Skye. He's not going to hurt you."

Only when you're around he won't, but Jules, the moment you leave me he'll have his way. No one can stop that. She wanted to tell him. She wanted to confide in him, to really be able to count on the fact that he would always be there for her, but of course she couldn't. Her life isn't that simple. "I don't deserve your help." She whispered, feeling quilt pinch inside her.

"You deserve so much more than me, Skye." He sighed. "I'm the one who doesn't deserve you." he added so quietly that Skye didn't even hear him.

"Jules," she suddenly felt cold and week and let her body shut down. She needed rest, real uninterrupted rest. Jules caught her in his arms and cradled her, worry gripping a painful hold on his heart. He wanted to protect her and keep her safe. He could feel the pain Bryan brought her and knew that she needed help; but he didn't feel that he was destined for it; someone was taking that away from him.

***

"Princess, where did you go last night?" Johnny asked Skye as leaned against the doorway of her bedroom. She had been reading and the moment she heard his voice she dropped the book.

"I went to Rachel's." Skye answered, swallowing the lump in her throat. Again she was lying, only this time it wasn't to cover for Johnny or Bryan, but for Jules.

"Rachel's." He repeated in disbelief. "Skylar, don't lie sweetheart, you know I don't like that."

What? How could he possibly know I was lying? Skye tried to hide the fact that she was surprised and shook her head. "I'm not, I was with Rachel. You didn't see her pick me up?"

"No, I did." Phew! "But I also saw you come home with someone else, and I don't think that he had anything to do with Rachel."

"What do you mean?" Skye wanted to run away, she knew that he would take everything out on her. He has tried his best to keep her away from people; he doesn't want her to have friends. In his mind, two friends are too many; too many that she could crack and tell them all about him.

"The boy last night, the one who brought you up to the door in his arms; what Princess, you didn't think that I saw you two?" Johnny chuckled as he unhitched himself from the wall, setting himself up for any minute attack. "Come on, Princess, nothing gets passed me."

He saw Jules carrying me, he knows about him; he was looking for me. Crap! Skye set her book down on the bedside table and started walking around to the doorway, fear clutching at her. She could make a quick escape from his presence if she needed. Leah was at work, and once again, Skye was left alone with Johnny. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Skylar, your lying to me is getting old, who was he?" He said urgently.

Skye took a breath and ran for an escape. She slid past Johnny and out into the hall, shoving her way past a few boxes stacked high. Johnny was right behind her as she descended the staircase her balance completely off and her feet slipping under the other. She ran for the front door but it was too late, Johnny was already right in front of her. "Where you going Princess, you can't be seriously trying to get away from me when I have asked you a question? That's not a good idea you know." He said darkly as he grabbed her arms.

Skye cried out as his hands pressed on the old bruises. Her heart was racing and her mind was flooded with regret; she should have somehow gotten a ride home with Rachel. She took sharp breaths, fighting Johnny's strong grip. "Johnny, please don't do this right now. I'm sorry, I—I just didn't know what to do. I was wrong, please let go." She pleaded desperately.

"It's okay," Johnny's mouth tipped into a smirk, "but you have to tell me who he is first; then you're free for now."

Skye couldn't do it, she couldn't say the truth; she cared for Jules too much. "It was just a guy from the party I went to, I passed out and he gave me a ride home. He was one of Rachel's friends."

Johnny grinned sickly and let her go. "You better not be lying to me, Princess. After all, you owe me." He warned her. He left the room and into the kitchen, leaving Skye suddenly very cold.

She looked after him and moved back against the door, her heart pounding. What have I done now?

A/N. Short part! Care to share your thoughts, still? I'd love to hear what you think! THANK YOU so much for reading and supporting this story! I really hope you can spare a moment to vote or comment. It'd be much apreciated, also. :)