Chapter 4

"What the?" He said, saying a strand of curses. My breath caught in my throat. That was the first time I've heard him curse. It reminded me of when your teacher accidentally curses and everyone in the classroom goes 'OH' while the teacher struggles to fix their mistake, even though it wasn't a mistake. I heard a zipping sound and the sink being turned on. About a minute later, I'd realized I was holding my breath and let it out- expecting it to be a breath, but instead it was a sob.

I heard his Nikes walk over to the stall, he knocked twice before speaking.

"Dude, a-are you crying?" He asked, sounding shocked. I tried to muster the manliest voice I could find in my feminine voice box before speaking.

"N-no man." I said, sounding more like a Darth Vader and puppet mixture. Ew, why can't girls master guy's voices well? I sounded like Bill Cosby with a sinus infection.

"Either you're gay or you haven't hit puberty yet." He assumed. I smiled lightly at that comment, only he would say that to a complete stranger.

"Are you wearing pink Uggs?" He asked, sounding amused and shocked at the same time. I told my mom to let me wear my black high-tops! But 'no, they're run down and only to be worn during yard work.'

"Y-yeah, these are the style, man. Don't you read Sports weekly?" I asked, attempting my manly man voice again.

"No... so which one are you?" He asked, sounding amused still.

"I'm neither, bro. I'm the uhm... manliest man you'll ever know." I said, my voice cracking at the world 'manliest.'

"Doesn't sound like it." He said. I sniffled, smiling. I could imagine him smirking, and looking handsome and then myself- a wreck with mascara running down my face. He was giving me a reason to smile.

"I am." I said, forgetting to put my manly voice on. I brought my hand up to my mouth, cursing myself.

"Pepper? Is that you? Are you stalking me?" He asked, coming closer to the door.

"No, it's not Pepper, whoever that is. That's a really stupid nickname. She'd probably prefer you to call her by her real name; or at least a real nickname that contains an actual part of her name. And I hardly doubt this Pepper chick would want to stalk you; you seem like a jerk." I said, putting on a falsetto voice that would break glass. It hurt my own ears and I was the one producing the voice! I heard him chuckle.

"Come out of there, Pepper." He said, laughing.

"No." I replied, giving up on the act.

"Mind me asking why you're in here?" He asked, sounding curious.

"I accidentally came into this room instead of the ladies room." I admitted.

"How? Did you miss the huge 'Male' sign on the wall, or the picture of the stick man? How many times do I have to tell you? Just because you're wearing jeans doesn't mean that the lady sign doesn't apply to you." He asked, sounding amused and concerned.

"I couldn't really see well." I said, sniffling again.

"Are you crying?" He asked, confused. Curse my runny nose.

"No." I lied.

"I can hear it in your voice." He stated.

"I'm not; I just ate really hot tamales which burned my throat." I said, lying terribly.

"Why are you crying?" He asked, ignoring my lie. I breathed heavily.

"I'm not." I said, exhaling heavily. My voice needs to stop shaking.  

"Open the door, Darth Vader." He said. I laughed at his comment but started shaking my head.

"No." I said, crossing my arms. He couldn't see me, though- fortunately. I look like a mess and I don't need him having another thing to hold over my head.

"Either you open the door or I climb under." He gave me an ultimatum which was a really stupid idea because I wasn't opening this door and the floor is covered in things I can't even recognize myself.

"You wouldn't even dare climb under." I said, looking at the dirty floor.

"Why is that?" He asked.

"Because there is pee and other gross liquids on the floor. You'll get it all over your man skinny jeans." I said, wrinkling my nose and stepping backwards to the corner of the stall to avoid stepping in the nasty substances.

"These aren't skinny jeans! Besides, you're right, I won't climb under." He said, making my stomach drop in sadness. I knew he wouldn't have done that. It's too much work. Anyway, I'm used to the sadness. I was going to wait until the coast was clear and leave the bathroom.

"See? I told you." I retorted stupidly.

I heard a grunt and a creaking sound. I looked up and saw his feet over the top of the stall. I saw a nice view of his bottom. He dropped causing me to cringe at the sound of the impact and how the liquids splashed upwards. His eyes softened when he turned to look at me.

"What happened?" He asked, pouting his upper lip. He looked so adorable when he did that.

"Nothing" I replied, no amount of his adorableness could break me. I frowned slightly as he furrowed his eyebrows, looking even more adorable.

"Why are you making those faces?" I asked, smiling slightly. He made a duck face, making me smile full teeth and all.

"I got you to smile. I gave you a reason to," He said, smiling on his own. "Now can you tell me what happened?" He asked, raising his eyebrows. I nodded slowly.

"I saw Dean." I said, looking down at my shoes.

"Dean... as in your ex Dean? Or some other Dean?" He asked. I nodded in reply.

"No, Jimmy Dean. Ex Dean, and he's moved on pretty well, If I do say so myself." I replied, biting my lip to stop from crying. Even though I was upset, I managed to use sarcasm.

"Sarcastic, are we now? What happened?" He asked, stepping forward a bit.

"He said he hated me. And then he talked about my father." I replied, biting my lip to stop myself from crying. Why did I tell him about my father? That was a mistake no matter how hot this guy is! He looked at me and sighed. He doesn't know about my father so to him, I must seem like a punk who can't take someone making jokes about their family member.

"He doesn't hate you." He replied, blinking slowly. He seemed to understand the discomfort I felt about the 'father' topic. Thank you, Cyrus.

"What makes you say that?" I asked, looking up at him now.

"He doesn't hate you, he hates that you've moved on so quickly. What did you do when he told you he hated you?" He asked.

"I told him the feelings were mutual." I replied, fidgeting my feet slightly.

"Is it true?" He asked, with an eyebrow raised.

"Yeah. I guess, I mean I hate him for making me like him so much, then dumping me like a hot bowl of soup. And moving on to a college girl, he just led me on. I was a little rag doll that he dragged around and played like a puppet." I said, crossing my arms.

"That was a great analogy." He said, smiling. I laughed lightly, bringing my hands to my sides, rubbing them on the jean material. I sniffled again, to keep from having tears brim my eyes.

"Was he with anyone?" He asked. I nodded, gulping.

"The same girl from the party." I said, biting my cheek as a few stray tears dripped down my face. My eyes focused in on the tiles that sat on the floor of the nasty bathroom. I remember that night.

"The same girl?" He asked. I nodded, blinking again.

"Do you even know what happened?" I asked, looking at my feet.

"No, but I don't need to know, because I know enough to call him a- uhm, jerk." He replied, shifting back and forth on his feet in an attempt to comfort me.

"Do you want to know?" I asked, staring up at him.

"Do you want to tell me?" He asked, raising his eyebrows. I nodded.

"I'm here to listen." He said, smiling.

"Christy, as in my best friend Christy, convinced me to go to this college party. I didn't want to go! I would've rather stayed at home and watching television. I missed my boyfriend that night and Christy wanted a boyfriend or at least someone to make out with- boyfriend or not. And being the loyal friend I am, got dragged to the party. I allowed her to take me. Our other friend, Bethany, was out, too," I spoke, earning a confused look from Cyrus. He was asking if it was the same Bethany in our year of school, the one who hangs out with Miranda.  

"She went to her grandmothers, she even warned us not to go to the college party. I didn't care though; Christy wanted to go so I went with her, I wasn't going to let her go alone and get drunk and taken advantage of. When we arrived there, people were looking at me as If I was going to rob them. Some girls I knew from the Volleyball team avoided eye contact with me. I thought maybe it was because I've never been to a party before," I said, sighing and laughing dryly.

"My naivety had gotten the best of me. But, as I made my way through the crowd. The further and further I went into the crowd, the worse the people got. So eventually I reached this lounge room and that's when everyone was full out avoiding me, dodging me like I was a stray bullet. I walked into the room and I see some blond chick on top of Dean as he was lying on the couch. They were kissing so much that you could hear it; I'm surprised they didn't break the couch. And the worst part was that he saw me and just went back to the girl he was with, as if to say 'she'll do things with me that you won't.' And even worse? My 'best friend' Bethany, who knew all of my secrets, me and her were closer than Christy and I, was sitting there beside him laughing. She was flirting with guy while my known boyfriend made out with another girl. She even lied about going to her grandmothers." I said, sighing loudly.

"And it wasn't the first time he'd done it either. It was the 27th I think, I forget the number when he screamed it out to me. But I guess I can't blame him, I wouldn't let him do anything with me because knowing Dean, and he'd always want more- more- more. And that's something I don't want. I couldn't give him what he wanted so he cheated. In the end, it's my fault. If I would've just given in-." I continued blabbering but Cyrus cut me off.

"Stop." He said, holding his hand up. I looked up at him, with sad eyes.

"You don't ever have to do anything with a guy that you aren't comfortable with. You're smart, you knew and set your boundaries and if he didn't like them- it's his problem. He's stupid for choosing her over you. That's like choosing a penny over a two dollar bill. A penny is in everyone's pants while only few have a two dollar bill. Sorry, I'm not good with analogies or consoling- but you get the point. You should be proud; you're still pure and innocent. I wish I was." He said while holding my chin in his hands. I felt tears prickle in my eyes. I felt my body pressed against a warm somewhat familiar wall. I wrapped my arms around his waist, hugging him back. I sobbed into his sweater, as he laid his hand on my hair. In this moment, he was being the consoler.

"Do me a favor." I asked, between sobs.

"Yes?" He asked, rubbing circles into my back.

"Tell someone I cried and you'll wake up in the ICU along with the other guys you put in there." I said, causing him to laugh.  I pulled away after a few minutes, wiping my eyes.

"Well, I've never put any guys in the ICU, babe." He smirked and I furrowed my eyebrows.

"What? But the rumors-." I started but he cut me off.

"Those rumors are lies. Let's get out of here, it stinks." He said, wrinkling his nose as he unlocked the bathroom door.

I walked to the sink, looking in the mirror and cringing. I turned on the water as Cyrus handed me paper towels. I wet them and wiped my face, ridding it of mascara, only to see my red, puffy eyes. I sighed loudly, staring at my eyes in the mirror. I pulled my messy hair into a ponytail. I looked terrible.

I feel like I'm missing something... LUCAS! He was probably sitting all alone at the table, lonely and worried sick.

"Crap!" I shouted causing Cyrus to jump.

"What?" He asked.

"My friend, he's out there probably waiting for me." I said, biting my lip as I tossed the wet paper towel into the bin.

"He?" Cyrus asked, trailing behind me.

"Yeah." I replied.

"Your boyfriend?" He asked. I burst out laughing, a very necessary laugh.

"I may have gotten over Dean 'quickly,' but Lucas is like my brother. So to answer your question; Lucas isn't my boyfriend," I replied as he watched me with a raised eyebrow. "Oh gosh. That was funny." I said, with a hand on my stomach. I began walking back over to the table while Cyrus awkwardly walked beside me.

"Want to sit with us?" I asked, as I neared the table with a genuine smile on my face. Cyrus shrugged in response.

"I'm taking that as a yes." I said as we approached a worried Lucas.

"Lucas." I said, causing him to look up and his eyes widened as he saw my face and then he saw Cyrus.

"Don't tell me you 'relieved your stress' with some random guy in a bathroom, Mave." Lucas said, sighing. Cyrus laughed loudly as I grabbed his arm and pulled him down onto the booth beside me and across from Lucas.

"No. That didn't happen. He goes to my school. Cyrus this is Lucas, Lucas this is Cyrus." I said, pointing at the boys as I said their names. Cyrus nodded to Lucas who returned the gesture.

"Mind telling me why you took 20 minutes in a bathroom and walked out with a boy then?" Lucas asked, raising an eyebrow. I relayed the story, excluding the random liquid and the whole 'crying' part even though it was pretty evident due to my face.

"I hope you don't mind... I ate your food." He said, sheepishly looking down at his empty plate. I laughed.

"It's no biggie; besides I lost my appetite." I said, shuddering at the thought of almost seeing something that couldn't have been unseen at the urinal.

"What did you almost see at a urinal?" Lucas asked, frowning. Cyrus was smirking.

"It's nothing." I said, waving my hand.

"I'm going to order some more food, you guys want anything?" He asked, making me and Cyrus shake our heads 'no.'

"Don't worry, I won't try and flash you again." Cyrus winked and I scowled. 

"Let's hope not!"
__ 

"How was your day?" Lucas asked, as he drove me home.

"Good on the most part." I said, nodding.

"What about you?" I asked.

"Great." He replied.

"We should hang out more often; without you running away of course." He said, smirking. I rolled my eyes but nodded nonetheless.

"What's up with Cyrus? He's your friend?" Lucas asked, turning down a street. I nodded, shrugging slightly. Could I call him my friend?
 
"He's cool." I replied, shrugging while nodding slightly.

"You like him?" Lucas asked, smirking. I coughed on the hot drink from my cup of coffee.

"What? No!" I replied, quickly.

"Just asking, no need to get all defensive." He said, smirking. I glared at him.

"I think you do." He replied, shrugging. I glared at him.

"Well, I don't." I replied through gritted teeth.

"You will. Trust me." He said, coming to a stop beside my house. I looked up at the large house, sighing.

"Whatever you say, Lucas, the next Raven Symone, but I don't think I will- I've only known him for about a week, but thank you for the ride. I've really missed you." I said, smiling.

"I've missed you, too. And it's no problem. Don't forget that we need to hang out, soon. Text me." He said, smiling widely. I grabbed my bags from the back as I nodded, slamming the door as he winced because I hurt his 'baby.'

 __

"Hey honey." My mom said, walking into my room as I put away my clothes.

"Hey Mom." I said, smiling.

"How are you?" She asked, grinning widely. That is weird; she only does this look when she wants something from me.

"I'm good, and you?" I asked, slowly standing and raising an eyebrow.

"I have a new client." She said, grinning like an idiot. I nodded slowly, still not understanding.

"Who?" I asked, slightly curious. There was only one couple that she was dying to redesign the interior of their house.

"Patricia and Oliver." She said, smiling. I raised an eyebrow at the name. It sounds familiar.

"Who?" I asked.

"You remember the people I've been trying to work with since about 2010?" My mother asked, referring to her job. I nodded slowly.

"I finally reached them." She grinned. I nodded slowly, still not comprehending.

"But I don't have an assistant, Maria is on break and I can't afford to lose this appointment." My mother spoke, biting her lip. I get it now; she wants me to help her.

"What would I have to do as this assistant?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'll just ask them questions, and you write down their answers." She said, smiling. I raised an eyebrow.

"What's so special about them?" I asked, running a hand through my hair.

"They own the Mall, the Argos supermarket line, and half of the buildings in this state." My mother said, grinning as she sat on my bed. I nodded my head, tiredly.

"When is the appointment?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"Tomorrow, at 4." My mom said, crossing her arms. I nodded my head. She burst up at inhumane speeds and wrapped her arms tightly around my slightly taller figure.

"Thank you!" She repeated, her face pressed against my neck.

"It's no problem. I love you, mom. I'm going to go to sleep now." I said, tiredly.

"Okay, honey. I love you, too. See you tomorrow! Remember, dress in a pencil skirt and button up blouse." My mother said, walking backwards out of my room. I nodded; as she closed the door leaving it open a crack.

"BLAARGH!" I yelled, as I stood up and closed the door before leaping onto my bed, landing with a thud.

__ 

Cyrus's Point of View

The sight of her crying ripped my heart apart. Even if I haven't known her for long, she is so innocent- so naïve. She was played. Except, this Dean guy held out a long relationship with her when in reality, she was the side girl. He cheated on her and played her like a drum.

When I used to play girls, I would just toss them out like they were a bad can of soup. I wouldn't actually think about them crying to their mothers or friends about how I 'broke their heart.' Besides, I thought they got over it in the matter of a week. Pepper still isn't over it and its been about 2 or so months. Maybe some are worse than others. Why did I hug her? Because you wanted to, you doofus. I hated my inner conscious. It says the most obvious things, yet so annoying and aggravating. Such a know it all. I'm just like you.

I pulled into my driveway, sighing as I saw my mother standing there in her business suit. Hopefully, she hadn't seen Maverly leave the guys bathroom or she'd be all over my case.

'I thought you gave up on girls?'

'Why was there a female in the male's bathroom?'

'Did you and her interact in such adult manner? In the mall bathroom?'

I could hear her nagging voice now and I'm not even inside the house. Oh gosh, todays going to be a long day.