Chapter Four

Everyone was sitting out on the balcony enjoying the great food and company of friends. Livy laughed and watched as the boys argued about which football teams were better and which movie was worth the money. It was quite entertaining actually she thought to herself. Kendrick, Paul, and Jesse managed to make it which brought the count up to ten people at the cookout.

“Kendrick shut up man. That movie was Epic and you know it.” Kevin said taking a swig of his beer. Kendrick just rolled his eyes. Earon, Livy, and Becca just stared at each other, looking confused.

“We must have missed something” Livy said grabbing her cup. The girls nodded in agreement. All the boys just looked at them.
”Where have you guys been? We’ve been talking about the same movie for the past ten minutes” Kevin said looking at the them.
”No Kevin has been talking about the same movie, we moved on a long time ago” Steven laughed. Kevin looked confused.
”Really?” he asked furrowing his brow. The boys replied by laughing at him.
”No but seriously where have you guys been. Usually we have to duck tape Becca and Earon’s mouth shut when it comes to movies and You usually know more about the football teams better than we do” Steven said pointing to each girl as he said their names.
”Yeah what’s up?” Jesse asked.
'”Nothing” all three of the girls said at once. Each looked at the other and busted out laughing.
”I hate when they do that.” Paul mumbled.
“Stop worrying.” Jordan, Kevin, and Kendrick said at the same time giving each of the girls a looking daring them to deny it.
”Sorry.” The said together once again, followed by more laughter.
The boys smiled and went back to discussing a new movie they all wanted to see. Livy looked around just soaking up the energy around them.

It was strange how just a year ago it seemed like the world wouldn’t stop crashing down on her, Becca, and Earon. They each agreed they needed to get out of Youngtown, Arizona. They each had something to get away from whether it was drugs, abuse, rumors, and bad choices, they all had something to hide. Maybe hide was the wrong word. It wasn’t like they could ever forget their senior year which started out fun, but that haven’t lasted long. Mostly it was due to trusting the wrong people and getting hooked on things that never ended good. Becca was running from the rumors which had started out just that, rumors but ended up coming true. Earon was running from the months she couldn’t remember, doing things she wished she could forget, but Livy felt that she had the most to hide. That night replayed itself in her head and once again she had to thank the fact she had friends that always knew. If it wasn’t for Earon and Becca, she probably wouldn’t have had lived.

Livy shook her head. Now wasn’t the time to think of such things, as she once again took in the scene. Tonight she would let it all crash down but for now she was going to let it live it the past while she lived in the present. She smiled to herself and took a sip of her drink.

*GMW*

Later that night after she got out of the shower, Livy walked to her closet and pulled the shoebox down off the top shelf. Sitting on her bed, she opened the box and looked at the pictures inside. The first picture was of her and the girls the summer before their senior year. She smiled to herself, they had been so happy to be seniors but little did they know what was going to happen to them. Livy sighed well might as well get this over with so I can get to sleep. Luckily it was Friday so she could stay up and wallow late and not have to worry about classes. Staring at the picture brought tears to her eyes. Senior year had definitely been the worst time for all three of them. Earon got hooked on drugs and drinking, that most nights Livy and Becca had to go get her from wherever she had been past out yet. Becca ending up getting used for sex more than once and Livy had to deal with physical abuse from more than one person. All in all moving had been their salvation. Livy put the picture down and wiped the tears away from her face, though she still let them fall freely. They never talked about it, it was just something they wished was a dream,,,, well nightmare Livy thought to herself. It wasn’t all sad though. On the rare occasions they were all sober, clean, and not going through withdrawals, they had great nights. They were happier here though. The only worry that plague their minds was, is Landon and Vicky ok?  Landon and Vicky were the two friends of theirs that hadn’t been so lucky to get out of Youngtown. Livy sighed putting her head in her hands. It was definitely going to be a long night. She laid back in her bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about that night, letting the tears fall from her eyes.

She felt a gentle moving on the bed, waking her up. She didn’t know when she fell asleep only that at some point she had. When she looked up a pair of green eyes were looking back. She smiled slightly.

“Rough night?” he asked
She shook her head “yea” she whispered
He gave her a half smile and caressed her cheek “wanna talk about it?”
She looked down, trying to push down the lump that was starting to form in her throat.
”So it’s about that huh?” he said more than asked
”Yea” she replied. “Look it’s a long story and I…”
He put his finger on her lips, making her go silent “Whenever you’re ready. I know you have a past baby, and I know that there are things you’re not ready for me to know.” She opened her mouth to protest but he silenced her again. “I don’t really care who you were back then, and nothing you said will change that. Baby I’m in no hurry to know all your dark secrets especially when you’re not ready to tell me. I can wait.” he told her looking in her eyes, putting his hand back on her cheek and rubbing it gently. She closed her eyes as she felt his hand caress her cheek. Taking a deep breath and letting it out she opened her eyes.
”Ok” she replied. She glanced at the clock.
”You want breakfast?” she asked him.
He shook his head yes and leaned in to kiss her gently. She kissed him back and got out of bed.They went to the kitchen, she starting cooking their breakfast while he looked up movie times. She knew at some point she would have to come clean about her dirty little secrets about her past but for the moment she could just enjoy the day and worry about the when later. He wasn’t pushing for it, he didn’t mind not knowing for the time being and she didn’t have to worry.