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Chapter 8

The amazing weekend passed so quickly. And everyone was back on there classes or schools. Ryan had started his football practice. His practice was the same time my job was. So I wasn't seeing him read a book in the library looking all cute.

It kind of became a routine, we would go to cafe after he was done with his practice. And then daily sit together on the sofa for hours and talked randomly. He was my only best friend in Chicago. Sometimes I would just simply trace his knuckles. He never touched me, but he would leave his hand close to mine.

I was the one who was touchy among us two

I was in my room, my phone rang. It was Zodiac. I picked up and I heard her crying. "what happened? Talk to me!" I said panicking. "mom and dad fought again pretty badly, dad tried to hit her again. They were fighting for hours." I did expect this, but still I couldn't stop myself from letting it effect me like all the time. "okay...you guys take care." I said, trying my best to not sound like I was going to cry. I disconnected the call, and was sitting there.

"hey? You in there?" Ryan asked peeking in my room. I nodded. I realized I was crying. He rushed in and sat in front of me and asked "what happened? Why are you crying?" he looked as if he was in pain. I shook my head. He sighed and reached over my side table and dialled Monty's number.

After two rings he answered "hey! How's it going?" he asked cheerfully. "Hey, I am Ryan. She's crying and I don't know why. I have a feeling she'll feel good after talking to you."
He put the phone on speaker. I heard Monty's anxious voice. "What happened? Faith, talk to me! I am here for you. Stop crying please." Ryan looked at me, mouthed 'talk'. "Hey, it's just family issues you know."

We talk for a while and then he told me he was in class so I insisted him to decline the call so he did. I sat in silence, and all this time Ryan sat with me. It was Wednesday and everyone were probably downstairs having dinner.

All the things that happened in my family back in Utah, I just couldn't let myself think something other than that shit. I had my eyes closed and my head was rested on the bed. I felt Ryan moving and sitting beside me, our bodies were touching each other's. He slid his hand in mine and held it tightly. He was randomly playing with my fingers, his hands were really manly in front of mine, and his touch was diverting my mind from bad stuff.

I opened my eyes and looked at his peaceful yet painful face. He looked at me and smiled. "why are you sitting here with me?" I asked a little confused. "I don't want to leave you..." he said a little shyly. I was little shock and nervous. "if you want me to go I'll leave..." he said sliding his hands out of mine.

Without thinking, I held his hand tightly and said "no, please don't leave." I waited for the awkwardness to come but I blushed only, a lot. He smiled and looked at me tenderly, then he got back to what he was doing, just tracing his fingers on my palm. After half an hour, we went downstairs and it was empty. All lights were off so probably everyone was sleeping soundly.

Ryan checked in kitchen, there was nothing to eat. I was going to say that I am not hungry but to my embarrassment, my stomach screamed in defence. He laughed and ordered a pizza. We sat on the sofa, he was tracing my hand, from elbow to wrist. My right foot was on his left.

I was way much comfortable with him than I had ever felt in my whole life. I was still silent, he was respecting my mood. I was just staring at him and he was, I don't know why, avoiding my gaze. His eyes were the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. I was enjoying my view but then someone knocked on the door. We ate pizza in silence.

"you should probably sleep now." I was about to defend but he cut me up "please, don't defend now." He looked sad about something, really sad. I wanted us to sleep there 'accidentally' again. But I was never going to told him this. He would've thought I'm a freak. I went to bed, I didn't had the energy to shower so I slept.

I slept restlessly. I would just wake up every half an hour. I woke up completely on five in the morning. Everyone was asleep, I took a long shower, using shampoo and conditioner. I wore a full sleeved sweater which had 'gryffindor' written on it with blue ripped jeans and sneakers.