Skittles, Friends and a Little Thing Called Love

I got home later that day, opening my front door and closing it behind me, sinking to the floor.

After the incident on the pavement, it had been fine. We had gone to a small cafe in the middle of town, and hung out for a while.

I don’t think he noticed, but I wasn’t really paying much attention. My mind was whirring around his mood swing.

“Sian, is that you?” I heard my mum’s voice call from the kitchen. I mentally groaned. What if she had found out about how I skipped school?

I walked slowly into the kitchen. “Hey mum.”

“Hi, good day at school?” she asked, and I nodded confusedly. What happened to bitchy mum from this morning?

She must have noticed my expression, because she continued, “Look, Sian... I know we don’t always get along that well, but I’m willing to forget about this whole thing with you and that boy.”

I stared at her. Forget?

“I guess I should trust you more... you are seventeen, after all. And old enough to have a relationship with someone. My father and I have agreed to let you see him, as long as you stick to your curfew and don’t do anything stupid.”

I inwardly smirked. I love how they thought that they could give ‘permission’ for me to see Gerard. As if I would stop seeing him if they didn’t... However, I didn’t let it show.

“Thanks mum,” I said, and hugged her loosely before going upstairs to my bedroom.

I turned on my stereo, putting in a Deathstars CD that I knew my parents hated, and blasted it out at full volume.

“I slay it and I fuck it and I suck it and leave it!” I yelled out, jumping around. I knew this would piss them off beyond belief, but I didn’t care.

I grimaced as I realised how teenager-ish I was acting, but I didn’t stop.

There was a bang on my door, and my dad’s loud voice came through the door, “Sian, turn that off or so help me I will ban you from leaving this house!”

I ignored him. Let him ground me, and see where it gets him.

“The new dead nation!” I sung in response, giggling as I flopped onto my bed, bopping along with the music.

I turned the music down as I saw the shadow of his feet move away from the door.

I felt kinda guilty... but I waved it aside. Why should I feel guilty?

I heard the doorbell ring, and I listened as my mum answered it.

“Oh, hello Michael. How are you? Sian? She’s upstairs in her room. Yeah sure, go right on up.”

I scrambled off my bed to unlock my bedroom door, and the moment I had, Mikey stepped into my room, standing in front of me.

“Sian, are you okay?” he asked hurriedly, his eyes searching mine frantically.

“Mikes, chill, I’m fine,” I replied, and his face relaxed. I turned off my stereo, and continued, “Why are you so worried?”

“Please, don’t play stupid with me. I sent you that text, but you never replied! I was so scared that...,” he trailed off, looking uncertain.

“You were scared Gerard would hurt me?” I asked. My heart almost melted at the sight of Mikey’s face. He looked so sad, as he sniffled, looking down at the floor.

“Aw, Mikes...” I put my arms around him gently, drawing him into a tight hug.

“I don’t want you to get hurt, Sian. I couldn’t... I couldn’t take it if my own brother hurt you,” he said as we stood there with our arms around each other.

“He told you about earlier, didn’t he,” I said softly, drawing back to look at him.

“What? No! What happened earlier? Oh, God, what did he do?” he asked, looking panicked.

Woops.

“Oh...Nothing. He just had a little mood swing, is all,” I said, smiling at him in what I hope was a convincing manner.

He shook his head, “Sian, you know it wasn’t just a ‘little mood swing’. You have to believe me about what I said earlier!”

I flopped down on my bed once again, instantly missing my best friend’s warm embrace.

Screw that...I missed my best friend. I hated how I couldn't -wouldn't- believe him. I wished things could go back to normal, and right now I didn't want to argue.

He kept talking, “By the way, I heard you playing Deathstars from my house! Awesome music, but why do you do that? You know it pisses your parents off...”

“I think you should go now, Mikey,” I said monotonously.

“You’ve gotta stop acting out against your parents... and me! Please trust me when I say that we do care about you, you know.”

I said nothing.

He shook his head sadly. “Right. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

I nodded silently.