Things I Shouldn't Have Done

eight.

Ryker Blaze

How tiny her hands are when she holds the fork and knifes. That is so sweet. She looks like a little kid while cutting chicken with her baby face. I look ten years older than her.

Her subtle awkwardness reminds me of how vulnerable and innocent she is, yet so attractive. I can feel the eyes following me as I try to keep a normal face, while I really don't want the two of them back.

"What's so funny to you?" he asked me, making an angry face that only made him look even cuter.

"I didn't say anything, eat."

"Why didn't you order anything?"

I shrug.

"I'm on a cut..."

"On what?" she asked confused, and I am happy because I can explain things related to the gym to people again.

"This means that I will take a shorter period of time to enter a milder caloric deficit in order to lose a few extra kilos..."

"But you're not fat," she says even more confused. I notice that her forehead tightens when she is not quite clear about something.

Pull yourself together, man.

"It never hurts to lose a little weight. I'm building anyway..."

"Then you have to go to the beach to show everyone your muscles," she winked at me, laughing.

We stare at each other for a moment. She is the first to look away.

"He needed them. Although I don't really go out in such public places."

"Why?"

"Paparazzi. They are everywhere. They follow my father more, but some of them recognize me."

Just thinking that they are fools makes me shudder with anger. If there's anything I hate, from the bottom of my soul, it's the fucking paparazzi.

"And your mother?"

Not. Not. Why did she ask me about my mother? I stiffen up even more at that.

"She's not famous."

I hope they don't ask me about her again. No one knows the truth about my mother and I hope it stays that way.

"Madison told me how she often travels. That by now she has visited almost all the countries in North and South America."

Yes, I can see that this lie is spreading well and that everyone believes it. Even the media. That's good. I guess...

To be honest, I'm surprised that the media hasn't picked up on the fact that Lacey Blaze doesn't appear in public just because she often 'travels'. Another in a series of father's lies to present a perfect picture of his life and family.

I nod my head. She puts another bite in her mouth and I see a little ketchup left on her chin.

"You have..."- I show her my face with my hand, but she wipes the wrong side of her face.

I can't stand it, so I wipe the ketchup off her chin with the pads of my fingers.

I feel the warmth of her cheeks touch my fingers, and my heart flutters. Her eyes widen for a moment, then she smiles gratefully.

"Thank you," Kyla says quietly, and I withdraw my hand, trying not to show how upset I was by that simple touch.

At that moment, Marcus appears at our table. And his eyes widen in shock at the scene he just saw. I would like to defend myself with that line that characters in movies and books always say;

"It's not what it looks like. I can explain."

But I remain silent, and Marcu just sits down next to me and takes the menu. In a few seconds, the waiter appears and Marcus orders. Then Kyla gets up from the table.

"Where are you going?" Marcus asked her.

"I'm going to the toilet."

After she walks away, Marcus gives me a serious look.

"Whatever is on your mind, don't."

I swallow the dumpling.

"I have nothing on my mind," I answer innocently, trying not to look him in the eye.

"Ryker, she's different. From the girls you were with before. She is still a child. In the brain. And she's Madison's friend too..."

"That's exactly why I wouldn't want anything to do with her. You think I can really be attracted to some short little girl who has never even kissed in her life? I guess you know me better, Marcus...."

"You know I know you," Marcus says, eyeing me suspiciously.

"But I also know that you have this... weakness for seduction. I don't want you to hurt her..."

I take a deep breath and shrug.

"Do not worry. Kyla is just a friend."

Marcus nods, but I can tell he's not completely convinced. His eyes turn to the menu, and he orders another drink.

Kyla returns from the restroom and sits back down at the table. He looks over us, feels the tension, but doesn't say anything. He finishes his meal and I try to keep the conversation on safe topics.

"How was it in the toilet?" I ask her with a smile.

Kyla laughed.

"Clean and quiet, as I would expect from a restaurant like this."

Marcus smiles, but I can tell his laugh is forced.

"I'm glad everything is fine."

The atmosphere is still tense, but I try to act natural. We talk about irrelevant things and Kyla and I avoid our eyes.

After finishing the meal, we leave the restaurant. The sun is already high in the sky, and I feel the warmth enveloping me. Marcus suggests we go to Union Square, and Kyla and I agree.

As we walk towards the mall, I feel my heart slowly calm down. Marcus puts his arm around Kyla's shoulder, and she leans into him, smiling.

I try not to look at them too much, but it's hard. I feel something tighten in my chest, but I choose to ignore it. I must not let this confuse me.

Kyla is Madison's friend. And that's all it will ever be.

We then walk to Union Square to find Madison and Kyle and Marcus decide to walk around the shops and I stay outside, sitting on a bench and watching the people around me.

My mind wanders, but I try to focus on the present moment. This situation is complicated, but I have to stay calm. I must not let my emotions take over. However, emotions do not exist.

Kyla and Marcus return with several bags, and Kyla smiles happily.

"We found some great stuff," he says, showing me what they bought.

"Great," I replied with a smile, trying to ignore the uneasy feeling that was slowly creeping up on me.

Then we see Madison with several bags from different boutiques.

"Oh, hey you. You finally decided to look for me," he says, but for some reason I think he's only addressing Kyla and Marcus. She doesn't look at me.

"So, where are we going now?" Marcus asked and Kyla immediately answered.

"Let's go to the beach."