Ryan is the asshole!

VIOLET

We finally arrived at the party and pulled up to a stop outside a big house. The place was practically overflowing with people, music thumping loudly enough that I could feel the bass in my chest even before stepping out of the car. A wave of anxiety washed through me as I took in the scene.

"It's just a small party," Ryan whispered as we walked toward the door.

I knew he said that as a consolation, but it only made my anxiety worse. In a small party, it's nearly impossible to blend into the background. Everyone notices everyone. I'm going to hate this.

Ryan swung the door open, and the music inside was deafening, a blend of laughter, shouting, and the heavy beat of tracks. The air reeked of weed and alcohol, a cloud of it hitting me the moment we stepped inside. He was right about it being a smaller gathering; the place wasn't crowded, but it was still enough to make my skin crawl.

I trailed after Ryan into a room that was full of people lounging on couches, standing around with red solo cups in hand, and talking loudly over the music. Some heads turned as we entered, their gazes lingering on Ryan before inevitably flickering over to me.

"Ryan! Thought you wouldn't come," a guy called out from across the room, his voice booming over the music. His eyes quickly landed on me, and he raised an eyebrow. "Who's this hot chick though?" he remarked, licking his lower lip in a way that made my stomach turn.

"My stepsister," Ryan replied coolly, his eyes hardening as he shot the guy a glare. The guy's expression shifted slightly, but he didn't seem fazed.

"Oh, she was the one rumored with you then” he murmured, still looking at me with a smile that was more unsettling than friendly.

I managed a small, polite smile in return, not trusting my voice to say anything. After a moment, he shrugged and walked away, thankfully moving on to someone else.

Ryan moved on, exchanging pleasantries with friends and I realized how awful it is to be popular and know a lot of people. I couldn't help but feel entirely out of place. I don’t know any of these people, yet here I am, turning up at a party and praying that no one will notice me.

Another guy walked up to us, and I immediately recognized him. I had seen him with Ryan numerous times at school. He was Ryan's other close friend besides Kyle—Jack.

"You actually came," Jack said to Ryan, his tone casual. His gaze flickered over to me, a curious smile spreading across his face.

"You brought her along? Dude." He nudged Ryan lightly, then turned his attention to me, his eyes bright with interest. Ryan shot him a look, a glare that seemed to carry some hidden meaning, but I couldn't quite decipher it.

"Hi," Jack greeted, stretching out his hand toward me for a handshake."Hi," I muttered back, shaking his hand briefly.

"You want something to drink?" Jack asked, already starting to move toward a nearby table that was cluttered with bottles of various kinds of alcohol, mixers, and a stack of plastic cups.

"We've got a bit of everything. Don't worry, I can make you something mild if you want."

I hesitated, not really sure what to say. I wasn't a big drinker, and the last thing I wanted was to be even more uncomfortable here. But Jack I was about to say something when Ryan stepped in front of me, blocking my view of Jack

"No, she's good," Ryan cut in sharply, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Jack blinked, taken aback for a moment. "Alright, chill, man" he said, raising his hands in a mock gesture of surrender. He glanced back at me, still smiling, though it was a bit more subdued now.

"Just trying to make her feel welcome."

I offered Jack a small, apologetic smile, feeling awkward and unsure of what had just happened. Jack didn't seem to be doing anything wrong; he was just being friendly. But Ryan clearly wasn't having it

"Come on," Ryan muttered, grabbing my wrist firmly
He began to steer me away from Jack, guiding me through the crowd toward the back of the room.

Jack seemed pretty cool and I don't understand why Ryan just acted that way. I decided to ask him.“Why did you do that?”

“Jack is an asshole. Stay away from him” He murmured as he grabbed a cup,made up a drink and passed it to me.

I wanted to persist but the look on his face made me back down.

I stared at the drink in my hand and realized it wasn't alcohol,rather it's a cup filled with cream overflowing at the lid.

The drink looks like the most fattening thing ever. The cream makes me queasy, and I can't help but frown. When he looked at me, I took a sip, forcing a smile and nodded as if it was amazing. The moment he looked away, I set it aside. Later, I'll pretend I forgot about it entirely

"I need to take care of something" Ryan said abruptly, turning to look at me with a tight expression. "I'll be back in a bit."

I blinked at him, not quite believing what I was hearing. "Wait, what? You're leaving?" My voice rose

He had dragged me out to this party, and now he was just going to leave me here?

"It's just for a little while," he replied, his tone impatient. "I need to talk to some people”

“Are you serious?" I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest. "You brought me here, Ryan. You can't just ditch me the second we walk in.I didn’t come with you to this bullshit party so that you could just leave me by myself while you go around having fun with your stupid bitches”

He looked at me, his gaze hardening. "I’m not ditching you. Just stay here, mingle a bit”

I could feel my face flushing with anger.

"Right, because I’m so comfortable mingling at a party where I don’t know anyone."

Ryan clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing. For a moment, it looked like he might argue back, but instead, he just shook his head.

"I won't be long," he muttered, his tone clipped. "Just... stay put, alright?"

Without waiting for my response, he turned and strode off toward a group of guys gathered near the entrance. I watched him go, feeling a mixture of anger and something else I couldn't quite place. Was it a disappointment? Or maybe a sting of betrayal?

I stood there, my arms still crossed tightly over my chest, the music and voices around me suddenly too loud. The anger simmered inside me, mixing with the awkwardness of standing alone in the corner of a party where I clearly didn’t belong. This was exactly why I hadn't wanted to come in the first place. And now, here I was, left on my own like some inconvenient afterthought.

If he thought I was just going to stand here waiting for him like a lost puppy, he had another thing coming. Taking a deep breath,I stormed out of the house.

The cold crisp air welcomed me as I stepped outside and the worst part was there was no car oncoming. A part of me wanted to head back and just wait till Ryan was done but a larger part of me frowned at it. No way I'm going back in there.

I started walking hoping to see a car or anything but none came. I sighed in defeat,it was a mistake coming here. I made a mental note to not let Ryan get into my head of following him anywhere again. This was a mistake.

“Violet? What the hell are you doing out here?”

I spun around in the direction of the voice, and I am utterly grateful to find a car screeching to halt behind me. It was Jack. His lips parted as he stared at me

“Ryan left me alone,so I'm going home”

He shook his head. “You can't find a car,not at this hour. C'mon get in” He beckoned as he opened the passenger seat.

I hesitated for a second but then it's Jack and he's Ryan's friend. He can't be dangerous.

I stepped into the car immediately and I could feel Jack's gaze on me before he started the engine.

“Ryan is an asshole. Don't mind him”

Crazy. Because Ryan said the same thing about him but if I was to choose which of them is an asshole. I'd pick my stepbrother because Jack didn't leave me standing In the middle of the road myself.