Mistaken Love

A week past since the day Eddie painted me. We fell asleep on his bed a while later and even though he didn't want his dad to find us like that Eddie didn't seem to mind when they busted into his room jolting us awake. He had an off-like dream look to his face and he slowly lead me out of his house away from the yelling parents and screaming Emma. It's a Thursday after noon and I'm just about to go to lunch. Jake, I mean Duke, (He likes to be called that) ignored me in P.E. all day. And when we had to pick teams he never once looked at me. Naturally I glared at him all the while. I had given him a talk about two days ago that he should be responsible and go to Steph. He shrugged me off and stormed away. Bastard.

When I got to our table I saw April and Anthony whispering and giggling. Then I saw Mimi and Zachy. She was laying her head on his shoulder and he was messing with her hair. So... cute. Haha. Emma was cooing at her phone... I glanced over a little and saw that her Sprinkles was on the screen. Emma finally told us that his real name was Shaun.

"Good afternoon doll" a slightly high pitched guy voice said.

"AHH! Sebastian don't scare me like that!" I laughed.

"Haha, sorry...it was too easy." he smiled.

He was a lot nicer now and ditched a lot of his old habits. Georgie always comes to take him out to lunch too. So I wonder what he's doing here.

"Hey where's Georgie?"

"Oh he'll be here in a little bit. So I thought I'd chat with you. If that's alright."

"Sure. I don't mind at all."

"Where is uhm... Eddie?" He kinda half smiled.

"I...don't really know. He wasn't here yesterday either. Emma says he goes to first period and then leaves. So..." I looked down.

"If I see him while I'm out I'll let him know to get his tight ass back here ok?" Seb smiled making me laugh with him.

He excused himself from me and flung himself at a figure no more than a foot away. I laughed as the other male, I assumed to be Georgie, swung him in hug and kissed his forehead. Sweet. They walked away and got into a very shiny car and sped off. Right as they pulled away Eddie's familiar car pulled up. He was smiling as he ran up to me.

"Where have you been!" Emma screamed.

"I was-"

"Yeah, Eddie. I was really worried." I pouted.

"Look I just-"

"You could of called her..." April glared toward Anthony.

"They like when you call...." Anthony gulped.

"LISTEN! Look I need to talk to Rory ok?" Eddie sighed.

I got up and fallowed Eddie out the doors to a deserted hallway. Scary movie written all over it. Haha. He stopped walking and turned around. Staring at me very very hard. I was a little shocked at his serious face but kept smiling none the less.

"Eddie, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Look, can I take you out to a movie tomorrow night?" He asked hopeful.

"Of course. But why are you so serious about it?"

"There is something very important I need to tell you."

"A-alright." I stuttered.

"But first I think you should know that Mr. Randolph er...dad, my real dad and Mr Roth are fighting a lot lately. I mean. My dad is actually sticking up for me. Mr. Roth even tried paying me to go to the school and marring Emma." Eddie explained.

"You...you're not going are you?"

"No no, of course not. I'm just saying if we can't find a way out of this... Emma plans to run away with Shaun...and I asked if I could join her.

"Are you saying you're gonna run away!" I gasped.

"Only if you come with." Eddie frowned.

I stared in awe at him. So this has what it comes down too. I can stay here and get a good education without Eddie. Or go with him and run forever. Never seeing my mom or other friends ever again. Why would he ask me to do this...I can't leave my mom but I certainly can't live without him. Not now anyway.

"Eddie..."

"Rory, you don't have to decide now. When the time comes I'll ask again. Until then lets just enjoy what we have." He smiled.

We walked back to the lunch room together...and all the way I couldn't stop thinking who'd I chose my mom...or him? I fake smiled the rest of the day, that question really bothered me. I know he didn't mean for it but...

As soon as I got home I closed the door and walked into the kitchen. After pouring myself a glass of apple juice, I am so hard core, I made myself a hot pocket. And silly me for not paying attention to my surroundings but as soon as I faced the kitchen table completely I screamed bloody murder.

"Who the hell are you? Get out of my house!" I said wide eyed.

"Oh, see here Miss. Ska, don't talk to the head master that way.

"Mr. Roth? You're Emma's dad?" I asked in bewilderment.

"Quite. I'm glad you and her are friends. I hope there are no hard feelings of her marring Edward."

"She isn't. She loves Spri- Shaun, so therefore Edward is mine. He even said so."

"Well, how long does that plan last? He may outgrow you yet. For I have seen nothing special about you." he glared.

"I-I'm not special? But Eddie says I'm-"

"Eddie thinks he's in love. Love doesn't exist though. You kids think that you love one another when in another month you guys will hate each other. That is high school love for you." Mr. Roth sneered.

"No...see I really do love him." I tried to say.

"Listen Miss. Ska, you are testing my patients. I want Edward to marry my daughter so that when we all grow old they can take care of us. You need to plan for the future. The closest thing people have to real love is precise relationships. As long as they can tolerate each other and keep us living healthy whilst we ready ourselves to die then they are set for the future." he explained.

"But-"

"They'll be rich. They can have whatever they want. They can get the finest education and once they get old they'll do what we're doing. All for the sake of living happy." he smiled as if he were a god.

"You...psycho. That isn't happiness! That isn't even closely related to love. It's a way to make money! That's all you and Mr. Randolph care about! Well I wont stand for it! Eddie wont marry Emma! She'll be happy with Shaun and he'll be happy with me! I'd give everything to make sure of that! So with that Mr. Roth, GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" I shouted at him, my fists shaking.

"I see you really leave me no choice."

"GET OUT!" I shrieked.

"If you don't tell Eddie to marry Emma by the next night then I'll make sure you and your mother go bankrupt and live on the streets." he threatened.

"She wont allow it!" I pressed.

"She has no choice in the matter. Only you do! Would you really choose him over your own mom. Family or your 'love'? It's basically the same thin I'm doing. I want my family safe over my own daughter's love life." he looked at me as if he were gonna hit me.

"You heartless prick." I spat.

"Such a mouth, lets hope it wont be covered by empty kisses when you realize you're mistake and leave you and your fragile mom alone." He headed for the door with a twisted smile.

My mouth dropped. He knows the plan. He knows they plan to run away.

"Who'll protect her then dear Rory?" he chuckled, "I'll keep in touch."

As soon as he was out the door I collapsed on the floor shaking. I wasn't going to cry over this. I've cried enough. I was only falling a apart because I was scared for my mom. I'd be safe either way. But my mom. She lost papa and that broke her but what about if she lost me? What would she do? I'm not OK...this is not OK...we're not OK. What am I suppose to do?

With that, I passed out. The forgotten puddle of apple juice at my feet and my hot pocket still beeping in the microwave.

--------------------------------------------Eddie's P.O.V.--------------------------------------

"EDDIE! EDDIE! SHAUN IS COMING DOWN! HE FINALLY HAS ENOUGH MONEY AND MORE TO VISIT!" Emma laughed waking me up from a short nap!

"Uhg, wonderful. Use a condom alright?" I smiled.

"Eddie! Do you not understand. We can all quadruple date!" she swooned.

"What the hell is that?"

"Me and Shaum, you and Rory, April and Anthony, and Mimi and Zachy. We can all go out together!"

"Again with my joy...." I frowned.

"Party pooper. Haha. I'm gonna go tell my...dad!"

"Hello sweetie. Edward." he nodded curtly.

"Dad...Shaun is coming in a few days to visit with us for a while."

"Oh? And he'll be staying where?"

"My friend Anthony's house." I said glaring at his calm expression.

He chuckled and started to walk away. I stared after him. Something is wrong. He has something planned. I glanced at Emma and she too had a questioning look on her face.

"Eddie...call Anthony and ask if it's alright for Shaun to stay with him. I'm gonna go to April and Mimi's." Emma stated.

"Hey will you stop by Rory's and take her with? I want her to have some fun. I think I really freaked her out with my question of her coming with us."Ie looked to the ground.

"Sure thing. You should prolly call Zachy over to Anthony's as well."

"Why?"

"Hehe, he needs help with you're romantically skillful skills for taking Mimi on their anniversary."

"Alright. Now lets scat. My cell's on. Tell Rory I love her ok?" I smiled.

"I will. Bye bye Eddie." she giggled.

I began walking the 4 houses down to Anthony's with an ominous feeling creeping up on me. Something was going to happen...and I think the time to act is drawing closer than I would of liked.

Knocking on the door Anthony's wild hair told me he was sleeping. Laughing as he let me in I sat him on the couch picking up his paused game of Tony Hawks Underground. We used to sit around for hours playing this. When the stage was over I saw that Anthony's name covered all the records but on spot that said Jake I typed in Eddie in place of it and smiled at Anthony.

"So snookums what brings you here?" Anthony yawned

"Well muffin lump, Emma requests you let her Sprinkles stay with you.

"He's visiting?"

"Well, the marriage is getting complicated so we plan to book it out of town if we can't handle it." I looked at the wall with a family portrait.

"Can I come?!" he squealed.

"And leave April?"

"Oh please. Everyone knows that Mimi and Zachy are gonna book it out soon too so she'll be happy to come with." Anthony smiled.

"I see. So everyone will come with but Rory." I looked at my twiddling thumbs.

"Huh?"

"I asked her and she seemed really freaked out. She might say no and not come with. As long as she's safe though. I suppose I'd visit her in a year...but she might of moved on by then."

"Eddie. She is crazy about you, she can't say no."

"I-I dunno. Maybe. I want her to go. I can't live without her...but I want her to be happy."

"Aww how cute."

"Sh-shut up!" I blushed.

We worked out that Shaun can stay and we'd all have a 'man' night for a celebration at Zachy's house.

"He has a hot tub! Can you imagine the fun?" Anthony wiggled his eyebrows.

"Anthony...it's going to be just us guys. And you want us to be half naked and in a hot tub together?" I questioned.

"Well...yeah? Is something wring with that?" he frowned.

"No no, it's fine. I love me some man soup." I laughed.

"OH EWW EDDIE I NEVER MEANT IT LIKE THAT!" Anthony made a disgusted face.

I curse the day my dream became my descent
suddenly I long for you, my only love

I answered my phone laughing. Anthony is just so dramatic.

"Haha, hello?"

"EDDIE! EDDIE!" A female voice screamed.

"Whoa, Emma? Calm down. What's wrong?" I asked scared.

"It's Rory!" she shouted.

I dropped my phone in horror.

No!