Crossing the Line

| 2 |

The first few weeks of the semester were a blur for me. Between classes, study sessions, and trying to organize the apartment, I barely had time to think about anything else. Still, no matter how busy I was, Ryan kept creeping into my thoughts. I couldn't shake him, especially with Jake always around. Jake was laid-back and full of stories about their time together on the football team, while Ryan was more reserved, a quiet but constant presence I found impossible to ignore.

One afternoon, as I sat on the couch, Kaitlyn burst through the door, excitement written all over her face.

"Guess what? Jake wants to have a little get-together this weekend. Nothing big-just food, games, maybe a movie," she said, bouncing with energy. "And, of course, Ryan will be there."

I felt a familiar flutter in my stomach at the mention of his name. "Oh, great. Just what I need."

Kaitlyn shot me a teasing look. "Don't even try it. You're going! It's time to hang out more, and you know you want to see him. Just admit it."

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "It's just a gathering. We'll have fun, and that's it."

"Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that," she said with a grin as she flopped down next to me. "But seriously, you can't ignore this forever. There's something between you two."

"I don't even know what that 'something' is," I muttered, my heart racing. "It's complicated."

Kaitlyn raised an eyebrow. "Complicated? Or just you avoiding the obvious?"

Before I could answer, my phone buzzed on the table. It was Jake.

Jake: Want to come help set up for the get-together tomorrow? Ryan will be there.

I hesitated, biting my lip. Jake's messages were always so casual, but the thought of being around Ryan made me nervous.

Emma: Sure. I'll come by.

Kaitlyn nudged me, grinning. "You're doing this! Just be yourself. It'll be fun."

The next day, I arrived at Jake's place, feeling a mix of anticipation and dread. I took a deep breath before walking in, letting the sounds of laughter and music calm my nerves. The place was full of energy, and the smell of something cooking filled the air.

I spotted Jake in the kitchen, stirring a pot while Ryan set the table. My breath caught when I saw him, casual as always, his easy smile making my heart skip.

"Hey, look who's here!" Jake called out when he saw me. "Just in time for the magic."

"Magic?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as I walked over. "What are you making?"

Ryan glanced up, his eyes meeting mine for a brief moment before he looked back at the table. "Just the usual chaos. Jake's in charge, so you know how that goes."

Kaitlyn sidled up next to me, grinning. "Just wait until you see his 'cooking.' It's always a show."

As we all fell into our roles-me helping Jake in the kitchen while Kaitlyn and Ryan set up the living room-I was hyper-aware of Ryan's presence. Every time he moved, every laugh he let out, it felt like a spark of electricity in the air. When our eyes met, the energy shifted, and I struggled to stay composed.

"Everything's almost ready," Jake said, nudging me as we finished prepping snacks. "Think we should start the games soon?"

"Yeah, sure," I replied, trying to sound enthusiastic. "I'll grab some drinks."

I couldn't shake the feeling of Ryan's gaze following me as I moved. I caught a glimpse of him laughing at something Jake said, his smile lighting up the room. It frustrated me how easily he got to me, how effortlessly he could make me feel both nervous and excited.

Once we finished setting up, we gathered in the living room. The couch and chairs were arranged in a circle, and even though the mood was relaxed, I was painfully aware of the tension between Ryan and me.

"Alright, let's get this going!" Jake said, handing out cups. "We're playing Two Truths and a Lie. Who's first?"

Kaitlyn jumped in, her confidence and laughter infectious. As the game went on, I loosened up, sharing embarrassing stories and laughing at everyone else's. But every time Ryan spoke, the room seemed to shift. He was funny, charming, and I found it hard not to be drawn in.

When it was finally his turn, I leaned forward, eager to hear what he'd say.

"Alright," he began with a smirk. "I once walked into the wrong classroom and gave a presentation. I've never been to a concert. And I can juggle three apples."

Kaitlyn immediately chimed in. "You've never been to a concert? That's the lie!"

Ryan shook his head, pretending to be serious. "Nope. Never been. I'll go someday, though. The lie is... I can juggle."

I laughed. "Really? I actually believed you!"

"I can barely juggle one apple," he said with a grin, his eyes meeting mine again. "But you should've seen your face."

The banter flowed easily, but the moment lingered. My pulse quickened, and I tried to shake off the feeling, focusing instead on the game.

As the night wore on, I found it harder to ignore the tension between us. Each conversation, every glance, felt loaded with something unsaid. We joked and laughed, but the deeper feelings remained unspoken, hanging in the air like a secret only we were aware of.

As things began to wind down, I helped Jake clean up. I noticed Ryan standing by the door, staring out into the night. He glanced back at me, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink to just the two of us.

"Thanks for coming," he said quietly, his voice full of sincerity. "I had a good time."

"Me too," I replied, trying to keep my tone casual despite the way my heart raced. "You always make things fun."

He smiled, that warm, easy smile that made my chest tighten, before shifting back into his laid-back self. "I'll see you around?"

"Definitely," I said, turning back to help Jake. But even as I joined in the conversation, my thoughts kept drifting back to Ryan, to the way he looked at me.

Later that night, lying in bed, I couldn't stop thinking about him. I wanted to believe that ignoring whatever was between us would be easier, but I knew it was getting harder to pretend. The tension between us was undeniable, and sooner or later, I'd have to face it.

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A/n

Currently rewriting the book in first person instead of third cause I don't like it...🥴