From Rhys🍣
Why are you ignoring me?

I lock my phone once I've read the text, turning my attention back to the movie playing on the big screen. Beside me I see Taylor curled up into the seat while covering her face with her cardigan although she's still watching.

An agreement we came to was that if I went to the movies with her, I could pick what we watched. Her parents are being overbearing to the point she's almost at cracking and telling them truth. Because they attempted to set her up on a date.

Taylor lied and said she had a date tonight, she just left out the part where it's with me. But they don't need to know that.

Instead of suffering through a date with a guy she wouldn't be attracted to and purposely ruin it, she's suffering through the new Annabelle movie. I don't mind paranormal movies; when it comes to horrors along the lines of Saw and Chainsaw Texas Massacre I'm the one hiding.

The credits start rolling on the screen and I stand up to stretch out my legs. I see Taylor do the same but she flashes the people infront of us a nervous smile while getting glares in return. Clearly they're still upset about the popcorn that was flung at them accidentally.

"Sorry about that," They scowl and walk down the aisle towards the exit before she faces me. "I don't get how they scowled at me when your phone kept buzzing every ten minutes."

As if proving her point my phone buzzes again. "I didn't scream constantly."

I pick up my jacket from the chair beside mine and hand her the empty bucket thanks to her jump. She takes it as well as her water bottle while I pick up my large coke, moving along to the exit. On the way out she dumps her rubbish and I hand her my drink in order to put my jacket on.

"So who was texting you?" She asks and I shake my head, adjusting the collar and hair so it flows down my back. "From that response I'm assuming Rhys."

I take my drink back as we start towards the carpark. "And Blair. She wants me to join the team still and after yesterday she's more persistent."

"Well you did join in and didn't actually walk out for a change," I run my tongue over my teeth and glance to Taylor who smiles. "You should seriously consider it because by the sounds of it you enjoyed yourself and it came naturally."

"I don't want to dance anymore," The lie rolls off my tongue and I press the elevator button, facing Taylor while we wait. "I'm not going to do something I find point-less."

My eyes drift over to timezone mentally cursing myself when I see Rhys with Lachlan. I turn my attention back to the elevator pressing the button multiple times as if it's going to make it come faster. In the metal reflection I see Taylor turn as well although the doors open, we've already been spotted.

"Kira!" Rhys calls as I step inside, waiting for Taylor to do the same. "Taylor, hold the elevator."

She steps inside and I pull her back from the doors, pressing the button although not quick enough. A hand stops the doors before they shut and I press my back against the metal box and curse under my breathe as they open again.

"Hey Rhys," Taylor smiles and he steps inside with Lachlan trailing in as well and pressing the button. "And you're Lachlan, I'm Taylor."

He looks to her, doing a double take despite looking exhausted. So he works at Timezone. What he said yesterday now makes sense. But I don't have long to think it over as my hand gets nudged by Rhys.

At the contact I move my hand inside my jacket pocket without looking at him. "It's nice to meet you. I'm guessing your the nice one of Kira's friends."

"Blair can be nice as long as you're not on her bad side," Taylor explains and I shift stances, noticing Rhys' hand tighten its hold on the railing. "Like most people actually."

I take a sip from my drink trying to fight the urge to hold his hand. I forgot he doesn't like elevators. Eventually the doors open and I'm quick to get out, knowing that Rhys is right behind me. When his hand grips my elbow at the crease and pulls me to the side I know I don't have a choice at ignoring him now.

"Are you seriously going to ignore me?" He starts, raising an eyebrow and instantly my eyes drift to the faint cut on his lip. "You should know that I don't see you as a damsel in distress-"

"Not now," I tug at my elbow, feeling Taylor's eyes burning into me as she walks with Lachlan. "I don't need nor want to explain something else to her."

"Well you refuse to talk to me otherwise," He deadpans finally releasing my elbow. "I need to talk to you about what Lachlan told you-"

"Can it wait?" I snap, eyes narrowing in on his hands where I notice the bruising lining his knuckles still. My annoyance fades and instinctively I grab onto his hand to observe the damage. "You're an idiot."

I look up at him with a slow shake of my head and he raises an eyebrow. His eyes drifting over to the people watching. "Do you mind if I take her home? We kind of need to talk."

Taylor glances to me, silently asking if I'm okay with it. I nod slightly and she exhales. "Just make sure she actually gets home, especially by curfew otherwise I'll be held accountable."

After saying goodbye to Taylor, we go our separate ways. I climb in the back despite Rhys trying to kick Lachlan out of the front seat. I'm perfectly capable of sitting in the back when I'm the uninvited one here, or at least the last to join the car. But I want to know about it.

I buckle into the middle strategically in order to lean between both seats. When the car starts I do so and have Lachlan half lean back while closing his eyes. Clearly he's tired and I don't blame him, I wouldn't be able to work there.

"So who's going to tell me what's actually going on?" I start, looking between them both for an answer. Lachlan's eyes stay shut and Rhys swipes his tongue across his lips.

"As Lachlan told you yesterday I've got a list of names of those who received the text message which is good," He starts, fingers drumming against the wheel and I can see him trying to choose his words carefully. "I just need to make sure they stay the hell away from you."

"And you can't do it any other way than beating them up?" I ask, a snort coming from Lachlan.

His eyes open and his head rolls to the side while looking at me. "Intimidation is the easiest way to get people to do what you want. These guys have no morals when you look at what they do, they're heartless."

"You find their weakness," Rhys snaps, glaring at his best friend for his choice of words. "Use it against them. It might not be orthodox but neither is dragging someone innocent into this. I'll speak to them, make sure they won't come after you and if they break that then I'm not abide to keep my word either."

Furrowing my eyebrows I clasp my hands together. "What if their weakness happened to be their child?" Rhys doesn't answer and I wack his shoulder. "You aren't going after anyone's child. I will punch you where the sun don't shine if you do because that's a line you don't cross."

"Then they should be smart enough to know not to put their life on the line," He fires back and once again I smack him. "Well what's the alternative? Am I supposed to ignore this and let them hurt you? No. I'm not letting that happen."

I bite the inside of my cheek, keeping my hand on his shoulder when he tightens his grip on the steering wheel. "And I don't want you to get hurt in the process."

"You guys are making me sick," Lachlan groans before sitting up and facing us. "I still think you should just make it official and make it clear that if anyone goes after her that they'll have to deal with you. It's simple, stop making it so dramatic when it doesn't have to be."

Before I can react Rhys is punching Lachlan in the stomach. "Rhys!"

"I'm good," Lachlan hunches over with a groan and Rhys looks at me with a raised eyebrow. "Message received."

"What was that for?" I ask, he shrugs and goes back to focusing on the road. "Why did he hit you?"

"He knows why," Rhys answers for him and reaches for the auxiliary cord. "Put some music on. I trust your taste in music."

Lachlan finally recovers sending a glare his way. "I question our friendship sometimes."

"You shouldn't because we're both as equally annoying as each other," Rhys states while I press play on the first song in my favourites playlist. "Skillet?"

"Comatose to be precise," Lachlan adds, taking my phone from me. "I hope you don't mind that I'm going through your music, also I'm adding myself to your contacts."

I chuckle and keep my eyes fixated on my phone as he exits the music app. "Not like I have a choice, do I?"

I monitor Lachlan's usage of my phone while Rhys sings underneath his breathe to the music. My head rests on the passenger seat as he starts scrolling through my music. When Rhys' voice gets louder I tilt my head to the side I listen in and get a surprise that his voice doesn't sound that bad.

He can also sing. I'll add that to the never ending list of things Rhys can do.

Furrowing my eyebrows I wonder exactly why he likes me. I don't know why because I know that there's others that are better than I am. I'm not ugly but I'm not drop dead gorgeous. I have average grades and the only talent I had was to ability to dance.

Then there's Rhys who not only has the good looks but the intelligence to match. On top of that he has an incredible drawing skills plus a nice singing voice. It makes me wonder how he has feelings for me or more so the doubt they'll suddenly vanish after I get too close to him.

In the background behind Rhys I notice a familar tower that signifies we're on Lachlan's street. Blinking a few times I look back to the blond getting a shock when he's already looking at me. There's a knowing look on his face and as Rhys pulls into the driveway he smiles.

"Thanks for picking me up man," He taps his shoulder, picking up his backpack before nodding his head at me. "I'll see you both tomorrow."

I furrow my eyebrows at Rhys who hesitantly looks to me when the door closes. "I was trying to get in contact with you to see if you wanted to go to laser tag with us. It's teams of five but we needed at least one girl."

"Teams?"

"The people Lachlan work with have it as a strategy to introduce a healthy competition between employees," He puts the car in reverse before backing out of the driveway. "I was also hoping it could kind of be like a second date. . ."

"You want a second date?" I whisper only for him to nod and abruptly pull onto the dirt road beside the antenna. "Why did you-"

"Get out," He stops the car and unbuckles his seatbelt. I blink a few times before he nods his head. "Come on. We need to talk and I remember you mentioning something about the view."

I unbuckle myself and unplug my phone from the auxiliary. As I slide out Rhys closes the door behind me moving closer to the tower. The metal structure connects power lines but I know that infront of it is solid ground that acts as the perfect spot to see the city.

Moving ahead of Rhys I duck beneath a metal beam of the antenna. I look back at Rhys who seems alarmed by what would be something dangerous. But to me it isn't, I used to do this all the time growing up and it isn't like I'll be electrocuted.

"Are you just going to stand there?"

The tease is enough for him to duck under while I move to leave the structure to the solid ground. The concrete slab is softer underneath the soles of my shoes and not made of gravel material like the rest of the area. I stand on it as Rhys almost trips on the platform.

"You weren't kidding," He chuckles, stabilising himself while slipping his hands into his jeans. "I want to talk to you about the whole text thing and what I plan to do."

I inhale and keep my focus on the scenery before taking a seat on the slab even though it's cold from the night air. "Please do explain so I don't have to have the shock again of you getting into a fight."

"He lives on the corner of your street and I know how he works," Rhys sits down with a groan as his knees crack. "I've seen him almost knock a woman out with a wrench before. He got me with it when I blocked the hit with my hand and I was lucky to walk away with a bloody nose."

I spare a glance at Rhys as a frown sets on his lips. "Out of those people how many are likely to get physical with me?"

"All of them but four wouldn't break anything," His jaw clenches and he exhales to remain calm. "They would go about other physicality with you, what level I don't know but I'm not risking it. The other two would go as far as putting you in hospital because I really pissed them off."

"What did you do?" I ask although I have a feeling I don't want to know.

"I accidentally lead one's sister on. May I tell you she was twenty-two while I was seventeen at the time," He starts, glancing at me as if I'm going to get annoyed by it. "Then I broke the others father's hand because he owed almost a grand in drug debt."

My eyes widen in shock. "You broke someone's hand? How?"

"With a hammer," He sucks in his cheeks and I swallow, dropping eye contact with a pounding heart. "I told you that I was an extremely angry teenager that hated the world. But I haven't been that violent or angry since the end of last year when I realized I couldn't live like that anymore."

"What if you turn back to old habits by warning these guys off?" I ask hesitantly, not knowing how he could react to this. "You've told me that you want a future and that isn't going to happen with you behind bars."

"I'm also telling you that I won't let you get hurt because of me," Finally I make eye contact with him as his hand grabs onto mine. He looks somewhat annoyed but I don't think it's with me by his words. "I like you Kira, more than a friend and I'm giving you the chance to walk away."

His words make my eyes widen and I try not to gape. I've never understood how direct and confidently Rhys speaks, even over something that brings a redness to my cheeks. The topic of dating, crushes and boys always makes me timid but now I don't really have a choice.

I can't cower away from it and I don't know how to really respond to him. I've never been in this position before so I'm clueless at the moment. But one thing I do know is I like him, no matter how much it terrifies me.

"Why would I walk away?"

He gives a small smile. "Because I've kind of put you through hell already and we aren't even together."

"I wouldn't say hell per se," I smile slightly with a chuckle. "As long as you don't end up like this again I won't walk away."

My thumb rubs over his knuckles that are still scratched. "Are you serious?"

Rhys asks in disbelief and I know that he's getting at his whole need to protect me. But I would rather protect myself, if he teaches me I'll be alright. He isn't totally to blame for the text fiasco and I would feel just as bad if his future was thrown away as if I got hurt. I don't want to be the cause of that.

"I'm not kidding Rhys," His smile slips completely and I shrug. "You're teaching me to defend myself for a reason. I'm hoping you won't have to get yourself cut up again."

"So no fighting?"

"No fighting." My eyes flicker down to his lip where I reach out to observe the cut. "You cut your lip," I bite mine as the words float through my head as I take a plunge that sends my heart racing. "If you have a cut lip then you wouldn't be able to kiss me."

My eyes move to his noticing his flicker down for a moment. I go to pull my hand away only for him to grasp it, pressing a soft kiss to the back of my hand. The bump from the cut is obvious and I try not to give away the obvious warmth in my cheeks and stomach.

He smiles softly. "That's enough incentive for me," My phone starts to buzz and I lean towards him to pull it from my back pocket. "Your dad?"

"Yeah probably because I told him I would be home around ten," I slide accept and hold it to my ear. "Hey dad-"

"Get Rhys to bring you home now."

I feel my eyes widen in shock. "What? How did-"

"Kira. Someone just emailed me a photo of you two at the antenna," I turn around barely noticing the shadowed figure across the road. Quickly I get to my feet and watch as it disappears down the lane way. "I need to tell you something important. I probably should have told you before hand."

"What's going on?" Rhys gets to his feet, confusion all over his face at the sudden mood change. "Dad!"

"I'll explain when you get home but don't tell Rhys about this," He sighs and I frown. "It's to do with his father and the case I turned down. He doesn't need to know."

"I'll be home soon." I hang up, staring at my phone for a moment while my heart races.

"What's wrong?"

I slowly look to Rhys knowing that the worst possible thing could be to keep this from him. But I have no idea what's going on myself. Once I know the whole story from dad, I'll decide what to do. For now I'll just to leave him in the dark because surely it's nothing, his dad is locked up after all.

"He wants me home," I half lie just leaving out the reasoning behind it. "One thing he hates is me being late for curfew so do you mind?"

His eyes flicker over my face, eyebrows furrowing momentarily. Please don't tell me he knows I'm lying. Eventually he nods, gripping my hand again before leading me back to the antenna. I stare at the back of his head wondering whether I'm doing the right thing.

Releastically his father's hurt him enough, he doesn't need to know that he can reach out from beyond the walls. I don't want him to sink back into old habits and his father seemed to be a trigger the first time. Hopefully there won't be a second.

This chapter was probably one of my favourites to write in the whole book. Which *drum roll* is officially pre-written (although I'm a little unsure of the epilogue) and although I'd love to post it all at once I'll be updating twice every second week from now on.

Except for this weekend; Friday, Saturday and Sunday I'll be posting a chapter each night. Then next week will be a singular update, followed by double the following week. I hope to get this story finished in January.

Question: do you think Kira's doing the right thing?

Thoughts? Feelings? Predictions?

-inspiredrlh 💕