Table for 6

Part 9

I couldn't believe who I was looking at. I. Could. Not. Believe it!

Ryan gave me a look of confusion.

"Well, that's my sister..." He responded slowly.

I felt my lip quiver, "S-sh-she killed him." I whimpered.

"Oh... Wait, what did you say?" Ryan asked a little shocked.

"I said," I started with as much strength as I could muster. "She killed him. My brother is gone because of your stupid drunk sister." I screamed.

"I'm... I'm really sorry, but I don't know what your talking about. Are you sure she was the girl that," Ryan hesitated. Hesitated? He obviously knew the truth. "...killed your brother?" He asked as he pointed to his sister in the photo.

Of course he knew. It's not like he wouldn't know if something like this happened to his careless sister.

"I am positively sure that she is the girl! I can't just forget her face Ryan." I almost yelled, but didn't sound as angry as I'd hoped. My voice started cracking from the tears I was choking back.

How could he think that I wasn't sure?! I would always remember the driver's face that slammed into the side of... his car.

"Don't you dare play stupid with me. You know she was the girl in the other car that night my brother died, just like how I know you smoke." I added sharply, throwing daggers of disgust through my eyes at the boy beside me. He looked utterly shocked. His mouth was open, but no words were coming out.

"I don't think I can work with you on this project! I am absolutely done with you. I will do the project. By. My. Self." I threw harshly over my shoulder as I took off running out the door.

It's not like I was looking forward to working with him in the first place. That feeling just got multiplied by infinity. What a jerk. Does he seriously think it's okay to play dumb with my situation right now?! Idiotic, egocentric, good-for-nothing-

"Catarina, please come back." He stopped my train of insults. Darn, I was on a roll there. "I can explain! Just please don't leave yet." He called out after me.

I turned around and stopped retreating from his massive house. Only to see Ryan watching me with his puppy dog face. What do I say now?

"Ryan, I want to believe you, I really do," I started in a calmer tone, "But I don't think I can. And please, don't try to be with Macy. You'll end up breaking her heart somehow. I'm sorry, but I am not prepared to let that happen." I growled the last few words.

My emotions were now completely out of control. Why was I being so mean? Oh yeah... He was pretending he had no clue about what his sister did.

I was still standing in front of his home, when Ryan let a hurt look appear on his face. Oops. Maybe I shouldn't have brought Macy into this. But surprisingly, at the same time I swore I saw a hint of understanding in his eyes.

Then that all changed. It was replaced by determination. He wasn't going to back down until he said what he wanted to say to me. I could tell.

"God Catarina! Just please hear me out!" He said loudly in reply to my comments. With that said, he achieved my attention. I would be forced to know what he wanted to say sooner or later anyway.

So, I gave him a look to show I was listening. Despite my currently fragile appearance, I gathered what was left of my dignity and looked him dead in the eyes.

Oh my gosh, I hated this! I let my tears slip in front of Ryan. Ryan! Will I ever live this down?

More importantly, will Ryan ever let me live it down!? He already embarrassed me constantly. He must think I'm weak. That just made me even more upset. Isn't life the greatest?