Worlds Apart

Twenty Four

Rylie didn't give me time to answer before she popped open the trunk and started loading plastic bags onto her forearms. I grabbed a few myself while Victoria stood still facing the ocean. I watched the way her hair whipped in the wind like they were her own waves. The wind pulled at her sheer clothing, almost asking to undress her on its shore. Rylie nudged me, pulling me from my staring state.

"C'mon, we have cold stuff."
I carried my few bags along with Rylie to the porch. She held her wrists close to her waist to keep the bags from sliding off her arms. Once inside, we placed all the groceries on the island and counters. Rylie wasted no time taking items out and putting them in their corresponding cabinets. I did the same, only unbagging the food since I wasn't familiar with the order of putting things away. The small window above the sink gave me a small view of Victoria. I'd never wanted to keep my eyes on her for long, but now they felt pulled in. She reminded me of a mermaid whose tail was replaced with legs. Always lured back to her true home, longing for a part of her that was gone forever. Rylie must have noticed my habit of staring as she purposely knocked a container of fruit off the island. I turned around, pretending I didn't just see her swipe her hand across the marble. We watched each other for a moment before she looked through the window as well and finally met my gaze.

"Got a thing for Tori now?"

The tone of her voice reminded me of my mother's cold jabs. I opened my mouth to defend my actions, but what was there to defend? Of course I wasn't attracted to Victoria; I couldn't be. And I knew she didn't like me either; she proved that from the moment we met. I picked up the plastic container. "No, do you?"
It was a simple question, but I made my words heavy with the same tone she gave me. I wasn't looking to jab at her, but I did want to know her intentions with this vacation. I couldn't get answers when I asked as if I didn't care.

"She's my friend."

It wasn't exactly the answer I was looking for, but Rylie was stubborn. I wasn't going to get an answer unless she wanted to give me one. I felt a bit of shame waiver in my stomach. I'd let her get close to me, and for what? This was just temporary, and I was falling for someone who had fallen for someone else. I threw the remainder of the plastic bags in the bin and quickly made my way to my assigned room. I dodged Rylie's reach for me; I couldn't hear anymore. I couldn't let myself get close when someone else was closer. I didn't want to hear anything else while my head pounded and my heart hurt. I slammed the door behind me, clicking the lock as I should have always done. For once, I didn't want to be chased; I didn't want to be wanted. The thought of temporary rang in my skull. Why did I care so much? Why is this such a big deal when I barely even know her? I heard a thump on the wood outside my room. I watched the shadow of what would be Rylie resting against it. I scoffed, "I'm not coming out."

She shifted, "That's why I'm not letting you."

I waited for her to elaborate, and I watched the shadow of her hands fall to her sides.

"I don't want you to run away from me again. I can't."

As sincere as her intentions sounded, I wasn't ready to feel that sincerity. I wasn't going to run away again, not now. She must know it's inevitable, but she shouldn't care about someone she's known for so little. I reached for the knob of the door, letting my hand fall to my side in defeat. I slid down against the door, mirroring Rylie from the outside.

"I'm not a bad person. I don't know why I—" I pulled my knees up to my chest. What was the word I was even looking for? What was I trying to prove? It was quiet for a few moments. I almost looked to see if Rylie was still there, but a part of me wished she wasn't. If she pushed me away, it would be easier to go. Another part of me wanted her to beg me to stay, to tell me she needed me like I needed her.

I could hear her shuffling behind me, "If you want to be with someone else instead of me, just let me know and I'll go."

I didn't want anyone else. I never even wanted anyone until Rylie. And I wanted her to want me too; I needed her to. I swung the door open to see her spring up from my sudden appearance. She watched me, and I watched her. For a second, I could only hear us breathing or the wind crashing into the outside walls. I crashed into her, crushing the distance between us. She let out a sound that was either a chuckle or sob. She wrapped her arms around my back as I did around her neck. I felt her chest heave as she ran her hand over my head. I wanted to tell her I only wanted her, that she was all I ever wanted. But I couldn't be sure she completely felt the same, or if she was only being this way while I was here. I didn't want to think about tomorrow or the next day. I wished we could stay like this forever, in each other's arms. I pulled away to look at her fully, at the way her spiky hair stuck to her wet cheeks and how her nose blossomed into a reddish pink. I liked when she looked messy; I liked when she was perfectly imperfect. I hoped she admired my mess as much as I did. My hair was tangled from the wind, and I felt hot with embarrassment that she could definitely feel along my body. She cupped my cheeks in her large hands. "Anastasia, I don't want you mad at me. I don't want everything to be for nothing. I just—"

I waited for her to finish, but clearly there was nothing more. I simply nodded and planted a kiss on her cheek, hoping she'd understand that I understood. The front door slamming rattled the house, startling us both. I whirled around to see Victoria. She said nothing as she walked past us, as if we weren't there at all. We watched her go into her room, then back at each other. Rylie let go of my waist and placed her hand on my head. "I'll go check on her."

My eyes trailed after Rylie before she disappeared into Victoria's room. I almost went with her, letting my thoughts influence me that the door was too ajar. That I wouldn't see either of them for a while. I stepped forward, then more. What's taking so long? It had been seconds, but I wanted her back now. She doesn't actually want you, Anastasia. I crept closer to the door. She just wants to experience you. I could feel the breath leave my lungs. I was never a jealous person; why did I feel so entitled to someone that wasn't even mine? Open the door now and see for yourself, as my own thoughts told me. I reached for the handle, every second ticking, every second echoing through my soul. You mean nothing to her. I shoved the hardwood door open. The strong perfume that was all Victoria infiltrated my nose, making me recoil in my skin. I stepped onto her dark purple carpet, hoping the sand on my shoes tracked onto it. I hoped I ruined it; I hope it was something special to her so I could destroy it. Her room looked that of a queen's, the way her bed had a canopy and frills dripping from the edges. Her bed itself was black and purple, and the poles holding it up were a glistening jet. Now that I was seeing it, her room was more of a witch's den. Burrowed in this lovely house to hide her true intentions and ink-filled heart. To my left was the bathroom, and yellow light poured from under it. Both of them were in it. Both, alone. My heart fell deeper into my chest with every step I took. I was such a fool for believing a human and for letting myself be weak. I almost hoped I'd see them in each other's arms. I wished  I'd see them tangled in each other so I could know this was all a facade. I gripped the knob, swinging the door open. To my surprise, they weren't even touching. Rylie was sitting on the floor, looking up at her friend. Through her jet black hair, I could see the smudged makeup and tear-stained face of Victoria.