Bastiana has a loving family, two amazing best friends, and a secret.
Over summer vacation, Bastiana and her besties do their best to focus on their bucket list in order to distract them from all the secrets they're keeping from one another. When a...
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"Are you sure you want to do this, B?" Ryker asks as we park in front of Jaxon's house. "We can always go back to your place and hang out instead. Your mom would understand." He says softly.
I take a deep breath before I speak. "No, it's Thanksgiving. I want to be with everyone. It'll be okay." I nod to myself as I stare up at the house. "I don't want to make it a whole thing and ruin the holiday for everyone."
We are the last to arrive, apart from Asher who's coming by later for dessert, because I was nervous and opted to ride with Ryker. I had a difficult time deciding on what to wear today, so getting ready took a bit longer than usual.
I normally wear a skirt for Thanksgiving, since mom likes us to dress nice when we have holiday meals, but none of them felt right this year. I tried on every skirt and half the dresses in my closet before I finally made a decision.
"We should head in before my mom calls wondering where I am." I sigh as I unbuckle.
"Alright." Ryker nods and takes off his seatbelt as well. "Hang on a sec and I'll come around to give you a hand down, B." I nod and wait while he gets out and walks around to my door.
He opens my door and takes my hand, placing the other on my waist to help me down. He carefully sets me on my feet and closes my door as I step away from his car.
I reach up and adjust the round neckline of my dress, thankful that it's modest and just barely exposes my collarbones. As I run my hands down the deep purple fabric of my dress, smoothing down the circle-style skirt, I take another deep, steadying breath. I fidget with the fabric of the skirt, making sure the hem is straight as it falls just below my knees.
I stare down at my black flats for a moment before Ryker lays a gentle hand on my arm.
"We can still leave, B." He says softly. "You don't have to see him if you don't want to."
I look up and see the compassion in his swirling gray eyes. "It's okay." I give him a small smile. "It's going to be a full house and it's been months. I have to face him sometime." I shrug. "He's Abi's best friend, it was bound to happen sooner or later. At least this way there will be plenty of buffers." I laugh softly.
"And I will be by your side the whole time, B." His voice is soft and soothing.
"Thanks, Ry." I smile warmly at him.
"Anytime, B." He says as he wraps me in a comforting hug.
I wrap my arms around him and soak in his warmth for a moment before I pull back. "Okay. Let's do this." I nod and turn to walk up to the front door.
As we walk up the path, I do my best to keep my breathing slow and even. This doesn't have to be a big deal. So we kissed once, big deal. I've moved past it and I'm still with Nico. Jaxon's been away at college and has probably already met someone else.
