Unconditional Validation

Chapter 14

I could see the determination in their eyes, and it sparked a flicker of hope inside me. "You really think it could help?"

"Absolutely," Ryder replied. "You're stronger than you think. And you're not just fighting for yourself; you're fighting for all of us."

The idea was terrifying, but the thought of facing Killian with my siblings by my side gave me a rush of courage. "Okay. Let's do it."

Suddenly, Skyler's phone buzzed again, interrupting the moment. She glanced at the screen, her expression shifting to one of annoyance. "Ugh, it's Meghan. She's trying to get me to go to some party tonight. Like I'm in the mood for that."

"Maybe it's a good distraction?" I suggested. "You could use some fun."

"Fun doesn't exactly sound appealing right now," she replied, crossing her arms. But then, her expression softened. "But maybe you're right. I don't want to just sit around feeling angry."

Ryder tilted his head, a playful smirk creeping onto his face. "I mean, if you decide to go, just remember to be the star of the show. No one can resist your killer dance moves."

Skyler laughed, the tension in the room easing just a bit. "You're right. I can't let Killian ruin everything for me, or for us."

"Exactly," I said, feeling the momentum build. "We'll handle him, and then you can go have your fun. Just promise to keep us updated."

"Deal," Skyler said, pulling me into another quick hug. "And Tyler, don't forget, you're not just my brother; you're my hero."

Ryder chimed in, his voice full of sincerity. "We all believe in you, Ty. We're in this together."

With that, I felt a renewed sense of strength. No longer just a victim in my own story, I was ready to take a stand. I would face Killian, and with my siblings at my side, I wouldn't back down.

"Okay," I said, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. "Let's figure out a plan."

As we began to strategize, I couldn't help but feel that, no matter what happened next, I was ready to fight back—together. It felt good that Ryder wanted to be back in our lives as our brother.

As we settled into a more focused discussion, I could feel the energy shift in the room. Ryder grabbed a notepad from the coffee table, and Skyler pulled out her phone to take notes.

"First things first," Ryder said, jotting down ideas. "We need to make sure we're all on the same page about what we want to say to Killian. We can't let him twist our words or intimidate us."

"Agreed," Skyler added. "We should set clear boundaries. He needs to know we won't tolerate his behavior anymore."

I took a deep breath, trying to push down the anxiety that had started to bubble up again. "What if he just laughs at me or tries to make me look stupid? He's done that before."

"That's exactly why we need to approach it calmly," Ryder said, looking up from the notepad. "Stay assertive, but don't let him provoke you. If he tries to start something, we walk away. No engagement."

"Right. But if we're together, he'll see we're united," Skyler said, her voice filled with determination. "He thrives on isolating people. If he can't divide us, he'll lose his power."

"I like that," I replied, feeling a spark of confidence. "So, should we set a date to confront him?"

"Tomorrow," Ryder said firmly. "Let's not wait. We'll catch him right after school when he's most likely to be hanging out with his friends. We'll make sure it's just the three of us confronting him."