Story Tale High

No

"I'd rather walk then get on that death trap again" I told Ryan as I stood at least 4 feet away from the red machine.

" Yeah, Yeah, whatever. You can walk" Ryan told me as he got on the motorcycle and revved the engine.

"Okay" I said cheerily and then headed towards the sidewalk. His house was about a 15 minute walk so it's not that bad.

As I started walking down the path Ryan's motorcycle zoomed past me leaving me in the dust.
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"Why are you so freaking stubborn" Ryan sighed when I got to his house. Well he used a more colorful word but that's basically what he said.

"I know you find me adorable" I teased. Oh my gosh what did I say.

He didn't deny or agree with the fact. Instead he just mumbled a bunch of stuff that I couldn't hear.

"Don't worry I'm only going to be here for a minute" I reassured him.

I left my bag on the porch and then ran across the street to get a good angle. After rotating my phone and moving back and forth for a while I found the perfect spot and snapped the photo.

"Can I use your printer too?" I begged Ryan as I got back to the house.

"Fitzherbert you said a minute and it's been more than a minute" he said with his arms crossed.

"Well you know being at a high altitude and stuff can change a persons perception of time so.."

"Fine" he gave in and then pointed to the printer.

After fumbling with the wires and figuring out how to print it I held a photo of the apple house.

"Thanks a lot" I said as I packed up my stuff.

"You owe me one"

"Yeah sure whatever"

As I opened the door I was face to face with Snow White.

"Hi Emily, what are you doing here?" she said as she put her key back in her bag.

"I needed to take a picture of a unique house for an art project and Ryan offered your house. I hope that's okay?" I asked her.

"Of course it is and I'm glad you two are getting along so well"

Ryan and I both gave her a strange look. "Did your parents tell you that you're going to be joining us for dinner tonight?" she asked.

"Um actually I was unaware of that" I told her.

"Ryan why don't you take the car and drive her home so she can talk to her parents" She suggested.

Ryan took her keys and dragged me outside while I thanked her again.

The whole car ride was filled with complete silence.

As I was getting out of the car. I could hear Ryan mumbling something but the only words I could hear was "is it her?"

"Thanks again" I told him which caused him to stop mumbling.

"Yeah no problem" he told me and then I closed the door and he drove away.
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Ryan's POV
"Mom!" I yelled as I got back home.

"What is it honey" she asked from the kitchen.

"Is Emily the girl?" I asked her curiously.

She couldn't be.

"Yes" was all she said.
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Casey's POV
"Mom why didn't you tell me we're having dinner at the White's and why do I have to go but Brad gets to skip" I whined.

"There is an important reason we're going to dinner and it doesn't concern your brother" she told me.

I sighed and then climbed up my tower steps.
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After staring at my closet for an hour I picked out a simple lilac laced dress and wore my hair in a waterfall braid

"I'm ready" I yelled as I descended the stairs.

"Okay honey" my mom yelled and then called for my dad. After leaving and coming back to the house about five times because each time somebody forgot something, we finally arrived to the big apple. Pun intended.

"Welcome, Welcome" Snow White greeted us as we entered her home.

As the parents greeted each other Mr. White told me Ryan was upstairs, and that I should join him. I took his advice because grown up talk is exasperating.

Once I approached the sour apple green door I knocked it to the magical tune my mother sang to me as a child.

"Come in" Ryan said from inside the room. I opened the door, said hey, and then immediately walked to his bed; searching for Mr.Snuggles.

Once I sat down and placed Mr. Snuggles on my lap Ryan swiveled around in his desk chair so that he would be facing me. His eyes focused at the dark wooden floors while he twiddled his fingers.

"So, um Emily..." he said nervously. This must be really serious because he has never ever called me by my first name. Even when we were kids he called me Fitzherbert.

"Are you okay?" I asked him because I'm seriously worried.

"Yeah it's just...um did your parents tell you why you're coming to dinner?"

"No, did yours?"

"Actually I kind of figured it out"

"Really? So what's going on"

"We-, we-, we-"

"Just spit it out all ready"

"We're getting married"

"Um what are you talking about?" At this point I was really worried. He can't be serious.

"When we were little our parents sealed our fate and got us engaged once they found out we were in the same grade. Since they're so close they wanted us to get married. I didn't know it was you. I just knew there was some girl. I thought I had more time. I thought I co-"

I took a deep breath and thought about what he'd just said. At first I thought he was joking but then I looked at those eyes.

The ones that I used to despise.

But now... they seem softer and full of compassion. That's when everything finally sank in.

"No. No. No! This is not happening. I'm supposed to marry the guy I love." I say as the hot tears roll down my cheeks "I'm supposed to be able to choose who I marry. I'm supposed to find the one. I'm supposed to experience true love. I'm supposed to have my first kiss without my parents controlling my life. I'm sup-"

"Just shut up" Ryan says bitterly."How do you think I feel Fitzherbert? Don't you think I want to be able to choose my wife and experience true love. Your not the only one in this situation!"he yells.

At this point I'm balling my eyes out and I can see Ryan reaching his breaking point.

I can't take this. This room is suffocating me.

I jump off his bed and sprint downstairs past his parents, past my parents. This might be the last time I consider them that.

There's nothing I can do but run.

I run down the street as fast as I can; until I can't feel my feet. I don't know where I'm going but I just have to get out of here.