Chapter 16 Chapter 16

Chapter 16 Chapter 16

TROY

I didn't mean to leave her like this, vulnerable and wasted; I just went to hang out with the brotherhood, and then stayed longer than I intended.

I felt for her; she really looked depressed. Thank goodness I was here to prevent an accident today. Someone had been recording everything, and Nick had called, telling me to go to the school site because Skylar was being bullied on a live.

He would have tried stepping in, but as a hockey player, a scandal was one thing to prevent unless you were ready to give up the career.

Anything could warrant a strike, so everyone was careful, but with Skylar I didn't care; I would have stepped up anytime, anywhere.

I rubbed her back as she sobbed; her clothes were wet, but I didn't care. Tiffany was going to pay for this; it was only a matter of time.

After a while, she lifted her head to look up at me; the patches of tears encircled her eyes. Thank goodness she wasn't wearing mascara; she would have been an eyesore.

“Am I lame, Troy?” she asked, unsure of herself anymore; her eyes were pleading, yearning for me to say something pleasing.

But I couldn't lie, never. “You are not lame, Skylar; you are actually cool.” I encouraged what was the truth.

“You say that, but everyone else sees otherwise.”

“Because they are blind, they don't see you the way I do; they don't see ‘sex in the college’ in you, or the way you contribute to the team's success, or that you are actually a genius and how much of a powerhouse you are.”

She slapped my chest lightly. “I am not a powerhouse; quit it. You are just trying to make me feel better. ’,

“Sure, I am; you are my girlfriend. ”,

“Fake girlfriend,”

“Does it really count? It practically means we are dating, right? ”,

“Sure,” she replied, hiccupping. I gently lifted so she could stand on her own.

She needed water, and I had every intention of heading back and going to get one for her.

But she held onto my wrist. “I will manage,” she continued, looking pale and aghast. “I just want to go home. ”,

I took her hand in mine, and we walked towards my car. Her glasses were nowhere to be found, and for the first time I really looked at her eyes. They were blue, the type of the Caribbean sea, and the tears made them simmer like pearls.

I liked it, and I wanted to kiss them, but I did otherwise; Skylar was having a hard day; there was no need to stress her further.

We got to the car, but she didn't get in; rather, she said, “I want us to talk.”

“Sure, we can talk in the car. ”,

“No, here seems fine to me.” Her words sound like whimpers to me, and I had to strain to hear her properly.

There was no need to argue for tonight; she should just have her way. We leaned on the bumper of the car as she spoke.

“I have thought this all over, and I think it's best if we broke up—not like we were actually dating. ”,

I stared at her to know if she was really the one; the Skylar I knew would never give up easily. “Pardon,” Maybe I didn't hear clearly.

"Let's stop this facade, that's all. I thought I could take it, but it's not as easy as I thought. ”,

“Is that you giving up, Sky?” I asked, stunned.

“Guess I am.”

“I didn't know I would see such a day. ”,

“And what is that supposed to mean?” she snapped, and now I didn’t care; if she thought I was going to let a bunch of pompous kids get to her, then she was in for this argument.

“Because of some keg party you are throwing everything out the window.”

“No, I am not.”

“Damn, yes you are.”

“Oh, quit it, Troy. Can't you see? Are you really that daft? I thought I was the problem, and maybe I am, but not just it. The problem is your world…..”

“Wait a second, don't tell me you really believe I don't deserve you.”

“Actually it's the other way round. ”,

Now I really rolled my eyes at her; the thing is, she is short-sighted, so she wouldn't have seen it.

Like what was she thinking? She was the best choice for anybody. Both as a friend and as a lover.

“You aren't saying anything,” she continued. The silence had been threatening, and I was clearly thinking of a way to make it right. Winning an argument with Skylar was just like cooking rock because it won't break.

“Give me one week to prove you wrong. ”,

“We are from two different worlds, Troy; nothing is going to change that,” she argued.

If she made such comments because of Tiffany and her crew, I really didn't know what she would think when she really found out who I was.

“Just one week,” I pleaded, wrapping my hands over hers. Her fingers were small and delicate; they could pass for those of a toddler.

She let out a sigh; it was more of exhaustion than relief.

I couldn't come this far to lose her once more, and no matter what it took, this time I wasn't going to let go.

I took her over to the passenger’s seat, and when I tried to lift her up from the seat, she slapped my hand. “I only lost my glasses, psycho; I am not bedridden.”

With that I grinned before closing the door shut.

The radio was on, and ‘She Is a Good Girl’ was playing; it was Sky’s mom’s favorite.

She was like the OGs of the nineties, Skylar sang along, “Cause I am free, free falling,” she screamed on top of her lungs, her feet on the dashboard.

Hearing her sing, you wouldn't know she had a dramatic night. I laughed at her crooked voice; it sounded like a noisy blender.

“Fuck, Sky, I think my ears are going to block. ”,

“Screw you,” she replied, laughing as well.

It was nice having her like this.

The traffic wasn't much, though it was rush hour; most people were coming back from work by now.

I rounded into the parkway of her house; by now the song was done playing, and she was sleeping softly, her hands wrapped loosely around her stomach.

“Sky, we are home.” I said, and she jerked upwards. “Ohh,” she said, alighting from the car.

“Can you walk?” I asked, worried she might trip.

“Quit it, Troy, I didn't lose my legs.”

But she did actually trip on the pavement, her butt hitting the floor forcefully. “Ouch,” she winced.

I thought of going to help her, but before I could, the door opened and Susannah stepped out.

“Where are your glasses, hon?” she asked, helping her to her feet.

“Lost,” I heard her reply.

Her mom helped her inside as I drove away.

I had told her to give me one week, one week of uncertainty maybe.

Because I didn't know how in hell's name I was supposed to bring Skylar to my world.

If the statement even had any meaning at all.