I need you, I need you, I need you

chapter 93-learn to fly

Rachel's p/v
"I wasn't going to tell anyone else but I just need validation. This is messed up, right?"
"Rachel, someone older than you beat you up. You need to tell Darry."
"Why should I? Jasmine," I look down, "he's not going to believe me. I'm already on thin ice. Darry is probably talking to Ms. Nguyen about not letting me audition for the dance team."
"You don't know that. I think you should trust Darry. He's your brother, there's no reason for him to not defend you."
"Mary has posted about me multiple times yet he hasn't said anything. Rosetta showed me a post from Mary's spam account. The caption was like 'let's hope she doesn't copy this one'. Darry follows that account. But did he say anything? Did he apologize to me on her behalf? I don't even know why I missed him. He should've stayed in New York."
"Don't say that, Rachel. You guys missed each other a shit ton. The reunion was sweet, wasn't it?"
"Sure, but for things to go back to the way they were? At least Mary and Darry were far away from me. I didn't have to see their stupid faces."
"Things won't change if you don't take the first step. Remember what I told you, do not push people away. If you want them to listen to you then be upfront."
"I am upfront, ok! I'm sorry but I can't look at Darry in the eye anymore. I just can't live like this. This isn't worth living."
"I will confront Darry myself if I have to. He can't keep hurting you like this."
"Nah, he won't care. I can run away, cry myself to sleep, push him away, say mean things to him; he'll just go on a late night date with Mary and smoke a cigarette on his way back. I'm done playing this stupid game of chance with him."
"What do you mean by that?"
"If he won't care about what I do or say to him then I won't care either. I hope he leaves for college and abandons me. It's all anyone ever does."
"Rachel-"

Tyler's p/v
"Now isn't the time, Tyler." She turns her back against me. Sage appears from behind her.
"Where have you been, Sage?" Jasmine asks.
"Out sick. Is it everything ok?"
"No, everything is not ok. Help me convince Rachel to confront Darry."
"No one is convincing me anything because I want to be left alone!"
"I need context. Rachel, did Darry do something to you?"
"Don't you guys know what it means to want to be alone? I want to be alone!"
"Love, I don't think you should be-"
"And why are you even here, idiot? Don't you have a stupid play to go to?"
"Rachel, don't lash out on Tyler. Let us help you." Jasmine reaches for her hand but Rachel walks away. I sigh and watch her leave.
"Don't take it to heart, Tyler. She's just hurting a lot."
"I've never seen her this way. She's been angry before, but this is different."
"I think she's officially fed up with Darry."
"What do you suggest we do, Jasmine?"
"No clue. We can't tell Darry that Quinn's older sister beat up Rachel-"
"She what? Oh that bitch is going to hear me!" Sage walks away but I grab her arm.
"Hey, don't get Rachel into anymore trouble."
"And instead just stand here and let Rachel cry? If no one disposes the trash then it's just going to pile up."
"We can't put Rachel in any risk."
"Jasmine, back me up!"
"He's got a point. We need to be smart about this. Darry has to know what's going on but he can't hear it from us."
"Then how do we let Darry know what's going on?" I ask.
"We can tell him that Rachel has something important to say to him."
"No, she won't tell him anything. Who's the one person who Rachel trusts the most in the world?"
I look down. Jasmine and Sage look at me.
"I'm sorry, Tyler. It even hurt me hearing what Rachel said to you."
"It was just in the moment. I don't care about it though, let's go back to what we were talking about. I think Declan can convince her to tell Darry."
"Does he even know what happened?"
"Well there's only one way to find out." I pull out my phone.
"I hope we get the old Rachel back. I hate seeing her like this."
"Me too, Sage. She's never lashed out on us. How are you feeling, Tyler?"
I look at her. "Hurt, disappointed, but I know she didn't mean it. Rachel is as sweet as honey, but her words can sting."
"The only person who was never affected by her words was Jaden. That man had patience."
"Sage." Jasmine mumbles.
"What? I'm not saying Tyler doesn't have patience."
"It's someone you shouldn't bring up."
"Let her, I don't mind. We won't be hurting anymore. Declan is on board."
Jasmine sighs in relief. Sage looks away. I don't care what Rachel says to me. I just want my love back.