Clearing the air
VIOLET
I watched, stunned, as Ryan strode out of the cafeteria, his back retreating through the door without even a second glance. It wasn’t just about the shock of his words or the way his expression turned cold the moment he saw me and Luke. No, it was the way he didn’t give me the chance to say what I came to tell him.
I’d spent all night deciding between his invitation and Luke’s. Luke had been kind, even sweet, but ultimately, I’d turned him down, letting him know Ryan had asked first. Luke had taken it in stride, even giving me an encouraging smile as he said, “I get it, Violet. It’s fine.” But when I tried to tell Ryan…he’d cut me off before I even started, assuming the worst. He didn’t even give me a chance to explain, to tell him what I was feeling or thinking.
"Why does he have to make everything so difficult?" I muttered under my breath, feeling an uneasy knot tighten in my stomach.
I swallowed, trying to steady myself as I walked back to the table. Luke’s gaze was concerned, but I just forced a small smile, brushing off his questions about Ryan. But the truth was, I didn’t have an answer for what had just happened.
As if on cue, Ashley entered the cafeteria with Kyle beside her, her eyes instantly zeroing in on us. She murmured something to Kyle and he gave her a nod, walking off in the opposite direction as she made her way over.
“Well, well, look who I found. You two have been hiding out here this whole time,” she teased, plopping down in the chair beside me.
“Thought you traded us in for your new boyfriend already” I shot back, feigning offense.
"Oh, please. He's not my boyfriend. We're just friends." She let out a sigh but I couldn't help but notice the faint blush creeping into her cheeks
Luke chimed in, a grin spreading across his face. “Save it, Ashley. We all know you’re smitten.”
“Jealous much?” she quipped back, raising an eyebrow. “At least I’m getting some attention over here, Luke.”
“I—” He trailed off as he checked his wristwatch. “Sorry, I’ve got to be somewhere But I’ll catch up with you both later.” He gave us a quick wave and slipped out of the cafeteria, leaving Ashley and me alone.
Ashley leaned closer the moment Luke exited. “So you told him already?”
I gave a brief nod, and she couldn’t contain a giggle.
“I’m so glad you decided to choose Ryan. Luke didn’t seem to make a fuss about it, right?”
“Yeah, he didn’t,” I muttered,pushing my untouched sandwich around on my plate
Her eyes widened as she studied my face. “What's wrong then? Judging by your expression, something’s definitely up. What happened?”
I sighed, taking a shaky breath before recounting the last few minutes—the tense encounter with Ryan, his abrupt assumption, the way he’d walked out before I could explain anything.
Ashley’s brows furrowed, a hint of frustration flickering across her face. “Wait—he just…assumed? Did he even let you explain?”
“Exactly.” I folded my arms, feeling the sting of his reaction all over again. “He just cut me off like he didn’t even want to hear it. It’s like he’s already decided that I’d reject him.” I shrugged.“I mean, maybe he doesn’t actually care. Maybe he only asked me to prom because of the video that went viral. I was probably just a pity invite.”
Ashley rolled her eyes, her fingers tapping the table. “Violet, you can’t actually believe that. Ryan isn’t the type to do anything out of pity. If he asked you, he wanted to. He might just be… Guys can be so weird about showing vulnerability, especially Ryan.”
“But what if he just feels sorry for me?” The vulnerability slipped out in my voice, the part of me that worried I’d been reading everything wrong.
Ashley shook her head firmly. “Trust me,Pity doesn't look like jealousy. Sure, Ryan’s actions might be confusing, but from everything I’ve seen, he was jealous seeing you with Luke . He wouldn’t have asked you if he didn’t want to go with you”
I tried to hold onto her words, but the nagging doubt in my mind wouldn’t let go. “I don’t know, Ash. Maybe I’m just fooling myself”
“Ryan is used to getting what he wants without question” she replied as she leaned back on her chair. “Look” Ashley continued, her voice insistent. “When you get home, talk to him. Explain everything. Don’t let him make up his own version of the story. He might have shut you down here, but trust me, he’ll listen if you show him you’re serious.”
A faint smile formed on my lips as I looked up at her, hope flickering in my chest. “You’re right. I’ll talk to him. I need him to understand that I didn’t mean to—”
She grinned. “Good. Go tell him exactly how you feel”
I nodded in agreement. Maybe this time, I’d finally get through to him.
-------
As the hours of school dragged on, it felt like time had turned into molasses. I sat through classes, my mind still swirling with thoughts of Ryan and what had just happened. Finally, the final bell rang, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
Once I had my things, I pulled out my phone and texted Ryan to go home without me. There was no way I was ready for the awkwardness of a car ride after this morning's disaster. I needed a little time to gather my courage before facing him
I walked up the front steps the moment I got home and tried the doorknob. It was unlocked which meant Ryan was home already. Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I ascended the staircaset. I paused in front of my door, glancing at his just a few feet away.
Part of me urged me to retreat to my room, to avoid the stress of a conversation that could either mend everything or shatter it further. But Ashley's voice echoed in my head. She would kill me if I didn’t at least try to clear the air.
The last time I ventured into his room had ended badly; I had stumbled into a hidden space he clearly didn’t want me to see, and his reaction had been explosive. Hopefully,things doesn't end up badly today
As I approached his door, I noticed it was slightly ajar. This was unusual; Ryan was usually meticulous about keeping his door closed. My curiosity piqued, I hesitated. Should I knock or just slip in?
I leaned closer, I peered through the crack and my resilience to clear the air evaporated. I now know why his door was opened.
He had a guest over—rather Evelyn and all of a sudden her lips was on his.
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