Broken Promises

Stay after class.

I sit in silence before I hear knocking on the front door. Followed by yelling, I climb out of bed to the top of the stairs.

"No, you shouldn't be here," Noah says sternly.

"She called me" Lucas answers.

"I highly doubt it" Jason scoffs as I slowly make my way down the steps.

"Why are you out of bed?" Jake asks running to my side.

"I called him" I struggle to say.

"Okay, that's fine," Jake answers placing a hand on both shoulders.

"No, it's not!" Jason lashes.

"I said it's fine!" Jake yells.

"Lucas follow please," Jake says picking me up.

"What the hell Luka?!" Noah yells.

"I don't know, Lucas just asked me to drive him here." He answered.

"Did she really call him?" He asked.

"Lucas showed me that she called him about 30 minutes ago" Luka answered quickly.

Their voices faded as Jake laid me down on the bed.

"I'm going to grab something for you to drink. You need anything, Lucas?" He asked nicely.

"No, I'm okay" He smiles.

"Okay, I'll be back." Jake says before walking out the door.

"ENOUGH!" Jake yelled as it echoed around the house.

"Are you okay?" Lucas asks rushing to my side.

"Maybe a broken rib, I'll live" I laugh a little holding my side.

"Hey me to" he smiles as he sits beside me.

"Lay with me?" I ask sweetly.

"Yeah, sure" He smiles as he slips his shoes off crawling into bed beside me.

"What's wrong?" He asks.

"Have you met the new kid yet?" I ask, his jaw tightens.

"Yes." he answers.

"Grayson?" I ask again.

"Yes, Rylee where is this going?" he asks.

"He knows." I reply.

"Like, about-" He stops as I nod my head.

"f**k Rylee" He sighs running his hands through his hair.

"Can we just sit here for a while?" I ask as he slides his hand beside mine.

"Yeah" He smiles, it quickly fading as he runs over the cuts on my wrist.

"More?" He asks. I nod.

"Where's Max?" He asks.

"Left" I chuckle a little.

"Are you guys really dating?" He smirks.

"No, it was a show for Denise" I laugh, holding my side.

"I figured" He smiled kissing the top of my head.

"So why did you call me?" he asks.

"What?" I look at him confused.

"Why me?" He asks again.

"Something Max said" I inhale deeply.

"What did he say?" he asks.

"That when I got the answer, I wanted it was too much for me to handle and I bailed" I laugh as a tear falls.

"What answer?" He asked, maybe he just wanted to hear me say it.

"That you loved me" I say running a hand through my hair.

"Is that why there's more? Did you do it because of me?" He asked, his voice breaking.

"That wasn't all of it" I smile lifting his chin.

"I'm sorry Rylee, I should have told you sooner. I should have been better" he answers as he looks into my eyes.

"It's not your fault Lucas" I smile holding his face as a faint knock drags us away from each other.

"Come in." I say weakly.

"Here" Jake smiles handing me a cup of water.

"Please don't move too much, okay?" Jake says sweetly.

"I'll be okay" I smile.

"Okay, Lucas, I'm trusting you with her right now." Jake says sternly.

"I got it" Lucas smiles sweetly.

Lucas and I lay together talking about nothing and everything, deep meaningful conversations weren't something I could even manage at this point so we just talked about sweet nothings. Knowing tomorrow things would go back to how they were, Lucas ignoring me, Max doing whatever he does, while I silently fight the darkness.

"I should check in on Luka" Lucas smiled as he crawled off the bed.

"Yeah, sure" I smiled watching him leave the room. I looked up at the tv, watching for a moment before the door opened again.

"Hey" Lucas smiled as he walked in.

"Everything okay?" I ask

"Yeah, Luka just wanted to head home soon" He replied.

"Oh, yeah it is pretty late huh?" I chuckle looking at the time.

"Yeah, just a little. I told him we could in a little" He smiled crawling back up beside me.

"You feel better?" He asks as he wraps his arm around me.

"Yeah, I really do" I smile as the thoughts swirl about this fading away I curl up into him as I slowly start to fall asleep. What feels like a few moments later there's a light knock on the door, I keep my eyes closed as Lucas shifts a little.

"You ready?" I hear Luka's faint voice as he opens the door.

"I think I'm just going to stay here tonight" Lucas whispers softly.

"I'll sleep in Jake's room." Luka says lowly.

"No, it's okay. Head home" Lucas protested.

"I'm not leaving you here, they hate you" Luka chuckled softly.

"Yeah, I guess you're right" Lucas laughed.

"I'll see you tomorrow" Luka whispered

"Night" Lucas whispered soon I heard the door close. Lucas shuffled a little as I laid on his chest wrapping his arms around me. I felt peace, right here right now. Knowing it would all fade away as the morning light dragged in, I held tightly to the memory.

"Rylee?" Maxwell's voice echoed through my room.

"Huh?" I opened my eyes looking up at Lucas, who now wore a smirk on his face.

"Max, what are you doing here?" I asked quickly.

"Funny I was just about to ask him the same thing" He scoffed inching closer.

"Max, I called him." I said trying to sit up.

"Funny" He laughed stopping beside my bed.

"How're your ribs?" he scoffed, reaching to touch them.

"Don't" Lucas said sternly gripping me tightly. I stayed quiet watching them as they looked at each other for a few moments, Lucas's grip growing tighter.

"Enough." I said quickly.

"Rylee, what's wrong?" Jake asked running into my room, Luka close behind.

"Oh hey, Max." Jake said slowly rubbing the back of his neck.

"I was just going to check her ribs out but Lucas is being all weird" Max scoffed.

"I'll check her ribs," Luka said pushing his way through.

"Lucas, Max. Out" Jake said sternly.

"I'm not" Lucas started.

"Leave" Luka demanded.

"I'll be right back." Lucas said sweetly as he crawled off the bed.

"Mhm." I nodded as I shifted, placing a gentle kiss on my head before leaving.

"What's going on there?" Luka asked, humorously.

"Noth--I don't really know" I sighed as I lifted my shirt.

"Well, you guys should probably figure it out" Luka laughs slowly running his hands over my sides. I wince under the touch as he presses a little harder.

"Sorry." he says quickly.

"It's okay, I know you are just trying to help" I smile.

"Do you happen to have an ace bandage?" he asked.

"I have one in my dresser" Jason said as he walked into the room.

"Okay, thanks!" Luka said walking out of the room.

"Hey." he said lowly as I lowered my shirt.

"Hey" I winched.

"You okay?" He asked

"Yeah, I'll be fine" I smiled, it didn't matter if I was or wasn't. Faking it was the best way to get through every day, even if I was drowning alone.

"So the cuts?" Jason said reaching for my arm.

"Just a flake, won't happen again" I smile, knowing I'm lying. Promises are meaningless, and I can't stop myself.

"Okay." Jason said as Luka returned.

"I found it, thanks for the help" Luka scoffed playfully pushing Jason.

"You had it handled" Jason laughed walking out of the room.

"This is going to hurt." Luka said quickly as he helped me lift my shirt again, wrapping the bandage tightly around my torso, I hold back the urge to push him away.

"There." He smiled.

"Thanks." I said as I grabbed my phone.

"Try not to move too much and if it gets loose throughout the day just give me a text and I'll come to find you" He smiled as we walked down the steps.

"I will" I smiled.

"You okay darling?" Lucas asked sweetly. I couldn't tell if it was sincere or if he was just trying to make Maxwell jealous.

"Yeah" I nodded with a small smile before walking away.

"Morning Rylee" Noah smiles as I walk to get coffee.

"Coffee first, talk later" I groan, trying to reach my favorite cup a sharp pain travels through my side.

"Let me get that" Jake said quickly.

"It's okay, I got it" I sigh pulling it down.

"Rylee you really do need to be careful." he says.

"I know, I am" I smile as I pour my coffee.

"Creamer?" Noah smiles pulling it out of the fridge.

"Hey guys, I'm not broken" I roll my eyes.

"You kind of are." Jake says.

"I mean I can still do things; I'll be fine. It's just a few ribs" I say quickly stirring my coffee. I won't deny it hurts to walk or move. I mean how hard did I hit the ground? Are they broken or just cracked? I just don't want to rely on anyone for help. I sigh as I walk up the stairs Jake managing Lucas and Max in his room. I look in as I walk past.

"Rylee wouldn't call you" Max scoffs.

"That's funny because she did. Right after you left" Lucas answered.

"You realize you are both being children, right?" Jake laughed as we locked eyes.

"I just don't understand why she would call you." Max scoffed.

"Maybe because I didn't yell at her for a choice she made?" Lucas said with irritation.

"I didn't yell at her" Max scoffs.

"You definitely did, we have thin walls Max." Jake said quickly.

"Whatever, if she wants to be with someone who treats her shitty and breaks her heart so bad, she needs to hurt herself. That's on her" Max scoffed as he turned around.

"Real nice" I scoff walking quickly to my room.

"Rylee wait" He called after me, I locked my door and curled up in bed. I didn't have to be at school for the next 30 minutes since Max woke me up way earlier than I had to be up.

"Rylee open the door." he said through it. I didn't say anything, I stayed quiet as my phone vibrated in my pocket.

'Open your window?'

I took a second before looking over at the window, Lucas standing there with a smile with Max knocks on my door. Both being asked to be let in but both confuse me in ways I don't understand, I opened the window, then the door.

"I can't do this with either of you right now" I sighed sitting on the bed as they made their way in.

"What do you mean?" Max asked confused.

"I just want to be alone for a little while" I smile lightly.

"Okay, Rylee." Max said quickly.

"Whatever you need darling" Lucas said running his hand through my hair before they both walked to the door.

"Thanks" I smiled closing the door.

I sat on my bed for a moment as the thoughts came flooding in, being left alone isn't all that great either. Why do they mess me up so bad? I'm almost 16 and all I can focus on are boys or the party in the basement. None of it makes any sense, why couldn't I just be normal like Melissa and do great in school, focus on it more than boys and just be a normal teenager.

"UGHHH" I yelled into a pillow I was holding tightly.

"What's wrong!" Jake bursts in.

"Nothing, just screaming into my pillow" I laughed.

"Alright, get dressed we leave in 10" Jake smiled before walking out.

I just wanted Lucas and Max to go back to normal, ignoring me like they would any other day but I had a feeling that wasn't the case. I looked at my closet once more before, settling on a red dress with a simple pair of shoes before walking to the bathroom sipping my coffee.

"Almost ready?" Melissa smiled at me as she walked in behind me.

"I guess" I mumble as I brush my teeth and apply simple eye makeup.

"Rylee, Melissa let's go!" Jason yelled up the steps.

"Just like old times" She laughed.

"Keep that in mind once you reach the door" I laughed as we walked down the steps.

"Lucas?" Melissa looked between us confused.

"Are you two?" She started.

"NO" we both blurted out at the same time. Why was he saying no? I mean I know why I'm saying no but why was he?

"Why don't we just walk." Noah said quickly pulling me lightly by the arm.

"Thanks for the save" I roll my eyes as we walk towards the school.

"You can't ignore them forever." Noah says as Dean joins our walk.

"Can't ignore who?" He asks furrowing his brow.

"Them" Noah said quickly pointing to Lucas and Max.

"Lucas and Max? Girl" Dean laughed.

"I didn't even try. Max was a d**k so I called Lucas, he was so sweet and stayed the night while Max yelled at me." I replied.

"So it's Lucas then?" Dean asked raising a brow.

"Are there bets on who I'm dating?" I scoffed looking between them.

"What? No" Noah said quickly.

"Are their teams?" I asked running a hand through my messy hair.

"Maybe." Dean said quietly. I smacked them both quickly before pulling out my phone.

'So what team are you guys on?' I bit my cheek texting the group chat.

'Lucas' Melissa said.

'Max' Noah said

'Neither' Jake said

'Neither' Jason answered.

"So why are there even teams?" I groaned loudly.

"Teams for what?" Max asked.

"Nothing." I said quickly burying my head back into my phone.

'You guys' suck'

'At least we didn't announce it aloud' Jason texted.

"I'm done" I laughed putting my phone away. The walk to school was quiet as I walked between Noah and Dean as they talked aimlessly. I glance back at Lucas who looks deep in a conversation with Luka, could I really be in love with him? The bet was huge and I completely forgot about the bet, my actions on Saturday. A panicked feeling took over as my air escaped me. I glance back again, only to feel Maxwell looking at me instead. Max and I had a bumpy start and I like him I just don't think we are good for each other, especially not after last night. I try to hold my movements as my breathing becomes more rapid, trying not to show the panic I have written all over me.

"Hey, you okay?" Luka asks putting his hand on the small of my back.

"Yeah" I jump at the sudden touch.

"You don't seem okay" He answers.

"Is the bandage too tight? Do you need something for the pain?" He asks quickly.

"No, it's fine" I smile as my breathing steady's.

"Okay, remember to text me if you need anything" He smiles sweetly at me.

"I will Luka" I smile as we get to the school parking lot, he takes a cigarette pack out of his pocket, pulling one out.

"Care if I steal one?" I smile.

"When did you start smoking?" He asked.

"I do, occasionally," I smirk as he hands me one, lighting his, then mine. I watch as he takes a drag, the smoke swirling around us. I inhale deeply as the smoke fills my lungs, exhaling in perfect bliss. I look over to see Luka just watching me.

"What?" I let out a small chuckle.

"Nothing" He smirks as he takes a few more hits before tossing it down.

"Coming?" He smiles as I inhale it once more

"Sure." I say quickly as I exhale the smoke.

I walk into school and suddenly all eyes are on me, everyone watching and whispering as I make my way down the hall. The f*****g bet. I scoff at myself as Luka stands firmly beside me.

"So." Luka tsks

"I don't want to talk about it." I grumble before opening my locker.

"Okay." He says quickly.

I grab my stuff and head to my first class, as I walk through the halls everyone's eyes are on me and I can't tell if it's the new hair or the bet but I really hate it.

"Rylee I love your hair!!" Ashlynn says as I walk by.

"Thanks" I smile. Maybe it's not all about the bet. Or maybe I spoke too soon. I turn the corner into the classroom as everyone watches for me to enter.

"So, how was it?" I hear a guy ask Lucas.

"It was fine" Lucas answers.

"Part of bragging rights is to brag about it dude." another one asks.

I scoff as I sit down. Gaining Lucas's attention as he's gives me a smile but I roll my eyes in response.

"Fine let's ask her." a guy says walking over to me.

"Leave her alone." Lucas says quickly.

"So Rylee how was Lucas?" a girl asks.

"I'm sure if you spread your legs he'll show you" I smirk leaning back in the chair.

"Well, you sure did. Didn't you?" a guy asks putting his hands on my shoulder.

"hands-off," I say quickly as the sudden movement shoots pain down my sides.

"What?" He scoffed.

"Get your hands off of me." I say a little louder.

"Everyone sit down!" the teacher yelled as she came in. Slapping my shoulder once he walks away. I move in pain without making a noise, Lucas looks at me but I ignore it.

"So did anything fun happen over the weekend?" She asks.

"Lucas won a bet." a guy says quickly

"Oh yeah? What bet?" the teacher asks. I pull my phone out under the desk

Text: Melissa

'Kill me now'

'what's going on?'

'Everyone is hounding me about the bet'

'Even the teacher is talking about it'

'Still think you can forgive Lucas?'

'I'm not so sure right now'

'Need an out'

'I should just wait it out.'

"Yeah. He slept with Rylee for bragging rights." A girl laughed as well as the rest of the class

"Oh." the teacher said quickly making eye contact.

"Well let's start today's lesson." She said clearing her throat.

The class drug on and people made faces, whispered, and stared at me. I didn't really care. I put headphones in and focused on my work. Once the bell rang I headed to my locker, bumping into Luka.

"Hey slow down." Luka said as I tried to push past him.

"I'd rather not" I scoffed as the guys from class followed me through the halls.

"Come on." Luka said as he walked with me to my locker. I quickly walked to class after that ignoring pretty much everyone with my headphones in. I heard people talking loudly, trying to my attention most likely but I ignored it as I walked into class and sat down with my music up. The teacher started the lesson right away so I took a headphone out and turned my music down, I focused on that class and went to the next and so on and so forth until lunch. I was hiding from everyone I could from the first period.

"Rylee." a guy said from behind me as I stood at my locker. I quickly typed S.O.S. locker to the family group chat.

"What?" I scoffed quickly

"Feel like letting me win a bet?" He laughed as I suddenly felt more guys around me.

"Go away" I scoffed without even turning around.

"No." he laughed grabbing my shoulder turning me around.

"Get your f*****g hands off of me." I said angrily before shoving him back.

"Is that what you said to Lucas?" He chuckled as he slammed me against my locker.

"Get your f*****g hands off of her." Luka said as he tackled him to the ground.

"f**k where did you guys come from" I smirked watching Jason, Jake, and Noah come running behind him.

"lunch." Noah said out of breath.

"You do not lay a hand on her. Do you understand me?" Luka said quickly pinning him down.

"Yeah. Whatever" He scoffed quickly.

"That goes for everyone else too. Touch her and you deal with me" Luka said standing up.

"Your brother f***s her, maybe you did to" a guy laughs.

Before I could even react Luka's hand has already collided with the guy's face.

"Luka stop" I called out as Jake and Jason pulled him off of him.

"f**k you Luka and your whole girlfriend" they scoffed as they walked away.

"I'm going to kill them." Luka said as he turned towards me, his anger fading slowly as I held my side.

"We really should take you to a doctor" Luka said lowly.

"You can't," I said with pleading eyes.

"Why not?" Lucas asked.

"If she goes she won't be coming back to the group home" Jason replied.

"They will have to call the state, which means the caseworker and they might just pull Rylee out completely." Noah added.

"I'll be fine" I smiled as I closed my locker and started walking.

"Food is the other way" Jason yelled to me.

"I'm not hungry." I said without turning around. The truth is I haven't eaten in 2 days. Not since Friday night with Lucas, I really wasn't hungry though.

"When is the last time you ate?" Jake asked catching up to me

"Huh?" I smiled at him.

"During the movie, you didn't eat any of the popcorn even though you asked for it. I don't think you ate dinner at that dinner thing either" Jake said quickly.

"I ate this morning" I smiled.

"No you didn't." he said quickly.

"Jake I'm fine I promise" I smiled.

"Rylee you can't just not eat because of a stupid bet" Jake said quickly.

"I ate Jake. I promise" I smile once more.

"I want to see you eat." Jake said quickly.

"I'm just not hungry right now, but I promise after school I will sit and you can watch me eat okay?" I smiled knowing I had work after school.

"Okay." He sighed as he walked away. I headed back towards the library I figured none of those idiots would go there let alone pick up a book so I should be safe there.

"Have you eaten anything today?" Lucas asks as I turn the corner.

"f**k Lucas" I yelled as I jumped back.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you" he smiled.

"Go find your friends Lucas" I scoffed walking around him.

"What's wrong?" He asked quickly grabbing my arm.

"Nothing" I scoff pulling my arm back.

"Rylee" Lucas says loudly.

"Lucas just go back to your friends and tell them everything. Maybe they won't put their hands on me again" I say loudly as I opened the door to the library

"Touching your shoulder is barely putting their hands on you" he chuckled as he followed me inside.

"No, but slamming me against the lockers is." I said slamming my book down on the table.

"What? Who was it?" Lucas asked angrily.

"Find the guy with the bloody face" I scoffed burying my face in my book.

"Did you?" He asks raising a brow.

"can't move enough to do that" I scoffed putting in my headphones.

"I wasn't done talking to you" he scoffed pulling my headphone out.

"Take a f*****g hint" I scoff shoving it back in, pulling my book up to my face as I read words that meant nothing to me. I looked up and Lucas was gone, I was all alone in this stupid school. I know people are trying to find me but it was peaceful. I went to the way back of the library and sat on the floor as I read my book. Just as I was about to finish the chapter my phone buzzed in my lap.

Text: Jake.

'Five minutes'

I scoffed standing up, I walked towards the door as people flooded the halls. I walked quickly to my locker before something else happened today but everyone seemed to look at me differently. A tap on the shoulder as I reached my locker pulled me from my thoughts.

"Hey." Luka said lowly.

"What?" I said quickly.

"Can we talk?" He asked.

"Later" I scoffed. Putting my headphone back in

"Wait, Jessica is looking for you." he said with worry written on his face.

"let her find me" I scoffed slamming my locker and walking away. If she really wants to finish what she started on Friday. I didn't need music right now, now I needed to be aware of my surroundings in case she tried something I walked to my next class as the bell rang just as I took my seat.

"Rylee, your early again." Mr. William said.

"I know" I answered pulling out my book.

"Go to the library?" He asked.

"yep" I said quickly.

"Did you eat lunch?" He asked.

"Sure" I answered.

"Stay after class." He said quickly as the students started to pile in

"Yep" I answered quickly. I turned my head back to my book as everyone took their seats. Guys scoffing as they walked past. Girls glaring. People kicked my desk ask they walked past me. All because of a stupid f*****g bet.