Suck It & See (ryden)

5. Alex

Everything was going well. Ryan and I were getting along and more often than not he was talking to me outside of public eyes as well. I'd find myself up at ungodly hours texting him, a smile constantly on my face.

But like I said, everything was going well.

I randomly received at text from Eden saying, 'get Ryan and meet me at the park'. I had my suspicions as to what the hell Eden had planned but I wasn't prepared at all for what she had in store.

Ryan and I rolled into the parking lot ten minutes later. Eden was sitting on a bench with a dark haired man who looked like he came straight out of the 50's. His hair was slicked back and he wore dark denim jeans with a white tee shirt and leather jacket. A cigarette hung dully from his lips as Eden ogled him.

This must be her guy.

I hear Ryan gasp from behind me and then before I know it, he's running towards the man. The mysterious character stands, a smile appearing on his lips. "Holy shit, Alex!" Ryan yelps. Eden looks at me completely and utterly confused and all I can do is shrug. I know as much as she does.

"Ryan! Wow this is insane!" The man has a thick English accent that has my mind working faster than it ever has. Who the fuck is this guy and how does he know Ryan? Alex, pulls Ryan into his arms for a tight hug and I feel jealousy rage through my blood.

I'm immediately at Ryan's side, wrapping my arm around his waist the minute the embrace ends. "Who's this?" I ask and I can't help the accusing tone in my voice. Really. Who the fuck?

"Oh! Um... Brendon, this is Alex Turner. I knew him when I lived in Europe. We went to the same exchange student class." Ryan's eyes are brighter than I've ever seen them and I already hate this guy. "Alex," Ryan begins, directing his attention to the man in front of us. "this is Brendon."

"His boyfriend." I cut in, marking my territory. Back off Brit. This skinny little branch is mine. Something like surprise passes through Alex's features and satisfaction burns through me.

But that's short lived as Ryan squirms out of my grip and scoffs. "Fake boyfriend, actually. We're planning to wreck the prom assembly this spring." My eyes go wide at Ryan's words and I back away from him outraged.

"Oh rad, so you're in on it too. Well, Eden told me everything." Alex looks at my best friend, an adoring smile on his face, before leaning toward her and placing a chaste kiss on her lips. "I'm very happy to have found a girl like her."

I choke back a laugh when Ryan's face visibly falls. Ha. Take that Ryan. Eden curls into Alex's side happily, a light pink dusting on her cheeks. What the hells gotten into her? "I've been meaning to tell you for a while Brendon... but I was just waiting it out. I wanted to make sure that Alex was good for the job. Now I realize he is."

What has this man done with my best friend..?

I feel Ryan's fingers lace with mine and I roll my eyes harder than I ever have before. Now he wants to be affectionate. "Well..." I begin. "Alright then." And that was it. That was the start of the imminent downfall of my sanity...

***

"So there's a party this weekend and I was thinking of taking Alex... you and Ryan should come, ya know? To keep up appearances." Eden says from the passenger seat of my car. I look at her from the corner of my eye, quirking a brow.

"Um, that's a definite no." Of all the things I could do this weekend, going to a party was definitely not on the top of my list. I could catch up on my favorite show, maybe do some reading, but never will I spend my weekend at a high school party.

"C'mon Bren! Are you in this with me or not?" Eden cries. The girl looks at me with those green eyes and I try to stay strong. "You know how much this means to me Brendon.."

"I know, I know." I sigh. "Believe me, I know... I just... don't like parties. You know that."

"I know but maybe this could be your chance. Get Ryan to a party. Dance with him. Make him swoon." She giggles, smiling lovingly. What an actor.

A very convincing actor...

Maybe bringing Ryan to that party wouldn't be such a bad thing after all. I mean if worst comes to worst I could always bring him back to my house if it's a total shit hole. Everyone knows the most scandalous of things happen at high school parties. So it wouldn't be that out of the ordinary for me to be extra flirtatious in order to keep up appearances, right?

And maybe it'll be enough affection that Ryan can't help but to at least gain a small bit of feelings towards me.

"Okay..." I say quietly and Eden squeals, throwing her arms around me. "Can we just.. go to class?" I groan, trying to pry myself out of her grip.

"Sure! Of course! Thank you Bren!" The girl is out of my car in a flash and I sigh deeply. Well that didn't go in the direction I wanted to.

This was the first sign of my breakdown.

I should've known the minute I agreed to go to a party, but what can I say...

I was smitten over Ryan.

And I had absolutely no control over my actions anymore.

Not when he was involved.

***

"So you wouldn't want to go to a party with me this weekend, would you?" I casually as Ryan as we worked on our group assignment. Knowing your body and what it's feeling. Yeah, maybe I should really pay attention for this lesson. Cause obviously I have no fucking clue what's happening with me.

"Sure!" Ryan's voice is chipper as ever. His eyes are especially golden today. For whatever reason it makes me heart beat a hundred times faster.

"Damn... You were supposed to say, 'No Brendon, why on earth would I want to go to a shitty high school party?'." I moan, cursing myself for even asking.

"Well... I mean I haven't gotten to experience it yet." He shrugs, but a smile suddenly appears on his face. "Besides, why wouldn't I want to spend more time with my lovely lovely boyfriend." The boy taps my nose and I feel my cheeks burn.

"Oh, fuck you." I yelp, dropping my head onto the table.

"Maybe some day soon, Daddy."

Now that... that evokes a whole other emotion from me. God, he's got me by the balls.