Sky's the Limit

Chapter Three

"So... tell me about your home life, Skylar."

We were sitting about two feet apart, and, of course, I was as far as can be from that stupid concrete wall. I was too up close and personal with that thing earlier. No need to be now.

Jones and Dave also went home about an hour ago, and Swankey fell asleep.

"My parents aren't..."

"Ideal. I get it, but why not?"

I sighed, and looked over to him, once again getting lost in those ocean-blue pools he called eyes.

"They abuse me," I whispered. "I don't want anything done about it, because it will just draw too much attention. My friends, the cops, eventually got the information out of me, but I made them promise not to take action. Plus, with them out of the picture, I would have no place to go. I basically live here as it is, and they always tell me I don't have to get arrested to come here and visit. But I also like breaking the law. It's a good way to get back at people, and to get things done. And the high speed chase I always have with them is fun. I also don't want people thinking I'm kissing up to the police. I'd rather them think I'm a delinquent."

I noticed I had let my gaze fall to the floor, so I looked back up at Lucus, to see nothing but pure thought running through his head. He really listened. That whole time I rambled on, and he actually listened.

"I don't even know why I'm telling you this..." I wiped a stray tear. Why am I crying? This isn't good. My life is pretty damn good compared to some people.

"No. It's fine. I like it when you open up."

I gave him a small smile, still not quite beilieving him.

"So, what about your family?"

"My dad is a rich buisnessman, so he decided that, in order for him to spend more time with his family, we should move to an extremely small town, in the middle of nowhere, so he could just work at home and occasionally meet up with others nearby. My mom's also an excellent cook."

We just sat there in silence for a few minutes, listening to the crickets and locusts.

"So, I heard that you're here a lot, but what are you in for this time?" Lucus asked after a while.

"Fixing the fountain at the park."

He raised an eyebrow.

"While it was closed," I clarified.

"Ahh, I see..." he said.

"What are you in for?"

He sighed. "Long story."

"We have time," I mocked his earlier statement.

"And now, you, Skylar have earned MY respect."

"Sky."

"Huh?"

"Call me Sky."

"Oh... okay. Then you can call me Luke."

Silence.

"Nah."

That just made him laugh.

I looked over at him, smiling slightly at the carefree boy I came to know...er...meet, despite his appearance.

When he finally stopped laughing, he looked over at me quizzically.

"What?" he asked.

"I like your laugh," I said softly.

"That's normally something the guy tells the girl."

"Yeah, well, I don't laugh," I said stubbornly.

"We'll see about that," he said, just before pulling me over to the bars the rest of the way, and tickling me all over my belly and neck.

I couldn't hold back my fit of giggles, but was barely able to make them a little less quieter so I wouldn't wake up Carl.

"Stop.. can't... breathe..." I whispered.

He slowly stopped tickling me, his arm still around my waist, as my laughing subsided.

We both looked up at each other at the same time, and once again just had a staring contest.

However, I was still scared of what might happen after tonight. My main fear being that he would become popular at school and pretend like I never even existed.

So I couldn't let this go any farther.

I slowly broke eye contact, as I began to nervously ramble.

"So, you still owe me a, uh... answer. Uh. What- Why are you in here? In jail this- today."

Real smooth, Sky.

He let out a deep, husky chuckle, before answering my question, moving his arm to being around my shoulder. I couldn't help but lean into him through the bars.

"Well, there was this douche at school earlier today, and I had a free period, so I was strolling around outside. I overheard them talking about someone named Skylar Rhymes, who apparently was in jail at the moment." He paused to look at me as I chuckled. Woah. Weird. No one but the cops have ever made me laugh before.

"Anyway," Lucus continued, "Me, being the awesome bystander, strolled over to them, about to stick up for this 'Skylar' person. I heard them say that she was nothing but a loser who seeks out attention by always getting arrested by the cops." He looked at me again to make sure I wasn't offended.

I've gotta say, though. It hurt. I knew that's how everyone (except my police friends) veiwed me. Even my parents. It just sounded different coming from someone else who heard it too.

I'm pretty sure he saw the hurt in my eyes, right before I covered it up with a pretty sad smile.

"Well, it's true..." I confessed. I mainly do it so I can get away from my parents. But, that's also why, I guess.

He just looked away again, as he continued.

"So, I waltzed up to the group of three, and punched the guy who I assumed to be their leader, in the jaw."

"Well, that escalated quickly," I mumbled.

"Well, it wasn't exactly like that. Some inappropriate words were said beforehand."

"Oh."

"Long story short, I beat them all to a pulp, just as the Sherriff showed up."

We fell into another comfortable silence, and I almost fell asleep, too.

All I could hear were birds outside, as well as bugs, and the radiator that kept the heat going in the middle of winter.

"You know..." Luke started in a husky tone. "I know how to read your lifeline."

"Huh?" I turned my head up to the ceiling and closed my eyes.

"Just, give me your left hand."

I looked at him confused, but did as he said anyway.

With his right arm still slung over my shoulder, he grabbed my hand and analyzed it.

"Weird. Your line cuts off pretty early in your life. Looks like you could die any day now if you're not careful. I've never seen anything like this."

I pulled my hand back rather slowly, looking at it, confused.

"It's not like I do anything dangerous anyway."

He srugged lightly, still aware I was leaning against him.

I started to feel my eyes droop, since it was well past two in the morning, and couldn't stop the yawn that seeped out of my mouth.

"Goodnight, Sky."

"Night Lucus."