Chapter 3 of It All Ended In a Neon Cathedral
Ryan's POV
When I woke up the next morning, still in Alison's bed, I noticed the emptiness next to me. Alison wasn't there. I stood from the bed and let out a yawn before heading towards the kitchen where I heard laughter and squeals.
When I reached the kitchen, I found Alison thrown over Ben's shoulder as he towards the fridge, opening it and getting the eggs out before returning to the stove.
"Could you put me down?" Alison asked.
"Probably not." Ben answered.
"Just try not to burn the eggs. I'd actually like to eat breakfast today." She said with a chuckle.
"Was that directed towards me?" I asked, mocking hurt.
Alison lifted her head to look at me, smiling innocently.
"Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't." She said.
"It totally was." Ben said as he placed Alison back on her feet.
"Thank you." She said as she brushed herself off.
As I was about to offer to help Ben with breakfast, my phone began to ring. I excused myself before looking at the screen to find that Shay was calling.
"Hey babe." I answered.
"Hey, I was wondering if you could come pick me up from Shane's?" She questioned.
"Uhm, yeah. Could you give me like half an hour?" I questioned as I ran a hand through my hair.
"Yeah, no problem. See you soon." She said before hanging up.
I let out a sigh as I locked my phone. What was going on with her? She was hanging out with Shane again? Last time she hung out with him, things didn't end well, so I was beyond confused to know she was hanging out with him again.
"Everything alright Ry?" Alison asked from the door frame of the kitchen.
"Yeah, I've got to go. Shay needs a ride." I answered as I gave her a small smile.
It was a fake smile. It was so fake.
"So you aren't staying for breakfast?" She asked.
"Sorry, I can't. Maybe another time." I said.
"Will there be another time, Ryan?" She asked as she looked down at her feet.
"I'll make sure of it." I answered as I walked over to her, wrapping my arms around her pulling her into a hug.
I placed a kiss on the top of her head before pulling away from her, holding her at arms length.
"Are you coming to the show tomorrow?" I asked.
"I suppose I could." She replied.
"You should. The shows aren't the same without you there." I said.
"I guess I'll be there then." She said with a small smile.
"Great, see you there." I said, leaning in and placing a kiss on her cheek before saying goodbye to Ben, grabbing my things and heading towards my car.
The only thing running through my mind on the way to pick Shay up was how much I wish I had waited for Alison...
Alison's POV
As Ryan walked out the front door, I returned to the kitchen and sat down on one of the bar stools. I put my elbows on the counter and placed my head in my hands, letting out a sigh.
"Everything alright?" Ben asked.
"I hate knowing he's with her." I said softly.
"I hate knowing Tricia is with someone else, but everything happens for a reason." Ben said as he placed the scrambled eggs he had just finished making onto two plates.
"I can't help but to think this is all my fault. Ryan and I, and you and Tricia. I'm sorry Ben." I said.
"It's not your fault. If it is anyone's fault, it's mine. I should've been a better role model to you. I made mistakes, and you caught on to them." He said as he handed me my plate.
"Don't blame yourself Ben. It was my choice to start using." I said before beginning to eat.
Ben sat down opposite me at the bar and began to eat as well.
"So you're coming to the show tomorrow?" He questioned.
"Yeah I guess I could." I replied.
"Do you want to sing again? You could open." He stated.
"Sure." I answered.
"You could choose a few songs today so you know what you want to perform tomorrow." He said.
"Yeah. I have a few in mind." I said.
"Like?" He questioned.
"Another Ed song, Let Her Go obviously, this song that Ariana Grande did for a movie, and a few others." I replied.
"As long as you don't sing any Justin Beiber. Ryan might freak out." he said with a laugh.
"I almost want to do one just to see what he says." I said with a smirk.
"No." Ben said with a smirk as well.
"Fine." I replied as I rolled my eyes.
"Do you want to go down to the venue today so you can practice?" He asked.
"It's here in Seattle?" I asked.
"Yeah. They said we could come down today if we wanted to, so it's up to you." He said as he took a sip of his coffee.
"Alright. I think we should go down." I replied.
"Alright just let me give this girl a call. Sound engineer of the venue. She's pretty awesome, I think you'll like her." he said with a smile.
"Something tells me you are the one who likes her." I said with a grin.
"What gives you that idea?" He questioned.
"Oh nothing." I said with a smile.
"Go get ready while I call her." He said.
"Don't flirt too much." I said with a wink as I stood, placing my plate in the sink and heading back to my room.
"No promises!" He yelled back the hallway.
I let out a chuckle as I entered my room, closing the door behind me and getting some clothes out of my closet. I grabbed a pair of skinny jeans, a tank top, and a sweatshirt I knew was Ryan's.
As I showered, I thought about last night with Ryan. We were nothing more than friends now, and that's exactly how we acted last night. Maybe I should accept the fact that he has moved on. Maybe I should move on too...
