The Lost Girl

Chapter 6 When things start to reveal itself

                   *Three weeks later* 

*Ryland and Jaelynn have been hanging out more as friends and they start to create a closer friendship*

            It is time for class and Celeste is waking everyone up so we are on time. Celeste was always the responsible friend who would try to prevent Layla and me from getting into any trouble. I got up from my bed right away. I had a really good night sleep tonight. Layla is moaning because of her headaches. She claims the room is spinning, but I don't get it. I asked Celeste, "Why does Layla have a headache and claim the room is spinning. She barely wants to get out of bed." Celeste said, "It's just a hangover. A hangover is when someone drinks too much and then the next day they get a huge headache and they can't really function properly." I am really confused right now because everyone says to drink a lot of water but it can't be healthy because then you get a hangover. I just let it go. My parents have always taught me to ask as little questions as possible. Celeste tells me to go to class and she will take care of Layla. I walk to class and the only empty seat is the one next to Ryland. I have these weird feelings again. It's like whenever I'm around him I start to feel a tingle inside. As I am listening to what the teacher is saying, I am typing my notes on my laptop. The professor has a funny accent and sometimes I have to hold myself back from laughter because it is embarrassing to laugh in front of everyone. The class is over and I get up. As I am starting to head towards the door, I feel a light tap on my shoulder. I hear a voice go "Jaelynn". I recognize that voice right away, it's Ryland. I respond, "What?". "I wanted to now if you wanted to come with me to the party tonight". All I thought I could say was "sure". "So pick you up at 8?". "That sounds good". As I walk back to my dorm room, I feel a tap on my butt and I turn around and say, "who was that? don't you dare do that again." It was some guy, I wonder what he was trying to accomplish by doing that. In my opinion, that is a weird way of affection. As I get closer to my room, I trip over a rock and fall right on my face. I hurt so bad that I couldn't get up. I hate my life. I dust myself off and walk more towards the dorm room. I use my keys to open the door and I lay my things down and start to get ready to go out with Ryland. As I walk in, I see Layla eating a giant cheeseburger. I asked her why she was eating that and she told me because it made her feel good. The one thing I think my parents didn't lie about was that it's wrong to eat animals. Everything else they ever told me I believe was a lie. I feel so lost. I feel stupid because I don't know anything that most people my age know. Oh right, that reminds me. I need to ask Celeste what rape is. I know if I ask Layla that she would just flat out start to laugh in my face. "Layla, where is Celeste?" "She is in her room, Jae". "Okay, thanks." I had in her and knock on her door, I hear her say "come in". I walk in the room and ask her, "what is rape?". She has a shocked look on her face at first but then it seems like she realized how much my parents kept me in the dark my whole life. Celeste responds, "It's when someone has sex with someone without their consent. I'll give you an example that applies to you know so it's easier for you to understand. Let's say you are at a party and you are with a guy and then he decides to slip a roofie in your drink so you knock out completely. What will happen is the guy will try to have sex with you when you are unaware. In other words, he may start to take advantage of you." I now have another question, "what is sex?" I hear a ring on my doorbell. It's Ryland! Nevermind, I gotta go. I'm going to a party with my friend. "Who? What friend? Since when do you have other friends Jae?" "Bye, I gotta go, I'll explain later." I walk out the door and Ryland is there to walk with me to the party. He goes and holds my hand. I feel that weird tingle again. WHAT IS IT. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND THIS FEELING. I don't feel happy, sad, scared or angry. I can't seem to pinpoint what this feeling is. Ryland asks me "so how was your day?" "Good." "How's your friend doing? She got pretty wasted last night." "She is fine now, she has a bit of a hangover. I have a question." "Ask away." "Why do people get headaches when drinking too much? I thought drinking a lot was good for you." "Who told you that?" He chuckles a little bit. He has the cutest laugh. I can't get over it. "My parents always told me to drink a lot of water. Then again, I was never able to really trust my parents when they told me things. Growing up I was kept in the dark about everything. My parents never told me anything, they lied to me about almost everything they told me. I don't think I can trust them anymore. I spoke too much. I got too deep too quickly. Great, I hate myself."   Ryland then grins and puts his arm around me. He says "don't worry about it, I think it's kind of cute. Everyone has a past, don't hate yourself for something you didn't have control over." With his arm around me, the feeling I can't explain grows stronger. I wonder if he feels what I feel inside. If he does feel the same thing I do, I will ask him what that feeling is. 

     We walk into the party and we sit down by a table. I ask him "tell me a little bit about yourself." He tells me,"well I grew up in a middle-class home. I grew up in LA. My parents sent me to an all-boys school in high school because they wanted to put me "on the right track". I had the worst high school experience ever." I said, "OMG, me too!! Well, I went to an all girls school and it wasn't only for high school. I pretty much grew up going to one of those types of schools. I had a pretty boring high school experience because my parents would never let me go out with my friends. If I wanted to hang out with them they had to come to my house." Ryland said, "I can see we have things in common already. Do you want to leave early and take a walk outside?" I respond, "of course, I really enjoy walks outside, they calm me." "Same." As we are walking we start to have a conversation about some random things. Then from a distance I see Layla and she is inhaling smoke. She looks like she is in her own world. She is laughing and talking to herself. Quite honestly she looks kind of stupid. "Isn't that your friend, Jaelynn?", Ryland said. "Yes, it sure is. Layla! What the hell are you doing?" Layla responds all giggly and out of it "I'm smoking weed, you want some". I then ask "What is Weed?" Then Layla starts to laugh hysterically and goes, "hahaha, you smoke it." I turn to Ryland and ask him, "Do you have any idea what is wrong with her?" Ryland then responds, "she is high". This is quite entertaining to watch. But then Ryland puts his arm around me and we start to walk away from the all the smoke. "Damn, that smells terrible". Ryland responds, "it sure does." "Ryland, I want to ask you something. Do you feel a weird feeling when you are around me? I am asking this because I always feel this feeling that I can't figure out every time I am around you. The feeling grows stronger every time You hold my hand and even more so when you put your arm around me. I just can't seem to understand what it is." Ryland has a huge smile on his face and he says "that feeling is love. This may be the first time you are feeling it which is why you don't understand it." I respond, "That makes so much sense now. Does that mean I am in love with you?" Ryland then stops walking and turns towards me and says "yes and I am so glad you feel the same way." He puts his arm around my waist and leans in. He kisses me on the mouth. That feeling has never felt so strong. I pull away and say "I don't get it, why did you do that?" Then he chuckles and says "When you decide you love someone, you kiss them." "Well in that case...." I leaned in to kiss him again and then he kisses back and puts his arms around me as I put my arms around him. He gives me a hug and asks me I want to stay at his dorm room. I gladly agree. I am sort of tired of Layla constantly getting weird headaches and her complaining about them all the time. We walk to his dorm room and we sit on the couch. We start to talk for hours and we laugh and just have fun with each other's company. Then we both fall asleep on the couch together. I have my head rested against his shoulder and he has his arm wrapped around me.