The Academy

Chapter Twenty-Two || when you're ready

"Why wouldn't you want to go home?" His body stiffens and I realize that I probably should have thought more carefully before speaking.

He sighs, falling back into the bed and lifting his head to rest on his arm. He brings me closer by hugging me to his chest.

"Dad used to get mad at us for... stupid things." I frown, my eyebrows scrunching up. "He would say that we had to be perfect. Perfect appearances. Perfect grades. Perfect attitudes. Perfect life." Vaughn scoffs, shaking his head in despair. "Because if we were seen as nothing but flawless..." he turns to look at me, "we could beat 'our enemies'."

"Enemies? Meaning my father." He nods, frowning. "Well, I'm glad you have people like Debbie and Stephen in your life. But..." I trail off, wondering if I should ask the next question. "...what about your Mom?"

A small smile appears on his face, and my whole body relaxes.

"Mom always tried to protect Julie and me from Dad. But as I got older, she got weaker and weaker. So, now I'm the one that has to protect them both, I guess. When I'm not home, I get worried, 'cause that means that it's just Dad and her at home. Alone."

"What do you mean by protect, Vaughn?" Concern etches on my face. He sucks in a sharp breath as he looks up to the ceiling.

"I–I don't wanna talk about it right now." He shakes his head, his voice turning into a panicked tone. I turn his face to look at me, worry in his eyes.

"Hey, hey. It's okay. Tell me when you're ready." He looks at me for a split second before nodding to himself.

I pull his head to the crook of my neck, which makes him wrap his arms around my waist. My fingers run through his messy hair while his runs inside my cami top, making me shiver from the touch.

"I want you to trust me, Vaughn. But if you don't feel comfortable sharing something with me, it's okay. I can wait." He pulls away from me, his arms still around my waist.

"It's not that I don't want to tell you, it's just that..."

"You're not ready." He nods, closing his eyes. "Come here." I put my arms out as if to tell him to hug me, and he does after laughing at me with an amused expression.

We stay like that for the rest of the morning, wrapped in each other's arms while we ask each other random questions about the other.

He didn't talk about his father while I chose not to talk about Mom. But we knew that one day, we would have to open up. However, today wasn't that day.

And we both feel at peace knowing that.

❀

"Hey, I wanna see!" Chase whines into my ear as I continue to take pictures of him and Teagan.

We've all gotten ready for the party and are now outside, in the back garden, taking pictures and pre-drinking before everyone gets here.

"Chase! Get back over there, I'm not finished yet." I push the pouting boy over to his amused-looking girlfriend, who then throws her arms around his neck and kisses his cheek, lovingly. They're so cute.

As I continue to tap the capture button on Teagan's phone, taking multiple photos at a time to get the candids she wants, I feel someone slither their hands around my waist. They put their head on my shoulder from behind me, and I smile to myself.

"Tea put you on picture duty?" I hum, making Vaughn chuckle. "Thank god it's not me."

I turn my head slightly to look at him, narrowing my eyes. "Sorry. But you're gonna be doing that for a while. Don't worry though, I'll keep you company." He cutely states, kissing my neck which makes me giggle as I go back to taking photos for the couple.

"I like what you're wearing by the way. You look gorgeous." My neck muffled his voice, but it was still loud enough for me to hear, and I feel my cheeks heat up. "You remembered my favorite color." He smugly says, swaying my hips as he hugs me into his chest.

I'm wearing a red, body con dress with regular white sneakers. And yes, knowing that red was his favorite color did play a role in my choosing this dress for tonight.

"Glad you noticed." I slyly smile as Teagan and Chase make their way to us, taking their phones from me before walking back into the house.

He turns me around by my hips, so I'm facing him. A boyish grin plastered on his face while I bring my hands up to go around his neck and pull myself closer to him so we're now chest to chest.

"Of course I noticed." His grin only widens as he tucks a strand of my curled hair behind my ear. "Now kiss me." He exaggeratedly puckers his lips at me, closing his eyes. Making me laugh.

"Ew." He feigns a hurt expression, his jaw dropped and his eyes narrow. Making me giggle, even more, throwing my head back.

"You're mean." He huffs like a child.

"Awww, you poor thing." I teasingly pout, squeezing his cheeks with one hand. "I'm sorry, little man baby." I lean in and he meets me halfway, crashing his lips onto mine.

He runs his hand up to the back of my neck, grabbing my hair as I grip his baby hair, which makes him groan.

Once we pull away from each other, his hair is all messed up and his lips are red and swollen from the passionate kiss.

"Get a room!" Eris exclaims from the other side of the garden, making everyone around her laugh in amusement. I turn slightly and stick my tongue out at her playfully.

Vaughn pulls my face to him and puts his lips on mine, urgently. Smiling into the kiss, we pull away laughing at a frowning Eris. Vaughn shrugs, making me giggle even more as I curl my head into his neck, putting my arms around his torso.

"You're so annoying." I hit his chest as he pulls my head from his neck.

"Yeah, but so are you." He bops my nose with his, making me narrow my eyes at him. "That's what makes us perfect for each other."

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hey guys,
long time no see :)

university has been crazy so far
so that's why i haven't been writing
all that often.

please forgive me <33
hope you enjoyed
see you guys next time.