Friendzoned

Chapter 13

Ryder

 

This is the response I got from Rae. I don’t know why I texted her because I have no idea what I am going to say to her. I just want to spend some time with her. Brittany doesn’t make it very easy to hang out with Rae and be friends when she won’t get off of me.

I lay on the trampoline waiting for Rae to show up. Brittany left an hour ago so I’m not worried about her coming along and messing everything up again. I checked my phone about every 10 seconds. Time goes by so slowly when you are waiting for someone. Suddenly I heard a slight whisper from behind me.

“Hey? Ryder? Is that you?” I couldn’t tell who was speaking. It was starting to get dark and she was talking very quietly. I could barely hear her over the people talking around the fire. I sat up and turned around to face the mystery voice. It was Rae.

“Hey Rae!” I said, sounding way too enthusiastic.

“Why did you text me to meet you here?” She asked in a hushed voice. She is making it seem like this is a private meeting that no one can know about. There was no one else around us. Everyone else was too busy telling stories, gossiping, eating marshmallows, and talking at the bonfire.

“I wanted to hang out with you. We haven’t been able to talk all night.”

“That’s because you were too busy sticking your tongue down Brittany’s throat. You should have hung out with Jake and me. He is really funny!” she replied in a loud tone. I wish I could have been with them instead of Brittany. I mean, I really like Brittany and everything, but she is just so clingy and demanding all the time. She never wants to have fun anymore. It seems like she is too busy trying to impress everyone with how many times she kisses me.

Rae has managed to climb onto the trampoline and lay down next to me without me noticing. I must have been deep in thought. She propped herself up on her elbows and looked down at me.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked with curiosity.

“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about what my plans for this summer are. What will I do with all my spare time now that school is over? Three months is a long time to do absolutely nothing.” I kept rambling on. Why can’t I just stop talking?

“Mmhhhmmmmm. I seriously doubt it! That look on your face was pretty intense. You didn’t even notice me coming up here and laying down next to you. But whatever, I won’t make you talk about it if you don’t want to.” She responded.

I just stared at her, how did she know wasn’t thinking of summer.

“Want to know the truth?” I asked. She just smiled. “I was just thinking about how beautiful the moon light is making you look right now.” I smiled it off hoping she would ask more. She just nodded her head with a fake smile and leaned back beside me.

“It is a beautiful night isn’t it.” I knew the question wasn’t meant to have an answer so I didn’t answer. “Have you ever wished you were a star?” She asked. What a weird question.

“No, not normally. In my free time I like to wish that I am a tree.” I answered laughing.

“Hey! I am being serious!” She said shoving me playfully. “What I was trying to say is just being up there and not having any problems and just watching the world. Watching the people go by with there every day lives. You know I probably just sound crazy. Ha-ha just ignore me. I guess I just enjoy watching other people more than living my life.”

“I understand you totally. I really don’t think its crazy sounding at all.” I explained. The truth was it did sound crazy, but I enjoyed hearing her talk and I didn’t want her to stop.

“Anyway, onto a better subject, how are things between you and Brittany? You guy seemed pretty close today!” she said with a smirk. I knew she was going to end up bringing her up. I really don’t feel like discussing this with her of all people.

“Oh, you know. Things are fine I guess.” I answered. If I give her bare-boned answers, maybe she would get the hint. But she didn’t.

“Just fine? Are you guys dating yet? I think you guys would be a cute couple.” You could just barely hear a different opinion in her voice. It almost sounded like she didn’t want us to be together at all. I wanted to ask her about it, but I was worried she would go off about how she doesn’t like Brittany. Even worse, I was worried she wouldn’t care at all.

“We haven’t made it official yet. So, tell me about you and Jake. You were flirting with him all afternoon.” I said, trying to change the subject as quickly as possible.

“What about us? We are just friends. But he is really nice and sweet!” she exclaimed. “Wait a minute… I was not flirting with him! We were just hanging out. Which reminds me; I left him sitting helplessly alone with Lexi! Poor Jake! I told him I was just going to the bathroom. I should probably get back.”

“Wait, you can’t leave! You just got here. Come on Rae, I want to spend some time with you. We never get to hang out just the two of us anymore.” I whined, hoping it would get her to stay. By the look on her face, it wasn’t really working. She made it seem like she actually liked Jake! I couldn’t even stand the thought it.

“Well whose fault is that?!” she yelled. “I’m trying to be friends and hang out but it’s kind of hard with Brittany hanging all over you all the time! She is so protective of you! You guys aren’t even dating! Don’t get me wrong; I am really happy for you guys, but it just makes me mad when you make it sound like it is my fault that we aren’t hanging out anymore when it obviously isn’t.” Uh-oh. She’s angry. I sat up slowly. There was a long, awkward silence before I spoke again.

“I’m sorry Rae. Please don’t be angry. I will talk to Brittany about laying off a little. I wasn’t trying to blame it on you either. Please stay. Just for a little longer.” I said quietly. Just then her phone lit up. The light from her screen was so bright that it blinded me for a few seconds before I could see clearly again. She reached down to look at the text she just received.

“It’s my mom.” She replied. “She says it’s time for me to come home. I have to go tell Jake and Lexi goodbye. See you later, I guess.” Rae got up and hopped off the side of the trampoline and jogged over to the fire. I watched her run up to Jake and give him and Lexi a hug goodbye before she left. I swore I saw her look back at me before she turned the corner of the house.

“Well that didn’t go as well as I thought it would.” I said out loud to myself. I plopped back down and stared up at the stars for what seemed like forever. After about 30 minutes, I decided it was time to go home.