*FLASHBACK*
*RYDEL'S POINT OF VIEW*
I remember being woken up. I thought we had just hit a bumpy patch in the road, but I heard a familiar voice crying. Everyone was asleep but me, who could be crying? I then saw the glow of a phone from the bunk across mine. Ratliff's bunk. I scampered off my middle bunk, trying not to wake up either of my brothers above or below me.
I tapped him lightly, and I think I scared him. He flinched and he was dimly lit by the radiance of the texting screen. "Dell!" Ratliff sniffed.
Before he could explain, I told him to get out of his bunk and follow me. I took him to, what I thought, was the safest place on the bus-the bathroom. It was cramped in there, we were basically chest to chest, until he sat on the toilet and used it as a seat.
"Ellington, why are you crying?" I crouched down onto my knees, and held my hands on his knees for balance. I also used his first name to be more serious, which I never called him.
"Kel...Kel," He stammered, not being able to complete his sentence. "She broke up with me." He tore off some of the toilet paper next to him and used it as a tissue, sounding as loud as an elephant.
"Are you okay, what happened?" I was completely shocked. 5 years of Ellington's life. Gone. Everyone was sure Ell and Kelly were going to get married someday.
"Does it look like I'm okay?" He whispered loudly. "Sorry, Rydel. I guess I'm just mad. She finally admitted to me that she just fell out of love."
"Oh, Ratliff!" I started tearing up myself. Good job Rydel, trying to comfort your best friend and you start crying too. He stood up, and we just held each other close. We tried walking in circles while hugging, like if we were slow dancing, but the vanity got in the way and almost got Ratliff's leg.
"Thanks, Delly Belly." He stared into my brown eyes, and I stared into his amazing hazel eyes. He's not that much taller than me, but I still had to look up despite 3 inches.
"No problem, E-Rat." We both walked nonchalantly back to our bunks, and fell back asleep.
And that kids, is the day I realized that I love Ellington Lee Ratliff.
