UNREQUITED LOVE

CHAPTER TEN

-UNREQUITED LOVE-

CHAPTER TEN

RILEY'S POV

the next month or so i started spending a lot of time with Callum. and actually, i did grow to love him. sadly i wasn't in love with him so i started distancing myself from Ryan because honestly, every time i saw him my heart hurt and i felt guilty for being with Callum when i knew i didn't love him like that. and so the more time i spent with Callum the easier it became to fool myself that i was going to fall in love with him any day now.

and strangely i did help kinda. i slowly started dropping my ridiculous hopes and dreams that Ryan would come for me.

but i think deep down i knew that no one could fill in the gap in my heart of which ryan occupied.

i could tell that ryan was confused and hurt when i started keeping him at bay but i had no choice.

one evening while i was at a house party with Callum he decided to confront me;

it was one of Callum's friend's, Georgia i think her name was, party. we were chilling on the couch in her living room talking about embarrassing moments with out families. Callum suddenly leaned down whispered; "your so beautiful i don't ever wanna lose you, babe."

i smiled sincerely, "i dont want to lose you either, callum."

he bent down to softly kiss me when we were interrupted by someone.

"Riley, " his voice was cold.

it had been at least a week since id last seen him properly so i was furious that my heart went into overdrive, my stomach tied itself into knots and shivers ran up my spine.

why god?! why the hell did he have this effect on me?

"Ryan?" i frowned hurt by his tone.

"can i speak to you for a moment?"

"uhh sure, " i gave Callum a small smile and removed myself from his lap.

Ryan took me to the kitchen but a lot of people where milling about so he lifted me up onto the counter that was in the centre of the room so i wouldn't get squashed. he stood in front of me.

"whats up?" i asked. he looked frickin incredible wearing black fitted jeans and a black hoodie. we were wearing almost exactly the same clothes by where he was wearing jeans i was wearing short shorts.

"so, i get that you have a boyfriend but that doesn't mean you have to forget your best friend." he scowled getting straight to the point.

i contemplated on weather i should deny it or not. i decided with the latter.

"its complicated, " i replied knowing how lame i sounded.

"its complicated?" he repeated my words looking pissed off.

"yeah.."

"how the fuck is it complicated?!" he took hold of my shoulders and shook me hard but somehow still being gentle. sparks shot up my arms and i could feel the hairs on the my back standing up.

"tell me!" he yelled when i didn't speak.

"i cant Ry, " i said quietly.

"yes you can! baby, look its me -your best friend, you can tell me anything. " he pleaded, running a hand through his hair, exasperated.

"not this time." i looked down at my hand to avoid seeing the hurt in his face and eyes.

"you know, i never thought you to be one of them chicks that dropped everything once they had a boyfriend and i really didn't think you'd shut me out, of all people." his voice was as cold as ice again.

"stop it, Ryan, just.. just shut up! you don't know anything." my voice trembled as silent tears fell from my face as i looked into his eyes.

his cold expression instantly relaxed and changed from hard to regretful and sad. he never liked in when i cried which i rarely ever did. but this past year id probably cried more tears than my whole life combined.

he pulled me into a hug, "baby, don't cry. i didn't mean it. I'm just angry." he wiped my tears away with his thumbs.

"i cant do this Ry, not anymore. its too hard. i.. i cant." i couldn't just be his friend anymore. not when i desperately wanted more so much that it was killing me inside. i jumped off the counter and rushed outside.

Callum caught me in the hallway, took one glimpse of my face and pulled me into a hug.

"what the hell?" he asked, baffled. he'd obviously seen Ryan and mine's brief exchange.

"take me home, please." i sobbed quietly into my hands.

he took my hand and started walking towards the direction of him car. as we started driving towards my apartment id managed to get a grip on myself.

when we got home he led me to the kitchen and gave me a glass of water. he sat down on the kitchen table so i sat down next to him where me took my hand after a moment.

"its Ryan isn't it? he's the guy your in love with." he asked quietly.

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