Stolen Innocence

Chapter Nine

Walking into my house, I pointed towards the lounge room,

“Go have a seat in there Ricky, I’ll be back in a minute” I said, as I headed towards the kitchen,

I went to the freezer, and grabbed out some frozen vegetables and a ice pack. The medical kit was under the sink, so I grabbed that an a bottle of water.

Walking back out to the lounge room, Ricky was sitting their, awkwardly looking around. I sat down next to him, and passed him the water bottle so he could have a drink. Placing the medical kit on the coffee table, I dug through it and grabbed out some antiseptic wipes and bandages. I gently grabbed his hand and started to slowly and softly wipe away the blood, it was difficult, because most of it had dried by now.

Ricky didn’t say much, he sat there quietly, watching me as I cleaned his wounds. He flinched if it hurt, and I would stop instantly. His right knuckles were the worst, they was pretty swollen and looked like it may have been broken.

“Thank you for doing this. You didn’t have to be nice to me, after everything Col- he done to you” Ricky spoke softly, I thought it was nice that he didn’t want to say Cole’s name.

“Ricky, honestly, it’s not your fault” I said, grabbing a bandage to wrap up his hand.

He gently placed his hand on top of mine, It startled me a little, because I wasn’t expecting it, but I felt relaxed about him, I wasn’t scared or worried. I felt totally at ease round him. Which made it easier to talk to him.

“I would never hurt you Emily” His word was soft and gentle, “I just want to say thank you for this, and I need to tell you, I’m sorry that Colin done such an awful thing, and hurt you.“

“Its not your fault though Ricky, you have nothing to apologise for. Don’t feel bad for something you didn’t do.” I smiled at him.

“Alright then. I better get going, before your parents come home and find me here-they might kill me” He chuckled.

“Oh okay, fair enough” I smiled and laughed, because he was scared of my parents.

He stood up and and looked at his wrapped hand slowly clenching his fingers open and closed.

“Thanks for your help Em, sorry you had to see me like that. Ive never punched anything before in my life.” He sounded embarrassed

“I’ve felt like doing that so many times-punching things. It’s okay Ricky, you don’t scare me if that’s what you think” I said smiling at him.

Ricky smirked and made his way to the door, he turned around and nervously rubbed the back of his neck,

“Um, it’s okay if you say no Emily, I completely understand, but would you mind if I gave you my number, or could I get your number. In case you ever want to talk, I don’t mind listening” He sounded so nervous, yet sweet as he said it,

“I would honestly give you my number, but I changed it after what happened with Colin, and I really don’t want him to get it, his already made my life hell.” I didn’t mean to sound like a b***h, but I don’t need more bullshit caused by Colin.

“Oh okay, what about if I put it in my phone under a different name, like your middle name? Plus you don’t have to worry about Colin, he doesn’t even talk to me. We just live under the same roof.” Ricky started rambling nervously “Plus if I ever caught Colin with my phone, I would beat him a*s” He was serious about the beating bit, I could tell because the tone in his voice changed.

I found it cute the way he was trying hard to justify a reason to exchange numbers, it was sweet. I gave him a smile,

“okay, you can have it, if you put it under ‘Rose’ -that’s my middle name, and also my favourite flower. But please don’t let him get my number.” I pleaded,

“Em, I would never let him get it, I promise.” He assured me,

“I know your nothing like him, I realise that” I smiled, I like talking to Ricky, I kind of wished he wasn’t going yet. Ricky was the first person I had talked to besides, Mum, Dad, Ella and Catherine since everything happened. It felt good to have a conversation with someone else,

“Grab your phone out, ill give you my number” I said,

We exchanged each other’s numbers, and said goodbye. As he walked out the door he turned around again,

“If you ever want someone to talk, even if you just want to sit in silence so your not alone. Or, if you feel like crying or want to hang out- just give me a call, or text. I don’t mind. Any day, any time. I’m here.” He was so nervous as he said it, but it was really cute, I couldn’t help but stare at him,

“That’s really sweet of you. It has been pretty hard, and I have a long road ahead, but I will get my life back, and I will get out of the dark place Ive been stuck in.” My voice was cracking as the words came out, and a stray tear rolled down my cheek, I closed my eyes tightly to stop more, and I felt a soft warm hand on my cheek. Opening my eyes Ricky was looking straight at me, we made eye contact, and he looked like he was going to cry.

He gently grabbed me and pulled me into his arms. I thought about pulling away, but I didn’t. It felt nice to be in Ricky’s arms, I felt the warmth coming off his body as he bear hugged me and I closed my eyes, embracing it. The smell of his cologne was powerful, sexy, and manly, I started inhaling it with deep long breaths.

I don’t know how long we were standing there, or how long our hug lasted, but neither of us moved. As strange as it sounds, in that moment, I knew I was safe in Ricky’s arms. I had never felt like that with Colin, ever.

After about five minutes, just standing there in silence and hugging each other. I slowly released my grip, and Ricky did too. Its like he was waiting for me to let go first.

“Well, that was strange-but it was a good strange, thanks Ricky” I said smiling,

“Anytime beautiful. Friends shouldn’t go through bad time, alone” He said, he leant down and gave me a kiss on the top of my head, I was a little shocked about it-but a part of me had butterflies over it.

I felt like I was smiling on the inside, he said we were friends. I liked hearing those words. We said our Goodbyes, and I watched and waved at him as he drove away. As I closed the front door I leant back on it, trying to take in everything that had happened that day. My stomach felt funny thinking about Ricky, but it was a good funny- I liked it.

The more I thought about him, the more I asked myself; Do I like him? I mean he is good looking, he smells amazing, his hugs are amazing, and his easy to talk to. Plus he seems to care. Then a part of me felt guilty, that I was even thinking about him. Because of everything that had happened. It made me feel horrible, like I didn’t deserve to like anyone. It felt too soon to be thinking about someone.