Save Me

Chapter 10: My Superhero

"Maybe it's because I hear a lot of bullshit," I said, sticking out my tongue.

"Classy."

"I try." I replied tersely and followed him up to the top floor and through the rooftop door. The roof was flat and faced the ocean. At the edge of the roof were two lawn chairs and a lantern. Now, that was my kind of classy.

"What's all of this?" I asked, secretly delighted. It was like a simple getaway. Something you could look forward to and a place you can escape everything from. I closed my eyes and stuck my arms out, trying to catch every last breeze that came our way.

"Well ever since Connor and I moved out here, we set up this place on his dad's building to just talk."

"This spot is perfect. Look at the view!" I said, running to the edge that showed a few buildings and the beach just across the street. The bright lights of the buildings glistened onto the water and into the night sky.

"Let's sit," Luke said, gesturing to the chair next to him. He sat down first and I just watched him, before settling myself in the chair at his side. It was silent for a few minutes but for once the silence between us wasn't peaceful and comforting. It was starting to become awkward and tense.

"Why are we here?" I asked, breaking the silence. I get the feeling that I'm not going to like this as much as the view.

Lucas cleared his throat. "I just wanna get to know you, Erika." I said nothing, pursing my lips in trepidation. It sounded a bit more like I want some answers, Erika. "When we first met up, my trip ended with you shoving me into your closet, which wasn't a great experience and there was also a guitar. You've never even mentioned it or bothered to explain when I asked. Then, you have a mental breakdown after a confrontation with the paparazzi. I know there are a lot of things you aren't telling me and I need you to tell them to me because I feel like ever since we started to hang out, I barely know you." He took a breath. "Sorry, I kinda started rambling there," he said sheepishly.

I paused a second before responding. "How do you think I feel Lucas? There is a lot you aren't telling me either. When we were at the bleachers, you said I wasn't the only one with a story and you that you have one as well, which was 'for another day.' I feel like I know more about your family than I know you, Lucas Perry, and I just met them today."

He paused and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He reopened them again and spoke. "Let's make a deal. I'll tell you about my past if you tell me about yours. Nothing hidden. Everything. Yeah?"

"Okay. Who's first?"

"I think you should go first because I asked you first," Luke said.

"Well, where do I start?"

"The beginning."

"Then I guess we'll be here for a while. Well I was born Erika Jade Kingsley on February 11th to Marcus Kingsley, fabled owner of the oil tycoon company Kingsley, Incorporated and to Cassandra Kingsley, who was daughter of one of my grandfather's associates. I'm not going to lie and say I had a difficult childhood because it wasn't that bad. Mom and Dad were around sometimes, but rarely because that's when my dad's company really took off. Mary took care of me most of the time, but I didn't mind because I got whatever I wanted, which was everything any kid could ask for."

I glanced at Lucas who was looking at me very intensely. I closed my eyes to avoid his stare and continued.

"Then when I was 12, I was watching TMZ and I found out my mother filed for divorce against my dad. I didn't even know until I found out from the media. I was thrown in the middle of a custody battle between them, which made me a center for the 'latest scoop of the Kingsley divorce'. I could hardly leave my house without being bombarded nor could I go anywhere without my bodyguards and it made the innocent, fun girl into an anxious, scared preteen.