I Wanna Be Free, I Wanna Be Loved

Ch. 25: Everything I Do Is Bittersweet

RACHEL'S POV

People started to file out and by three in the morning the last party guest was gone. Spencer, Ryan, Hannah, Brendon, and I all stared at the house with a scared look on each of our faces. It was so messy but if we put off cleaning it, nothing would get done and we'd have a lot of explaining to do when mom got home from her trip.

"Okay, we need a plan" Ryan said.

"Agreed" Spencer said.

"What can I do to help?" Hannah asked.

"Oh no, my dear. This was your party for your birthday. You go off to bed and just relax, we'll clean this all up" Ryan said.

Oh god, his crush on her was become really unbearable. I wanted them to be together because they clearly both felt something for the other, even if she did seem to have a new found attachment to Spencer. They'd be close the whole night and I think I even saw them kiss once or twice. I liked Spencer, he was a good friend but I didn't want him and Hannah to date, and I know Ryan didn't want them to date either. 

"Hey Spence, join me for a talk won't you?" I asked.

"Uh sure?" he said.

I took him into the garage and we sat down on the small stairs. He was texting someone and I waited for him to send the message before I spoke.

"What's up?" he asked, sliding his phone into his pocket.

"What's the deal with you and Hannah?" I asked.

"What do you mean? We're friends" he said.

"Spencer, there is CLEARLY something going on between you and her. You know Ryan loves her right?"

"Yes but had he done anything about it? No. When she pissed her off she came to me, I dried her tears, I'm taking her to formal, and I'm going to be the one who is there for her right now. If he ever does anything, I'll let her go"

"You're really going to hurt my brother like that? Your best friend in the entire world. The kid that you-"

"Rachel, I'm not hurting anyone. Ryan is a pussy, I'm just giving Hannah some love. Now can we go clean up this party?"

"Sure, but this isn't over"

We went back inside and found that the mess was half gone. Brendon, Ryan, and Hannah had done so much while Spencer and I had our little talk. I cared about Hannah a lot and I cared about my brother even more and the fact that his friend was betraying him like this just pissed me off. We finished throwing away all the trash and straighted up the house before collapsing in the living room. I was on Brendon's lap in the recliner, Hannah was laying on top of Spencer on the couch, and Ryan was sitting on the floor forever alone. 

RYAN'S POV

I was surrounded by couples, well one official couple and then a couple of my friends that were tipping my last nerve. Hannah had a smile of satisfaction upon her face and Spencer stroked her arm.

"Spencer, will you get your hands off her stomach please?" I snapped.

"Jealous?" Spencer asked as he held Hannah closer to him.

"Boys..." Rachel warned "I think we should all go to sleep, the sun is practically out"

"Good plan, sis. Spencer, Brendon do you guys need rides home?" I asked.

"It's not cool if we crash here?" Brendon asked.

"Yeah Ry, I'm enjoying snuggle time" Hannah cooed as she turned around to kiss Spencer. Oh god, were they a thing now? Had I lost my girl to my best friend?

"You all can spend the night as long as were separated by gender. Boys downstairs, girls in their room" I said.

"Geez, I thought this was supposed to be a party" Hannah said.

"I am the oldest one here, you will do what I say" I commanded.

"Umm, if I remember correctly your mom left ME in charge so technically my word is law" Hannah snapped back.

"Well that was a mistake because you're clearly more concerned with kissing my friend than making sure everything is okay"

"God Ryan calm down. Come on, Han. Let's go to bed" Rachel said as the girls kissed their boys goodnight and scurried upstairs, Hannah blew one last kiss to Spencer and they both smiled. I glared at Spencer before heading to go upstairs.

"Hey, boys downstairs, girls upstairs" Brendon mocked "Unless there's something you're not telling us"

"Fuckin' chill, man. I'm just going to get pajamas" I said before going to my room. I changed and grabbed extra shit for the boys. I walked past the girls' room and heard them whispering.

"So I'm thinking when Ry falls asleep, we sneak Bren and Spence up here" Hannah said.

"Good plan, I'll pop some cookies in the oven. This will be epic" Rachel said.

They giggled some more and a knot formed in my stomach. Betrayed by my own sister and the girl who held my heart. Dirty, rotten bitches. I went downstairs, threw the pajamas at the boys, and curled up on the floor to wait, not sleep.