A Lesson Never Learned [?]

Oliver left me alone after that. He didn't say much to me, he just told me to stay out of trouble and said Eric was in charge of watching me today. I wanted to argue with him more. I wanted to yell at him that I didn't need a babysitter, but no one argued with Oliver when he had set his mind on something. 

I stayed in my room, not wanting to see anyone. Everything was falling apart, and when Oliver reminded me of Tom's passing and mom's passing, it was too much to handle. 

A sharp knock sounded on my door and I flinched away, closing my eyes. Oliver left me on the ground, and I didn't have enough motivation to move from my spot leaning against the bed frame until now. I pulled myself up and tucked myself into the bed hoping that I didn't have to talk to whoever wanted to talk to me. 

The door creaked open and I heard a loud sigh. "Thank God, you're in here." Eric breathed. I rolled my eyes and peeked my head over the covers to glare at Eric. 

"Where else would I go?" I snapped. Eric shrugged and placed himself on the edge of my bed, sighing loudly. 

"I don't know. I'm sorry about your dad, Kid. He was a good guy." I only stared blankly at the wall, picking at my scabbing arm. "Are you okay?" 

"I never got to go to the park." I complained, wanting to change the subject. I sounded like a little brat, but I think I deserved to sound like that. Eric was silent before taking a deep breath and pulling out his phone. He typed for a little while, then waited for the reply which came in a ping. 

"Okay, Kid. Let's go." 

"Where?" I asked innocently. Eric smirked. 

"Well, Jared and Shelnutt offered to go to the park as more security, and Oliver said he was fine with it as long as you don't go venturing off." 

"Why security?" I asked as I grabbed clothes from my drawers after tossing the covers off my body. I stripped off my shirt and Eric quickly turned around so his back was to me and he chuckled dryly. 

"The people who killed your father are still out of there, and not to mention the people who 'mugged' you are still out there as well." 

"Oh." I mumbled, zipping up a hoodie that my brother's friend, Lee, gave me. "Okay, I'm ready." 

Eric spun on his heel, smiling hugely. 

"Okay, Doll-face. Alex 'n Jared are downstairs." 

I walked form my room, grabbing my jacket on the way. I got to the top of the stairs and frowned. I could see my father's room from here. I felt bile in the back of my throat. Somehow I missed that idiot's feet stomping around, waking everyone up. 

"You okay?" Eric's voice made me jump and I nodded furiously. He looked like he didn't believe me, but instead, he gave me a gentle shove. "Let's go." 

I clumsily walked down the stairs and my eyes caught Jared's. He smiled sadly at me, which I returned immediately. Alex, however, was a little different. He gave me a large hug, pulling me up, forcing a squeak from my lips. 

"Ready to go, Lily?" he breathed in my ear. I nodded and he sent me a wry grin, putting me on my feet and I stood there, waiting for Jared to open the door. 

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

It took a grand total of fifteen minutes to walk all the way to the park. Jared and I stuck together as Alex and Eric spoke quietly about some boring useless thing. When the park came in view, I shrieked and grabbed Jared's hand, tugging him along after me. 

Jared chuckled and allowed me to drag him up the grassy hill and forced him down on his back and I plopped beside him. Before I knew it, we were both rolling down the hill, as childish as that sounds. When we came to a stop, Jared was breathing heavily.