Chapter 20; The cute boy is being weird

*Unedited*

Enjoy the chapter!

*

I called the boys as soon as I finished treating Elliot. Luckily, it was just in time for their break, and so I didn't bother them in a middle of a class.

They were all worried, and after I told them everything that happened I'm sure they were even more concerned. Thomas said that there was only one time in which the... beating was so harsh, and that was a long time ago, but they made sure it won't happen again.

I could only imagine how terrible they felt, not putting an end to it.

I did knew that there was no way I let Elliot step foot in that house again, as long as his so called mother was there.

I heard the front door open as I sat in front of Elliot. Was it creepy that I've been looking at him until now? I felt that if I won't, something bad might happen to him.

I never had someone else to take care, someone hurt. It was always me or my aunt taking care of myself, and suddenly I see how awful it is. I never wanted to do this again- how did my ever manage?

I looked at Grey as he entered the living room, not looking a bit surprised to see me here. Thomas must've told him. I kept my eyes on him as he came towards me and Elliot, and I almost held my hand up to stop him from coming any closer. I guess I was the protective kind of a friend. Who knew? I certainly didn't.

The blond sat crouched next to me and gave Elliot a once over.

There was a terrifying silence surrounding us- at least for me-, before he looked at me and asked, "Did you get him out?" I blinked at first, not preparing for him to speak to me.

I nodded carefully, but then a moment later added; "I punched his mother, too." I smiled, proud of the fact I finally threw a fist at someone who deserved it. Well, the pricks I punched in the past always deserved it.

"Don't go around punching people. You'll get in trouble. This time, I'll let it slide, but don't do that. Okay?" his blue-greyish eyes stared into my own green eyes. I sighed, and nodded. Of course, my aunt made me agree with or on something like that more than a few times, but something in his look and voice... made me want to try just a tiny bit.

Even though I was terrified of him.

His phone rang, breaking the silence. "I have to go. Are you okay by yourself?" Grey asked me once he got off the phone. I didn't hesitate to nod. Of course I was.- What did he think I was doing till now?

But I didn't voice that thought. I just didn't feel like it, though he gave me a look like he knew what I thought.

Grey was really weird. But then, through the week I realized that there was someone even weirder out of the bunch. And it wasn't Klay.

*

When the boys came to Thomas' house, they woke Elliot up with all the noise they make. Caleb wasn't there, and they said he had to go home early.

I rolled my eyes, but the Elliot seemed relieved to be in their company.

I made an excuse to leave them for what I hoped was a talk about Elliot situation, one that will finally resolve it.

I felt like they might feel less... guilty with me in the room, because it was me who helped Elliot- when they might think it should've been them.

When I went to the door, Reagan said he'll take me home- but this time, he didn't ask.

"You don't have to," I assured him, but he didn't reply. I sighed, but got into his car. I didn't have any other way to go home other than to walk, so I was glad Reagan 'made' me let him take me.

It was a weird ride home, but... a good kind of weird, for once. Neither of us spoke, though it felt like there was no need.

Reagan parked the car in the same spot he parked that one time he drove me, only this time- he exited the car the same time I didn't, and went towards me.

I raised a brow as he leaned in front of me on the car, crossing his arms as he looked at me. That was all he did- look at me. My stomach had an odd feeling inside, like...-

"Butterflies," Reagan voice echoed through my thoughts, into my mind. I shook my head, "What?" I asked, puzzled. He pointed up, where a flock of butterflies flied around in circles. I cleared my throat, nodding. "right, yeah..."

Another silence, but he broke it faster than before. "Thank you, Rhi. For saving our friend." I stared at him for a good couple of seconds, wetting my lips. "His my friend too," I told him, putting my hands in my jeans' pockets. Reagan nodded, offering me a small smile. It was small- but it was there. And it was enough to make a warm feeling in my body.

"I know. I said 'our'." Reagan claimed, leaning on the car, but closer to me now.

"I'm your friend too, right?" He asked, making me pause for a second. No, I thought, you are more than that, but I don't know what. "Yes," I voiced instead. For a moment I wanted to believe he looked disappointed. Or was he really? I couldn't tell.

He gave me another smile, then moved closer. Just as he was a breath away from me, he moved past me, and towards the driver seat. I let out the air I held in my lungs, and shook my head, walking away from the car and to my house.

*

On the next day, I find myself staring at Reagan all day long. I knew that wasn't normal, and it meant this was no longer just a crush. But I had not girls to talk about it with them. My aunt was out, since she'll immediately realized what that talk meant, and then freak out.

Belle... was nice, but that's it. No I can dark secret spill around her.

I sighed, looking at my empty trey when it was lunch break.

"What got you looking so down? Is it Elliot? I told you he'll be fine," I shook my head, canceling Klay's words. He was serious for a change- has been since yesterday. It was nice, but I like the funny Klay better.

"Nothing, never mind." Elliot spent today at Thomas' house, after sleeping there as well.

"You sure?" I nodded, and watched as Reagan entered the cafeteria with Thomas and Oliver at his side. Thomas and Oliver made their way to our table, where Caleb and Klay sat with me, but Reagan went to grab food.

When Thomas and Oliver sat, they took out their own food.

"You okay?" Thomas asked, and it took me a moment to realize he was talking to me. I nodded quickly, but he didn't look very convinced. But I wasn't going to tell him I had the hots for his friends, now was I?

When Reagan made his way to us, one of the new girl came up to him and talked to him with a smile on her face. Reagan looked at her as she talked, and I felt myself glare at her.

How dare she smile at the cute boy?! A second later, Reagan walked past her as she kept talking, not giving her a second glance as he sat in front of me. I almost smiled. Almost.

I made sure to check by touching my mouth, and I swear I didn't.

"What's with the empty trey?" Reagan suddenly asked, looking at me weirdly. I don't blame him- or any of the guys, for that matter.

The trey looked clean, and it was clear there was never anything on it. Then why the hell did I took it...?

I glared at the trey, almost as if it was its fault for being empty. I shook my head, and saw that thinking look on Reagan face. It felt like he was about to offer me- or more like straight out give me without asking if I wanted it- something from his trey, so I quickly stood up and said I had to go to the bathrooms.

I didn't think I could stand Reagan being nice to me for the time being. I might just drop to one knee and propose, or offer him my babies. Well, the second one sounded a bit more extreme than the first one, but whatever.

Of course, I had the worst luck in the universe, because Reagan just had to have come after me.

"Rhi!" I heard him calling my name. I looked around. To hide, or not to hide?

Reagan didn't even let me dwell on that dilemma, and was in front of me in seconds.

"Yeah?" I asked, swallowing. Reagan gave me that look again- the one I couldn't figure out. Were all boys this complicated?

"I..." he started, but it seemed he couldn't finish. Then, he looked around and shook his head. "Never mind, I'll tell you some other time. Go- you had to go to the bathrooms, right?" I nodded slowly, like in a daze and looked at him as he walked back the way he came.

Was it just me, or the cute boy was being weird?

I almost laughed at myself. I was acting even weirder than him, so who am I to judge? I was surprised the whole school didn't already know how hard I was falling for the not-so-cute-boy-anymore.

I made my way into the bathroom. I had to think of a new nickname for him.

*

I went to Thomas' house after school. I was out earlier than the others, so I thought I could go and try and deepen our bond, ore whatever.

I opened the door with the key Thomas gave me, looking around for a certain curly-head.

"Hey," I said, making Elliot jump and bang his head on the table he was currently under. I raised a brow. "What're you doing?" I asked, stepping closer. Elliot glared towards where he thought I was as he stood up, using the chair as a guide. "Nothing. What are doing here?" he asked, seeming to return to his grumpy self. I ignored his hostility and walked closer, sitting next to him.

"Just came to spend time with you," my answer made him scowl, and he glared at the table. "I don't need your pity." He suddenly claimed. "That's fine, but if anything, it's empathy. Not pity." He let out an annoyed chuckle. "Oh please, it's the same f*king thing." I kept my eyes on him, not moving an inch.

"Why do you push people away?" I asked, breaking the silence. For a second, I could see I surprised him, shocked him even. But then it was gone quickly.

"You have no idea what you're talking about," Elliot stated, not looking my way, like he was dismissing me.

"I do. Trust me, I f*king do. Stop pushing people away. Stop being such a coward." My words seemed to have set him up, and he pushed off the table, his chair falling on the ground. "Are you f*cking kidding me?! Coward? Me?" I nodded, but since he couldn't see me I approved it out loud. "Yes, you are. You're even pushing away your friends." He shook his head. "What the hell do you know?!"

"I know, trust me." Elliot chuckled again, "How can you?! It clear as hell that before the guys, you had no friends!" I stopped breathing for a moment, but I tried to not let his words hurt me.

He was too hurt, too scared right now. That's why he was speaking so harshly. That's why he's pushing everyone away.

"So what? It doesn't take a genius to see this. Why are you doing this, hmm? You have people who love you, who care about you." "You don't know s*it!" "Then explain it to me! Tell me how terrified you are, how alone you feel. Tell me how everything hurt so much it's hard to breath! That's what friends are for, Eli. Don't you get it?!" I found myself yelling, intent on letting him realize how loved he is. He didn't need his mother. I didn't need my parents. I had my aunt and uncle. It was enough. Now I had the guys, too.

"I'm blind, Rhi!" he screamed at me. Then he broke down, falling to the ground. "And I can't sing," I told him, crouching down in front of him. "What's your point?" and then I wrapped my arms around him.

"Eli, if you're blind, then it means someone out there thought you didn't need you eyes to see." He looked at me, drying his tears with his sleeve. "That sounds like a bunch of bulls*it," Elliot stated, but he had a small smile on his face. I rolled my eyes, standing up. "Whatever," I mumbled, walking to the fridge. "Now where do you guys keep the food around here?" he raised a brow. "Seriously? You're gonna' eat now?" I gave him a strange look. "What? Food brings me comfort." "And fat," I hit his shoulder playfully. "Just give me something to eat, you bitch."

*

The day after, Elliot was back to school. Oliver said he should at least stay until next week, though Elliot didn't listen. He still had some bruises on his face, and some people gave him a once over.

"P.E sucks," I mumbled as I sat down next to Elliot. He gave me a look and shook his head, "You already said it. Quit bothering me," I exclaimed, putting a hand to my heart. "Me? Bothering you? That's hurts me deep, Eli," He rolled his eyes, but said nothing in return.

"Um... hi, Rhi," I looked up, surprised to see one of the new girls in front of me. She had long blond hair- a bit longer than mine,- and she looked at me with her green eyes. I gave her a puzzled look. "Hey... you," I said, not familiar with her name. Her smile went off for a moment, but then she had a full on smile again. "I'm Miranda, but everyone calls me Mir." I blinked. "Right, Mir. What's up? You holding up okay with all of this crazy boys?" She chuckled and nodded, looking around as she played with her fingers. "It's alright. And um... I-I'l like it if we could be f-friends, maybe?" I smiled. She was cute. "Sure, that's cool." Mir nodded again in excitement, "Then, would you like to eat lunch with me? I have a few other friends with me, too." She asked me, but I knew I couldn't say yes.

I wanted to sit with the guys, and I knew they weren't comfortable with new people.

I shook my head with an apologetic face, "Maybe some other time, yeah?" Mir looked really disappointed with my answer, so now her smile wasn't as honest as before.

"Oh, that's fine, I guess." She cleared her throat, "I'll see you around?" Mir didn't wait for my answer, walking away quickly.

I heard a chuckle from Elliot's direction. "Looks like you have a fan," I slapped him on the shoulder lightly, "Shut up, she was being nice." I defended. "Let's go, it's so f*cking hot here,"

*

I was cornered by another one of the new girls at the end of the day. This time it was the girl who talked to Reagan yesterday, so I was already in a mood before she even opened her mouth.

"So, I saw you with um... Reagan, and I figured since you're friends, would you do me a favor and talk to him about me?" I blinked, scowling at her. What kind of a method to get to know someone was that?

"Who the f*ck are you?" I asked in a harsh tone. She literally just came to me and this was her first sentence.

She blinked, her smile coming off as she crossed her arms. "I'm Annie, and you're rude. I just wanted to ask you a simple thing, no need to act like a bitch," I raised a brow.

"And I don't give a f*ck. You want to date him, talk to him by yourself. Though, by what it looked like yesterday you didn't have much luck," I gave her a smug grin.

That's right, Reagan is a tough nut to crack and I'm starting to figure him out finally. So get in line, bitch.

Or actually, don't.

Annie glared at me, but luckily for me turned around and walked away.

I was so happy with myself that I didn't notice someone walking up behind me.

"Rhi," I turned around. Now what?

"Hey, Troye," I greeted, scratching my head. Troye was a guy in my math class, though I never really talked to him before. He passed a hand through his dirty blond hair and smiled. "So, I was thinking for a long time how to come up to you... Do you maybe want to-" "Not now," I suddenly heard Reagan's voice, then felt his hand on my arm as he pulled me away from Troye, and walked with me in the halls. "Hey, he was trying to tell me something," I noted as a matter of fact, but I was a bit to aware of his warm hand on my arm. It was warm today, so I was wearing a T-shirt.

Reagan didn't reply, and I shrugged as I put my glasses on. My head throbbed a bit throughout the day, and since I had hard time exercising with them on in P.E, I took them off for a while. It was painful, though after a while the pain subsided a little.

"Where are we going?" I asked looking at him as he opened his car's door, pointing to me to get in.

"To get some food," I gave him a glance, not knowing where this was going to.

It was never just him and me, other than the two times he drove me home. If it was any other day, before I realized I had feelings for Reagan, I wouldn't think about it too much.

Now, however. Well, it was safe to say I was a nervous wreck.

Reagan stopped near a fast food restaurant, and went out after telling me he will be right back. I had my suspicions for whatever he was doing, but I doubted any of it was correct. Reagan was too hard to understand.

After a good ten minutes, he came back with bags in his hands and started to drive without a word.

"Seriously, say something- I'm starting to freak out," I claimed when I couldn't stand being this anxious. Reagan gave me a brief look and sighed. "I want to tell you something, but not here. Not now. Will you wait for a little? Please?" I immediately gave up, even before the 'please'.

We stopped at a garden, a disserted one. There was literally no one here.

"Spare me the 'are you going to kill me' joke, will you?" he asked, not expecting an answer. I frowned. "Where did you hear this dumb joke? It's not even funny to deserve the name 'joke'," I said, shaking my head. He shook his head and exited the car, and I was right after him as he started to walk.

He waited so I could catch up, and we walked next to each other until he sat on the grass, patting the spot next to him.

For a while, we ate in silence and didn't utter a word. When I looked at Reagan, it seemed like he was thinking. About what, though?

"You know," He started softly, "my mom keeps nagging me about punching people," I was confused with the direction the conversation was taking, but mentally shrugged.

"What's wrong with that? It's Physical bonding, or whatever." At first he just stared at me. Then, he surprised me when he started to laugh. I never seen him laughing so hard like that.

When his laughter died out, he gave me that look again. "I knew you were going to say something like that," Reagan shook his head and went silent again.

I sighed. "My aunt nags me about it, too." I admitted. Reagan stared at me. "For a good reason," I punch his arm in return.

"Now what was it that you wanted to tell me?" I finally asked. He visibly swallowed, looking ahead. "Rhi, I-" My ringing phone cut him off, and I gave him an apologetic look as I answered it.

"Hello?" "Rhi, hi, it's Troye." I raised a brow. "Troye? How did you get my number?" I asked, then looked at Reagan as I noticed his angry expression. He glared at me, then suddenly got up. "Reagan, wh- Troye, I've gotta' go, sorry." I quickly hung up, following Reagan as walked fast ahead of me. "Wait, Reagan! Reagan, hang on, tell me what you wanted to say!" I yelled, running to catch with him. Why was he so angry? Because I cut him off to answer my phone?

"Look, I'm sorry I answered and interrupted you. Will you keep going now? It's not good to keep everything bottled up," I said and tried to smile, looking at him as we were walking fast.

"It might blow you up! Then, your cute face will be all messed up," Reagan came to a sudden stop.

"Is this a f*cking joke to you?!" He asked, clearly pissed off. I frowned, confused as to how we came to this situation. "No, of course not. Why would you think that?" I asked, however in return Reagan turned and began to walk again. This time, I didn't follow. I watched as he walked away, confused and a little hurt.

What have I done? It was in moments like this I wished I had friends in the past.

"Wait, Reagan," I called again, trying for the last time. "I'm sorry, come back please," I didn't even think he heard me until he stopped in his place.

He mumbled something I couldn't understand, and I watched him as he suddenly turned back around, heading towards me. Fast.

I blinked at him, trying to understand what he was doing, but he was already in front of me. Then, he grabbed my face with both of his hands, pulling me towards me.

And time stopped when he kissed me.

Reagan was f*cking kissing me. Was this a dream? I wanted to pinch myself, but the only thing I could focus on was his warm, soft lips on mine.

I was kissed once, by an idiot who had a crush on and made a move too fast. I made a fast move too- my leg kicking his private parts.

But this was so much different, beyond comparison.

It was over before I knew it, and I opened my eyes- now with no glasses on them as we were in the shade,- to see Reagan staring back at me.

"There," he let out, and I felt the air coming from his mouth on my face. "I did it." I looked at him, then without thinking grabbed him by the neck and pulled his lips back on mine.

When I pulled away, I said; "There- I did it too. You prick are lucky I like you, or I would've punched you by now," I told him, passing my fingers through his hair.

Reagan gave me that look again, and I think I might finally understood what it meant. "You're lucky I like you too, or I probably wouldn't have bought you food." I smiled at his words, still not believing Reagan actually liked me.

A boy I have feelings for actually likes me back...

"You would've let me starve?" I raised a brow, taking a step back. Reagan stopped me, pulling me by my wrist. "I wonder," I hit him again in return.

"You bitch- I'm wanna break up," I said, making him laugh at me. "Whatever. Let's go, it's too f*cking hot." He said, pulling me with him.

Reagan was starting to remind me of myself... Did I corrupt him?

"By the way," He said as we got into the car, opening his door. "if I see that Troye guy come close to you again, I'll f*cking punch him."

Yep. Definitely corrupted him.

~*~

My god, it took me so long to write this chapter... but I wanted to resolve some things, which is also why the chapter is longer than usual.

So... What do we say about the RhiRea couple? That kind of sounds catchy, don't you think?

Hope you enjoyed the chapter :)

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