Almost You

Painfully Familiar

Chapter 42

Painfully Familiar

I gritted my teeth, feeling the sickly feeling wash through my body, crushing my chest with astounding weight.

The stress, rising so much through me was crushing. On my own, making what just might be one of the biggest mistakes of my life.

All alone, about to contact the boy who'd stolen my heart, then marked my face.

The lone scramble of numbers was printed on the screen, that was it. Ryan's new number.

I'd never forgotten Ryan's old home phone number. It burned into my memory unvoluntarily. But I didn't want to risk his parents picking up, so I dialed the unfamiliar number into my cell.

This is it. No turning back now. All it would take was some explaining and maybe one date or whatever. It'll be fine.

I tapped my foot impatiently, watching behind my shades the blue sky. Sitting out in my convertible, in the coffee shop parking lot.

The ringing went on in my ear. I felt irritated. Why was I even waiting for this? I considered hanging up when an painfully familiar voice cracked the annoyance of the ringing.

"Hello?" He said into the line.

I gulped. Luckily, I had prepared myself for the unwelcome flash backs and memories that came with it.

I saw Evan's face flash against my eyelids. I missed him already. I felt like I needed to explain this to him.

But would he listen?

"Hello Ryan." I replied, after a second of silence. My voice was tight, formal like I was about to make a business deal.

Ryan was silent, for seconds too long. I held my breath, anticipating his reaction.

"Sophie, I am so sorry about what happened, you see... I was drunk and unacceptable, I shouldn't of done that, but you see I was just so mad and upse--" He went off, rambling apologies and excuses.

"Save it, Ryan. That's over now." I said dryly.

He fell quiet again. "Oh, okay. What do you need then?"

I rubbed the back of my neck, stressed.

"I need a favor, Ryan. It's complicated."

~~~~~~~~~

I slid my sunglasses over my head, scanning the empty park.

I dug my heels of my sandals into the pebbles on the ground, stopping my momentum from the park swing.

My fingers curled aroud the chains, noticing the boyish figure lurking towards me. Was that him?

After quickly explaining what I could to Ryan, he abruptly told me to meet him at this park. I was cautious at first, aware of his previous behavior. But, he did say that he was sorry.

I felt edgy in my seat, anticipating the moment soon to come. I crossed my fingers, intertwined with the metal swing chains, that this would end well.

But, with my luck, who knows.

The figure slowly approached me, slowly and calmly. I nervously watched him, seeing the curt little figure that I'd come to memorize.

He finally came into view, my tummy twisted as I saw his face again. Wow. I was surprised.

His once short-cropped golden locks seemed darker, not as shiny or sleek as I'd always fantasized about. It was disheveled, gelled back sloppily in an unattractive way.