She stops and turns to face me.
“Your mother…”
Her eyes widen.
“Did she ever tell you…?” I take a deep breath. I don’t know whether it’s right to weigh her down with this. “What did she tell you about us, exactly?”
“Why are you asking me this?”
“Because I need to know.”
“You want to know what she told me about the huge bastard you were to her?”
I should never have asked – and not just for the response I’m preparing myself to receive.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”
“You’re worried that she told me things about you; that I hate you because of what she told me?”
“No, Skylar. That’s not what I’m worried about.”
“Then what is it?”
“It’s just that…” I glance painfully towards her. “I’m scared that I made her suffer, that I hurt her, or…” I don’t know if I can go on. “I should have apologised to her, that’s all.”
Skylar studies my expression for a moment.
“Do you know why my name is Skylar? Why she chose it?”
I shake my head.
“She told me that I was conceived under the stars.”
It takes everything inside me not to cry.
“So, no. I don’t think you made her suffer.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
“Do you feel better now?”
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to ward off the tears.
“Not really.”
Skylar nods, slowly.
“I don’t think there’s anything that could make it better,” she says, her voice low and uncertain. “Not even setting fire to a science lab.”
I smile sadly. “I can imagine.”
She turns and steps inside as I stand there for a minute, thinking of all the ways I can prove to this girl that she can trust me. She can fall apart, crumble to the ground, and I’ll still be here, with her, waiting to pick up the pieces. Ready to help her build something that can bring her even a little peace.
Niall
“You’re not listening, Tyler.”
“Can’t you see I’m busy?”
