Beautifully Broken (in editing)

Chapter 9 :O

Hayden was unusually quiet in the car. Was he mad? I chewed the inside of my cheek nervously and glanced at him. His expression was troubled. He had to bad. The tension in my car was really thick. I focused on the road. Ryan and Dani were following close behind us. I kept my attention on the road. Okay that's it. I couldn't take the silence anymore, so i turned on the radio low, for background noise. Drops of Jupiter drifted from the speakers. 

He stared out the window on his side and i slumped my shoulders. He glanced at me and his face softened. "Sorry Lilah... I just.. got some thing on my mind right now." I nodded. Why are you gonna ask me out if thats how it is. I chewed my lip, an old habit. He sighed beside me and relaxed a bit when he saw the hurt look on my face. He took my hand and i looked down at his hand holding mine than at his face. 

I probably blushed. He was smiling slightly and still looking out the window. I hear a honk and jumped, turning my attention back to the road. It seemed like he had something he wanted to say, but wasn't sure how. "You're gonna chew your lip off if you keep it up." I could hear the smile in his voice and i quickly stopped chewing my lip. I felt him shake with silent laugher and breathed a sigh of relief. Finally the tension was broken.

"Delilah....." He started and i glanced at him for a moment, showing i was listening. His thumb traced slow circles on my hand. His eyes were troubled. He seemed to think for a moment before acting. "Tell... tell me about your family." I froze. My eyes wide on the road. He couldn't know. I could feel my hands starting to shake and i cleared my throat that suddenly felt cottony and clogged.

"Um... W-what do you want to know?" I asked nervously. Did he really know? Was this a pity date. He took a deep breath. "Oh... um... tell me about your parents." I almost slammed on the brakes in shock. A few honks came from behind me. Seriously? I could tell him about my foster family i guess. Yeah. No need to tell him about anything else. He wouldn't know the difference. 

"Well, my mom's name is Julie... I don't know about my..... my d-dad," I choked out the last word. I hadn't said that one in a while. I could feel his gaze burning into me but i couldn't meet it. My voice was shaking. Bad liar, remember?

"She's a therapist.I have a little brother too, his name is Ethan. He's 6." I smiled here. He was pretty much my little brother. I glanced at Hayden out of the corner of my eye. Something in his face looked strange but he shook his head and his eyes cleared before i could pick it out.

"That's nice." He told me, nodding to himself. I took the oppurtunity. "What about your's?" I asked slowly. He hesitated before answering. I saw him debating on the answer and curiosity spiked in my chest. Hm. 

"Well, i have 2 sisters. Both younger. Ashley is 12 and Rena is about 14. Never met my dad..." A crease was starting to form between his brow and he swallowed, his adams apple bobbing. "And I live with my mom. She has Cancer, so thats why i have to work like i do. She has to get better." I blinked. That was completely unexpected. He was so open. I felt a bit guilty for not telling the whole story. 

"I... I'm sorry. I really hope she gets better." He smiled fondly, though his eyes were sad. "Yeah, me too." I turned back to the road. We arrived at the pizza place and i got out. Hayden let himself out and followed behind me as we met up with Dani and Ryan. They were bickering playfully again. I rolled my eyes. They won't ever change will they? 

We had a pretty great time and messed with the waiter a bit, laughing as he flirted with Dani and Ryan got defensive. I was starting to like being around more than myself. After pizza, Ryan and Hayden ended up having some male bonding time in the arcade. 

"Wow, Lilah.' I turned her . "Hm?" I asked. She was glowing and i smiled. Her and Ryan were really perfect together. "You're dating Hayden Teracce. I'm impressed." She nodded to herself and my face turned beet red.