//Late Night Fury\\ ||Open||

[rylee]

Crashing piano notes filled the auditorium, the echoing space rising in volume. Amazingly, the one playing was none other then Rylee Mariss, the shy sophomore. The time was somewhere around midnight, when most would be in bed, but Ry couldn’t sleep. The call had come to her at ten and she’d been edgy ever since. Todd, the guy who’d raped her, had called her, totally smashed.

Rylee had known the number, she’d screened him at first, but he kept calling. She’d finally answered and that’s when it had begun. He’d had years to say he was sorry, but he choose now, when her life had been starting to turn around. Tears sparkled in Rylee’s eyes as she hit the ivory keys with her fist, the boom sounding in the empty room. Wiping her dark eyes with the heel of her palm, Rylee stood near the edge of the stage, her fingernails digging into her palm. He hadn’t even really said sorry, just that he wanted her back, wanted to be gentle this time.
‘[Damn] him to hell!” Rylee screamed in her mind. Writing hadn’t made things better; she’d had a block ever since she’d closed her cell phone on his last words.
“Rylee, you know I love you….”

The low lights illuminating the stage made it just possible to see, and Rylee went over to the boom box she’d brought along, hitting the play button. The music floated slowly out, though no words. It was a karaoke version, so all the vocals were Rylee’s. It was a tune most knew. However, Rylee didn’t feel so strong at the moment.




Ooh no

Come with me, stay the night
You say the words but boy it don't feel right
What do you expect me to say (You know it's just too little too late)
You take my hand, and you say you've changed
But boy you know your beggin don't fool me
Because to you it's just a game

So let me on down
Cause time has made me strong
I'm starting to move on
I'm gonna say this now
Your chance has come and gone
And you know

It's just too little too late
A little too wrong
And I can't wait
Boy you know all the right things to say (You know it's just too little too late)
You say you dream of my face
But you don't like me
You just like the chase
To be real, it doesn't matter anyway (You know it's just too little too late)

I was young and in love
I gave you everything but it wasn't enough
And now you wanna communicate
Go find someone else
In lettin you go, I'm lovin myself
You gotta problem
But don't come askin me for help
Cause ya know

It's just too little too late
A little too wrong
And I can't wait
Boy you know all the right things to say (You know it's just too little too late)
You say you dream of my face
But you don't like me
You just like the chase
To be real, it doesn't matter anyway (You know it's just too little too late)

I can love with all of my heart baby
I know I have so much to give (I have so much to give)
With a player like you, I don't have a prayer
That's the way to live, yeah oh

It's just too little, too late
Yeah

It's just too little too late
A little too wrong
And I can't wait
Boy you know all the right things to say (You know it's just too little too late)
You say you dream of my face
But you don't like me
You just like the chase
To be real, it doesn't matter anyway (You know it's just too little too late)

[ella02]

<sup>Mark should have been asleep. He really, really should have. But he couldn't sleep. Something kept niggling at his mind. The fact he had seen a beautiful girl in the hall and had given up the chance to talk to her for a stupid friend. It made him really mad. He knew the girl. But just couldn't remember her name. It was annoying the crap out of him.

So he decided to take and trip to the auditorium. And when he reached the heavy, wooden doors, he heard violent, angry notes being played inside. Someone was angry, and he was about to find out who. Stepping silently inside, he peered over the piano to the stage. He saw Rylee's face and he gave her a gentle smile. "Hey, Ryleee," he whispered gently, and waved, and then stood listening to her song. After she had finished he gave her a round of appluase.

Walking towards the stage, he jumped up. Holding out his arms in a 'come here I'll give you a hug' way, he smiled at her. "You look sad, what's wrong?" he asked her gently, smiling.</sup>

[/sup]

[rylee]

Rylee jumped as she heard applause. It brought a flush to her face and dried the tears almost instantly. She watched as the boy, was Mark his name, came towards her. She heard the question and saw his arms open. He really must only know her name if he was offering her a hug. After all, Rylee was probably the shyest girl in the school. The question, remaining unanswered, hung in the air.

“I got a call from someone I haven’t spoken to for years. He was drunk.” that was all she said, slowly moving towards Mark. For some reason, the comfort of a hug sounded good, and Rylee took it. His body was warm and Rylee only then realized she was shaking from cold, not what had been tears. This was a huge leap for Rylee, seeing as she didn’t know Mark all that well, but right then, she just wanted someone to care. It had been so long since she’d had that.

[ella02]

<sup>Mark looked worried at the 'he was drunk' part, and wrapped his arms around Rylee. A small smile came to his face as he held her close. It felt good to care about someone, and he was glad that this hug was merely comforting, because he really wanted to comfort someone.

Curiousity got the better of him and he asked slowly, "May I ask how you know this guy?" His voice had been barely more than a whisper, and then felt her shaking against his body. Pulling away for a mere moment to pull off his jacket, he spread it out over her shoulders. He then took her back into a light hug, smiling.

"Just remember, you can tell me anything and I won't tell a soul," he said reassuringly, and grinned gently.</sup>

[/sup]

[rylee]

Rylee shook harder as he told her she could tell him anything. She hadn’t told anyone at Valkyrie about Todd and New York, but, why not? If he could just call her anytime he pleased, she could say what he’d done to her. What had happened that one wild night two years ago. Rylee took a deep, shuddering breath and looked up at Mark, her eyelashes sparkling with clinging tears.

“When I lived in New York two years ago, I was in this band. On my fourteenth birthday, I went out with the drummer and his brother. We got pretty tipsy, but still, it was no excuse. T-Todd took me to his house, no one was home. He wanted to, but I didn’t, I really didn’t, and he hit me pretty hard. After that I just zoned out, but I remember it very clearly. He called me tonight and said he wanted me back, that he would be gentle this time, but I-I just didn’t know what to say and I hung up when he said he loved me.” Rylee said, her knuckles white as she clenched her fists. It was hard to talk about, it brought up so many memories.

[ella02]

^{Mark gave a little sigh at this, and held her in a little closer. One hand reached up to stroke her hair and the other lightly around her waist. Head placed on top of hers, he gave another shaky sigh.
"It'll be okay, Rylee, I swear," he told her, and held her out at arms length to wipe away some loose tears. A reassuring smile crept onto his face and he gave a little nod. "I'll protect you," he told her.
"Now, tell me Rylee, do you like this Todd person?" he asked in a whisper, and settled his gaze onto her face.}

[/sup]

[rylee]

Rylee felt her tears dry as Mark held her. Normally, Rylee would be totally nervous and shy, but right now, it felt ok. Finally, some of her old personality was coming back to her! Maybe after confronting Todd, Rylee had lost some of her skittishness. When Mark said he would protect her, Rylee could have kissed him on the spot. The last guy to say he would protect her was, well, let's think about that. Rylee hadn't had a Dad to be there for her, none of her boyfriends had been very good at it either. Some cheated on her, others just got tired of her. Yeah, Rylee wasn't all that pleased with the male gender.

Smiling and whispering a thank you to Mark, Rylee stiffened at his last words. How could she still have feelings for a guy who'd raped her and ruined her life? Her head shook fast and Rylee got a little dizzy, her right hand settling on Mark's shoulder to steady herself. Rylee's heart betrayed her with a little tap number as she remembered this was one of the guys a lot of he girls in school lusted after.
"I hate him, he ruined my life. I used to have friends and be able to do things. Now I guess you'd just call me shy." Rylee said, her voice a soft whisper. No, she would never forgive or forget what Todd did.

[ella02]

^{A frown was still on his face as she told him that she hated Todd. Mark nodded slowly and then placed one arm around Rylee's shoulders in a gentle hug.
"Come with me," he whispered gently, and slowly began to walk off down the stage, after taking his arm from around her shoulders.
Walking slowly towards the piano, his fingers poised over the ivory keys and his behind resting firmly on the seat after a while. A thought popped into his head and his fingers slowly began to play 'You never call me when you're sober' by Evanesence. A smirk came across his lips. So he had a few hidden talents. What could he say?}

[/sup]

[rylee]

Rylee smiled sadly and followed Mark, wiping the final remains of the tears from her cheeks. She sat beside him on the piano bench after a small debate in her mind. Should she sit next to him? Was she supposed to stand or something? To Ry, it didn't matter. She was so tired, but she knew it would be a long time before she fell asleep.

Hearing the notes of her favorite Evanescence song, Rylee smiled to herself and nodded. Before she could even help what she was doing, Rylee began to hum to it, then sing to the melody.
Don?t cry to me.
If you loved me, you would be here with me.
You want me, come find me.
Make up your mind.

Should've let you fall,
Lose it all,
So maybe you can remember yourself.
Can't keep believing,
We're only deceiving ourselves,
And I'm sick of the lies,
And you're too late.

Don't cry to me.
If you loved me, you would be here with me.
You want me, come find me.
Make up your mind.

[ella02]

^{After playing the finishing notes, he turned to look at Rylee, a smile placed onto his face. "I must say, Miss Mariss, you are quite the singer," Mark said with a smile, and placed one arm around her in a gentle, squeezing hug.
And this time, it didn't feel right to take his arm away. He just left it there, around her frame. It felt so...right? Yes, that was the word, right. His thoughts wandered after this. Yes, Rylee was a gorgeous girl...but, she had to be at least 7 years younger than him. Did it feel right? Yes...but was it right?
Was he going to leave her? Did he want to do that to Rylee when she had already been hurt before? The questions had to be answered.}

[/sup]

[rylee]

Rylee smiled at the compliment, but hearing him call her Miss Mariss made her a bit uncomfortable.
"You can call me Rylee. Miss Mariss is to formal for my taste." Rylee said, her dark eyes watching Mark. She felt the arm around her shoulder and it felt good, warm and comforting. As Mark left it there, Rylee began to look at him, really look at him.

He was supposed to be a teacher. But he was so cute and nice, he made her feel so good. But was she allowed to feel like that? And after what had happened with Todd, did she want to? The answer to Rylee's questions came in a surprising form, her leaning in to gently kiss Mark on the cheek. The shock of what she had done ran threw Rylee like lighting, making her face heat up in an instant.
"I-I'm sorry, I was just saying thank you for being so great." what had she just done? Rylee looked down at the piano keys, nervously chewing her lower lip.

[ella02]

^{"Rylee it is," Mark said with a grin, and looked at her.
And then she kissed his cheek. And he smirked. It was the answer to all his questions.
A hand gently reached out and turned her face towards his own, his smirk now a loving, caring smile. He hesitated for a moment before gently placing a kiss on her lips.
But the realisation came soon after. And he stood up. "Umm," he stuttered, and slowly turned away, taking a few nervous steps away, and then turning around and walking back to Rylee. He did this serveral times, and then sighed, composed himself and looked at her. "Umm," was about all he could manage.}

[/sup]

[rylee]

Rylee felt the kiss in every inch of her body, a warm, tingling sensation. She enjoyed it to the fullest. For the first time in a long time, she actually let herself feel the heat of a kiss. However, Mark soon pulled away and Rylee wondered what she had done. Had she done something? That's when it hit her, he was supposed to be a teacher!

"I know your suppose to be my teacher. And I know I'm young. But, I enjoyed that." Rylee said, looking up at Mark, her dark eyes searching his. Did he feel regret about what he did? Or was he thinking of it as a mistake, that she wasn't what he wanted? Rylee had no idea and it confused her to think about it.

[ella02]

^{A smile was placed onto his lips and he stayed standing for a moment until he realised that Rylee just said what Mark wanted to hear. He grinned, and gently pulled her up from the seat, pulling her into a kiss.
His hands resting on her hips, he smiled at her and pulled out of the kiss, holding her barley inches from his face.
"Hey...I liked that too," he whispered, and tried out the kissing thing one more time with a gentle kiss, one hand moving up to rest on her cheek gently. After pulling away, he opened his eyes and nodded. "I defiantly liked it."}

[/sup]

[rylee]

Rylee smiled as she was pulled from her seat. So she had said the right thing after all! Leaning into the kiss Mark gave her, Rylee felt that she was no longer in the auditorium. She was somewhere high above, just floating around. It felt so good to be back to that place.

"I'm glad you did. Because I think that was the best kiss I've ever had." Rylee said, her eyes bright. This was what it felt like to like someone. Rylee had thought she'd forgotten, but no. That kiss had reminded her that there were good, decent guys out there. And amazingly, she'd managed to find one of them.