** Dedication: @Sophie_Vasquez for getting first place in the contest :) [this was months ago but better late than never (right?) sorry!] **
Chapter Twenty-Two: Picture Perfect
Skylar's POV
As I walk through the door of the English classroom, I can feel Niall's eyes follow me all the way to my seat. His gaze is burning holes through my head, and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I'm just too nervous to look up at him. After our.. moment we shared last night, I know that our relationship is sort of different now. It's stronger, way more intense.
And throughout the day, in the back of my head I've been worried that it might damage our relationship. We've been moving fast the whole time, but is it too much for him to handle? For me to handle?
After all, the last relationship I had didn't end very well. Am I ready to be this serious so soon?
Thoughts are swarming my head as I rest on my desk until the bell rings. I hesitantly bring my head up from the wood and meet Niall's eyes. He has a wide grin on his face as he calls for attendance, hardly ever breaking eye contact.
Damn, that boy.
I feel a smile grace my lips as I watch him in amusement. He is in a good mood today, and I think everyone can see that.
"Alright guys, I want you to read the first two chapters of this new book and then write a paragraph on what you think it's about and/or what's going to happen. It's due at the end of the period, if you finish early, you can talk quietly." Mr Horan passes the thick books back, I inwardly groan when I see the title of the novel; To Kill A Mockingbird. We had to read the book two years ago, but I'm sure he doesn't know that.
After I recieve my own copy, I go right ahead and begin reading page after page.
- - -
When I was finally released from school, after staying back a few minutes to give Niall a little kiss and talk to him as we walked out together, I wrapped myself up in my duvet and curled into a ball on my bed.
Not even two minutes after I had gotten comfortable, my phone buzzed from the bedside table. I groaned loudly before wiggling around enough so that I could grasp it, nearly falling off the bed in the process.
From: Unknown
Hey, Skylar?
To: Unknown
Yes... Who's this?
From: Unknown
It's Louis.. I stole your number from Niall's phone. Don't say anything to him about it though... Okay so back to the point. Niall's birthday is this weekend, so Zayn and I were going to throw him a little party, a few of his friends and I were thinking you and your friend could come as well. It'll be small, but I thought it would be nice to surprise him.
To: Louis
Yeah, that sounds great!
From: Louis
Alright, I'll see you Friday night @ 7:30? It won't start until after 8, but we could use some help setting it up and getting him out of the house and then back again for the party.
To: Louis
Alright, thanks! See you then.
A little surprised and a lot excited, I sent Desiree a text, asking her if she'd like to come. Of course, never being one to deny a party, she quickly agreed. I couldn't wait until the party. It would be nice to relax and have some fun for once and not have to worry about getting caught.
With thoughts of Niall and possibilities of gifts I could get him I fell asleep.
- - -
"Skylar!"
I was startled from my little nap by the sound of someone calling my name. And when my name was called a second time, I realized it was my mother. Groaning to myself, I slipped out of my bed, stretching my muscles and cracking my back in the process.
I had just stepped off of the last stair, when my mom shouted for me, yet again.
"I'm right here, would you relax?" I grumble as I shuffle into the kitchen. My mother smiles at me and ruffles my hair, which I'm sure looks like a bird's nest.
"Dinner's ready. Go sit." She taps my back gently before turning off the oven and pulling out what looks like lasagna...
Fifteen minutes into the meal, and we're all acting like a normal family. And I can't help but think of how much I've missed this. Missed being together and happy. And despite knowing that we're not even close to perfect, it feels perfect.
I glance to my right, where Hannah is looking at me with a faint smile on her lips. When she sees that I'm looking, she smiles even bigger and grabs my hand under the table. Even without words, I know what she wants. I nod my head and squeeze her hand.
"Mom, Dad, I have something to tell you. But I need you to be open minded. And I also need you to wait until I'm finished before you say anything."
Both of my parents nod encouragingly, although I can tell they're curious as to what she has to say.
"While I was off at college, I had a boyfriend - "
"Oh, that's great sweetie!" My mother interrupts, a smile that looks more like a grimace on her face. She probably thinks Hannah is pregnant or something.
"No, mom, actually it's not. We were together for three months before he started beating me, and then four months after that." Hannah finally looks up from where our hands are grasping each other. I follow her lead and look up to my parents who look like they've been slapped across the face.
"Wha - " My dad begins before Hannah cuts him off.
"I'm not done yet.. I wanted to know if it was okay if I switch to the local college and move back in with you guys. I understand if you don't want me to, really, it's fine. I can make it there, I mean I'm almost finished with this sem - "
"Of course. Of course you can move in here Hannah. Don't be silly. We all would love to have you back home." My mother smiles through the tears sliding down her cheeks. My father nods along with her, and he looks so heartbroken.
And suddenly the picture perfect family I was seeing earlier is gone. We're all broken. There's no such thing as perfect. And we're not even close. But that's okay. It's okay to be imperfect. The only thing that matters is that none of us are alone.
- - -
That evening, we all circle around the couch in the living room and help Hannah apply for the local college. She's going to be finishing her current courses online and then start there next semester.
My dad goes to bed before the rest of us since he gets up the earliest. My mother, Hannah and I all talk about different things we can do about Hannah's past relationship. After hours of discussing all of the possibilities, Hannah agrees to pressing charges.
And with a lot more convincing, she also agrees to talk to a therapist once a week. I can tell she's really uncomfortable with the thought of talking to a stranger about all of her personal problems, but I know it will be good for her.
Many tears are shed and hugs shared before my mom heads upstairs. Hannah and I are pressed close together with a movie from the 90's playing on the tv.
"Thank you Sky," Hannah grasps my hand and pulls it closer to her. I smile warmly at her.
"You're welcome. I'm really proud of you, you know that, right?"
"You are? Even after everything I did. I was - I was such a horrible sister to you, I still can't believe you forgive me. I don't deserve it at all, but I appreciate it so much." Another set of tears rises in her eyes and my own.
"That's what sisters do." We both laugh at my cheesy response, before pulling each other into a bone crushing hug. "I'll come with you, to therapy or court, whatever you want. I'll be there, okay? You won't have to do this alone, I promise."
No words are spoken after that, just a comfortable silence as we watch this supposed classic - my mother's words.
It feels nice to be close again. To finally have someone to support and have them support you.
Hannah's been so honest with everyone in my family lately, something I admire so much. I feel a pang in my chest as I come to the realization of how much I'm hiding from my family, while they are being so open with me. I'm suddenly appalled with myself. The fact that not only am I breaking rules and laws but I'm betraying my family as well.
- - -
"You're here! Finally! Would you mind setting up the snacks and drinks on that table over there! Oh hi, you must be Desiree, it's so nice to meet you. Alright, now get to work!"
I stand frozen for a second on Niall's doorstep where Louis is flinging the door open. Behind him Zayn and a few other people I've never seen before are hanging up a banner in the living room. Desiree laughs a little breathlessly at Louis' not-very-kind greeting.
"Yeah, you too." She smiles humorously before stepping into Niall's house.
We set to work immediatelty, too afraid of Louis. He was in full work mode and it warmed my heart that he cares so much about Niall to go through all this for his birthday.
When things are finally all set up, with ten minutes until Niall will arrive, we all sit around the couch and chat, seeing that I don't know half of these people.
There's a few of Niall's friends from high school that he hasn't seen in a while, a few from college, and his cousin. Desiree and I are the only girls, and they all seem to flock to her. Her natural beauty and charm draws them in, and I can't help but find this situation so funny.
However, sometimes I worry about her with guys that just see her looks and want her because of that and not what's on the inside. It's so rare that she does actually let people in, and I'm so afraid that she will let someone in who is only going to tear her down from the inside. It's happened before and having to sit back and watch it is the most horrifying feeling in the world. I wish I knew how to help her, and how to protect her, but I'm not much better myself.
We both struggle with it, and that's why we get along so well. Because I know how she works and she knows how I work.
So, I let her do all the talking, as I sit back and think of what I could do to help her with the "Harry situation." I mean, it's not like I can just lock them in a room until they both confess their feelings. Not only would that be cruel, but probably ineffective.
I'm snapped out of my thoughts when Louis says my name. I glance over at him and he's smiling at me.
"So, what'd you get Niall for his birthday?" He wiggles his eyebrows at me, and laughs to himself. I'm glad no one else can hear the suggestive tone in his words.
"I'm not telling you. But it's not ready yet, so he's going to have to wait a few days." I grin mysteriously and he looks offended.
"I set this whole thing up and you won't even tell me what you got him?" he gasps.
"You're so dramatic." I roll my eyes, but lean in and whisper in his ear anyway.
"Okay, you're officially the best girlfriend in the whole entire world."
Just as the last word leaves his lips, the lock on the door clicks and it swings open.
- - - - - - - - - -
A/N: Thanks for reading and voting and commenting on this story and sticking with me.. It means so much to me. I love you alll (:
Please tell me what you think about the story, the characters, what you think will happen next, criticism.. Something, please.
I know this is included in every single A/N, but I really do mean it.. I'm so sorry for how long I make you guys wait. I know how frustrating it is, to have to wait forever for an update.. I had my birthday, my cousin's birthday and my mom's birthday, vacation, getting ready to go back to school, going back to school, personal problems.. The list goes on. I'm also at loss for inspiration/motivation to do anything. So, I'm sorry.
Also - I changed the casting a bit. People have been saying they don't really agree with who I chose and I don't really agree with myself either.. So, Nina Dobrev is now Skylar and Brittany Snow is now Desiree. Not sure if these will work out, I can never decide.
I'm sorry.
-Chelsea.
P.S. ~ MIDNIGHT MEMORIES LEAKED LAST NIGHT AND IT'S BEYOND PERFECTION! I CANT DECIDE WHICH ONE IS MY FAVORITE?? YOU&I, HAPPILY, LITTLE BLACK DRESS, DONT FORGET WHERE YOU BELONG, WHY WE DONT GO THERE, STRONG? I DONT KNOW
~ Dedication to my favorite commenter ~