Needing Hope

Miss Player

Skylar’s POV

I walked back into my room and pulled out my phone checking the time. I had a few hours before supper so I decided to go for a run. I pulled on a pair of track shorts and changed into a sports bra. I laced up my sneakers when I heard a soft knock at my door. I opened it to see Ryan standing there.

“Hey,” I said smiling slightly.

He didn’t answer though and I noticed his eyes roaming over my exposed legs. His eyes landed on my stomach and his whole body froze. I felt my signature smirk creep onto my face and I leaned against the doorframe crossing my arms over my chest.

“Take a picture it’ll last longer,” I said my smirk widening.

His eyes shot to my face and he brought his phone out pointing the camera at me. I took a step back raising my arms and shaking my head, “Ryan I was just kidding.”

“I know,” he said a smirk of his own falling onto his face.

I rolled my eyes, but a smile hinted at my lips. I put my hands on my hips and rolled my weight onto my right foot smiling as the light from the camera flashed. I stepped forwards looking at his phone and I saw he was typing out a message to someone named Cole that said ‘my new sister’ with the picture attached to it.

“Who’s Cole?” I asked after he pressed send.

“Just a friend,” he said his eyes drifting down to my stomach again.

Subconsciously he rolled his bottom lip into his mouth, “You didn’t tell me you had a naval piercing,” he said still staring at my stomach.

“Oh yeah, I got it when I was 16. Mom was pissed, but a week later she went and got one,” I said smiling at the memory.

Ryan took a step towards me and put his hand on my hip pulling me into his chest. There was a seductive smirk on his lips and I smirked back leaning against his chest.

“So is this sexy outfit for me?” he breathed running a finger up and down my side. I felt tingles shot down my spine and I smiled, he was good but I’m better.

“Yes,” I said pushing my chest against him and wrapping my arms around his neck.

Our faces were inches apart and I could hear his breath picking up. I smirked and leaned in closer putting my mouth to his ear. “I’m not having sex with you,” I breathed in his ear.

His shoulder tensed and I pulled back to see confusion grace his features. “Why not?” He asked, his ego obviously hurt.

“I’m going for a run,” I said pulling out of his hold, grabbing my headphones and my IPod, and then brushed past him.

I jogged down the stairs and hollered at Mom telling her I was going for a run. I slide the backdoor open and walked into the backyard. I opened the gate and waved at our neighbors who were sitting on their patio. I put my headphones in and jogged to the edge of the water.

The water lapped at my shoes and started my run feeling the sand and salt-water spray my back. A flock of seagulls scattered as I approached taking off in flight only to swoop back down after I had passed. I dodged a little red headed boy running towards the water and his mother shot me a thankful smile.

My ponytail slapped my back as I ran and I let my mind drift to Ryan. He looks so reserved; Mom said he was outgoing and full of life. I didn’t see any of that in him now; he just looked empty and lost. He seemed pretty quiet too, I hope he makes friends and doesn’t hate it here.

The thought hit me with alarming force and I felt like an idiot for not realizing before, he must be depressed about his parent’s death. You can’t get over something like that in a month. This move has to be really hard on him or maybe it’s the opposite, maybe he will take it as a way out of the pain and hurt.