Tales from another broken home.

Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stare out my window
Dreaming of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray

Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I'd pray
I could break away

From "Breakaway" By Kelly Clarkson.

We practiced for two hours before Jerry called a break. Ryan and me sat together on the couch.

"Your all sweaty Ri."

"Yeah I better go clean up in the bathroom."

"Yeah and I'll help you."

We made our way into the bathroom and Ryan mopped the sweat of my face with a washcloth. I lifted my shirt off and Ryan began to gently wash my chest and stomach. He squeezed the washcloth and let the ice-cold water run over my nipples. They instantly hardened and Ryan began to lick at them. His arms wrapped around my waist as we began to make out.

"Hey dude foods up. Come get it if your not otherwise engaged." Jerry shouted knocking on the door.

I grabbed my shirt and we made our way back to the kitchen. Jerry had setup some tortillas and salsa and stuff.

"I'm vegetarian dude so there's no meat. I'm straight-edge too so if you want to smoke you gotta go outside."

"That's cool man I'm in the process of quitting anyway."

The vegetarian food was so good and afterwards Ryan decided to leave.

"I trust you Ri." Ryan whispered into my ear as he walked out.

We practiced for another couple of hours before crashing and watching a movie. Jerry's house was really cool. It was small it only had two bedrooms but it had really cool stuff and Jerry had painted a mural on one of the walls.

"This place is so cool Jerry."

"Well it's nicer then the last few places. It took 4 years of saving to pay the deposit and stuff." Jerry smiled.

"What age are you dude?"

"I'm 20. You."

"14. So you've been working since you were 16?"

"I dropped out of school when I was 15 cuz I had some problems with drugs. Got in a big fight with the parents, who kicked me out."

"That's crazy dude."

"Yeah but I went to a support group and one of the people there was my boss who when he heard my story offered to apprentice me. I've been working for him and drawing for bands and T-shirt companies in my spare time."

"Yeah your a really great artist."

"I hear your pretty good yourself."

"I like art I don't think I'm that good though."

"Bring some of your stuff next time."

"Do you have your piercing and tattoo stuff in the house?"

"Yeah. But it wont be going near your skin without your parents permission."

"Can't blame me for askin."

"Nope but if you get your parents permission I will do it for free."

"Thanks dude. I better get going my Mam will probably be freaking."

"You want a lift back?"

"That would be great man."

Jerry drove me home and Mike walked upto the car.

"Hey Riley, my parents left this for you." He smiled handing me a fifty dollar bill.

"Thanks Mike. This is Jerry he's in the band with me.

"Hi. I just thought I'd come over and make sure you guys are okay with everything." Jerry smiled shaking Mike's hand.

"Come in and we'll have a cup of coffee."

I sat at the kitchen table with Mike, my Mam and Jerry.

"I just thought I'd better talk to you guys considering the age difference between the different band members."

"Well that's very nice of you Jerry." My Mam beamed.

"I'm 20, Aaron and Riley are both 14, Stevey's 18 and Freddie's 19."

"Ok. So is this what you do for a living?"

"Em well I'd like to but it doesn't pay the bills. I'm a tattoo artist and part-time graphic artist."

"Riley has to keep up with his schoolwork if he doesn't he'll have to quit."

"That's reasonable."

"Also no drinking, smoking, drugs, girls."

"I'm straight-edge I don't even drink stuff with caffeine in it." Jerry laughed.

"Well that's a great choice. I just don't want him exposed to things he's too young for."

"Mam quit it." I winged.

"You're only 14 years old these guys are much older then you and have more grownup interests that your not ready for."

"You have my guarantee he won't be exposed to anything like that."

"Well ok than all my problems are dealt with."

I walked out to the car with Jerry.

"Sorry I didn't tell you about my plan to talk to your parents. I guessed you wouldn't be too happy about it but it needed to be done."

"Ok I guess but you could have told me."

"Ok next time we'll talk first."

I went in and crashed watching t.v. in the sittingroom. When I saw Matt knock on the window. I walked outside and he was hiding behind the small wall in front of our garden.

"Hey dude. Your Mam still pissed with me?"

"Yeah. She doesn't know I'm here."

"Listen Matt we need to talk."

"I miss you so much Riley."

"I know Matt but the thing is...me and Ryan are kinda back together."

"But your with me."

"Dude I can't be with you while your Mam is like this and I don't think she's gonna change her mind anytime soon."

"You can't leave me. I don't know anyone else in this neighborhood. All the people I know are your friends."

I couldn't watch him cry and I wrapped my arms around him as thin streams began to flow down his face. He was only 13 and I had just broken his little heart. I felt waves of guilt flow through me. Matt moved forwards to kiss me.

"I can't Matt. I just can't. We can still be friends like best friends we just can't be together."

"I need to go home." Matt sobbed.

"I'm really sorry dude."

"I know." Matt smiled weakly

I walked upto my room and cried for the next hour. I felt so bad, so guilty. I was messing up another persons life. I was just gonna stay with Ryan forever and never cheat and just make our relationship work.