Teach Me to Please | Please Me #1 - Chapter 41: Chapter 41

One week. One week. It's been one week, and it's all been for him.
It wasn't like Roman has had zero contact with me. A few hours after he dropped me back home, I had to text him. I didn't expect a response and I didn't need one, knowing that he read it was all that mattered. 'I'm here, please don't forget that'. That was what it said and with all my heart I meant it.
I got what he meant when he mentioned Adam. That was what he did, whenever he was going through something he'd shut me out. In a sense, I couldn't blame him for doing so; Adam had a lot of demons following him, demons that'd creep up and snatch him away, but he had a habit of shutting people out. Days and nights I'd sit by my phone waiting for him to call, text, anything, and I'd get nothing. It could go on for weeks and I'd drive myself insane.
To think that Roman could do the same was terrifying. I used to believe that that was how boys dealt with things. They'd ignore you like you were jackshit and then bounce back like everything was fine. But that was how Adam dealt with it, and Adam didn't equal the entire male population. It was crazy how one experience with a boy could really fuck up your impression of all boys, I knew not all boys acted like that, but it was enough, and Adam was a part of the 'enough'.
Roman gave me a new light of 'time'. He didn't speak to me for the first three days. In fact, he wasn't in school. I assumed he was by Skye's bedside day and night, and I had a feeling his parents talked to the school because he didn't need me to pick up any work. I was lucky I became busy. Rya and I were setting up my Prom Queen campaign and some of the last basketball games were coming up, meaning cheer practice was at an all time high.
On the fourth day, I got a text. 'What book are you reading?'. Did it feel like Christmas? Yes. Did I reply instantly? Abso-freaking-lutely. 'Little Women, museum addition' I knew he'd laugh at the 'museum addition' because I did too.
'Tell me about it.'
I spent the whole night telling him about the book. He replied only a few times, but I enjoyed typing out my own summaries and opinions for him to read.
On the fifth day, he did a similar thing. 'What's your favourite book?'
I smiled and instantly replied, 'Emma, Jane Austen'.
'Tell me about it.'
I got curious this time and had to ask, 'Why? Are you okay?' it was the weekend and I wondered whether he was at home or was still with Skye. I wondered if she was awake yet.
'At boxing, Jesse is kicking my ass. Need a distraction.'
He was boxing. Something about that made me happy inside because it meant that he wasn't cooped up at home or worrying over Skye, he was in his own space to clear his head and I was glad he had Jesse's company. The two didn't hang out that much but I was sure just his company made Roman forget about things for a while.
I told him about the book, all my favourite parts and characters, how I related to Emma in so many ways. Again, he didn't respond many times, but I knew he was listening. Listening was enough.
Sixth day. 'Skye's awake'. That was all I got. Yet, that was all I needed. I didn't pry, I didn't want to. I just sat with that piece of information happily until we got to now. The seventh day.
"You know, I love being smart." Rya sighed happily as she leant against the locker next to mine as I collected my books.
I chuckled and rolled my eyes, "Really? Couldn't tell." The sarcasm dripped off my tongue.
"I just love it. I could conquer the world." She faked a dreamy look up at the ceiling.
"You're terrified of heights and believe that snakes originated from Satan's dick. I think the world can wait."
"Anything that moves on it's stomach is an abomination to this earth!" she argued pointing a finger.
I laughed and pulled out some textbooks to shove in my bag. "Is there a reason as to why you are so chipper this morning?"
She placed a finger on her chin and pretended to ponder, "Hmm, let me think... only that your girl got a hundred on her Psychology pop quiz this morning!" she held up a paper with a bright green '100/100' and smiley face. She grinned and practically shoved the paper in my face.
"Damn, Rya, that's amazing!" I cheered and looked at all the green ticks lining each question. "If Valedictorian isn't screaming your name, I'm sure it is now."
"I know!" she grinned and hugged the paper to her chest. "Oh, it feels so good to have a brain!"
The slam of a locker opposite us jolted me up and I looked over to see Christopher Knowles hurriedly placing books in his bag. "He looks pissed." I commented and Rya looked his way.
"Probably upset that I got a hundred and he got an eighty-five! What's the matter, Knowles? Falling behind?" she teased his way, he stilled for a moment, and I noticed his jaw tick before he shook his head to himself and continued packing his books away. Something was off with him, he seemed as if he hadn't gotten sleep in days and his Adam's apple was continuously bobbing like he was trying to hold back tears. What the hell? In all my years, I had never seen Christopher Knowles look so... vulnerable.
I tried to brush it off, but I couldn't help but feel like something was wrong. Rya grinned happily to herself as she admired her paper as I finished up packing up my books. Luckily, Rya's locker was nearby so we went to her's so she could collect the rest of her books also.
I checked my phone to see if Roman had given me any updates or if Skye had texted me considering she was now awake.
"Miss him?" Rya questioned. I looked up and furrowed my brows. "Roman." She clarified.
I sighed, "I haven't seen him for a week."
"But I thought you guys were texting?"
"Yeah, texting, but it's different when it's through a phone. Besides, it's mainly me texting anyways." I didn't want to pry. He was already in a horrible situation and the last thing he needed was to have me on his back, but I couldn't help but worry.
"What if... what if he doesn't want me around as much anymore." I nervously chewed on my bottom lip.
Rya looked at me and cocked her head to the side, "What d'you mean?"
"I just... I don't know." I sighed. "What if this whole 'time' thing makes him realise he doesn't want me."
"Want you how?"
"I don't know like around, I guess. What if he realises that the last thing he needs is to be hanging around me when he should be worrying about his sister?" I couldn't stop the doubt from creeping in no matter how hard I tired. As the days went on, I found it sitting there staring back at me, its eyes growing darker with the more time that passed.
"He said he wasn't going to shut you out, and I think you've been more good to him than bad. You should have seen his face when you arrived at the hospital, it was of pure hope. There's no way he'd shut you out for that."
"I know, I just –"
"If I'm being honest, Sienna." Rya interjected. "I think Adam fucked you up bad. I mean, how many times did that boy have some sort of problem going on and either take it out on you or completely shut you out?" a lot. That was the answer. I couldn't blame Adam for his own problems, but he was a nightmare when dealing with them. Rya could tell what I was thinking.
"Exactly." She hummed. "Adam doesn't take accountability for his own actions. He has this whole 'bad boy' persona with a boatload of daddy issues that he hides behind to do shitty things, and d'you know what? It works. Whether that boy needs to go to therapy or not, he mistreated you big time and the acts he played out left scars. On himself and you. Roman isn't going to do that. He has shit going on too, but he knows that hurting someone else wouldn't help the situation at all and he cares, girl. He cares a lot, I can tell. So, please don't let your mind jump down that rabbit hole, even if it's a familiar one. Don't."
That made me think big time. It was true that Adam and I's relationship was toxic, but I didn't realise that toxic relationships could leave scars. In hindsight, Adam probably went to Leah because he felt like she could 'fix' him and I was depicted as his bitch of an ex and left to dust.
"You should become a therapist, you know?" I chuckled lightly.
Rya waved a hand, "Oh please, the stress I gain from taking on my friends problems let alone me own is enough to fill the Grand Canyon. But I'm glad I'm good with advice."
I laughed and checked my phone one last time. A message. Please don't be from mom, please don't be from mom.
Nerd-boy: Skye wants to see you. I've talked to the hospital staff so you can visit her after school.
A smile of relief burst through my expression as I read the message over and over again. I get to see Skye. I get to see Skye today. Maybe he will be there too? Maybe I will see him?
"You good?" Rya asked sceptically.
"Yeah." I let out a long breath. "I'm great."
I noticed her eye roll as she went to open her locker. Although, as she did an abundance of flowers fell out, rows and rows if colours of blossoming flowers pouring out, coating the inside of her locker. We both stepped back in shock and stared at one another.
"What the hell?" she gasped and looked around. "What happened to my locker?"
"Flower infestation?" I chuckled but she slapped me on the arm, "Ouch!" I glared at her. "Maybe some secret admire wants to prove they're worth meeting?" I then taunted, but, in a sense, it looked too much to be from a secret admirer.
"Rya McCoy?" a voice behind us asked. Then there was Taylor, holding a bouquet of pink roses with a charming grin on his face. I didn't fail to notice Rya's cheeks immediately blush. Taylor was an extremely attractive guy, and so Taylor holding a gorgeous bouquet of flowers was definitely sight for sore eyes. "Will you be my date to the Spring Fling?"
Holy shit.
I looked over at Rya who seemed like a deer in headlights. Was she going to say anything?
"Rya?!" I hit her side and hissed. She managed to snap out of it and blinked rapidly.
"Can you repeat that?" she asked bluntly.
Taylor looked slightly uncomfortable now, "Erm, will you be my date to the Spring Fling?"
"And this isn't a joke? I'm not dreaming, right?"
"Rya..." I gritted through my teeth as a warning because this girl was about to majorly embarrass herself if she didn't get her shit together.
"Do you think you're dreaming?" Taylor raised a brow.
"Yes. No. Yes – Yes, I mean yes! I'll go to the Spring Fling with you!" she answered happily and wrapped her arms around his neck. There was already a crowd of people gathering who now erupted in claps and cheers.
Taylor handed her then pink bouquet that now resembled the colour of her cheeks. Did my girl just score a date to the Spring Fling? Yes, she fucking did! I felt like a proud mother.
After the crowd died down and left, Taylor took Rya's hand and kissed it. "I'll call you tonight." He winked before leaving. There was the flirty Taylor I knew, and I knew he was going to knock Rya's socks off with every smooth move he could think off.
Rya let out a breath and smelled the gorgeous bouquet of flowers. "Did that really just happen?" she whispered more to herself than me, but I still answered.
"Yep, it totally did." I grinned back at her. She smiled dreamily to herself, but the moment was cut short by a violent slam of a locker and Christopher stalked passed, his head hung low. "What's his problem?" I blurted.
"Probably annoyed that I'm having the best day of my life." Rya shrugged, her smile sticking to her lips as she closed her locker. "D'you think Tiny Tom will be happy about clearing that up?" she then cringed.
I chuckled to myself, "I have a feeling Taylor's probably paid him extra. Now, c'mon, I don't want to be late to class." I linked my arm in with hers and giddily rushed off.
❦❤︎❦
I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous for seeing Skye. In a sense, I had a right to be. Minus the fact she almost died, I was scared on what she'd think of it. She fought to stay alive, but why? Why when she told me she wasn't afraid of dying? Did she want to live? Her mom said she had future plans for herself but was I looking into that more than I should be? I had no clue.
I came to the door where she stayed. It wasn't her room, but one for recovery before she could go back. I had a feeling I wasn't going to like whatever condition she was in.
Biting my tongue, I knocked before pushing open the door to reveal Skye. She was sitting up in her bed, in her own clothes but they were pyjamas with little clouds on that matched her old bedsheets. Her hair was falling over her shoulders but tucked behind the ears, but the one thing I couldn't stop looking at were the tubes. Tubes going in her arms, up her nose, one in her chest. I couldn't draw my eyes away.
"It doesn't hurt, you know." Skye said recognising where my gaze set. It doesn't hurt. She told me that when she first fainted, but I couldn't help but doubt it. Was she saying that for my sake?
I shook my head and looked away before smiling softly at her. "Hey." I walked further in. "I got Roman's text, what's up?"
"My family are driving me insane, that's what's up."
I laughed and shut the door before sitting on the edge of her bed. "You need some girl time?"
"Oh, I desperately need some girl time." Her voice was weak, more like a croak. No lightness or bubble, pure coarseness infesting in the quiet tone.
"Well then, talk to me." I smiled and titled my head to the side to look for comfortable when in reality I wanted to rip these tubes and machines away from her precious, little soul.
Skye smiled contently and sat up even further, I could see the slight pain in her expression, and I was about to make a fuss if she hadn't of held up a hand telling me to stop.
"Did Rome tell you about my diagnosis?" I shook my head. "Wow, the one time I asked him to be useful." She rolled her eyes, and I couldn't help but chuckle. "I've got anaemia." She said bluntly and I recalled the doctors saying she had developed something along those lines that day. "It's why I've kept fainting, but this time it was also tied in with a heart attack." It hit me how she could discuss matters like this so casually but, then again, I supposed the past few years have been filled with diagnosis and doctor's appointments for her.
"They said I was close to developing Osteoporosis which would have knocked around fifteen years off my lifespan but hey, I'm just trying to get through the day at this point." It was meant to be a joke, but it felt like a threat. Not to me, but to her life. An unintentional warning but it still hit hard. "I heard when Rome said you were with him that day." Her voice quietened. "Thank you." I looked up to meet her intense gaze. "I don't know what he would've done without you by his side."
"I'll always be by his side." I replied without a thought. "And yours." I squeezed in and gently took her hand. It was so small. I felt like it could break with one wrong movement. "You know you can reach out to me at any time. Really."
I felt the lightest squeeze on my hand, and she smiled. "Thank you. He told me you've been talking on the phone."
"Texting." I clarified. "He's been kind of..."
"Distant?"
"Yeah." I sighed sadly. "And I'm worried for him."
She frowned. "Same. Funny how I almost died and yet he's the one I'm worried about." She rolled her eyes again. "He told me to tell you he's coming to school tomorrow." Relief washed across my body. Then I realised.
"Is he not here?" I furrowed my brows. I assumed that him telling me I could visit Skye meant that he'd be here looking after her so he could see me too. I guess not. I hurt a little to know that it wasn't like that. Not in his mind, anyways.
"No, he's gone boxing with dad. You know he's been going like twice a day; every morning and night." Damn. Roman told me that his boxing served more of a mental health purpose than a physical one which immediately told me that he wasn't okay. I couldn't imagine the amount of stress piling on him after Skye's accident, but the whole Germany thing would add another pile of anxiety and anger. I wanted him to help himself however, selfishly, I wanted to be there with him even though he asked for time. Time was beginning to seem like infinity at this point and it's only been a week. One week more and I'd been climbing the walls.
"Has he talked to you about...?"
"Germany? My parents told me." I couldn't read her tone.
I shifted a little, "And are you...?"
"I'm going." She nodded affirmatively. "I want to go." Those four words meant everything in that moment because she didn't just want to go, she wanted to live. She wanted to get better. The emotion of it was so high I found myself swallowing down my tears. Although, I couldn't help thinking about Roman.
"And how... And how is Roman taking that decision?" a deeper frown fell over her features as I asked the question.
She looked down at her hands resting in her lap and sighed, "Not well. I don't know what to say to him, it's like he's convinced himself he can find another way, but he can't, and I'm scared..." she took a deep breath. "I'm scared he's going to break."
I knew the feeling. It was the same feeling I felt as I left his car when he dropped me back home that day. I couldn't help but feel his spirit slip out of him sightly when I watched him drive off.
"He offered to come with me, you know? To Germany." I froze. Did he really do that? Did he really want to leave everything behind? "And I told him he would be a fool to leave behind such an amazing future waiting right here for him." She gave me a long look and I gazed down at the floor, trying not to think of the ambiguity in her words.
"So," I let out a long breath and smiled back at her in an attempt to lighten the mood. "What's the plan now?"
"Well, they're moving me back up to my room in a week or so and then I'll be leaving in June."
"So that means you still have time to make super cool memories here." I straightened up and grinned.
"Pssht, please! If they ever let me out."
"We'll figure something out. You need some fun memories of us."
She laughed and then looked at me with a grin. "I actually have something to ask you."
I lit up in surprise. "Really? What's that?"
Her grin got bigger. "Well, I've been thinking. Rome mentioned to me about your school's Spring Fling..."
"And?" I pried.
"You should ask him to the Spring Fling." She announced happily. I sank a little inside. Oh no. "What?" she suddenly demanded to know.
"Skye..." I let out a deep sigh.
"Sienna, please! You've been there for him through so much and I see the way he looks at you, I know you guys aren't just friends and I know that this would make him really really happy! Besides, you guys look so cute together and... and... what's wrong?" she frowned, noticing my cringing expression.
"Skye, I'm not..." fuck, how was I supposed to tell her this? "I'm not... going to the Spring Fling." She remained silent for a few minutes, blinking harshly a few times before coming to.
"What?!" she exclaimed. "How?! I swear you're like the popular girl in school, aren't school dances the popular girl's thing?" I mean, she had a point, but it ran much deeper than that. "Why?" the break in her voice made me feel even worse.
"I made this decision ages ago and it's too late to turn back on it now. Some of my dad's family is coming over from California and we've already booked dinner to go out with them the night of Spring Fling –" she huffed in frustration, "– and I already told my mom I was going, and I can't just back out." I could just back out, but it seemed easier to put it like this. In reality, I didn't want to go because the thought of seeing Adam and Leah was too humiliating for myself. Pathetic, I know. You can call me that as many times as you want. However, seeing them dancing and having fun, rubbing it all in my face made the dance seem so unappealing no matter who or who not I went with.
I came to the conclusion over the week I spent away with Roman that, even though I hated to admit it, I too needed time. My head went all wrong because of Adam and I's relationship, from my own side and his. I wasn't a saint either, I would do some horrible things because I felt like he was the only person who could ever love me. I turned desperate and cruel. I've been putting myself right again slowly, but the last thing I needed was a reminder of him... or Leah. Or any of it really.
"I guess that's reasonable." She thankfully agreed. "But what if he asked you? Would you even consider it?" that was a question I didn't know how to answer. Without thinking it'd be 'yes', with thinking... I don't know what it'd be.
I saw that hopeful look in her eyes and if I've gotten to know her well enough through our time together, I've come to know that she never gives up, especially when it comes to the ones she loves. That was why I stupidly decided to be harsh.
"In all honesty, Skye, I just don't feel that way about him to be his date. It'd make things way too complicated and the last thing him and I both need right now is complicated." It was semi-true. Going to a dance with someone meant everyone would have questions about us, questions we weren't ready to face. I somewhat wanted what Roman and I had to remain private. No judgement, no questions, just us. I just wanted it to be us. Him and me and the pure atmosphere we created. In my eyes, that seemed perfect enough.
Something in her wasn't buying it, but it was better than her pushing forth, meaning she unhappily dropped it.
A knock at the door thankfully dropped the now tense atmosphere and a boy a year or so younger than me walked in with light brown hair, ivory skin, and somber brown eyes. "Orange juice and yogurt?" he asked holding a tray, a thick accent covering his words.
Skye suddenly sat up straighter and brush a few fingers through her hair, "Yeah." She chirped. He nodded and placed the tray at the end of her bed, acknowledging me with a small, yet charming smile. I glanced back at Skye and her cheeks had flushed a deep, crimson pink.
"Thank you, Lukas!" she hastily chirped once more as he left, and he gave her a small smile. If this girl thought she could get one over on me, she was so wrong.
"Okay..." I clicked my tongue. "Who the hell is that?" I burst as the door shut.
She looked at me innocently clueless. Too innocently clueless. "I don't know what you're talking about." She purposefully avoided my gaze.
"Oh, as if!" I slapped her arm.
"Ouch! I almost died you know!"
"And you'll almost die again if you don't tell me!" I jokingly threatened.
She grew nervous and bit her lip, "That's Lukas."
"Yeah bitch, I'm not that dumb, you know. I have ears."
She blushed furiously again. "Well, he's the son of a transfer doctor from Germany."
"Germany hmm?" I raised a brow. Interesting. "And did he have something to do with that little decision of yours?"
"No!" she protested. I gave her a long, sceptical look. "... maybe..." she looked down at her lap and mumbled under her breath.
"So you like him?" I was having way too much fun with this.
"No, I-I..." she knew the jig was up by my expression. "You can't tell anyone about this! Especially Roman or dad, they'd beat him up or something!" I didn't doubt that. Roman was protective of Skye enough, I prayed for that dear boy if he was planning to make any moves.
"Does he know about..."
"I'm guessing so." She shrugged. "Kind of hard not to when I've got these things in me." She gently tugged at her tubes before leaning over to throw the yogurt and juice in the trash. I couldn't help but feel a loss of hope as she did so.
"What? The only way I can see him is if he brings me food and he looks so happy when he thinks he's helping me."
"Skye..." I warned.
"I know, I know!" she waved her hands about, "But you're used to everyday flirty, this is hospital flirting."
I raised an eyebrow, biting back my laughter, "Hospital flirting?"
"Yep!" she agreed proudly with her chin in the air. I chuckled.
"And how's the 'hospital flirting' working out then?"
She sunk back down and gave a frustrated huff. "Not so good if I'm being honest." She muttered under her breath whilst tracing her fingers over the plain, clinical bedsheets.
"Leave it to me, honey. I'll get you your George Knightly." She cocked her head to the side in confusion. "Do you not read?" I asked shockingly. Yet before I knew it, she burst out into fits of laughter, and I happily joined her.