Saving Panic's! Ryan

Chapter 14

I woke up to the sound of a door opening and several chattering voices. I looked around, confused, and then I remembered that I had fallen asleep next to Ryan in the hot tub.

I lifted my head off his shoulder and he chuckled. "Morning, sunshine."

I stretched my neck from side to side and rubbed it. "How long was I asleep for?"

"Just a few minutes."

The parade of people that had entered the room were now making themselves at home, splashing in the pool and spreading out. There were tons of kids and they were all shouting and running around. As soon as some of them started stepping into the hot tub, Ryan stood up and said "that's my cue to go."

I agreed with him and left the hot tub as well. "What do you wanna bet those kids have already peed in there?" I laughed.

"What do you wanna bet that those are the same noisy people next to our room?" He countered.

"I bet you're right."

I reached for my clothes that I had left on one of the little tables next to the pool and sighed when I realized that I didn't have a towel. I guess I would have to put my nice, dry clothing over my soaking wet underwear.

"Are you ready?" Ryan asked me.

I nodded and we walked out the door. I immediately started shivering when I felt the air conditioning come whooshing out at me when we left the pool.

Ryan put his arm around me. "Good thing our room isn't very far. You'll be warm in a second."

When we walked into our room, I immediately dove for my warm pajamas. I gestured to the bathroom. "I'm going to get changed."

He nodded. "I'll get changed out here then."

After putting on my warm pajamas, I stepped out of the bathroom and walked over to the little nightstand next to our bed. I figured it was a waste of time, but I picked up my phone anyway. I was surprised to see that my dad had indeed texted me back after all. He must have texted me shortly after we left to go swimming. It was a long message too. I bet it took forever to type all of that out. I started reading.

Thank you for letting me know that you're okay. I'm sorry that you felt like you had to leave in order to get some peace and quiet. I realize now that I need to give you more space. I'm not used to my little girl being all grown up, and I know I must be a little overbearing at times. I'm going to make things right. Once you get back home, things will be different, I promise. Before you know it, this school year will be over and you'll be signing up for classes in the fall. I'm going to let you stay in a dorm this time. I'm going to let you come and go as you please. I'm going to let you grow up. I'll even chip in and help you buy your own car. Just please promise me that you'll be careful out there? I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you. I'm looking forward to when you get back and I'm looking forward to properly meeting this boy that's caught your interest.

Tears were streaming down my cheeks by the time I finished reading his text message. I wiped them away and turned around to look at Ryan. "Ryan, I have to go back home. I'm sorry."

He immediately looked concerned. "What's wrong?"

I smiled. "That's just it, nothing is wrong. I need to go back home tonight and make things right. My dad forgives me for sneaking you in our house. He even wants to meet you."

"Really? Abby, that's great! Let's pack up now and I'll walk you home."

So that's what we did. I cut my date with Ryan short, but mending things with my dad was worth more than one little date. Besides, we would have plenty more time to plan dates. With summer break looming on the horizon, I knew that I'd be seeing Ryan quite often.

On our walk home, I thanked him for being so understanding. I asked him if he needed a ride back to his house, but he said he was going to spend the night at Brendon's place. As I walked through the front door, Ryan was already on the phone arranging a ride.

I saw that my dad was sitting in the family room. "Dad, I-" I started, but he cut me off, giving me a hug.

"I'm so glad you're safe. Please don't go running off on me ever again."

I was already getting emotional and I hadn't even said anything yet. My dad and I ended up talking for a long time that night. I assured him that I was totally fine with continuing to live at home as long as he gave me a little more freedom. He happily agreed, and I was content to stick around living at home with my dad. "Who wants to sleep in a grimy dorm anyways?" I laughed.

In an attempt to "make up" for the first impression that he had given Ryan, my dad told me that he was going to make reservations for a nice restaurant in the morning to treat Ryan and I to. Things were going well. Things were finally okay and everything just felt right.

I had changed more in this past week than I had in years. I was so glad that I had finally broken out of my shell. Look how much that changed things. I finally had some freedom. I finally started to leave my room, and I even had a boyfriend.

I smiled as I thought about that last part. I have a boyfriend and he's the best thing that's ever happened to me.

I went to bed excited that night. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was so eager to start this new chapter in my life. I was beyond grateful that I had met Ryan the night of his concert. We had only known each other a little over a week, but he's already made me happier than I've ever been. I could tell that things were going to get better now. This felt right. Some things were just meant to be.