Following my parents' steps(SQ:The good girl is changing me)

Chapter eighteen - She is acting different

Blake's POV:

Lately, Skyler is different. I mean that she doesn't talk with me much. It's visible that there is a problem, but how I am supposed to help her when she hasn't told me anything. I haven't seen her talking with someone from school, but I have to say that only on the lunch break we can spend more time together. I don't know is she avoiding me or there is something else. I don't remember doing something to her, but maybe I did. The thing is that I don't know what to think anymore. Mike knows something, but when I asked him, he didn't say anything. I guess that Skyler hasn't told him anything as well. How I see her parents don't even know that there is something wrong with her, which means that she has lied to them or is making excuses whenever they suspect something. I gladly would tell them, but I shouldn’t mess with this. After all, I don't want my best friend to be mad at me, because I have told her parents. I can try to talk with her and see if this time she will tell me something. I have thought that whatever it is, it might be about me, but honestly, I don't know. I have no idea who to ask. Missy is my last option, but even if she knows something, I don't think that she will tell me. 

I woke up with the thought of my best friend. I want to help her just like how she helped me, but I don't know how. I feel like now we are switching roles. In the beginning, I didn't want to tell her anything and now, she is doing the same. I hope that after some time she will tell me what is going on. If things are going in the same direction, I won't leave her. Yes, I pushed her away when she tried to help me, but this time, if she tries to do this, I won't let her. It's visible that there is a problem and I will find out what is it. 

It's the weekend so I don't have any plans for the day. Maybe I can call Skyler and invite her for a walk or something else. I have to talk with her and it must be soon. I can't stand watching her upset. If I have to be honest, I don't understand why she doesn't want to share this. If not with me, at least with her parents. I know that they will help her. Especially her dad. He will do everything for her.

I called Skyler and after the second ring, she picked up.

- Hey, what are you doing?

- Nothing laying in bed. 

- Do you want us to go out today? The weather is nice. 

- Thanks, but I have some things to do today. 

- Is one of them keep lying to me?

- What?

- Skyler, I know that you are avoiding me and I want to know why. Did I do something?

- No, you didn't do anything. 

- Then why? Everything was fine and out of nowhere, you changed. Did someone tell you to stay away from me? Maybe Missy. 

- No, she didn't. This girl has nothing to do with that. 

Lie number one. If Missy is the problem, then I have to find out what she has told Skyler. If it's not her, then I don't know what to do. Let's see how many lies Skyler will tell me. 

- Then what is the problem?

- I just feel tired, ok? Lately, I have had a lot of work and less time to rest. 

- When you stop lying, I will call you back.

- But...

I end the call before she could finish. There is one thing that I can do. First, I will have my breakfast and then I will go to see Skyler. My parents usually go out during the weekend so I am alone. It's not like I mind. After all, they need some rest as well. I took a bowl with cereal and sat in the living room. When I was done, I left my bowl in the sink and walked out. I knocked on the front door and Skyler's dad opened it. I guess that he is surprised to see me. 

- Hey Blake. I haven't seen you in a while. 

- Yes, I was busy. 

- Come in. Skyler is in her room as usual. 

- What do you mean?

- Lately, she spends a lot of time there and when I ask her, she is always tired. I have been to school and no matter how much work they can give you, there is no chance that you can be tired every day. 

- Did she tell you something? Like what might be the problem. 

- No, but I expected that you know. I guess that she hasn't told you either. 

- I'm sorry, but I don't know anything. That's why I am here. 

- Let's hope that she will talk with you. 

I walked to Skyler's room and walked in. She was laying on the bed, looking at the ceiling. Like something is interesting there. I laid next to her, but she refused to look at me. This won't be easy. I was about to hug her, but she got up and went into the bathroom. I know that she won't do anything there so I walked in. Now, there is no escaping. She has to tell me what is going on. Skyler was about to walk away, but I didn't let her. Instead, I grabbed her hand and pulled her for a hug. I felt a couple of tears on my shirt but didn't say anything. Soon she pulled away and I carefully wiped them. 

- Skyler, will you tell me what the problem is? You are dealing with this for almost two weeks. I don't like seeing you upset. Please, tell me. 

- I can't. - she said and walked back into her room

- But why? Is it something about me?

- No, it has nothing to do with you.

- Then what is it? Did Missy do something?

- I told you that she is not involved in that. 

- But I think that she is. This girl is the only person who can make you feel bad. Will you tell me what she has told you? I won't tell anyone. 

- I can't do this. I can't tell anyone. 

- Maybe you don't want to. 

- No, I wish that I could tell someone, but if I do it...

- Then what?

- I already said too much. 

- Skyler, talk with me, please. 

- I CAN'T. DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?

- No, I don't understand. You are hurting yourself, but you don't even want to tell me why.

With that, she looked at me like I have found out a secret. I mean what I said. She is hurting herself mentally, but no one can help her. Not if she doesn't start to talk. I don't know what to do with her. I tried to look at her, but she didn't let me. She deserves me to leave her alone and go home, but I won't do it. 

- No matter what is it, I won't tell anyone. 

- But she will know that you know and then... 

She started crying again. I guess that Missy is guilty. When she wasn't? One thing is sure. She has made Skyler not tell anyone, but why? What will happen if she tells someone? Missy will hurt her. I guess that Skyler won't tell me so I have to find out by myself. I can go to Missy, but then she will know that I suspect her or that I know something and she will do what she has told my best friend. There must be someone else who knows about this. What about her boyfriend? No, he will tell her that I am walking after her. There must be someone who knows about this and won't tell Missy. The question is who and how I can find this person. 

- Hey, calm down. You don't have to tell me. I will find out by myself. 

- No! You can't do this. Please, don't do anything. Soon this will be over. I promise you. 

- I'm sorry, but I won't stay like that doing anything, while my best friend is suffering. 

- I am not. As you can see I'm fine.

- Will you stop lying to me and tell me the truth for once?

- I'm not lying. 

- Yes you are. I don't know what is going on with you, but this is not the girl who I met that day. She was annoying, but at least she was herself. Now, I don't know with who I am talking. 

- I am the same girl. 

- No, you are not. This is someone else and I don't know can I trust this person. 

- What?

- You don't trust me enough to tell me. Why do I have to trust you?

- But I...

- Don't say anything. I don't want to hear another lie. - I said and walked away

I didn't want to leave her, but I had no choice. Skyler needs to understand that friendships are built on trust. About Missy. I will find a way to understand what she has done to my best friend. I went downstairs and was about to leave when her dad appeared. I have to disappoint him. 

- Well, how it was. 

- I'm sorry. 

- She didn't tell you anything, did she?

- No. Except keep lying. 

- Maybe we have to talk with her. 

- She won't tell you anything. From what I could understand is that she can't tell anyone, but I don't know why.

- At least you tried. 

- Yes, but I wish that she has shared with me. 

- She will. Give her some time. 

- That's what I am planning to do. I will come here when she is ready to talk. 

- I understand. Let's hope that this will be soon. 

- It depends on her. I will go now. Bye, mister Wright.

- Bye Blake. 

With that, I walked out. I don't know what to do anymore. Skyler doesn't want to talk with me and I don't have other friends. Maybe I can just go home. When I walked in, I saw that my parents are back. I walked up to them and noticed that they are happy about something. 

- For what are the smiles?

- No reason. We just had a good day. - mom said

- I understand. 

- Honey, are you ok? You look upset. 

- I'm fine. There is nothing for which you have to worry. 

- Did something happen between you and Skyler?

- I don't know. She doesn't want to tell me. There is a problem, but I don't know how to help her. 

- Maybe you have to give her some time. 

- This is what I will do. I won't talk with her until she doesn't tell me. 

- I didn't mean that. 

- Blake, try to understand her. It wasn't easy for you to tell her your story. You have to be patient with her. 

- But I don't even know did I do something? She said no, but how can I trust her. Lately, what she does is lie to me. The worst thing is that I can't ask anyone. 

- Her parents can help you. 

- No, they can't. She hasn't talked with anyone. They don't know what is the problem. 

- Soon she will tell you. Now, all you have to do is to be there with her. Don't leave her alone. Skyler needs you, no matter will she tell you her problems. 

- I know, but I can't understand why she keeps lying to me. 

- Because maybe the truth will hurt you. It might have nothing to do with you, but this doesn't mean that you won't change your mood when you hear it. 

- I understand. I will think about this. If you need me, I'll be in my room. 

My parents are right. I can't leave her alone. Not now. I walked into my room and called Skyler to apologize for leaving her. Luckily, she wasn't mad at me. I don't know what is her problem, but I hope that soon it will get resolved. Meanwhile, I need to find a way to understand what Missy has done. I am sure that she is involved in this. If I find out, then what? I never thought about what I have to do next. I can't talk with Missy, because she might do something to Skyler. Then I have to find another way to stop her. I won't let Missy get what she wants. This will be her end. I will save Skyler. I have no idea how, but I will do it. She is my best friend and I will do everything to keep her safe.