𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝.

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞

A few more days had passed, and now it was the weekend. Holly was still feeling off about what happened the other day at school, so she decided not to make any plans, so instead she shot a quick text to Tianah.

H: "Hey, how you doing?"

T:"As good as someone who's been suspended can be, wby?"

H:"Yeah, I'm okay. You up to much?"

T:"Nah, anything interesting happen with Henry or Toby since I've been gone?"

H:"Yes omg"

T:"Spill. Right now."

H:"Okay so basically in science the other day, Jamie was like trying to start shit and was making fun of me for getting punched by Taylor."

T:"Ew wtf"

H:"Yeah totally, but Toby chimed in and was like 'shut up or you can tell everyone what it's like to be punched by me of all people'"

T:"Omg that's tea fr"

H:"Yeah, and the best part is that he was comforting me afterwards... AND HE HELD MY FUCKING HAND FROM UNDER THE TABLE!!!!"

T:" ... OH MY FUCKING GOSH ARE U KIDDING ME KJCSD"

H:"NAH FR IM IN MY Y/N ERA 💀"

Before Tianah and Holly could continue their conversation, she got a call from Ryan. She sent Tianah a see you later text and and eagerly answered her phone. 

"Hey, Ryan!" Holly greeted, laughing softly. When it came to phone calls and texting, Ryan always kept it short and sweet. "Yeah, hi. You wanna hang out?" Holly took a moment to think. She obviously had no plans, but she didn't want to seem too eager. "Uh, yeah sure." Holly answered. Ryan huffed through the phone. "Kay, I'll be at yours in like 10 minutes or some shit. Maybe longer." With that statement, he hung up the phone. 

Holly went into the bathroom and did her daily routine. She didn't have time to shower, so she just did her hair and makeup. Nothing special, she just did it the same way she always did. She picked out a pair of black track pants and a skin tight long sleeve black top from her wardrobe. She looked casual, but nice. 

What was supposed to be 10 minutes or so turned out to be a whole hour and a half. Holly was obviously annoyed, but she knew if she told him that he'd be mad so she just kept quiet about it.  When she opened the door to greet him, it became obvious to her that he was not sober. As he opened his mouth to say hello, a strong scent of alcohol wafted into her face. Not to mention, as she stepped outside and got a little closer to him, she also noticed he smelled a lot like weed. 

"Sup, Holly." He spoke, his words slurring together. She shot him a brief and insincere smile. "Hey, you already said that." He took a moment to register what she had said. "So? What if I just wanna say hello twice? Is that such a fucking crime?" He hissed looking at her angrily.

Holly apologised. "It's fine, let's just get going then, okay?" He spoke, walking down the driveway and up to Holly's car. Holly stood there, looking at him with confusion. "Where's your car?" Ryan sort of went silent and started at her for a moment. "Do I look like I'm in the right condition to drive?" He snapped. "Obviously you're the one that's driving, dumbass." He attacked. Holly didn't really register that he was actually insulting her, as Henry and Toby called her that all the time as a joke, so she just let out a slight chuckle. 

She couldn't really debunk his logic though, as he was clearly unable to drive. Holly hated driving, she only did it when she had to, but today she was making an exception.

The two of them got into her car and drove around 30 or so minutes until they reached the galleria. Holly helped Ryan out of the car, and the both of them made their way into the big shopping area. They roamed around for a while, and after an hour or so, they decided to go and get some lunch at the food court. Holly offered to pay, because he hadn't had any money on him - as usual.

The pair got their food and sat down at one of the many tables and started to dig in. Ironically, that same day, Henry and Toby were hanging out there as well. They were actually walking around somewhere near the food court, just browsing shoe stores and such, when they noticed Holly and Ryan.

The boys walked up to them, greeting Holly cheerfully. Their greeting to Ryan seemed to be reluctant and cold at best.

Holly loved talking to the boys, so she loved that they had had this sudden run in out in public. Ryan, however, well he was on the other side of the spectrum. He didn't like the boys. His hatred for them sort of grew after he became friends with Holly. He liked her, but at that time he knew he couldn't have her. He sort of knew she had a thing for at least one of those boys. Personally, he had his money on Henry. 

Ryan's behaviour towards the situation was very antisocial. Whilst Holly laughed and joked with the boys, Ryan kept his head down and ate his food. After around 20 minutes or so, the trio said their goodbyes, and Henry and Toby walked off. They wanted to stay longer, they could've talked to Holly for hours, but Ryan made it clear that their presence was not wanted. 

They spoke a little bit about it on their walks around the galleria, but they tried not to think much of it. It was still suspicious nonetheless.

Holly's laugh died down and she returned her attention back to Ryan. "Sorry about that." She spoke, wiping a tear away from her eye. Only Toby and Henry could make her laugh like that. Ryan dismissed her, but responded maybe a minute or so later. "It's whatever. I have a question though." His comment made Holly raise her eyebrow. "Hmm?" With that, Ryan continued. "Why do you hang out with the, anyways? They're so like.. arrogant." 

Ryan's sudden question caught Holly off guard. She knew that the boys could sometimes come across badly, but she didn't think of them as arrogant people. "They aren't arrogant, they just don't really know how to be.. you know, outgoing and such." Holly hoped that Ryan would make sense of her logic. 

"I guess.. I'm sorry I'm acting so jealous, I just wish I had more time to spend with you is all." He spoke sweetly, moving his hand to intertwine with hers. She smiled. "I get that, we can always hang out more if you'd like." She offered, a twinkle showing in her eye. "Even if it means blowing off the boys sometimes?" He questioned again, a puppy dog look in his eye. She held his hand a little tighter in hopes to comfort him. "I'm sure they'd understand."