I Need You

Chapter 6

<<Rylee's POV>>

I begin walking to the house, but remember something. I run back to T.J's car just as he's pulling out of the driveway. He rolls the window down and I lean on the door, "when are you coming back over?" He shrugs, "is tonight okay?" I nod, "the sooner the better, you don't need more bruises, and it seems to be getting worse." He smiles slightly, "thanks." I turn to leave, but he grabs my hand, stopping me, "you can't tell anyone about this. About my dad, I mean." I nod, "I promise." He releases my hand and backs out, waving before leaving.

I walk back to the house, relieved that T.J will have somewhere safe to go, as well as the twins. I'm also glad that T.J and I aren't fighting. I never liked it when we fought. Though the problem with his dad is somewhat fixed, I have one question still remaining unanswered. Who was the girl that was nothing compared to Sarah?

<<T.J's POV>>

As I pull out of her driveway, I think over our conversation. She knows about my dad, and still helped me. Whenever I used to tell people about my dad, they would leave me to deal with him on my own. But Rylee isn't. I also mentally slap myself for almost telling her I liked her, how she was nothing compared to Sarah, and she isn't. She's a far cry from being like her. I feel like if I did tell her that I like her, it would make her not talk to me anymore, because I highly doubt she likes me back. There are no signs that she does like me.

I am, however, very glad she let the twins and I stay with her. It will help us a lot, and her as well, so she won't be lonely. I can't wait to move in with her tonight.

*** (three hours later)

<<Rylee's POV>>

I'm sitting in my couch doing homework when there's a knock at the door. I stand and walk to the door, and open it.

"Hey," T.J greets, a large smile, and attractive, smile on his face. Wait, what?

"Hi," I reply.

"Are you two just going to stand there and stare at each other, or are we going to come in?" Jake asks

T.J turns and glares at him and he just shrugs and says, "what? It's true."

"No, it's fine, come in, make yourselves at home," I tell them, opening the door wider. The three of them come in, and look around. "Um, Elisa, you and I are going to be sharing a room, if that's okay?" I state. She smiles, "it's more than I could ask. Thank you so much for letting us stay here, Rylee." I smile, "you're welcome, I'll show you your rooms." They follow me upstairs, and I go to the boy's room first.

"Um, this room is yours, guys," I show them. Jake walks in, T.J following, except he stops at me and whispers, "it really means a lot to them. Thank you, Ry." I nod and smile, and he returns a small one.

I clear my throat and turn to Elisa, "okay, m-our room." She smiles and I lead her down the hall and turn my room light on. "I like it," she states. "Thanks, I know it's not much, but it's still home," I reply. She nods and sets her things down, "I understand." She goes and sits on my bed and looks at me knowingly. "What?" I ask. "Shut the door, I have to ask you something," she tells me. I obey, then sit next to her, looking at her curiously. "How do you feel about my brother?" She asks. I'm taken aback, "I-I don't know what you mean." She laughs, "yes you do, but I'll rephrase it; do you have feelings for my brother?" I shake my head, "n-no." Why am I having this conversation with her? I barely know her. But, I guess she is T.J's sister.

"You sure? Because from how I see it, you do. You both like each other. I mean he's pretty smitten with you," she replies. "Really?" I ask. She chuckles, "you should see him. Whenever you two get in a fight, he's always feeling guilty when he gets home. Whenever you get along, he has this creepy smile plastered on his face. It's quite funny if you ask me." T.J likes me? Do I like him? At that moment I realize something. I like T.J O'Connor. "Okay, I guess I sort of like him. But are you sure he likes me? He doesn't seem to show it," I tell her. She nods, "I'm 97% positive he does." "Well, what about the other 3%?" I ask. "The other three is him getting the guts to ask you out," she states, smiling. Someone knocks on the door, and it opens, revealing T.J. Did he hear what we were talking about?

<<T.J's POV>>

I begin putting my things away when Jake asks, "so, you like Rylee?" It was more of a statement than a question. I shrug, "I don't know. I don't think she likes me, though." "You're acting like a girl. Why don't you just ask her out? I mean if she says no, there's always other girls," he states. I sigh, " I know I'm sounding even more girly by saying this, but, I don't know if I'd want someone else." He laughs, "you're whipped, dude." I shake my head and smile, "whatever." "You need to ask her out! Now! Or else I will ask her for you," Jake threatens. "Fine, fine, but if she says no, you're dead," I reply, starting to walk out of the room.

I walk to Rylee's room, thinking about how I'm going to ask her out. Right when I get the nerve and am about to knock, I hear her say, "okay, I guess I sort of like him. But, are you sure he likes me?" Who does she like? I can garruntee it probably isn't me, even though I hope it is. "I'm 97% positive he does," Elisa tells her. "What about the other 3%" Rylee asks, sounding upset. "The other three is him getting the nerve to ask you," Elisa answers. I guess I'm not the only one nervous about asking her out. I sigh and knock on the door, and open it. They both look at me questionably, but Rylee looks as if she's been caught while doing something bad. "Can we help you?" Elisa asks. I remove my gaze from Rylee and look at her, "I,um, I was just wondering if , uh, you two were hungry?" "Very, thanks for asking. Pizza would be nice, mind calling some in?" Elisa answers. Why isn't Rylee talking to me? Ugh, it doesn't matter, I need to get over her. The best way to do it, is to stay away from her as much as possible. "Um, yeah, sure," I reply. "Are you okay, T.J?" Rylee asks. I look at her, then look down, "fine." With that I walk out. I was an idiot to think she would like me.

***(three days later) ***

<<Rylee's POV>>

T.J's avoiding me. I don't know why, and it kind of hurts. After my confession to Elisa, I realized I really did like him. Every time I go to talk to him, he ends up just walking off quickly.

I sit at my usual table in the cafeteria next to Summer. "What's got you all down in the dumps?" She asks. I shrug, "boy problems." "What the guy you like doesn't like you back? Sucks for you!" T.J sneers as he walks passed. "What's with him?" Summer asks. "I don't know, but he's right, and he's also been ignoring me and avoiding me for three days," I answer. "Is he the boy you like?" Summer whispers. I nod, "but as you can see he doesn't like me back." "Did you happen to talk about who you liked, but with only using 'he' instead of his name?" She asks. I think back and remember the only time I did was the first day they were there. He opened it right after I asked if 'he' liked me. Then, when he came in he acted all distant. "Yes! But why would that make him act like-like this?" I ask. "Jealousy," is her answer. "No, he's not jealous," I reply. She giggles, "then why is his staring at you like all he wants to do is to call you his?" I look over to T.J, who is staring at me, but as soon as our eyes meet, he looks away. But not before glancing towards me again, quickly. "I still don't think he's jealous," I tell her. "Rylee, are you blind? When he's talking to you, he's a jerk, but when he has the opportunity, he watches you like a hawk. That's jealousy, Ry," she responds. "Maybe I should talk to him," I say. She nods and practically pushes me out of my seat, "go get your Romeo." I roll my eyes, "if this goes wrong, you're dead." I walk over to his table, and when he sees me coming towards him, he looks a little surprised. I get there and smile a little, "um, can we talk?" He looks down briefly, but then looks up and says, "sure." I walk out of the cafeteria, him following. We get outside, and I face him. "Why are you acting like this?" I ask. He looks away, not answering. "T.J, please, it's killing me not knowing why you started hating me all of a sudden. What did I do to make you so upset? What did I do to make you hate me?" I almost plead. "I don't hate you, Rylee. I'm just trying to figure out some things," he answers. "What things to you need to figure out that makes you mad at me?" I question. He glares at me, "it's none of your business! Just leave me to deal with it and go bug your crush, I'm sure he'd like you talking to him." With that he stomps off outside and to his car. 'What just happened?'