Decoding You *Watty Awards 2012*

Chapter 35

I woke up groggy, I could smell tea and sunlight was filling my room.

I sit up and see my mom setting a cup of tea down on my nightstand, "How are you feeling?"

It washes over me, the events of last night, "Okay," I whisper.

She nods, "Eat some breakfast and then you can sleep some more okay?"

I nod and ask, "How did I get in bed?"

She smiles, "Ryder carried you up and tucked you in."

I nod and take a sip of the tea, it felt good on my throat.

I reach for my phone, I had one message.

Audrey: I felt like I should be the one to tell you, Ryder and I got back together last night. It was just as amazing as the first time.

I was thankful that my mom had left my room. Bile rises in my throat and I empty it and the bowl of oatmeal into the toilet. I wouldn't be eating much of anything for a long time.

Why hadn't he told me last night? Did he really not care?

I look back down at the text before deleting it, I guess I had my answer.

***Ryder***

When I wake up it's from my mom walking in my room, "How are you doing sweetie?"

I sit up and shrug, "Awful. Did you talk to her mom?"

She nods and then presses her lips together, "She found a few notebooks when she went into Dan's office. Would you care to explain them?"

I gulp, "It was all a big mistake and we're both at fault."

She nods and sits on the edge of my bed, "At least you're not denying it. She hasn't talked about it with Rory yet."

I look down at my lap, "It's my fault. Her drinking last night was my fault. She got the book before I could even explain it to her and Audrey gave me hers and we both just exploded at eachother. That's why Rory came home Friday night in the storm. I tried stopping her and she just shoved me away and took off."

She nods slowly, "You know she's been through a lot these past few years Ryder. It's probably been happening since her mother married him."

I look at her icily, "You knew it was happening. That's why you were so tough on her during her appointment."

She gulps, "I suspected, but I had no proof. All she would tell me was that she had been having unprotected sex. I voiced my concerns to her mother, and she said Rory was diagnosed as a compulsive liar back in middle school."

I look up at my mom, "There's no way that's true. The only thing she lied about was the notebook. And I didn't even know about it until Friday, plus I did the same thing to her."

She nods, "I know. I think her mom was just in denial. Look Ryder, there's more to it, but I can't tell you. The only person who can tell you is Rory herself."

I look up at my mom, "She's never going to forgive me. Especially after what I did."

She looks at me concerned, "What else did you do besides lie to her?"

I refuse to meet my mothers eyes as I say, "When she drove off, I had been telling myself all night I was going to follow her home to make sure she got home safe. I didn't though. Audrey found me outside and she told me that Rory had been smoking with Trace. Supposedly Rory told Trace that she had lied to me about everything. About Dan and Tony."

She eyes me, "When did Rory tell you about them?"

I shrug and wipe at my eyes, "A few weeks ago. I knew before the party and I suspected before that. Tony put some pictures up online and Preston found them right when they were posted. He hacked it and deleted them."