The Sacrifices of Fame

Chapter Seventeen

I step off the plane with my music still blasting, thank god for noise cancelling headphones. It takes forever but I finally get to the carousel that has my suitcase on it. Besides my carry on backpack I brought one suitcase to France with me. I don't plan on going back anytime soon so I made sure to only take things I wear a lot. Once I find my bag I go to Starbucks and get a medium French Vanilla iced coffee with a croissant before going outside to find Dad. I've been to this airport so many times I no longer get lost. On a few occasions I've helped people find where their gates are. I get outside and look around at the long lines of cars parked along the curb. I start walking and it doesn't take me long to find Dad, he's leaning up against his car, phone in hand. I take my headphones off, as I'm get closer he looks up from his phone. I smile when we make eye contact as soon as I'm close enough he engulfs me in a hug. I missed him so much.

"Hi Dad." I mumble in to his chest.

"Hi babygirl, I missed you."

"I missed you too."

"Come on, let's get you home."

I nod and Dad kisses my forehead, he takes my suitcase and puts on the back seat before getting in to the car. I keep my headphones off, normally I would keep them on but I haven't seen Dad in months. The drive is quite, which I don't mind. However, I know Dad wants to say something. He keeps moving around and looking at me.

"Okay, what gives?"

Servant sighs then clears his throat.

"Your Mom-"

"Alex."

"Your Mom told me about what happened before you left. I'm not going to lecture you about getting arrested but I am going to encourage you to speak with your Mom."

"No, I don't want to talk to her."

Before Dad can say anything else I put my headphones on and blast my music. Lies by Lil Xan and Lil Skies comes on and I feel that shit. I've never felt like this before and it's not a good feeling, I'm scared. I close my eyes and just shut everything out. I try my best but I can't shut out the pain. I feel a hand on my arm so I open my eyes and see we're home. I get out the car and grab my things, as soon as Dad opens the door I go upstairs to my room. I pull my shirt off and lay down on my bed, I take my phone out my pocket and scroll through my text messages.

•

LJ: Let me know when you're back in the states.

Me: I just got home

LJ: Sweet, I'll be in Florida in a few days. Do you want to meet up?

Me: Yes please :))

LJ: Oki, I'll let you know when I get there. See you soon

Me: Can't wait

•

I throw my phone on my bed and just think about everything. While I was in Florida I was doing online school so I don't have any friends, unless you count the team and my friends back home. I need to do something because I'm going to go crazy just sitting here. I get dressed, keeping my black and white Nike sweatpants on I grab a snapback and my vans. I make sure I put my phone in my pocket before grabbing my skateboard. To answer your question, no I'm not going to put on a shirt its like ninety-four degrees. I walk downstairs and stop in the living room where Dad is watching tv.

"I'll be back soon."

He muted the show he's watching and looks at me.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm not sure."

Before he can respond I leave the house and head down the street. As I'm riding I take my phone out of my pocket before I can unlock my phone I go flying off my board. I land on the ground and I feel my stomach and hands being scraped.

"Fuck!"

I get up and look down at myself, my stomach and hands are bleeding, great.

"I'm sorry, Lauren?"

I turn around and come face to face with Ruby, who has a gash on her cheek.

"Ruby."

"I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention are you okay?"

She walks over to me and grabs my wrist inspecting my hands.

"Am I okay? You're the one with a huge gash on your cheek."

Ruby laughs and it reminds me of the old times.

"Do you want to come over? I have some stuff that I can clean your cuts with."

I think for a second, I have no where else to be.

"Sure."

I grab my board, which is stupid on my part because my hand starts to burn.

"I'll carry it love."

Ruby takes my board and we start walking down the street in silence. I want to say something, but I just don't know what to say.

"So, I heard that you were in France how was it?"

"It was a lot, I had fun but it was stressful."

Ruby and I walk the rest of the way to her house in silence, it wasn't awkward like it was at first. Once we get to her apartment we head inside. I look around and everything looks the exact same, a few things have been added to the walls though. I sit on the couch and Ruby goes to the bathroom and grabs the first aid kit. She comes back and sits beside me on the couch. Carefully, she takes my hand and I look everywhere but at her while she's cleaning my cuts.

"So, it's been a while since we've seen each other."

"Yeah, I've missed you." I mumble the last part.

"I've missed you too love."

I finally look at Ruby, I mean really look at her. I didn't except her to hear me let alone admit she misses me too. Ruby has recently gotten a hair cut, she still scrunches her eyebrows together when she's focusing on something, she's the first person I fell in love with. Ruby looks up and we just stare into each other's eyes.

"Please kiss me."

She doesn't make me repeat myself, the feeling of her lips on mine is amazing. The first aid kit drops to the floor and Ruby pulls me closer. She puts her hands on my face and I move so I'm straddling her. We slowly pull away from each other, both of our chests falling and rising at a rapid pace. Ruby moves her hands from my face to my waist and pulls me closer, if that's even possible. I put my forehead in the crook of her neck.

"Let me love you." Ruby mumbles.

I sit up and look in to Ruby's eyes, I look for any sign of deception. She's hurt me before, but this ache in my chest, it's her.

"Please."