Broken Promises

Happy birthday!

I've told Lucas I'm here for him to but he's usually just locked in his room all day after school. He can be mad at me if he wants but I have boundaries in place for Rylee, I will not cross them unless I have to.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” everyone yelled as they stood around my bed.

“Calm down” I groaned pulling the blanket over my head.

“Let's go!” Luka ripped the blankets off.

“I just wanna sleep a while longer” I groaned.

“No,” Luka said pulling me by the arm.

“But it's my birthday!” I whined.

“I know, which is why I will not let you sleep all day” he replied.

After a few minutes of fighting, he picked me up and carried me downstairs. I guess you can’t fight someone if they are carrying you.

“Birthday pancakes” Noah smiled putting pancakes in front of me adding whipped cream and cherries on top.

“Thank you, Noah.” I smiled politely, taking a few bites before drinking some coffee.

“So, what are your big plans today?” Melissa asked me.

“Applying for that job I've my eye on, going to school, work after. Going to the Cemetry for a while and then probably back here to end my birthday like I always do” I replied.

“You don’t want to change it up this year?” Jason asked.

“It’s just another year I survived.” I chuckle.

“You really don’t think it's something to celebrate?” Jake asked.

“Nope” I smiled, I took a few more bites of my pancakes and headed upstairs to get dressed.

I settled on a cute black dress, with a leather jacket over it, and knee-high boots. I put on eye shadow with mascara and winged eyeliner. A little bolder today since it’s my birthday, typically I hate it but hopefully, today goes better than the rest.

I walked downstairs to the ooh and ahhs from Melissa and Noah.

“Oh, shut up” I laughed as I walked past.

“Ready to go birthday girl?” Noah smiled.

“I guess” I smiled, even though I looked bold, I didn’t feel greatly confident about the day.

As we walked out the door, I noticed Luka wasn’t with us. I'm guessing he needed to help Lucas with something but I ignored it, it doesn’t bother me when he’s not around 24/7 though I like that he's always there if I need him. Someone's hand landed on the small of my back as I jumped forwards.

“Looking good Ry,” Luka said from behind me.

“You scared me!” I laughed

“Sorry” he smirked. He wasn’t.

“Okay” I rolled my eyes and walked into school.

“Sorry I dipped out like that” he whispered.

“It’s fine, I figured Lucas needed you or something” I smiled.

“Or something” he smirked.

“Ugh don’t do it” I groaned.

“Sorry Ry, it’s tradition” he smirked.

“Luka no!” I whined as he walked away with a smirk.

Not everyone in this school liked me, I know this. But birthdays are a massive thing to a lot of people here, for whatever reason most important to those of us in the foster system; and if it's your 16th birthday they go all out.

“Happy birthday Rylee!” A couple of girls yelled as I passed them in the hallway.

“Thanks!” I smiled yelling back.

“Oh, it’s your birthday?” Jackson asked as I walked past him.

“Mhm,” I nodded.

“Well, happy birthday Rylee. I’m really sorry for how I acted before” he said with a small smile.

“Sorry about slamming you down on a desk,” I smirked and continued walking.

It wasn’t even first period yet though, I was dreading it the most because Lucas was in it and he always made a big deal about my birthday every year. Maybe because we aren't talking though he would just ignore it, Max was in my third period but I haven’t seen him in that class at all this week.

I walked into the first period; birthday cards were laid on my desk. I rolled my eyes as I sat down.

“Take your seat everyone” The teacher announced.

“Happy birthday Rylee” Eli whispered from behind me.

“Thanks” I smiled. I really hate my birthday but I'm not going to be rude to everyone who says happy birthday.

“Stop Talking Rylee” The teacher scoffed.

“Just because it’s your birthday doesn’t mean you get to do whatever you want” She continued.

“Didn’t think it did but okay” I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

“Don’t talk back” She yelled.

“Don’t be such a b***h” Eli said quickly.

“Excuse me,” She asked in disgust.

“I said happy birthday to Rylee, she was just saying thanks and you are flipping out on her for no reason” Eli laughed.

“Dentition, both of you,” she said quickly. Crossing her arms pursing her lips together.

“Okay” I brushed it off.

“Okay?” She scoffed.

“Yeah, you can call my work and let them know and somehow reach my dead parents and let them know I'll be late to their graves tonight” I scoffed.

“I will not do that,” she said appalled.

“Then I will not be attending detention” I smirked.

“Why don’t you just go to the office?” she scoffed.

“Okay” I grabbed my stuff and walked out. As I walked to the office, I caught Max out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look at him as he was pulling away from Carol?! We locked eyes but after a second, I just kept walking.

“Rylee” he called after me.

“What’s up Max?” I turned to face him with a smile.

“You okay?” he asked raising a brow.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” I said with a confused look.

“I know you saw Carol and me," he said lowly.

“Yeah? I wanted you to find someone to make you happy remember?” I giggled a little.

“So, it doesn’t bother you at all?” he said with a blank face but a hurt flashed in his eyes.

“No, I want you to be happy Maxwell” I smiled.

“Yeah” he scoffed and walked away.

“Okay” I looked at him confused as he walked back to Carol. I wasn’t hurt or jealous he was with Carol, I wanted him to be happy. I walked the long way to the office so I didn’t have to go through the corridor.

“Rylee, happy birthday!” Lisa said as I walked in.

“Thank you” I smiled politely.

“Why are you here?” She asked with a concerned look.

“Eli said happy birthday to me in class and I said thank you and then Mrs. Mellon started flipping out on me for whispering” I rolled my eyes.

“Your birthday isn’t off to a great start huh?” She smiled.

“Doesn’t seem like it.” I chuckled.

“Well, I don’t think that Mr. Haunts is going to give you detention for that” She smirked and gave me a wink as she walked back to the principal's office.

I stood in the office for a minute and checked my phone finally, I was ignoring it for the day since I knew people would ask about a party that I wasn’t having.

Text: Luka

‘Why are you in the office?’

‘Mrs. Mellon is a d**k. Why aren’t you in class?’

‘Something I had to do’

‘Luka please no’

‘Sorry Rylee, it’s already in motion'

“He’s ready to speak with you now,” Lisa said as she came back out.

“Thank you” I smiled and walked back to his office.

“Well happy birthday Rylee” He smiled as I walked in.

“Thank you, Mr. Haunts.” I smiled.

“So, I’m not going to give you detention, Mrs. Mellon is going through something right now, today's her last day before leave so she’s a little on edge today” He explained.

“Great thank you” I smiled once more.

“However, talking back in class is a fast way for detention. Don’t let it happen again, understood?” He said in a stern tone.

“Yes sir” I answered.

“Go have a good day Rylee” He smiled motioning his hand to the door.

“Thank you, sir.” I smiled walking out the door.

“So?” Lisa asked.

“No detention” I smirked.

“Great, head to your second class. First period is almost over” She smiled.

“Thank you” I smiled and headed out the back-office doors and down to my second period. I walked past my first-period class and peaked in; Lucas still wasn’t in class. I’m kind of worried about him, he rarely misses first period.

Text: Luka

‘Hey, why isn’t Lucas in first?’

‘He had a doctor's appointment for his ribs’

‘Oh okay’

‘You worried about him?’

‘Kind of, he doesn’t miss school much’

‘He’s okay. Promise’

‘Thank you’

Luka knows I still care about Lucas; I just can’t trust him to be with him.

The bell rang and people poured out of classes filling the empty hallways as I leaned against the wall outside second period.

“Kicked out huh?” Luka smirked as he passed me.

“Guess I’m just a bad girl” I smirked making a playful face before walking into class.

“Take a seat, Rylee,” Mr. Jones said as I walked in. Mr. Jones has always been super nice and birthdays are his favorite thing, he has a whole wall dedicated to each student's birthday for each month. Everyone came in and took a seat as he prepped.

“So, I want to start off by saying a very happy birthday to Rylee Banks!” He said loudly as everyone clapped.

“That being said, there will be no pop quiz today. So maybe tomorrow, or at the end if I run out of time” he smiled.

“But we all know how this goes. If you have birthday cards for Rylee, please place them on her desk quickly so we can get to singing happy birthday” he said once more as Lucas ran into the room.

“Lucas” he stopped him.

“Sorry, they told me to come here instead of my usual second period because they went out somewhere and I had a doctor's appointment” Lucas sighed as he handed him a note.

“Okay, take a seat next to Rylee,” he said as people put cards on my desk. I locked eyes with him as he walked around everyone sitting beside me. I pulled out my phone and contemplated texting him, just to make sure his doctor's appointment went okay. I looked at my phone then up at him who was still looking at me, he pulled his phone out as well.

Text: Lucas.

‘How did your appointment go?

‘Good, my ribs are healing nicely apparently.’

‘And how are you?’

‘I’m fine’

‘I don’t believe that’

Everyone started singing which threw me off, I stuffed my phone back into my desk as Mr. Jones walked over with a cake.

“Thank you, guys!” I smiled as I blew out the candles.

I went back to my phone while Mr. Jones cut the cake.

Text: Lucas.

‘I miss you; I won’t lie but I'm respecting that you need space.’

‘I’m sorry, I wish things were different but I just need time.’

‘I know, that’s why I'm giving you the space you need.’

‘Happy birthday, Rylee Banks.’

‘Thank you, Lucas Huntsberger.’

I glanced over and gave him a smile as Mr. Jones brought the cake around.

“Eat while I teach!” He said loudly as he started to teach the lesson. Mr. Jones and Mr. Williams are the only teachers I really like.

After a few more classes it was lunch, instead, I just headed to the library. I really wasn’t hungry.

“Oh RYLEE!” Luka yelled as he walked in.

“Can’t I just skip today?” I whined.

“Nope” he smirked dragging me by the arm.

“No, I want to stay and read!” I groaned plopping myself down on the floor.

“Fine” He shrugged and picked me up bridal style.

“Not fair” I groaned as he carried me.

“Happy birthday Rylee!” Someone yelled as he carried me.

“Thank you!” I yelled back.

“That was my ear,” Luka said annoyed.

“Well, if you would put me down!” I whined.

“Nope” he smirked as we walked into the lunchroom. Suddenly all eyes were on us and everything got quiet.

“They think we are dating” I whispered.

“Let them think that” Luka whispered back putting me down at the table with Jake, Noah, Melissa, Jason, Max, and Lucas.

“How bad is it?” I whispered to Melissa.

“Already all over the school. I’m getting texts for information” Melissa laughed.

“Ugh” I groaned burying my face in her shoulder.

“It’s not that bad” She smirked.

“I just don’t like it when people get the wrong idea” I whispered.

“Don’t worry, we all know you aren't dating Luka.” She said loudly.

“Would it really be that bad?” Luka asked playfully hurt.

“Yes,” I groaned.

“If you would have just walked, this rumor wouldn’t have started” Luka smirked placing food down in front of me.

“Now eat,” he said sternly.

I complied, taking small bites of food and moving the rest around so it looks like I ate. Everyone laughed and joked around, as more people said Happy birthday to me handing me cards.

“Luka, I left my backpack in the library,” I said lowly.

“I’ll go grab it” he smirked as he walked away.

A few minutes later the bell was about to ring, so I walked to the library to grab my backpack since Luka wasn’t back yet and I needed it for Mr. Williams's class. I walked in and it was right where I left it, but there was moaning coming from behind one of the bookshelves. I quickly ran in and grabbed it as I was picking it up, I saw Luka in a gap of missing books from the bookshelf. We locked eyes for a second before I ran out. What the f**k was that all about? He’s been spending so much time with me I didn’t even think he had a girlfriend. Maybe she's a FWB, (friends with benefits) but why wouldn’t he just tell me? We have always told each other everything, so why would this be any different? I quickly walked to my next period as my phone continued to buzz in my pocket, I ignored it walking into Mr. Williams.

“Hey Rylee” He smiled as I took my seat.

“Yeah,” I said quickly.

“Everything okay?” He asked.

“Hm? Oh yeah, everything's fine” I smiled.

“You look a little pale,” he said tilting his head.

“I feel like I’m going to vomit” I mumbled as Max walked into the room and gave me a weird look.

“I’ll check on you in a little” He whispered as everyone else walked in.

“Mhm,” I smiled. I pulled out my phone to check it even though I seriously didn’t want to.

Text: Luka

‘I was bringing your backpack back, I'm sorry you had to see that.’

‘If you would have waited a few more minutes I would have been back with it.’

‘Come on Rylee answer me’

‘You aren’t seriously mad, are you?’

‘Rylee please’

‘I see you are reading them.’

‘Just say something Rylee’

‘I can’t talk right now Luka.’

‘What? It’s Mr. Williams. Yes, you can’

‘Let me rephrase that, I do not wish to talk right now.’

‘My god Rylee, it’s just sex.’

‘I feel like vomiting.’

‘Well now you know how I felt when I found out about you and Lucas’

‘At least you didn’t walk in on that’

‘I’m sorry Rylee’

‘It’s fine Luka, I really have to go though’

I put my phone away ignoring all text messages that were coming in. One more class that’s all I have to get through then I can go home and get ready for work.

“I want to start off today's lesson by saying a big happy birthday to Rylee!” Mr. Williams spoke loudly. I glanced around the room until I locked eyes with Max, he looked frustrated.

“Thank you” I smiled.

“Now I will pass out cupcakes since Mr. Jones already sang happy birthday to Rylee,” he said quickly.

My phone went off as he was struggling to open the cupcakes.

Text: Max.

‘I didn’t know it was your birthday today’

‘It’s fine’

‘No, it’s not. I was so mad earlier that I didn’t even think about what day it was’

‘Max really, it’s no big deal.’

‘Well, what are you doing to celebrate?’

‘Same thing I do every year’

‘What’s that?’

‘School, work, cemetery, home to watch a movie alone.’

‘Cemetery?’

‘Never mind I realized as I sent it, I'm sorry’

‘It’s fine Max’

‘Well happy birthday!’

‘Thanks Max’

I glanced at him with a smile before eating the cupcake that had been placed on my desk.

“Rylee, you care to read the text messages you were just sending?” Mr. Williams said.

“I would prefer not to,” I said covering my face.

“Let's go, Max you too,” Mr. Williams said quickly making us go to the front.

“I texted Rylee, I didn’t know it was your birthday today,” Max said reading the texts.

“I said it’s fine”

“I said no it's not I was so mad earlier I didn’t even think about what day it was”

“I said Max really it's no big deal.”

“I asked what are you doing to celebrate.”

“I said the same as every year.”

“I asked what's that?”

“I said school, work, cemetery, then home to watch a movie alone”

“I said Cemetery? Then texted never mind, I realized as I sent it. I'm sorry”

“I said it’s fine Max.”

“I said happy birthday Rylee”

“I said Thanks Max, and that was it”

“Take a seat,” Mr. Williams said as my face was hot to the touch at this point.

“So now we know not to text in class.” Mr. Williams said sternly as a smile played at his lips. Thank you for the embarrassment.

As he started teaching my phone buzzed. I tried to ignore it but it went off again. I got a stern look from Mr. Williams.

“Check it, I'll wait” He sighed.

“Out loud,” He said as I pulled my phone out.

Text: Luka

‘I’m sorry Rylee’

‘It’s tradition’

I groaned as I looked up.

“Get it over with already!” I yelled.

“I’m sorry Rylee, it’s tradition!” I yelled

“What does that even mean?” Mr. Williams asked confused.

“Wait for it” I scoffed rolling my eyes and throwing myself back down into the seat.

A few moments later Luka, Jason, Jake, Noah, Dean, Melissa, Lucas, and a few of their friends including Jackson and Eli ran into the room. Playing loud music and dancing around the room. Lucas smirked at me while Max glared at him, Luka picked up my cupcakes and smashed it into my face. A few moments later Lucas came over and swiped a finger across my face before licking it off, Mr. Williams was beyond confused but just kind of rolled with it.

“Okay that’s enough” I groaned.

“Nope, tradition Ry” Lucas smirked as he held out his hand for me to take.

“Ughhh” I groaned.

I took his hand and stepped up onto the chair than the desk, Lucas turned the music up, as I danced and sang on the desk.

“I’m 16!” I yelled before Lucas helped me down.

“And this concludes our birthday tradition” Luka turned the music off and they bowed before running out of the room.

“Well, that was something” Mr. Williams laughed.

“I hate it” I scoffed wiping my face off with a napkin.

“So, tradition huh?” Mr. Williams asked.

“Started it 4 years ago” I smiled.

“Why?” Mr. Williams asked.

“I really hate my birthday so they started it when I had a really bad birthday, now we do it for everyone's birthday. Something that sets us apart from the rest” I smirked.

“And Lucas?” He asked.

“Its tradition. Lucas and Luka came up with me dancing on the desk. Jake and Jason pick the music, Melissa came up smashing the cupcake in my face and they each take turns doing it. Noah and Dean and everyone else who decides to join in is to make as much noise and dance around the room. They always make mine more embarrassing” I laughed lightly.

“Why?” Max asked.

“I’m the youngest” I smirked.

“Okay, back to the lesson” Mr. Williams smiled.

The rest of the day went by smoothly, although this birthday tradition was recorded and already put all over spoony. When the last bell rang, I headed to my locker. Everyone said how much they liked my outfit or my hair or wished me a happy birthday, all I really wanted to do was head to the cemetery where I enjoyed spending most of my time.

This past week has been so crazy I haven’t had a chance to go and all I want is to sit in front of the headstone and talk about everything and anything, even though I never get a response it makes me feel better and gives me clarity on life.

“Hey, darling,” Luka smirked.

“Not in the mood.” I rolled my eyes closing my locker.

“Why does it bug you so much?” He asked quickly following me.

“It doesn’t bug me Luka” I rolled my eyes.

“It does or you wouldn’t be rolling your eyes like that,” he smirked.

“I’m rolling my eyes because you keep bringing it up” I chuckled. Really it didn’t bother me that he was hooking up with someone, I just don’t know why he wouldn’t tell me he was seeing someone.

“Because it bugs you and I want to know why,” he smirked.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I shrugged.

“Huh?” He looked at me confused.

“We tell each other everything, so why didn’t you tell me you were seeing someone?” I asked

“Because I'm not seeing her” He laughed.

“Okay, why didn’t you tell me you were hooking up with someone?” I asked raising a brow.

“I just didn’t think it was important.” he shrugged.

“Okay,” I shrugged it off.

“That’s it?” he asked confused.

“Yeah, you are a big boy. You choose what to tell me and what not to. You chose not to tell me.” I said quickly.

“It really doesn’t bother you?” He asked tilting his head as he pulled out his cigarettes.

“Is it supposed to?” I asked holding my hand out.

“No, I just wanted to make sure” He smiled handing me a cigarette.

“It doesn’t” I inhaled as I lit the cigarette.

We walked to my house in silence as I soaked up as much of the cigarette as I could, Luka and I have always had this amazing friendship but lately, things have been off or weird and I'm not sure why. He still treats me like his girl best friend but he never told me about this girl he's been hooking up with, it doesn’t bother me as much as frustrates me. We are supposed to be best friends, yet he doesn’t feel like he can trust me?

I shouldn’t let it bother me so much, I'm sure he has his reasons for not telling me about it. He’s allowed to do things that don’t concern me, it just makes me feel weird that I didn’t know.

“So, I guess I'll see you later,” I said quickly as we walked to the door.

“What, why?” He said confused.

“I figured you had plans” I smirked and walked inside.

“Oh, f**k off,” he yelled as he walked in behind me. I laughed as I walked through the house.

“Rylee a word,” John said as he stood firmly in the doorway.

“Okay,” I said lowly as I followed him.

LUKA’S P.O.V.

After Rylee caught me and Daisy in the library I ran after her, but she was already in class and refused to talk to me. I think she was mad at me, but why would she be mad? Could it be because she liked me? It stuck in my head all day until I finally had the chance to talk to her, even though she said it was because I didn’t tell her; there are plenty of things I don’t tell her or she doesn’t tell me and it has never been a problem before.

I’m just not sure what I'm supposed to tell her and what I'm not, this whole bet thing really blew up and now she doesn’t want Lucas to know anything about her but she wants to know how he’s doing, and it's confusing. I know she still cares about him I just don’t understand why they can’t just move on and be friends again. Like I know what he did was f****d up, but in the same sense, she still has me checking up on him every day and letting her know every night.

Text: Daisy

‘Hey, what was that all about?’

‘I’m sorry, Rylee caught us and I was supposed to take her backpack to her.’

‘Why do you care if Rylee saw us?’

‘I don’t, not like that anyways’

‘Why does she care who you have s*x with?’

‘She doesn’t.’

‘Okay, then why is it a problem?’

‘It’s not. Like I said I was supposed to take her backpack to her because she left it in the library.’

‘Okay?’

‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have run out like that.’

‘It’s fine, are we meeting up tonight?’

‘Probably not, it’s Rylee’s birthday.’

‘So what?’

‘So I always spend her birthday with her?’

‘What do you guys do?’

‘Watch a movie.’

‘Can I join?’

‘It’s more of a family-only thing...’

‘Oh...’

‘Sorry.’

‘It’s fine, don’t worry about it. I’ll see you at school on Monday.’

‘We can hang out tomorrow!’

‘I don’t think so.’

‘Why?’

‘You have a thing for Rylee.’

‘I do not.

‘Then come out with me tonight.’

‘Okay fine.’

‘Okay, see you at 6.’

What did I get myself into? Why do I need to prove I don’t like Rylee? It doesn’t matter to anyone else if I like her or not, we are just friends she’s always made that noticeably clear.

I sat in the living room and waited a while since John pulled Rylee into the kitchen to talk. I don’t know how to tell Rylee that I won't be able to spend her birthday with her; since we were kids, we always watched her birthday Movie together. It was the only thing she looked forward to the past couple of years and now because I feel the need to prove I don’t have a thing for her I won't be able to spend the last bit of her birthday with her. She prefers to be alone; I think the silence soothes her when she's at her parent's graves. Somehow someway it calms her in a way nothing else has.

I silently wait before Rylee rushes past me slamming the door on the way out.

“Rylee!” I run after her, but she’s nowhere in sight.