Broken Promises

A few weeks.

LUKA’S P.O.V.

“RYLEE!” Jake yelled running into the room.

“Huh?” I groaned as I forced my eyes to open.

“Luka where is Rylee?” Jake asked panicked.

“I don’t know, I don’t remember her leaving,” I answered honestly.

“What do you mean you don’t remember her leaving? You were in her bed!” Jake yelled loudly.

“Dude chill out, it's not his fault!” Noah yelled at him.

“He was in her bed; he didn’t know she left it?” Jake yelled.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Melissa asked confused.

“Rylee’s gone,” Noah said lowly.

“Okay, she probably just went to work or the cemetery.” Melissa laughed it off.

“No, she left a note. And her phone Melissa.” Noah said quickly.

“Wait.” Melissa started, she frantically searched Rylee’s room. Pulling things out of her drawers, throwing things on the bed from the top of her dresser, in her nightstand.

“Melissa, what are you doing?” Noah asked.

“Shut up!” Melissa yelled a few moments later Melissa let out a sigh of relief before turning around.

“A neckless?” Jake laughed.

“Not just any neckless, it was her mom's. It also has her parents' rings on it. She wouldn’t kill herself or leave forever without it. She’ll come back.” Melissa smiled.

“How do you get all that from a neckless?” Noah asked.

“When Rylee would get really sad, she would hold it. Finally, I asked her why and she told me eventually that if she ever went to be with them again, she would wear it so they knew it was her.” Melissa continued.

“And she’ll be back?” Jake asked.

“It’s her mom and dad’s, she wouldn’t just leave it forever.” I scoffed.

“You should have known she was leaving.” Jake scoffed.

“He did down a lot of vodka last night before they went to bed. And the meeting Rylee called last night.” Noah said.

“What meeting?” I asked raising a brow.

“It was nothing,” Melissa stated.

“What’s going on?” Jason asked as he walked into the room.

“Rylee left last night,” Noah explained.

“You,” he yelled slamming into Jake.

“Knock it off!” Noah yelled.

“We don’t know it was because of Jake!” Melissa said quickly.

“It was him, or Luka! Either way one of you pushed her to her f*****g limit!” Jason yelled loudly.

“What the f**k happened last night!” I yell loudly.

“Rylee heard you when you thought she was asleep,” Jake said lowly.

“So, I called a family meeting,” Melissa added.

“And after we talked to her about you, she told us about Bruce.” Noah paused for a moment, “And Jake, flipped out on her for moving in with him.” he continued.

“So, Rylee knows I like her?” I asked confused.

“Kind of, she doesn’t know if it's from the alcohol or if it was from you directly. But she knows something.” Melissa answered sitting next to me.

“I could have driven her away?” I ask.

“I doubt it was you, she was a little freaked out about it but I think Jake yelling at her could have pushed her over the edge,” she answered.

“Has anyone tried getting ahold of Bruce?” I ask.

“I tried calling him when I found the note and her phone but he didn’t answer,” Noah says.

“I want to read the note,” Melissa says.

“Come on.” Noah sighs. We follow him downstairs where he sits on the couch as he reads the note aloud.

‘Dear family,

I love you guys so much; you all know this, but I need some space. I’m going to stay with a friend for a little while, don’t worry I promise I’ll be safe. I know this wasn’t the best way to go about this but I already told you I was leaving and we see how well that worked out, I still love you though Jake. I promise you aren’t the reason for this, neither is Luka. However, I feel like when things go right something else goes wrong. I don’t like who I've become over the past few months, I need to fix myself once more. I promise I'll call once a week when I start to feel okay again, or when I find a new normal for myself. I don’t know when I'll be back but I promise I will be, I left something very important to me there so if all else fails I'll at least be back for that. I love you all, truly I do.

To Jake: Please don’t blame yourself for this, I know you were just looking out for me. I love you, big brother. You are the reason I survived all these years; I couldn’t do it without you.

To Luka: What you said took me off-guard. However, I guess I should have seen it sooner; you have this idea of me in your head that I know I will never be able to live up to the expectations you built of me. I didn’t leave because of you, I promise. You are my best friend Luka, so I mean this is the best way possible. I’m not enough for you, not now, not ever. Find love with someone else, please. I love you, best friend.

To Melissa: Go to college, to the one that makes you the happiest, strive and post everything. I’ll be watching somehow, I promise. I’ve held you back enough in life, it’s time for you to go off and find your path. I love you from the bottom of my heart.

To Jason: I know things have been hard for us lately, sometimes you are an amazing person and I know someday you will make someone happy, work on your anger Jay; sometimes it gets the best of you. Smile at random things for me sometimes, like you used to.

To Noah: Thank you. For everything, you’ve always done for me. I know you are the proudest of how far I’ve come and I will never forget that, or you. I hope you and Dean stay happy, Hi Dean. You make me think love is real, I think you are my favorite couple. Dean has found a place in my heart as well as you Noah, it’s hard to think of you guys apart. I know you will strive together, through good times and bad you’ve always been there, both of you. I wouldn’t want to talk to anyone about my guy problems but you two. I love you guys.

I love you all, in many different ways and I'm sorry for leaving like this. I'll come back soon.

Sincerely, Rylee.’

I turn to Melissa who has tears running down her face as Noah reads, Jason looks mad instead of sad, Jake’s expression is blank, and Noah is trying so hard not to cry as Dean walks in the door. I watch as Dean hugs Noah tightly, whispering in his ear.

I stand up and head outside, lighting a cigarette. I sit on the step as flashes of memory the night before flood back.

She places a kiss on my forehead.

“I’m not sure if I love you, but I know you’ll be better off without me,” she says slightly.

“Where are you going?” I ask, catching her arm as she starts to walk away.

“I just need some space,” she answers.

“Where?” I ask.

“I’ll be safe.” she smiles.

“Where Rylee?” I ask once more.

“Luka do you love me?” she asks.

“What? You’re my best friend, of course, I love you.” I chuckle a little.

“No, do you love me?” she asks once more.

“Yes,” I answer.

“Then let me go.” she smiles. I release her arm and watch her walk away; I try to get up but I can’t move instead I drift back to sleep.

“f**k!” I yell loudly, as the tears start to fall.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Lucas asks sitting beside me.

“I think I really f****d up this time,” I answer with my head down.

“I’m sure it's not as bad as you think,” Lucas says in a comforting voice.

“Oh yeah?” I laugh through the tears.

“Yeah.” he smiles.

“I told Rylee I liked her while I thought she was asleep. I wake up this morning and she’s gone, she left a note and her phone and she left.” I yell lightly.

“You like Rylee?” Lucas questions.

“Not the f*****g time.” I grit my teeth.

“Rylee does this sometimes, she’ll come back in a few days or something,” he answered.

“I’m sure it wasn’t all your fault.” he continues.

“I’m not so sure about that.” I scoff standing up.

“Where are you going?” Lucas asks.

“To be alone.” I scoff once more walking off. I shouldn’t be mad at him. It’s not his fault Rylee left, it’s mine. But I can’t help it, sometimes I just need someone to take it out on and it’s always him. He can handle it though; I know he can. It’s his fault I had to wait till now to tell her. Even as kids he would rub it in my face that he was with her, parading her around me like some kind of trophy he won.

I hated him for that, for a long time we wouldn’t talk like normal brothers and when we finally got back to normal so much had changed in our lives. Rylee and I got closer and closer until I finally admitted to myself that I liked her, everything about her. I still remember the day I realized it.

“Hey, do you remember that time you pushed me in the lake?” she asks, with the biggest smile on her face.

“Which time?” I smirk at her.

“Haha, funny” she rolls her eyes in annoyance.

“You have anything important in your pockets?” She asks as we continue walking.

“Uh no, my phone is in the truck and I think my wallet is too,” I answer feeling my pockets.

“Good,” she smirks, I look up at her and she already has her hand pressed to my chest pushing me back. I smirk grabbing her wrist and pulling her into me as I fall back into the water.

“You jerk!” she yells as we come above the water.

“You did this to yourself,’ I laugh lightly.

“Oh yeah?” she asks, raising her eyebrows.

“Yeah.” I scoff.

“Fine!” she says loudly and turns to swim away, I grab her ankle and pull her back.

“Where do you think you are going?” I ask looking down at her.

“I’m getting out,” she says angrily.

“No, you aren’t” I smile pulling her into me.

“Luka, I'm cold,” she whines. I pull her closer, our bodies touching as she rests her head on my chest.

“Better?” I ask keeping us above the water.

“Mhm,” she answers without moving.

For just a moment, I get a weird feeling in my stomach; that tingles my entire body all at once. I look down at her, as she looks up at me. My heart beats faster as I slowly move a piece of hair out of her face, she gives me a small smile. For a second I think I might kiss her.

“Hey!” Lucas yells.

“Why are you in the lake?” he questions.

“Luka pushed me in!” She laughs pushing off of me.

From that moment on I knew it was more than a crush or jealously my brother had something I didn’t.

I stopped walking at the lake, without even realizing it I stopped at the first place I fell more in love with her. Why does it hurt so f*****g much? I take off my shirt and jacket and jump into the lake, taking in the water like the first time I was here with her. Finally, I dip myself under, screaming as loud as I can until it hurts. I come back up, wiping the hair away from my face.

“Luka?” Daisy's voice surrounds me.

“Hey!” I fake smile.

“You left kind of abruptly last night, I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.” she laughs as I get closer to the dock.

“Yeah, sorry about that,” I answer pulling myself out of the water.

“Was it everything you thought it would be?” she asks.

“Huh?” I give her a questionable look.

“No, it wasn’t like that.” I laugh.

“And this picture I got last night?” she asks, handing me her phone.

The wrong moment in time when Rylee flopped down on me for two seconds to tell me she was tired and ready for bed, the moment where I'm smiling at her and she smiles back because I tell her we can watch her birthday movie. A moment in time I would have forgotten about if it wasn’t for this candid picture of us.

“It’s not what it looks like.” I laugh.

“Seems like you guys are going to bed together in this one though?” she asks.

“I did sleep in her room, but we didn’t do anything. Rylee and I have sleepovers all the time and nothing happens.” I answer.

“So, nothing is going on with you and Rylee?” Daisy asks.

“No.” I laugh lightly, as much as I wanted to say yes, I knew the answer was no. My heart belonged to her but my head was up in the clouds.

“Good, then she won’t mind if I do this,” she says quickly kissing me.

“She won’t care if I make our relationship public either.” I laugh.

“Not yet. I’m still not sold on you not being in love with her.” she laughs, I am but she doesn’t feel the same way. It’ll get easier to ignore it eventually, right?

A few days have gone by, Rylee hasn’t been to school at all and no one has heard from her. I start to worry a little.

“Hey, baby.” Daisy smiles at me.

“Hey.” I smile wrapping my arm around her.

“Walk me to class?” she asks.

“Of course.” I smile.

I still look for her, every time I walk by a class, I know she should be in. Hoping one day she’ll come back. But days turn into a few weeks and it’s the same thing and eventually, I get tired of looking for her. It hurts a little less now, knowing she’s gone.

“Hey, I heard from her today,” Noah tells Melissa as they pass by.

“Is she coming back?” Melissa squeals.

“For the last week of school.” Noah answers.

“When?” Melissa asks.

“Later tonight,” Noah says.

“Tell Jake, I'll tell Jason.” She smiles.

“Of course, see you out front after school?” Noah asks, melissa nods and they head their separate ways. Soon the bell rings and I'm in too much shock to go to class, so I sit under the steps outside of the office.

I sit reading, her favorite book with all of her little notes that made her smile or reminded her of me.

“Thank you.” I hear her voice echo through the hallway.

I peek my head around the door to catch a glimpse of that perfect smile with her still bright red hair.

“It’s weird. I miss being here even after everything,” she says.

“Yeah, I don’t.” a voice I don’t recognize answers.

“You are here every day anyway.” she laughs.

“Thank you by the way,” she says lowly.

“For what?” he asks, I still can’t make out who it is.

“Getting my homework, helping me, letting me stay with you these past few weeks,” she answers.

“What are friends for?” he asks before they turn to walk out the door.

“Oh, I forgot something; I'll meet you in the car!” she says turning around.

“Okay.” he laughs.

A few moments later she walks back out of the office, I moved from sitting to standing near the steps in plain sight. As the bell rings she looks at me, we lock eyes for a moment before she turns and walks out of school as people pile out of their classrooms.

“Hey baby,” Daisy says wrapping her arm around me.

“Hey,” I answer without looking at her, my eyes fixated on the door.

“You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” she laughs.

“Yeah, I'm fine.” I smile down at her before pulling her in for a tight hug. Rylee is my past and Daisy is my future. That’s how it needs to be. No more coming when she calls crying, the late-night phone calls I've come to love ended weeks ago, I'll always be her best friend but my heart can’t take it again. So why do I feel myself wanting to run after her? Even if my body doesn’t move towards the door as she climbs into his car my heart breaks as I watch her leave once more. Just like before.

RYLEE’S P.O.V.

I walk into the school, hoping I can finish this year and still move on to the next. It’s been weeks since I've been here, but I've kept up with my homework and everything has always been turned in on time.

“Hey, darling! Long time no see!” Lisa smiles as I walk in.

“I know, things have been crazy.” I smile.

“I know, I heard about your internship. I’m happy you got to start it early.” she laughs.

“Me too, it’s been a lifesaver honestly.” I smile.

“Oh Mr. Haunts should be ready for you, let me check,” she says as she picks up the phone.

“Okay, and this is all the work from the past week, turned in by Friday as requested!” I smile.

“Thank you.” she smiles. I turn and sit on the chair behind me, waiting on an answer.

“You can go back now.” she smiles and I do, walking between the stacks of paperwork and other cubies in the office.

“Rylee Banks. You are a sight for sore eyes!” Mr. Haunts smiles. Motioning me to take a seat.

“I’m really sorry I haven’t been here much lately,” I answer.

“Nonsense, as long as you have all your work caught up it’s okay, I spoke with John and he told me about the internship and how you are working all the time. I’m glad,” he answers.

“Yeah, it’s been hard but we have a break coming up for this last week, I won’t be working unless I'm absolutely needed so I thought about coming back to school, just for the last week anyway.” I smile.

“You’ll be joining us next year, right?” he asks.

“Of course!” I smile.

“I’ll need John to come in and fill out the paperwork for that then, but I don’t see why it would be a problem to let you come back this last week. It sure would help your attendance,” he answers.

“John won’t be filling out my paperwork for next year, as long as these next two weeks go by like they are supposed to, it’ll be my uncle Bruce instead.” I smile.

“That’s great Rylee, I can’t wait. I’ll see you Monday?” he asks.

“Bright and early!” I smile walking towards the door.

“Have a great day!” he says as I close the door behind me.

“You coming back?” Lisa asks before I even step away from the door.

“Monday.” I smile.

“I’ll see you then!” she smiles more.

“Thank you,” I answer.

I turn and walk out of the office, where he’s waiting for me. So sweet.

“Hey, puppy.” I smile. Opening the door.

“Shut up.” he laughs.

“Have a good day.” Lisa smiles at me.

“Thank you,” I say loudly as the door closes.

“It’s weird. I miss being here even after everything,” I say as we walk towards the door.

“Yeah, I don’t.” he laughs.

“You are here every day anyway.” I laugh.

“Thank you by the way,” I say lowly.

“For what?” he asks, raising his brows.

“Getting my homework, helping me, letting me stay with you these past few weeks,” I answer

“What are friends for?” he asks, with his stupid boyish smile.

“Oh, I forgot something; I'll meet you in the car!” I say turning around.

“Okay.” he laughs walking out the door.

I head back into the office, to grab the textbook I accidentally handed her.

“You could’ve just grabbed it on Monday.” Lisa laughs.

“I know, I just want to catch up on the reading before then.” I smile walking out of the door.

As the bell rings I look around, I see him. We lock eyes for a moment before I turn and walk out as people pile out of their classrooms. I wanted so bad to tell him how sorry I was, I sit for a moment outside of the school in the car, I look back at him as he hugs her and kisses her. I smile to myself as I watch them.

“Ready?” He asks.

“Of course.” I smile.

The ride home was short, as we pulled into the driveway I stopped him before he got out of the car.

“I’m really thankful to have you puppy.” I smile.

“Anything for you darling,” he smirks.

“We are just friends though, remember that?” he continues.

“Yeah, but you’re still my puppy.” I squish my face at him.

“Yeah, I know.” he laughs.

“Collin, Rylee. Your home!” his mom smiles as we walk inside.