Midnight (editing)

11

I cry. I let it all out. I come to my senses when I hear the door to the room slamming shut. I sit up to see Ian frowning intensely at me, his head tilted sideways. He throws a bag of frozen peas to me, which I skillfully catch before it hits my head, and rub it onto my ankle, wincing slightly. 

"You should know better than to snoop around other peoples rooms, Ryanna. That's private." He sneers at me, snatching the frame out of my hand. I look up shocked. He never calls me by my full middle name. He actually hates me right now. Oh god. What did I do? Did I ruin everything? Will he ever forgive me? 

"Just ice that. You'll be up and about in no time." 

"Ian, I'm sorry. I ruined it again, didn't I?" He just nods, not looking at me. "How can I make it up to you?" I ask, softly. 

"I don't know, alright! You've known me for a long time. We're so-called childhood besties, ain't that right? So, do something that you know will make up for what you did. Anyways, I have a party to get ready for. Don't you have to go out with loverboy? He's waiting outside your house." 

I glare at him and get up, trying not to wince or apply too much pressure on my ankle. I almost tripped, if it hadn't been for his arm holding me up. I glare at his arm, until he moves it, and limp down the stairs. 

"Zoe? Is that you, honey?" Ian's mom, Catarina asks, with her back to me. 

"Yeah." She turns around to see me limping. 

"Oh my gosh, Zoe! What happened? Where's Jules?" 

"Oh, umm... nothing. Just- I was running in these heeled boots. You know me... I twisted it. Julian got me here, but he's not talking to me because I kissed him." Cat is my substitute mom, and I know she's never going to judge me. 

"Julian Jacob Camaro!! Get down here, this instant." When he comes hastily down the stairs, he glares at me before smiling innocently at Catarina. "Jules, why don't you help her to her house. It's just next door. I'm sure you're not doing anything of any use anyway." 

Ian just continued to glare at me and says snarkily, "What? I have to help this... this snob, now? Come on, mom! Please. I'll do anything. I'll even do the dishes and all the laundry, as long as I don't have to be anywhere near her." 

A loud gasp leaves my mouth, and I look away, my eyes brimming. "Julian! Apologise right freaking now... befo-" Cat raises her voice at Ian.  

Hastily, I interrupt her, before the situation escalated even more. "Cat, it's alright. I guess I deserved it anyway. It's alright. I'm alright. I will be, I guess. Oh, uh- Julian," I put my hand on his arm, feeling him tense and clench his jaw tightly. "I called Andy, and she'll go with you from now on. At least then, you won't have to hear anyone complaining all night. I-I'll see you around, Cat?" 

Turning to her only to be pulled into a strong embrace with her arms caging me. "You're always welcome here, okay baby? This is still your home, no matter what. I have no idea what's going on in that stupid boy's head, but I'll make sure he won't  hurt you ever again." 

I nodded before hobbling out of the house as fast as I could, with a twisted ankle.