Chapter Two
Harsh Reality
Part Two
Skye walked through the door to Omar's, the bell above chiming to signal another customer. She sighed as the fresh smell of coffee and cool air-conditioning enveloped her. A tall girl with long red hair smiled as she looked up and spotted Skye standing in the doorway. "Hello, how are you today, Miss?" She said.
Skye faintly put on a fake smile and whispered a quick hello and good. Her eyes glazed over the large coffee shop, taking in the fact that Bryan wasn't there yet. He always seemed to be late for their dates. She started walking to the back of the coffee shop, the part of the shop that was on a raised black and white checkered platform. The walls were a warm red and the floor was marble. In the back there were restrooms in the cut off corner. The shop was more than any typical coffee shop.
She dropped herself into a chair at a table with two seats. For the most part, all of the tables and booths were small. A soft hum of classical music was playing over the speakers and, in some matter, it calmed her. She loved going to Omar's, it always calmed her nerves, whatever the problems would be in her life. With her love for coffee she had even more motivation to hang out at Omar's. She propped her elbows on the table and sighed, dropping her chin on top of her hands.
There was a scuff of footsteps and a familiar voice chimed into her ears, "Can I get you something, Miss?" The voice startled her in a way that it wasn't only familiar but it was beautiful and harmonic. She couldn't place it until the boy stepped around to the side of the table and she tipped her gaze up at him. Her mouth threatened to drop but she kept it in check, swallowing her own words. Her eyes were lost in the boys' eyes and every word she thought about disappeared when she tried to speak. It was none other than Jules, the boy she knew she had to avoid.
"Stool girl?" Jules asked in surprise, his face lighting up at the sight of her. "Wow. Small town, huh?"
She didn't want to speak to him, she knew that she shouldn't break her promise already, but she couldn't be rude either. "What are you doing here?" She asked loudly.
"Whoa, did I say something wrong?" He chuckled as if she had said something funny.
She frowned at him and bit her lip. I shouldn't be talking to him, I shouldn't be talking to him.
She scolded herself, labeling herself guilty about not following with her promise. "Isn't there something against being too friendly with the costumers in the employee handbook?" She raised an eyebrow, trying to challenge him. She knew that what she said didn't make the most sense, but it would have to do.
He laughed at her and shook his head slowly. "Are you saying that I was being too friendly? Maybe you're thinking about last night than. I was hoping that you would remember last night." He winked and planted his hands on the table, causing her to flinch back.
She swallowed down the lump in her throat and all of the sudden her heart started drumming against her chest. She was nervous about him being close to her. If he looked at her close enough, there would be the possibility that he could notice her swollen cheek. "I wasn't thinking about last night." She hissed, crossing her arms.
He raised an eyebrow and made a sound resembling laughter under his breath. "Oh, no Stool girl, you were. Come on, just admit it, you were thinking about last night. About me," he leaned in a little closer to her, a smirk hinting on his lips.
She bit her tongue to keep herself from admitting it and faked a smile. "Listen," said Skye, closing in the space between them, "I am not going to admit to something that I have not done. You on the other hand, may have been thinking about last night. I was not and have not, so I suggest that you get over yourself." She said with fake satisfaction. She wasn't pleased with herself—it all was just another act.
Jules looked a little taken aback for a moment but it quickly passed and he grinned at her. "If that's what you'd like then I will try, but I can't give you any guarantees." He stood straight up again and winked. Oh how she wished that he would stop doing that.
"I'll take what I can get." She murmured, sighing on the inside. Jules looked even better in the normal light, she realized, almost as if he was a perfect masterpiece. He wore a loose fitting white collared shirt and dark jeans with a burgundy apron hanging loosely over the shirt. "How long have you been working here?" She asked him, suddenly very curious. She hadn't even seen him before last night at Buxton's and she wondered how long he has been in the area.
He seemed to stare right through her as he answered the question, almost as if he wasn't used to answering that sort of question. "My dad moved us here a few days ago, his job called for a new location over here and he couldn't refuse. He wanted me to work here, and I applied and got the job. I must say that I really can't complain, I mean, it's a rewarding job when I get costumers like you." He smiled again, a small smile that didn't show any teeth. "First day on the job and I'm already really enjoying it."
She almost gagged on her own saliva, surprised by the words that were echoing in her ears. She couldn't believe this kid, he was suddenly showing up a lot in her life. She didn't want to break her promise with Bryan, but, in a way, she already had broken it and what could a little more do? She let herself smile, flattered that he was actually taking the time to make conversation with her. She glanced around the shop and realized that the place was practically dead, there was only one other customer besides her, and it really surprised her. "This place sure is quiet today." She commented, trying to change the subject.
He followed her gaze and quietly laughed. "Really? Because I thought the place was hopping." He grinned, showing his perfectly white teeth.
She looked at him and found that he was staring at her again, his bold eyes making her shiver. His smile was breathtaking. "Do I sense a sort of sarcasm in those words of yours?" She said playfully.
"I believe that sarcasm would be right, Stool girl."
"Thought so," she said quietly, tapping her fingernails against the cold tables' surface. She could feel his stare, burning a slightly wonderful yet uncomfortable sensation in her body. She shifted in her chair and cleared her throat, trying to break up the silence that was between them. The silence hung in the air, almost as overwhelming as the humidity outside.
Jules took out his order pad and stenciled a quick sketch of Skye. She kept her gaze straight ahead of her, her mind drifting off into another world. When he had finished the drawing he realized that it was almost identical to her actual profile, he had a real talent for it. He hastily tore off the picture and stuffed it into his pocket, giving her a few quick and timid glances.
She watched him as he fumbled with the order pad, wondering why he didn't just ask her what she wanted to order. She opened her mouth to speak but closed it again, timidly looking into his eyes.
"What would you like to order?" He asked her, pencil poised over the pad of paper, his stare unwavering.
She swallowed on her nerves and shook her head. "I'm waiting for someone, I'll just get something when he's here." It's not just someone though, it's my boyfriend. She wined in her mind.
Jules was slightly surprised, but he held himself back from showing it. "Sounds good," he said distractedly glancing back at the girl at the counter. She was staring at him as if she was pleading with him for something, her eyes challenging him. "I have to go, I'll be back. Let me know if you need anything, and I mean anything." He winked at Skye before hurrying over to the counter, bending over to talk to the red-head.
Skye couldn't really believe how much they had talked together, he was being kind to her and that surprised her. She hasn't really ever had very many friends; in fact, Rachel and Leah are her closest friends.
She ducked her head down and sighed as sincere happiness took a place in her heart. Seeing Jules again brought her stomach butterflies and her heart to a racing but pleasurable beat. She felt good for once.
Maybe she shouldn't let herself feel good though. "There you are, beautiful." Bryan said to her. She popped her head up and her smile instantly disappeared. Bryan stood above her, forcing her mind to wrap itself around the past night with him. She hated that they were meeting together; it only made her want to be sick and run away.
He was grinning, and when he brought himself down to kiss her forehead, she hoped Jules wasn't watching. He was the only one on her mind in a good way. "Hey, Bryan," She said around an inaudible sigh.
Bryan moved his lips around her lips and kissed her forcibly. "Did you miss me?" He whispered in her ear, letting his lips brush her cheek. She winced as even the softest touch hurt her swollen cheek.
"Of course I missed you," she said uncomfortably. She wanted to scream at him so that he would stop kissing her, but thought better of it. Not only would he ignore it and kiss harder, but Jules would see them together. "Bryan, can you please stop? It hurts," She breathed. His lips were on hers again in a flash and she wanted to gag.
"Okay," he said pulling himself away from her and dropping onto the chair across from her. She took a breath of relief and glanced over to the counter for Jules; only, he wasn't there. "About last night," Bryan began.
"It's okay Bryan, I know you didn't want to hurt me."
"You're right, I didn't. But I still shouldn't have done what I did. I mean, you would never do anything to hurt me like that, right?"
"No, I wouldn't Bryan. And I understand it could've looked bad with me and that boy, but please Bryan, don't worry so much for me. I'm a big girl; I can handle talking to a boy."
"I know that you can handle it, that's why it's so hard. I couldn't have you trying to be with anyone else, and you shouldn't let me have to feel this way. If you stayed away from him I wouldn't have to worry about it all.
"Bryan, I already promised that I wouldn't do that to you, so why are you still making this such a big deal? I couldn't do that to you, I'm not going to cheat on you. Not with that boy, not with anyone. Okay?"
Bryan grinned with satisfaction. Again he had gotten what he wanted, full and complete access to Skye. "Okay, I believe you. I'm done making a big deal out of it all."
"Bryan, what happened to you getting here at noon?"
"I got stuck in traffic."
"I didn't see a lot of traffic."
"I went the long way and there had been a bad accident blocking the traffic flow. Sorry," he said it all with sincerity. But she was having a hard time believing it.
"You promise?"
"Are you saying that I'm lying to you?" He said loudly, his tone jumping a few notches louder. He stared at her in complete innocence. "Skye, I'm not lying, promise."
"Okay. Where were you?"
Suddenly Bryan looked more uncomfortable, and before he could answer, Jules came up behind him carrying pencil and paper in hand. "You must be the one she was waiting for," he said looking at Bryan. When he saw Bryan's face he seemed uncomfortable and off. Bryan was staring at him with a look of confusion and distress.
"Have we met before?" He asked, his voice coming out in total confidence.
Jules looked taken aback. "No, I don't think so. Although, somehow you remind me of someone I used to know."
Skye coughed dramatically, "Bryan what do you want to get?" She asked, changing the subject. She didn't want Bryan getting into a fight with Jules, not over her anytime.
He shook his head and ran his hand through his dark and scruffy hair. "Coffee, black." Suddenly he looked tired and weary, as if he was holding back a whole lot of anger.
"Okay, a cup of coffee for the man. What about for the lady?" Jules said, turning his gaze to Skye.
"I'd rather not have anything. I'm not really hungry or thirsty." She said nervously, biting her lips as she could feel the awkwardness between Bryan and Jules. She knew why Bryan was acting so strange around Jules, but why would Jules be strange around him?
"Are you sure, babe?" Bryan snapped, oddly concerned sounding.
"I'm sure, Bryan. I don't want anything." She hissed, awkwardly slumping down in her seat afterwards, feeling embarrassed about how she reacted. She was mad at Bryan, she didn't want to put her in such an awkward position. "No thank you, Jules." She said, looking at Jules carefully again. She didn't make eye contact because she didn't want Bryan to react to her.
"Okay, well, I'll be right back with coffee, black." Jules announced as he put on a smile and walked away.
Bryan glared at Jules as he let his gaze follow the employee. He turned his head back to Skye and clenched his teeth. His jaw tightened and he growled a few harsh words about Jules under his breath. "Skye, did you know he works here? That's the boy from last night isn't it? Jules." He spat.
She was taken slightly aback at his rage, she expected as much, but it still startled her. She wanted to cry out to him that she didn't want his scolding. "Yeah, that's him, but I didn't know he works here, I swear! And why would it matter if I did?" She said a little too loudly, taking in the realization of just how angry Jules makes him. "I love you, Bryan, I couldn't love anyone else." There was a sour taste in her mouth and it was hard for her to even say the words. She did love him, but she didn't actually think that he was the only she could ever love.
"I love you too, but he's just—I don't want you around him. Okay?" There was a certain amount of warning in his voice and she was not about to disregard it.
"Okay, I won't go around him, promise." She sighed on the inside, feeling regret to have promised staying away from the one person she really could feel anything with.
Jules came back to the table and gave Bryan his coffee, silently. The table was dead silent, no one really even bothering to look at each other, except for Jules, he was staring at Bryan, almost as if he was trying to figure him out. Skye peered up at Jules as he walked away, giving her one last smile before slipping back into work. Bryan had his hand on the table in a fist, staring out the window across from them. She felt her heart drop into her stomach when she thought of Jules leaving her again. She didn't believe that she would see Jules again, and according to Bryan, she wasn't supposed to.
"I think I should go. Just stay away from him, okay? Later, babe." Bryan kissed her on the way out and shot a glare at Jules as he worked behind the counter, cleaning the blender. Jules watched him leave slightly unnerved, and the moment Bryan was out of the shop, he took a quick glance at Skye. She had her head off in the clouds, but around her eyes tears were slipping down her fragile cheeks.
Jules made his way around the counter and over to her. He touched her shoulder gently with one hand and crouched so that he was closer to her. "What's wrong, Skye?"
She sniffled and brushed away her tears. "It's nothing," she mumbled between a quiet sob.
"Hey, it's okay, what happened?" He said gently, rubbing his hand on her other shoulder. "You can tell me, I'm not going to tell anyone."
"It's nothing; I just didn't want Bryan to leave. It doesn't matter, Jules, I don't want to talk to you, okay?" She pulled herself out of the chair, dropped the money on the table, and took a deep breath. "Goodbye, Jules."
She pushed herself passed him, leaving him staring with disbelief after her. He called her name but she was too far away to stop. She couldn't turn back though, she had promised Bryan that she wouldn't be around him and she couldn't let him down, no matter how many times he had let her down.
She ran out the door into the oppressing heat and let out a desperate sob. Her mind was swimming with pictures of Jules, pictures of his beautiful face and his breathtaking smile. She wanted to cry for everything; for Bryan's anger, for Jules' confusion, for Johnny's abuse, and for Leah's complete lack of knowing the truth. She wouldn't though, she had to be strong enough.
Instead of walking towards home she wandered the streets, anger flaring through her veins as she thought about Jules' face when she had left. He looked helpless, confused, shocked, and sad. She hated that she had let him down and hadn't given him a chance because of the mess with Bryan.
"Hey Skye, need a ride?" Came a familiar voice.
Jules! Skye whirled around and looked at the boy staring back at her in a Mustang convertible. "Jules? H-how did you get off work so fast? And how'd you find me?" She scrambled to find the words, her heart suddenly speeding up.
He ruffled his hair and pulled on his neck nervously. "Actually, I was dying to take a break from work, and when you left in such a hurry I thought it was the perfect time. Do you want to get some lunch?"
She wanted to smile but couldn't. He looked too adorable staring at her with that smile and those bold eyes that smiled back. She wanted to go with him but she couldn't get herself to do it, she knew that she would be breaking her promise to Bryan. "Look, you're sweet, but I really can't be around you, can't. You shouldn't have followed me, go home, Jules, just go." She began walking away, tucking her hands in her jean pockets and slowly shaking her head.
"Skye, please tell me what you mean. I don't understand, I thought we were actually getting along. I mean, I know I can be a little bit pushy and playful sometimes, but I thought you liked it. What changed your mind?" Hurt was trembling its way into Jules' tone. He cruised along, keeping in line with her.
She wanted to cry, he sounded sincere as if he actually really did care about her. "Nothing! Nothing changed my mind, Jules. I was just messing with you, I thought you were messing with me and I wanted to play along. Just do me a favor and forget about me, forget that you ever met me and leave me alone!" She shrieked, tears welling up around her eyes. She ran away from him, as far and fast as she could, not looking back to see if he was following her. He wasn't following her; instead, he was lost in the words she had spoken to him, Leave me alone.
Skye hiked up her house's front steps, her legs about to give, her heart pounding, and her breath catching between gasps. Why can't I let myself cling onto two separate worlds? Bryan wouldn't even know that I'd talk to Jules. She looked down at her hands, the hands that used to touch Bryan's face and play with his hair in pleasure, but now are scarred from the bruises that have been made on them.
She glanced up at the front door between gasps and wondered if Johnny was inside. He very well could be inside; but I hardly have anywhere else to go. The only place I could go is too far for my legs to carry me to. She concluded, thinking about Johnny's ill temper.
The front door suddenly opened and she backed away in surprise, her legs stumbling from underneath her and causing her to collide on the cement. She braced herself for the fall and winced as the cement cut little slivers in her skin. Johnny looked down at her in surprise and smiled. "Oh, you're back."
She tried to talk but she couldn't find her words. Her breath had been knocked out of her from the run and fall and she couldn't form any words.
"Honey, what are you—doing?" A woman with frazzled auburn colored hair, hazel eyes, and tanned skin stepped out next to him, dressed only in a gown. "Who's this?"
Skye's face twisted with confusion and anger, her mind whirling and her heart hammering. "I'm his step-daughter, Skye. And who might you be?"
"Oh, that's sweet. I'm Maria."
"Maria why don't you go inside, I'll handle this."
"Handle what? She's no problem."
"Of course she isn't. Just go wait for me in the room, I'll be back soon." He kissed Maria on her forehead and she walked back inside, shutting the front door behind her. Johnny looked at her painfully angry.
Fear took a quick and strong hold on Skye. She just saw firsthand how Johnny was cheating on her mom, the one person he supposedly loves. She never could have expected this; she never would have guessed that he could do something so horrible to her mom. But, it would explain all of those times he stayed home when he could have been out working, though, and it would explain all of the beer bottles too. His "friend" was a little more than that.
She started stepping back, anger whipping at her insides. "How could you be doing this to Leah? It's not like she ever did anything to you. How long have you been lying to us? You never wanted to stay home to get work done, did you? You only wanted to—"
Johnny took a painfully strong grasp on Skye's wrist and dragged her towards the car, growling under his breath. She gasped at the sudden pain that was searing through her arm and her body instantly tensed. "This has nothing to do with your mom. And you'll be quiet if you know what's best for you." His voice was full of venom, he was furious.
"So you're just a full blown creep then?" She hissed, anger driving through her veins and making her speak out.
He slapped her violently across her other cheek with his free hand and shoved her towards the car. "Get in," he spat.
She hardly had time to realize what had happened before he ripped the door open and brutally shoved her inside. Completely dizzy, she scrambled to get her seatbelt on. Everything was in pain and she could hardly see through the blurriness from the impact she had taken on.
Johnny swung himself in the car and slammed the door shut, turning the key in the ignition and backing out of the driveway. The tires screeched under the car as he sped down the road. "Why did you come back so soon? I thought you were hanging out with Bryan!" He yelled at her.
She tried to collect her thoughts and to take deep and long breaths, but when she didn't answer right away, Johnny slammed his fist into her chest. "I asked you a question!" He bellowed, his breathing harsh and ragged.
She could hardly breathe much less think or talk. The world spun around her and she had to shut her eyes to even try breathing, and she didn't want to look at him when he hit her again. The wind was knocked out of her and she couldn't even grasp what was going on around her. His bellowing voice sounded slurred but high pitched in her ears. Her body was shaking and when she fluttered her eyes open, she couldn't see anything but a blur. "W—we weren't speaking to each other and h—he left, so I c—came home." She stuttered, coughing up blood. It trailed down her chin and onto her shirt and she whimpered. What are you doing to me, Johnny?
"So you just decided to come early? Brilliant." He growled, starting to calm down, but his knuckles were still white on the steering wheel and she could see how his chest was rising and falling quickly. "Here," he shoved a napkin in front of her, keeping his eyes on the road ahead of them.
Her head was spinning and her body was going numb, she could hardly feel anything anymore. She wiped at her mouth and shirt and tossed the napkin aside, rubbing her aching head. "Where are we going?" She croaked, her voice quivering with sobs.
Johnny's lips crept up into a smirk and he chuckled under his breath, "We have some business to take care of," he replied venomously as they turned down an unknown street and her heart stopped beating.
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A/N. Thank you so much for reading! Please let me know what you thought? And, if you enjoyed reading this, could you possiblly vote, please? I'd appreciate it♥
-Pic on the side of Bryan - - >