Broken - A pretty face doesn't cover an ugly heart

23

- You're a little too late, don't you think?

Ryan was observing her impatient.

- Yes.

He came closer to her, who gave a step behind for pure reflection. He stopped walking in her direction and they were staring to each other now.

- Whatever you have to say, you better start now. I don't want Barbra coming for looking for you. I don't need a group therapy.

He nodded to her.

- I'm sorry for this situation Anna. You between all people should know how much I wanted to avoid things to be a drama act.

- Yeah.

- The thing is... I really am in love with your sister. This means that we'll be seeing each other very often. I hope we can be civilized, at least.

- I get it, Ryan. Still, I can't believe you said all that crap to me acting like if it was my fault and now you're all soft, sunshine and rainbows, yeyyy!

She was doing a overreacted gesture with her hands.

- Well, but it was your fault Anna. I know I was rude, although I think those things, I shouldn't have said it. It was rude, that's why I apologize.

Anna was trying to keep her face blank. She always hated Ryan's way to apologize, because he never really take it back anything that he said, even if he was wrong.

- How was that my fault?

She asked with calm. He thought she was being sarcastic, or trying to make a fool of him, so he said straight to her:

- You were dating somebody else. Still, you let me fell for you again. That was mean Anna, we have a lot of history together. I thought I deserved more respect from you.

She was confused.

- Who was I dating? Who told you this? Are you insane?

He was thinking that she was trying to make herself look good, so he stopped trying fixing things. There was nothing that Ryan disliked more than being foolish.

- Never mind, Anna. Anyway, that's all I had to say. Bye.

He left and Anna were now intrigued. From where did he have taken that idea? It didn't make any sense to her. At least now she had a reason to explain the situation. In the end, she thought it was for the best. Ryan would always have a special place in her memories, but he didn't belong on her future anymore.

***

Barbra, Evan and Ryan were having the best time. Anna didn't left her room, so they were alone. Evan had to leave because the weekends were the only time he had to practice with his garage band, so Barbra and Ryan were alone now.

They were talking about some teenager movie that was on TV.

- Ugh. I hate how predictable these romances are. The girl always fall in love with the dangerous boy and reject the one who were in love with her forever, and then she becomes a maniac without no free will.

- Where's your sense of romance?

- That's not romance, it's vanity. You want what you can't have or are potentially a dumb choice.

- You're such a pragmatic person.

She rolled her eyes. Ryan was touching her cheek and he loved to see how she was always shy when he showed some kind of affection.

- I'm realist. People hate safe choices; it's what they call boring.

- I wouldn't say that. Safe it's safe for a reason. When you're at the middle of a rainstorm the only thing you want it's to go somewhere safe, warm and comfortable. Not staying dancing with the risk of being struck by a lightning.

She gave him a charming smile. They knew what this conversation was about, and she was happy to be with him. He makes her feel special and important. They kissed, and for a moment there were no more concerns in the world.

***

After Ryan had left, Barbra received a text from Kim.

"Hey! How are you? It's been a while, can we do something? Miss you, xxx"

She smiled. Ever since the volunteer program was over, she hadn't talked to Kim. She missed her friend as well.

"Sorry! Things are so crazy here, will be great hang out with you!"

"Why is that? You know you can talk to me, right? Pick the day"

"Yeah, don't worry. I'll tell you in person. Monday it's good for you?"

"Sure! See you there, text me the time and where"

Barbra was feeling light. It had been a great day. Her mother had already forgiven her about not telling her that Ryan was the person she was bringing, and Anna had stopped to ignore her completely. Things were getting better.
She was on her way to her room, and she wasn't expecting to see Anna sitting on her bed when she opened the door.

- Hey.

Barbra's eyes were wide open from the initial shock.

- Hi...

She replied unsure.

- Can we talk?

- Sure...

Anna took a deep breath and started to talk.

- Ryan talked to me today.

- He did?

Barbra was scared, but Anna ignored.

- He apologized for being a jerk that day, and I realized that my problem with this wasn't exactly you two dating, as weird as it is, but the fact that none of you had the consideration of telling me first.

Barbra wasn't expecting for this at all. She felt her shoulders relaxing.

- Whatever, I'm not going to spend the rest of my life punishing you for this, I have better things to do. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for going over you like a crazy.

She laughed. This had been really weird, Barbra was speechless. Seeing her sister's face, Anna added:

- I'm not going to give you a hug, stop staring at me.

Barbra put herself together and rolled her eyes. Anna said good night and left the room. This was something new for her. Apologizing definitely felt awkward. Finally, the day was over.