Broken Promises

Ryles.

A few hours went by before I finally was able to sleep. I was hounded by questions and remarks, showers and baths, drugs and booze for hours trying to break the fact that I wasn’t talking. Finally, when the sun started to come up, I fell asleep. It wasn’t long before alarms started going off and people were rushing to get ready.

“NOOO” I yelled as I opened my eyes.

“SHE TALKS!” Luka yelled.

“Only sometimes” I scoffed and covered my head with a pillow.

“Five minutes or I’m coming with water” Melissa teased.

I closed my eyes and felt my soul leave my body as Melissa poured cold water all over me.

“f**k you” I whined.

“Come darling, let's get you showered.” She smirked pulling me up and walking me to the bathroom. I reluctantly pushed myself to shower as the water pierced the bruise on my arm reminded me of the events that unfolded. I left it hurt while I moved to wash my hair and body, feeling the pain surge through every time I tensed at all.

“Come on Rylee” Melissa smiled pulling the curtain open.

“I hate you” I whined as she handed me a towel.

“You should sleep more” she smiled.

“You are loving this aren’t you” I scoffed.

“Little bit, it’s not horrible, is it? We gave you lots of water last night” She replied.

“Not horrible, I'm just tired. 2 hours of sleep was not enough my friend” I answered honestly being pushed down the hall in my towel. “

“Rylee watch out!” Melissa yelled as I walked right into Grayson.

“I was just coming to find you” He smiled.

“Here I am” I smiled back.

“Oh, you talk again?” He smirked.

“I do” I smiled.

“Rylee, we leave in ten.” Maxwell said as he came up the steps.

“Be there in five!” I smiled.

“I gotta go get ready but walk to school with me?” I smiled

“Of course.” Grayson smiled as I walked into my room and closed the door.

“I think I found two new hangover cures” Melissa smirked as she walked into the room.

“What?” I asked confused, I knew she was talking about Max and Grayson, I just can’t figure out which one works better.

“Max and Grayson, you perked up real quick when you saw them” She joked.

“f**k off” I laughed and got dressed as quick as I could.

“LET'S GO!!” Noah yelled from the hallway.

“You get the kids ready?” I asked as I opened the door.

“Yeah, coffee in a to go cup for you and I packed their lunches for school.” He smiled.

“Thanks Noah” I smiled and headed down the steps finding Max and Grayson at the island in the kitchen.

“Hey” I smiled.

“Hey” they said in unison quickly glaring at each other.

“Okay” I said awkwardly.

“Ready?” Maxwell asked.

“I’m walking her to school” Grayson scoffed.

“Okay, or you both could just walk with everyone else” I rolled my eyes.

“Whatever you want Rylee” Grayson smiled.

“Suck up” Maxwell mumbled.

“What was that?” I laughed.

“Nothing, come on.” Maxwell smiled.

“Thank you for the coffee, Noah” I smiled.

“No problem. Jake and I need to reconvene to discuss the guidelines of Jasons probation.” Noah explained.

“I’ll see you outside the school at 12?” I asked.

“Wouldn’t miss you” Noah smiled and headed up to the front.

Everyone was walking like they normally do but instead of Melissa being on one side and Jason on the other, Jake had Jason on a tight leash up front and Melissa was beside him talking, Noah was on the other side of Jake explaining the situation. Alexton was in the middle where Jenny and Carol were and it was Maxwell, me and Grayson, in that order.

“So how do you feel today?” Maxwell asked.

“I feel fine” I smiled.

“Yeah?” He asked

“Yeah Max” I smiled again.

“And your arm?” Grayson asked.

“Oh, it’s fine” I put a fake smile on my face.

“Okay, that’s good” Grayson smiled.

“Hey did you talk to your girlfriend last night?” I asked Grayson and watched the smile bleed off of his face.

“No actually, she uh-she was busy last night” Grayson said quickly.

“Oh okay” I smiled.

“So, Rylee, what time do you have to meet with Luka?” Maxwell asked.

“After school” I nodded taking a sip of my coffee.

“So, Rylee, would you like to hangout again after school?” Grayson asked.

“I can’t today but definitely soon” I smiled.

“She just said she had to meet up with Luka after school” Maxwell scoffed.

“Yeah well, maybe she wanted to ditch him” Grayson scoffed.

“She does but she won’t. That’s not who she is” Maxwell rolled his eyes with irritation in his voice.

“Okay, new rule. Walk forward. Be quite” I nodded and rolled my eyes.

“Sorry Rylee” Grayson said lowly.

“It’s fine, I just have a headache and my arm hurts--” and I just ratted myself out.

“But you just said it didn’t” Maxwell stopped and looked at me.

“It’s fine really come on Max” I smiled.

“Rylee, can I see your arm?” Noah asked.

“Noah, can we do this away from everyone else?” I asked lowly.

“Uh yeah, Jake come here. Max, you got Jason?” Noah asked.

“Yeah, don’t worry” Max smiled and I walked off with Noah and Jake to my alleyway.

“Don’t be too loud or anything okay?” I asked quickly and they nodded. I pulled my jacket off and tried not to look like I was in a massive amount of pain doing so. I tried to figure out the best way to show them without them making it into such a big deal.

“Come on guys!” Jason yelled making me flinch.

“Hey, it’s okay” Jake said lowly.

I pulled my arm out of my shirt and looked down at it, I could tell by the look on Noah and Jakes faces they weren’t too happy with how it was looking. I looked down to see my arm black, blue and purple. Worst around the bruise itself but trailed up and down my arm a little about halfway.

“No chance Luka will want you in a super cute, long-sleeved dress?” Noah shrugged.

“No chance” I bobbed my head and smacked my lips.

“Seriously come on!” Jason yelled rounding the corner Max right behind him. They both looked at me like I was broken. I slowly took my arm and shoved it back in the shirt and jacket as fast as I could without being in too much pain.

“Jason, stop and go.” Jake said angrily.

“I--I—I'm—I'm going” He stuttered.

“Max stay with Rylee, we got Jason” Noah smiled and walked away leaving Max and I to walk alone.

“That looks bad” Max said awkwardly.

“I’ve had worse” I nodded my head.

“Really?” He asked confused.

“Yeah, not by Jason but yeah” I smiled.

“Listen, if you need me at all today” Max started.

“Max why are you here?” I asked confused.

“What?” He asked

“Why are you here? You hate school, I never even see you here. Unless you are ghost” I laughed.

“I do hate school, it brings back bad memories but I do come, I just go in every class early and am the first one to leave so I'm not stuck in the halls with everyone else” Max smiled, as we walked. Grayson was up ahead with Melissa.

“Okay, so how am I supposed to find you?” I asked confused.

“With a phone?” He said sarcastically.

“It’s in my back pocket, can you grab it?” I asked

“Kinky” He laughed.

“Not kinky, I just can’t reach” I scoffed.

“It was a joke Ryles” He smiled.

“Ryles huh?” I smirked.

“Do you not like it?” He asked

“No, it’s just only four people have ever called me that and it’s very rare that two of them even do.” I answered honestly.

“And the other two?” He asked curious no doubt.

“Dead” I sighed.

“Oh, Rylee I didn’t know” he said putting his head down.

“Hey, it’s okay” I smiled.

“I won’t call you it again” He sighed.

“Max it's okay. I’m not mad.” I smiled.

“Thats not okay, that was a nickname for them not for everyone else” he said lowly.

“Maxwell, it’s fine. Call me Ryles, call me Ry, call me Rylee, call me whatever you want” I smiled.

“Are you sure?” He asked.

“I’m sure” I smiled.

Remembering my parents used to hurt a lot, but the older I got and the more I had to deal with death, despite the fact that it’s unfair I know it’s inevitable. Dealing with it or dying it’s not something that can be outran. When I remember the day, my parents died it hurts more but I don’t think about it too much. And being called Ryles every once in a while, is okay and with the right person It can be okay all the time. It just takes time and I know that now, after many years of hating and fighting and struggling with life, it got easier or I just got numb to the feeling I don’t really know.

We walked in silence as we reached the school, Max stuck by me as much as he could. He was always waiting for me after class and making sure no one hit my arm. Grayson watched from afar and handled stuff in classes and they split the work load.

As the end of the day was nearing, I saw Lucas more and more. Maxwell attached himself to me at almost all times, he seemed jealous. It was cute honestly.

“Rylee” Lucas smiled at me.

“It’s not 6 yet Lucas” I smiled.

“I know, I just wanted to tell you I can’t wait to see you try on dresses for me” He smirked.

“Okay” I scoffed.

I could feel Maxwell glaring at him from behind me. Looking right through me at him.

“Ready?” Maxwell asked. Breathing rapidly

“Yeah” I smiled and walked towards the next class Max following close behind.

“I’ll see you after?” Maxwell asked as Grayson made his way behind me.

“Yeah” I smiled.

“Come on Rylee” Grayson scoffed.

I rolled my eyes and walked into class. It seems like no one cares about what I want and are just fighting over me. Which makes no sense for Grayson because he doesn’t even know who I am. All he knows is that I have some serious issues, and doesn’t he have a girlfriend? I dwelled on this thinking about the conversation with Grayson I had and couldn’t even focus in class, which is the number one thing to do if you want to pass. Luckily it was about something I already knew how to do so that wasn’t much of a problem. Who even said I wanted a guy? Or that I wanted to be with either of them? Maybe I just want to have fun, and doesn’t Grayson have a girlfriend? Before I knew it the bell rang.

“Hey, am I walking you home?” Grayson asked with a smile.

“You should really go check in with your parents and I have stuff to do before I go shopping with Lucas so I'll just catch up with you tomorrow? Maxwell can handle walking me home” I smiled politely. I wasn’t trying to be mean but I saw the smile melt off of his face and gloomy look appear, but he has a girlfriend. It’s not a good idea for him to get attached to me.

“Okay” He sighed and walked out of the room.

“That was weird” Melissa said walking me to my locker.

“What?” I asked confused.

“I just heard Grayson on the phone talking about you” she said lowly.

“Me?” I asked confused.

“Yeah, and he said that you seemed to not remember him” Melissa continued.

“That is weird” I sighed. Ignoring it all honestly. Maybe it was another Rylee, maybe she misheard, maybe he wasn’t on the phone?

“Ready?” Maxwell asked with a smile.

“Yeah” I smiled back. As we headed for the doors, I felt someone push into my shoulder creating my arm to sting.

“Watch where you are going” I hissed.

“Maybe don’t be in other people's way” Jessica scoffed.

“Maybe don’t shoulder check people” I snapped.

“Get tougher skin” She laughed with her group of fans.

“Rylee she isn’t worth it” Max put his arm over me and forced me to turn around.

“Awe Little Rylee needs to be saved huh?” She teased.

“No, but I'll definitely have a good time with your boyfriend tonight” I smirked. The people close to us stopped and looked. Luka included.

“You b***h” She hissed and marched towards me.

“Takes a dog to know one huh?” I scoffed.

“Watch your mouth” She sneered her face turning red with anger; or embarrassment

“I’ll watch where I put it tonight” I laughed.

She raised her hand to hit me and I was fully prepared for the impact, though Maxwell didn’t think much about stepping in-between.

“Jessica, you lay a hand on her and I will see to it you and Lucas are through!” Luka yelled.

“Did you hear the way she talked to me?” Jessica scoffed.

“I heard her loud and clear, and Rylee may have used the wrong words what she said wasn’t wrong. Lucas is taking her tonight, not you. Perhaps you aren’t good enough” Luka laughed.

“You won’t always have an army behind you, slut.” She hissed.

“No, I’m pretty sure I always will” I laughed again before feeling Maxwells glare on the top of my head.

“Stop pushing” I screeched as Maxwell walked me out of school.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” He yelled once we got far enough away

“Nothing” I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

“Something has gotten into you Rylee! This isn’t you!” Maxwell said angerily.

“How would you know Max! What do you even know about me?!” I laughed.

“I know enough Rylee, enough to know you keep your head down, you do what you are told, you are too nice to hurt anyone, you focus on school and work and the kids and that’s it!” he sighed.

“Well maybe it's time for a change” I said with a tone of attitude and defiance.

“What does that mean?” He asked confused.

“Maybe, just maybe I'm tired of being the good girl, Max! Maybe for once I would like to stand up for myself Max! Maybe I would like to hold my head high for once! Maybe I want to live a little Max!” I yelled and stormed off, Maxwell following close behind.

“This wasn’t the point of a storm off!” I yelled again.

“I have to make sure you get home remember?!” He yelled.

“You are very cute when you are angry!” He yelled again, I stopped in my tracks making him stumble back a little.

“I don’t know why I just said that” he said with his eyes wide, his face turning 3 shades of red.

“Okay!” I yelled and started walking again.

We walked back to the house in silence, people talking on the street and the noise of cars whizzing by filled the air around us; it was peaceful honestly.

“I’m supposed to meet Jake downstairs.” Maxwell said as we walked inside.

“Okay” I sniffled.

“We okay?” He asked patiently waiting my answer

“Yeah” I shrugged.

“Okay” he smiled.

I followed him down to the basement and just kinda sat while everyone talked.

“Rylee you okay?” Jake asked concerned.

“Yeah” I plastered a fake smile on my face.

“You sure?” Noah asked again.

“Yeah” I smiled again.

Though it was fake I’ve learned to smile until I believe it’s real. Fake it till you make it, right?

“Hey Melissa, can you try to cover the bruise on her arm?” Noah asked glaring at Jason.

“Yeah, can I see it first?” she asked.

“Yeah” I said quickly pulling my arm out of my shirt.

“That doesn’t look great, but with enough makeup I could do it.” Melissa smiled.

“Thanks” I smiled

“Yep” she smiled and went upstairs.

“How bad was today?” Noah asked concerned.

“Not terrible. Maxwell made sure I didn’t hit it off anything or anyone, till the end of today” I smiled.

“What happened at the end of the day?” Jake asked eyes furrowed.

“Jessica” I rolled my eyes.

“Man, that little b***h!” Jason scoffed.

“You don’t get to talk” Noah hissed.

“If anyone’s the little b***h here, it’s you” Jake sneered.

“So Rylee, what the hell was that?” Luka said coming down the steps, looking at me then at my arm. I forgot I hadn’t put it away since Melissa was just running upstairs to grab some makeup.

“What do you mean Luka?” Noah asked as I tried to shove my arm in my shirt.

“The fight she had with Jessica. Rylee did she do that to your arm?” Luka asked concerned.

“Um” I said quickly, words weren't coming to my mouth fast enough. I didn’t even know what to say.

“Luka, you should have texted or something man” Jake interrupted.

“Sorry man” He sighed.

“But did she?” He asked again.

“No, Jessica didn’t do that to her arm” Noah answered honestly.

“Then what the f**k happened?!” Luka yelled.

“Luka, calm down” Noah said pointing at the seat across from him.

“I’ll explain everything” Jake answered again.

After about 20 minutes of Jake explaining the events of last night to him, and about 10 minutes of Jake, Noah, and Maxwell trying to pull Luka off of Jason, while Marissa put make-up on my arm to cover it up. I finally just got tired of all of it. I got up and left. Marissa was done with my arm so I just walked out of the back door, and no one noticed.

I walked around for a while just seeing everything again, people watching if you will. Couples prancing and fighting, makeup kisses, and long goodbyes. Sometimes I wish that was something I had, honestly.

“Hello?” I answered my phone while it was vibrating my pocket.

“Where are you?” Maxwells sweet tone came across the phone.

“I am somewhere and nowhere all at once” I sighed.

“Rylee this is serious where are you” He demanded.

“I’ll be home at 5:30.” I sighed and hung up the phone.

Something was weighing heavy on my chest, I felt like I was being crushed, like I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t quite figure out what it was, a warning? Sadness? Anxiety? All could be true but I was not the wiser. I walked around my secret place for a moment more before walking back to the house as my phone continued to be blown up from everyone including Jason.

As I got closer to the house the feeling got heavier, I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was but as I opened the door it stopped me in my tracks.

“What?” I said confused as everyone looked at me.

“Why didn’t you answer?” Noah hissed.

“I wasn’t in the mood for talking” I sighed.

“You don’t get to do that; you can’t just run out to god knows where and not tell anyone!” Jake yelled.

“Hey guys, I appreciate you guys for looking out for me and being worried, but I'm not 10 anymore, okay?” I said completely emotionless.

“Rylee what’s happening to you?” Melissa asked.

“I’m f****d up, haven’t you guys realized?” I scoffed and walked up stairs as everyone followed behind me the tears that had formed barley being held from escaping.

“Rylee we aren’t done talking!” Maxwell yelled.

“Should I sit? Or maybe I should stay? You guys want me to roll over? Play dead? Shake? Speak?” I yelled.

“Rylee” Jake said softly.

“I’m tired of being treated like an animal. Maybe I should just start acting like one!” I yelled and stormed upstairs and locked myself in the bathroom as the tears started pooling on the floor where I laid my head.

“Rylee, open the door please” Melissa begged, I stayed quiet. I couldn’t form words even if I wanted to let alone move. I felt frozen, like it was fight or flight and my body just couldn’t take it anymore. I wasn’t sure what was going on with myself either but I couldn’t stop myself from saying things or doing things I normally wouldn’t.

Eventually I pulled myself from the floor and got in the shower, waiting for the wrath that was to come, I stayed in there for a while just feeling my mind decompose as I thought back to my actions of today. When I finally got out, I did my makeup, and the makeup that was on my arm from before and reluctantly opened the bathroom door. When I looked out everyone was sitting on the floor, waiting for me to emerge from the bathroom I had locked myself in, I stepped around or over people and closed the door to Melissa and I’s room. I got dressed and checked my arm making sure I didn’t miss a spot and headed downstairs.

“Rylee” Maxwell stopped me.

“What” I said not even thinking about him.

“You can’t just run away” He scoffed.

“I’m not running, I have prior plans” I smiled and walked out the front door as Lucas pulled up.

“Hey darling” Lucas smiled as I walked in the door.

“Hi” I smiled politely back.

“Ready?” He smirked.

“Whisk me away” I joked.

We drove for a little and made small talk, anytime I saw him glance at my arm I'd make conversation so maybe if I missed a spot he wouldn’t notice. When we finally got to the dress place, it was nice and expensive. Anytime Lucas needed me for something he spared no expense and I always got to keep everything afterwards.

“Red?” He asked with a smile.

“Depends” I smirked.

“On?” He asked intrigued.

“Will it drive you crazy?” I flirted.

“Maybe” He smirked.

I took the dress and went into the changing room, it was a medium red color with an off the shoulder neck line with that was tight enough to see my figure but puffed out once it hit my torso, it was puffy and full, that fit me perfectly.

“Come on Ry!” Lucas whined.

“Coming” I smiled to myself, in a few more years I can have all of this and more.

I walked out of the dressing room, fully in love with this dress. I was me completely and totally. I couldn’t find a better dress to fit me. It was a gala, which meant full dresses; ones that make you look and feel like a princess.

“Wow” Lucas said stunned.

“Oh Lucas” I smiled, I actually felt my cheeks getting red and hot to the touch.

“Are you blushing over me?” He smirked walking towards me.

“Oh, shut up” I smiled.

“It’s nice to have you back Ry” He smiled.

“You are still in a relationship sir” I whispered in his ear as I walked around him.

“Mm, that’s never stopped us before” He smirked pulling me close.

“Lucas, it’s almost 7.” the salesman told us.

“Thank you” He smiled and backed away.

“Okay, go get changed and we will go. We still have one more stop” He smiled.

“Okay” I smiled.