Bad luck and second chances (ON HOLD!!)

Chapter 12 - Ryan reveals [part 2]

We all ordered and waited for our food to arrive. Ryan looked like he was about to die from hunger anytime soon. He drank his beverage in three gulps.

In the restaurant, there were around eight waiters. All of them had their own tables to serve so our table got stuck with the same waitress Ryan had flirted with. Stella was raging. She took every chance she got to look at Ryan's face and give him a nasty look, never letting go of the fork in her hand.

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We talked, we ate and laughed.After a long time we finally were together with the whole group and... Happy? Not everyone, though. My mood got spoiled by Ryan's behavior. He acted unlike himself. He held a jerk act up and it was getting more and more on my nerves.

The boys were joking around and laughing. I was happy that they all could get along just fine, but when Ryan was about to stand up and go to ask the waitress's number he had reached my limit. 

"Ryan! Follow me, we have to talk. Now." I ordered him and also stood up from my chair.  He nodded and followed me obediently. 

"So, what is this? What is this whole act you have put up? For god's sake, Alyssa is here. From what I know you guys haven't broken up and I didn't notice any hatred or anything between you two. You're acting like a complete douche bag. I don't see any reason for this, Ryan. It's not fair towards her." I searched his face for answers. Ryan looked anywhere but at me. His face had a hint of irritation and that was making him look like more of a jerk than he already was in my eyes.

"Can you at least look at me when I talk to you? Ryan, please. Can I have an explanation of this behavior?"

"Could you stop asking me these questions? What are you of mine that I have to give an explanation? Well, even if you were one of my parents I'm not doing anything wrong!"

"Stop it, you guys," a soft voice interrupted us. I looked behind me and saw Alyssa walking closer to us. Apparently, she had heard us yelling at each other. "He's right. He is indeed not doing anything wrong. And I'm not feeling betrayed or anything also." Alyssa smiled.

"B- but... Ryan,didn't you notice how disgusting he was over there. Obviously all over that waitress? How do you guys consider that as nothing wrong?" I protested.

Alyssa chuckled. "It's really not, April. Uh, why don't you get back to our table? Your lasagna is probably already cold...  I want to get some fresh air and Ryan will keep me company, so you can go first?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah... I'll just never get you two I guess. Go have your love-bird time, I won't ask to join. Geez, you can't be more forward when it comes to getting rid of me, can you?"  

And with that, I walked away from them. But not too far away from them. I had to know what exactly had been going on. That lasagna can wait, I don't care. Maybe someone ate it already. And that someone would be Nathan. That boy is just like a vacuum cleaner for my food or leftovers. 

I watched the couple walking outside of the restaurant. I followed them, still carefully listening to every word and making sure that they weren't seeing me.

Ryan put his hands in his hair. "I don't know what has gotten to me, Lyss... I'm not even sure how long I can hold this. I know it's not my secret to tell and that this was all my idea, but I just can't anymore..."

"You've helped me enough. It's okay if you want to end this. I know how you must be feeling, trust me. If you had not come with this idea I would still be stuck in that forced relationship. And I am seriously thankful for that." Alyssa frowned and gave Ryan a small smile. She put her hand on her chest.

"I also know that this heart does not really beat for me. I know you care a lot about her. I just don't think this is the right time to confess or even start anything with her. She has already laid her eyes on that boy Sh-"

Cars rode past the restaurant and I couldn't hear who Alyssa was talking about.  I cursed the at the cars. Yes, the cars. I put my hand over my mouth to stop myself from making any sounds which they could possibly hear.

When all of the cars where gone and the silence was back again, I heard Ryan scoff as a reply to Alyssa.

"That's nothing serious. April has just a stupid crush. Those "feelings" will go away in no time. You'll see, he'll be nothing more than just a friend." 

My eyes widened after hearing my own name.  My heart started beating faster and the oxygen level seemed to get less by the second because even when I removed my hand from my mouth I started breathing unusually fast. "This cannot... be happening here- Not now!" I breathed.

"I guess this is it, then? I'm breaking up with you... Not that we ever actually dated. But for the formality, to end this whole act for once and for all... I suggest you to tell her whenever you're ready. The truth will come out one day , Ryan. It's better that she hears it from your mouth. I'll be alright. Then, I was a very weak girl and I couldn't stand up for myself against Jason. He and I are in the past now and I know that I can call you for help whenever he decides to show up in front of my house again... I'm glad that you were there at the last time that he beat me up and rescued me from him. If you weren't there I think I would've ended up in the hospital... "But, that is in the past now. I'll  be alright."

Ryan sighed and nodded in reply. He took her hand from his chest and put it around his neck. He then pulled her body towards his and hugged her tightly. He whispered something and snuggled his head in her neck.  

I couldn't hear it and I wouldn't be able to if he spoke louder either because my breathing had gotten extremely fast and also louder. But if my ability for lip reading is that great, than he must have said something like "Are you sure you're gonna be okay without me?"

I started to get weak in my legs and dropped on the ground. The sound of my body falling on the asphalt got the attention of both Alyssa and Ryan. 

"April!" they both yelled. Ryan ran towards me and held his hand under my head.  

"What are you doing?! Call an ambulance, quickly!" He growled at Alyssa.

She jumped from his voice, she got in shock when she saw me fall.

"Wha-, Yeah, right! Where is my phone?" 

"Damn it! Can't you just for once remember where you put that thing? Here, use mine!" Ryan threw his phone at her an she quickly dialed the emergency number. 

"Hi, this is Alyssa McKnight speaking. My best friend is having an anxiety attack, she dropped on the ground. Please send an ambulance here! We're in front of the new "Square" restaurant. And let them hurry up, her condition is getting worse by the second!"

Ryan bend over me to whisper in my ear.

"You sneaky lady... Eaves dropping, weren't you? Everything will be alright, April Jane. And when you're in a better state, I promise you, I'll still be Alyssa's fake boyf- I mean ex- fake boyfriend."