Going to a party with Ryan

VIOLET

It was a much needed break for everyone to catch their breath, including me. Most students already made grand plans for break, some leaving town to visit family or go on short trips. For others, it was a chance to unwind and do absolutely nothing, which was exactly what I intended to do.

I picked up my phone and hit the call button for Ashley. She had mention leaving the city for the break but I didn't know where

“Vi” She groaned dramatically into the phone the moment the call connected.

“Hey” I greeted her with a smile but her frown creased deeper.

“You won't believe where I am. At my grandfather's place” She said, waving the camera around to give me a view of the old-fashioned living room behind her.
“Uhm..looks cozy?” I giggled

“Cozy?? It's a nightmare!” She exclaimed. There's no Wi-Fi here, and the cell reception is terrible. I had to stand in this exact spot just to get enough signal to call you”

“You poor thing” I teased. “Why are you there anyways?”

“Mom. She forced me into coming here. Something about gramps missing me so much and he's been persistent about me visiting” She huffed. “Now I'm stuck here with him with no wifi and his endless stories about the good old days. I might really skin my hair off if I have to hear story about how bread used to cost one nickel”

"It won't be so bad. Just think of it as a mini-break." I chuckled, shaking my head

"Mini-break, my ass," she retorted, crossing her arms. "I gave it two hours before I set the house on fire. He's making me play Scrabble. Every single hour ‘’Ashley,time for Scrabble!’ Here's a thought gramps: hell no”

I couldn't help but burst into laughter. I'd pay millions to keep seeing the look on her face.

"Well, at least you can video call me, it's not like you're completely cut off."

Ashley let out another groan, throwing her head back "Yeah, until the reception cuts out. I better go before the signal drops and leaves you with a frozen image of my annoyed face. Talk later?"

"Definitely," I said, waving at the screen. "Hang in there, Ash."

She rolled her eyes one last time before the call ended. I sighed, placing my phone down on the bed. I knew she'd be fine, but it was still funny to see her so worked up over a few days with her grandfather.

Who were you talking to?” a male voice demanded as my bedroom door swung open.

I flashed my eyes up to the intruder. It was Ryan
“Did I say you could come in?”

“Who were you talking to?” he asks again,his voice firmer this time.
“You got a boyfriend?”

I stared at him, stifling back laughter. “Were you eavesdropping?”

“My room is right next to you and the walls are thin as hell” He replied

Ohh right.

“So what are you doing here?” I asked, glancing at the clock on the wall. It's almost 7pm.

“That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about” he muttered and took a deep breath before stepping closer to me. “You've got nothing to do tonight right?” He asked.

“Yeah” I replied, raising an eyebrow.

“Alright,come with me then. There's a party at the fourth street”

I stared at him, taken aback by the sudden invitation. "A party?" I repeated, blinking at him as if I hadn't heard correctly. "Why would you want me to come to a party with you?"

He shoved his hands into his pockets, looking slightly annoyed. "Look, it's not a big deal. I just thought you might want to get out of the house for a bit. You've been cooped up in here since the break started."

"And what's in it for you?" I asked, crossing my arms. "You can't just invite me to a party without a reason”

"Maybe I need a buffer," he muttered. It's a party thrown by one of the guys on the team, and I know there's going to be a lot of... attention." He glanced at me briefly, then away. "You're not like them. You're... normal."

"Normal” I repeated,my lips twitching into a faint smile. It wasn't the most flattering description, but coming from Ryan, it somehow felt like a compliment. "And what makes you think I'd want to be your 'buffer'?"

He groaned, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration. "You don't have to, okay? Forget I asked. I thought we both agreed on the truce. Well,never mind” He turned as if to leave, and for some reason, I found myself feeling a little guilty. He seemed... different.

"Wait” I said, before I could think better of it. He paused, looking over his shoulder at me. "I'll go," I continued. "But just this once. And only because I'm tired of being stuck in this room."

He turned back to face me fully, his expression softening slightly. "Fine" he muttered. "Be ready in an hour. You can dress normally, casually”

With that, he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

I sat there for a moment, wondering what had just happened. A party with Ryan? It sounded like a recipe for disaster given that I don't even like parties. But at the same time, a small part of me was curious. He had asked, after all, and that was new.

And if accompanying him is what it takes for him to continue being like this,then so be it. I like the softer side of him he’s been showing me for days and I hope he’ll remain that way.

With a sigh, I got up and then drifted into my bathroom. After freshening up and applying a not-too-heavy layer of makeup, I pull on a pair of pants and a tank top with a blue hoodie thrown over my shoulders. After all, Ryan implied that I could dress casually so I’m relieved that I won't feel out of place.

“I'm ready now” I said as I entered the living room.

Ryan wore a sleek combination of dark-washed jeans and a fitted shirt that accentuated his physique. Over it, he had thrown on a blazer that added just the right touch of sophistication

“It's about damn time” He glanced at me over his shoulder and pulled out the car key from his pocket

Ryan led the way as we walked to the car,his usual confident stride making it easy to fall in step behind him. I slid to the backseat as he unlocked the car. I tried to calm the sudden flutter in my stomach. It was just a party nothing more

Ryan started the engine and we drove off in silence. I glanced at him a couple of times noticing how focused he was on the road

After a few minutes, he slowed the car down and pulled over to the side of the road.

I shot him a confused look. "Why are we stopping?"

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he wound down the window and looked out into the dimly lit street. A figure emerged from the shadows and jogged towards the car.

It was a guy around Ryan's age, wearing a hoodie and jeans. He opened the passenger door and slid in effortlessly.

"Hey, man," the guy greeted, his voice casual as he settled into his seat. “Who’s this?” he asked as he studied me in the rearview mirror. He’s extremely pale, with short, dirty brown hair.

"My stepsister," Ryan replied curtly, turning up the volume on the car stereo, letting the music fill the car.

"Didn't know you had one," the guy muttered, still studying me through the mirror. His scrutiny made my skin crawl. "She's hot," he added in a lower voice, clearly meant for Ryan's ears, but I heard it.

Ryan shot him a sharp, disapproving glare and muttered something under his breath that sounded like a threat. Whatever he said, it was enough to make the guy finally look away from the mirror.

They started talking, their conversation slipping into the easy banter of two people who knew each other well but because the guy is a stranger to me,I kept out of the conversation.

Translation: I don't think they want me in it anyway.

All the while, I stare at my shoes silently, regretting why I agreed to come along.