Chapter Eleven:

I drove to Zacky’s separately than Brian and Jimmy. I couldn’t leave my car at the tattoo parlor and I still needed to clear my head. I can’t seem to get any clarity. Everything is jumbled and it’s taking all of my self control not to jump on top of Brian and play tonsil hockey with him. I want him and I know it’ll end badly if I act on impulse, right now.

I need my support system from back home. I need to talk to Oliver. Brian may be my closest friend in California, but Ollie has been my bestie since we were kids. He’s a couple years older than me and has always had my back. If he ever needed me, I’d be there in a second.

By some miracle, I beat the boys back to the house. I waved to Doug and went upstairs, locking my door behind me. I pulled out my phone and dialed Oliver’s number. I listened to the ringing, hoping he would pick up.

“Well, hey, stranger,” he greeted. I laughed.

“Hey yourself, you have no idea how good it is to hear your voice, Ollie.” I told him.

“I know – I’m awesome.” He agreed.

“Shut up.”

“Not that I’m not psyched to hear from you, but why are you calling?”He asked me. I glanced at clock and saw that it was almost two in the morning his time.

“I just needed to hear your voice.” I told him, honestly.

“Did something happen, Lydia?” He asked me.

“No, I’m fine.” I lied.

“Bullshit, tell me what’s going on.”

“I don’t want to do this on the phone.” I refused.

“Then hang up and I’ll call you on Skype.” He hung up. I sighed and opened my laptop. I waited a few seconds for it to wake up. I logged onto my account and opened Skype. As soon as my Skype was logged on, he called me. I smiled when I saw his signature smirk.

“God, Oliver, I fucking miss you, man.” I told him, as I sank to the floor. He just smiled.

“You look exhausted.” He said as he looked me over. “New ink?” He asked as he eyed the plastic on my arm. I nodded. “Seriously, drop the bullshit. Tell me what happened. I’m officially worried.” He told me. I bit my lip and took a deep breath. He’s not going to take this well. There’s no question. He’s never been a fan of my mother’s or her multiple boyfriends. He’s only nineteen and to anyone else he’s this young adult. I see his tousled hair and glasses and he looks like this normal guy. He’s stronger than anyone I’ve ever met and just talking to him makes me feel better. He’s like my brother and it’s been killing me not having him around, anymore.

“This have been so bad, Ollie.” I told him, my voice cracking. He looked concerned as soon as the words left my mouth. “They’ve been so bad. They just got bad so fast and I’m trying so hard to stay afloat all of this shit.” I revealed. I trembled as I thought of everything that’s been happening.

“Hey, hey, Lyds, look at me.” He commanded. I looked up at his face on my computer screen.

“You’re not alone in this, alright? I know that I’m on the other side of the country, but you’re not alone. You have me and if I have to come out there for a little while, until things calm down, I will. You know that. I’d do anything for you. You’re my girl.” He spoke softly. I nodded; a few tears strayed down my cheek. I wiped them away, hurriedly.

“You don’t need to. You have school. You can’t just leave.” I told him.

“I’ll be the judge of that.” He argued. “Stop stalling. Take to me, Lydia.” He pressed, gently.

“Derek was in town.” I whispered.

“Why didn’t you tell me before now?!”

“Because I didn’t want you to freak. Okay? Stop wigging on me and let me finish!”

“Fine.” He crossed his arms.

“I didn’t realize that my mother would force me into her new life. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of the people that I’ve met here are great. They are. But, she wants to me to go along with everything she wants. I guess Derek called her and told her that he wanted to see me. You know that she never believed that he forced himself on me, not even after all of the doctor reports. I went to breakfast with them, with a new friend, Brian. I went to the bathroom and on my way back, Derek ended up attacking me. I was able to fight him off for a while, but he overpowered me. Brian ended up kicking the door in and pulling him off of me. Mother chewed me out, saying that I disappointed her – again. He told me that he would be back, but I threatened to tell the cops. After that, Doug, her new boyfriend sent her off on a spa vacation. She hasn’t been here for a few days. And I’m totally fine with that. Doug turned out to be awesome and he’s determined to show me that not all men are pigs and how a daughter should be treated. I’ve been dealing alright, until today.” I vented.

“What happened today?” He asked me.

“I got a letter from Derek. He told me that he talked to Lynn and that he’d be back to see me soon. My mother threatened to bring my dad to California if I don’t go along with it. I don’t know what to do, Ollie. I’m so fucking scared. I’m scared shitless and I have no idea what to do. I feel like no matter how much progress I make, she’s just going to drag me back down, again. I feel like… if anything bad happens on top of this shit storm, that I’ll snap. I can feel an episode coming on and I’m doing my best not to fixate on anything and I’m taking my meds… I can only do so much. I’m terrified, Oliver.” I whispered.

“Lyds, it’s okay to let it out.” He tried to reassure me. I shook my head.

“I can’t cry.” I argued.

“Why can’t you?”

“If I start, I won’t be able to stop.” I told him.

“I didn’t realize that things were this bad for you, Lyds. I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t have to be going through all of this alone.” He raked his hands through his already messy hair and took off his glasses. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and I knew he was pissed.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve told you sooner and I’m not alone. I’ve got… friends here.”

“Yeah, and how much of everything do they know?” He asked me. I swallowed thickly and looked away.

“They know enough.”

“Have you talked to Cole since you moved?” He asked me, changing the subject. I shook my head. “He’s been asking about you.”

“Let him.” I shrugged. “I don’t want to talk to him. Things got weird with him. We broke up and he wouldn’t let it go.”

“Yeah, trust me – I know. Grace is still convinced that we’re having an affair behind her back.” He sighed.

“How? I live across the country. She, of all people, should know that our relationship is strictly platonic.” I breathed. Oliver’s girlfriend has always been suspicious. Because guys and girls can’t be friends – according to her. That’s so stupid.

“I don’t fucking know. Look, I’ll work some things out and I’ll come out in a couple of weeks. I won’t come alone. I’ll let you know more when I know.” He told me.

“That’s too much. I can’t ask you to do that.” I told him, shaking my head.

“You didn’t ask. Look, I love you. You know that, right?” He asked me.

“Yeah. I love you, too, Ollie.” I assured him.

“Then let me do this for you. You know that money’s not an issue. If it keeps you from flying off the deep end, it’s worth it. Okay? Don’t wait so long to talk to me. I worry about you. I should’ve known something was up when you wouldn’t text me back.”

“I’m sorry about that. I was freaked and I didn’t want to lie to you.” I explained.

“I get it. I know you. We’re going to get you through this, Lyds. I promise you. One way or another, you’re going to get through this.”

“I’m glad that you’re sure.”

“I am. Don’t doubt me. What about this Brian guy? Is he treating you right?” He asked me. I nodded.

“He’s been great.”

“You’re not just friends, are you?” He guessed. I sighed.

“Right now, yeah, we’re just friends.”

“You’ve kissed him?”

“Yes.”

“What’s the deal?” He asked, prying without remorse.

“There are feelings there, but I’m not stable. A relationship would be bad news and I’m not looking just to hook up with randoms.”

“I get it.” He nodded. “I’m proud of you.” He mused. I rolled my eyes, laughing.

“Shut up. You sound like you’re trying to be my father. God, I’m not that much younger than you. If I was in a better place and this shit was going on, we might be having a different conversation. Okay? And then there’s Matt.”

“Matt?” He echoed. I nodded.

“He’s a mutual friend.” I explained.

“Trying to break up friends, I see.” He teased. I made a face at him.

“It’s not like that. I don’t know. They’re both hot as fuck and they’re both stand up guys. Brian is great. He listens when I tell about stuff I’ve been through. Ya know? I feel safe with him. We had this instant connection. He always makes me smile. It’s effortless. And Matt, I don’t know as well, but we have fun together. There’s definite chemistry there. And since I’m not committing to any relationships, there isn’t a problem.” I sighed.

“You don’t sound convinced.”

“I’m not sure that I am.”

“Hey, at least you don’t have to figure it out today. You don’t have to figure any of it out today. I’m about to pass out. I’ve gotta go, Lyds. I’m exhausted. I’ll call you after I get out of class in the morning, okay?” He told me. I nodded.

“Thank you. I know it’s late there. Talking with you made me feel better. You’re like my Yoda or… my other half. I love you. Get some sleep.” I told him.

“Anytime. You’re my best girl. Nothing will ever change that. I love you, too, short-stack. I’ll talk to you mañana.” He gave a mock-salute before logging off. I sighed and shut my computer. I feel better. I don’t feel amazing, but I definitely feel better. I’m more excited than I’ve been in a long time. I can’t wait to see him.

---

Brian’s POV

“What do you think about Lydia, man?” I asked Jimmy. He just smirked.

“You’ve got it bad, dude. Matt said you gave him the green light.”

“I didn’t mean to.” I sighed. “She doesn’t want to take things any farther than friends. I’m trying to be okay with it. I can’t remember the last time I felt this way.” I told him.

“Hey, you saw her first. You have dibs.” He joked. I hit his arm. “Nah, but seriously, you two seem happy when you’re together. When it works, it works. You just have to wait for her to figure that out.”

“Waiting sucks – I don’t even know if she’d pick me.”

“Just have a little faith. It’ll happen and if it doesn’t, then try to win her over.”

“Truer words have never spoken.” I agreed.

“Don’t I know it?” He grinned.

---

I went up the stairs at Zacky’s and raised my hand to knock on Ace’s door. She’s been up here for awhile and I wanted to make sure she’s okay. I heard her talking to someone and stopped just before my knuckles rapped on her door. Who’s Oliver?

I knew I shouldn’t, but I stayed. I listened to her pour her heart out. I felt irritated because I didn’t know what to do to help her. She’s telling her friend things that she’s never told me. I don’t blame her. They have history.

The fact that Derek is still coming around, worries me. I don’t think she or Lynn realize how dangerous he is. He didn’t seem to care if he hurt her, at all. I’m worried that something will happen and no one will be there to save her. I don’t want her to be another battered body in a news story. She deserves so much better than that.

---

Lydia’s POV

I changed into pajamas and laid on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I think I’ll skip school again, tomorrow. I don’t want to go and I doubt that I’ll be able to sleep tonight. There’s too much going on in my mind.

A knock jolted me back to reality. I jumped and fell off of the bed. “Ow.” I rubbed my side.

“Can I come in?” Brian asked from the other side of the door.

“Yeah, come in.” I called, trying to sooth my bruise.

“Are you okay?” He asked me. I nodded.

“Yeah, just really clumsy.” I responded.

“Want some company?” He asked me. I nodded, again.

“Can you stay with me tonight?” I asked him. He smiled and helped me up.

“Of course, Ace.”

Notes

Alright, adding some new characters into the mix... More Matt coming soon as well as more drama. Lydia's mother won't stay away forever... Thoughts? Comments?

Xo
Katie