e-Bae

10

(A/N Finally, an update! The next few chapters will be picking up the pace after this, so consider this to be the semi-calm before the storm.)

Ryan slumped down onto the floor outside her bedroom, sliding down the door that did nothing to keep Thomas's words from her ears. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back, her wet hair brushing the shoulders of her once dry shirt. She didn't know how to fix what she had done. There were no books in her school library that described how to handle the emotional instability that resulted from being a literary character in the real world.

She was at a loss, and from hearing the muffled attempts of Tobias to be comforting, she knew he was out of his element as well.

How do you get yourself out of this one, Rye? You can't run from this too.

Her thoughts broke away when she felt a vibration against her thigh, and she jumped at the buzzing sound that resulted from her phone ringing against the hardwood floor. Tugging the device from her back pocket, she pressed the screen to answer and held it against her ear.

"Hello," she said, hearing the voices in her room lower to the point of virtual silence. 

"Hey, darlin'."

Ryan's eyes widened when she recognized the familiar twang of Caleb's voice, making her want to smack a hand against her forehead when she realized that she was supposed to go to Clancy's with him that evening. 

"Are we still on for tonight?" he asked, tone cheerful. She could almost imagine the ever-present grin curling his lips, and then she thought of how his expression would fare after she had to cancel. She dreaded the thought of disappointing Caleb, but she couldn't leave Thomas in the state he was in, especially when it was her fault. 

Ryan opened her mouth to say exactly that, but was cut off by the sturdy wooden door disappearing from behind her. Letting out a squeal, she fell onto her back, eyes looking up to meet the now taller looking Toby.

"Just give me one sec, Caleb," she murmured quickly, ending the call and giving Tobias a sheepish grin. He shook his head as he watched her push herself from the floor, offering a hand to steady her once she got on her feet.

"Caleb, huh?" he said, raising an eyebrow.

Ryan rolled her eyes.

"I was just going to cancel going to Clancy's with him," she said, casting an inquiring look behind him to see Thomas tugging on his shoes.

"Why?" Tobias asked with a gasp, the tired look in his eyes being polished with the glint of mischief that only meant bad things for her. "Aren't you secretly in love with him, or did I misread your emotions?"

Ryan crossed her arms, cocking her hip to the side. She didn't really want to talk about this, not when she wanted to ask him what Thomas said.

More like if he hates me.

"Besides" Tobias began, "Thomas and I are about to abandon you and go to the park. I don't want to come back and see that you've added another animal to your collection. Crazy dog ladies are just as plausible as the cat ones."

He turned around to glance at the boy in her room, who was now approaching the door.

"I'll meet you downstairs," Toby said to him before disappearing down the steps, winking at her in his departure.

Ryan pressed her lips together, chewing on the inside of her lip while avoiding Thomas's gaze. She didn't know what to say, and was afraid that any words she did decide to let escape would only make the situation worse. It was silent in the hall for a moment, her mind in utter turmoil as she waited for a reaction she could not anticipate. After a few moments of this, she heard a sigh, and felt two arms wrap around her in a semi-awkward hug.

Her shoulders dropped after the tense muscles that held them up loosened in relief. Letting her crossed arms fall to her sides, Ryan wrapped her own arms around Thomas, face pressed tightly to his chest.

"I'm so sorry, Thomas," her muffled voice said, and she felt him let another sigh.

"Ryan," he began, voice vibrating in his chest, "this really isn't your fault. It's just going to take a second to get used to. Maybe going out for a while would just help reality settle in, I guess. Don't blame yourself."

He paused.

"And don't cancel on that guy, okay? I've already disrupted things around here enough."

Ryan let her arms drop from Thomas's waist, his arms still around her, while she nodded. 

"Sure, as long as you stop suffocating me," she said around the fabric of his shirt.

Releasing her, a hesitant laugh escaped him.

"Deal."