But Only In Red Ink || #Wattys2017

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dedicating this chapter to the fact that there WILL be a second book!! Get ready for... Idk comment some name ideas. Maybe I'll cop it.

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Once Ryan released me, I smiled at him then looked at the crowd again. Michael and Carlisle were gone. Michael was on the move and I prayed that Carlisle was going to stop him and whatever he had planned. At that moment, my brain thought about the fifty ways that I could save Ryan. I would never let him out of my sight.

We walked out to the crowd of people and took pictures upon pictures with people that I didn't even know they knew my name. It was a struggle keeping Ryan by my side.

Lights came up to me and hugged me tightly with the rest of our crew. "We want a picture, if we could fit all ten of us in it. You too, Ryan!" Lights pulled him in the middle of the group next to me. We all smiled while the flash blinded our eyes.

I grabbed Ryan's hand after the picture and whispered "you need to stay by me. Okay? Don't ask questions, just stay right here."

He looked at me with a smirk then slowly nodded. "Sometime soon I think I'm gonna want an explanation."

I mentally frowned then smirked as well, playing along with what he thought was going on. "Oh, you're gonna get your explanation very soon." This was going to get me into trouble.

He set his hand on my hip and kept me close to him with a smile.

Becky walked up to me and hugged me tightly. "I'm so proud of you," she whispered. "I knew you'd do it."

I hugged her back and reared up more. "I swore you hated me."

"No," she shook her head. "I don't hate you. I was very very pissed off with you but then I had some time to think about it. I'm actually a little excited." She laughed softly. "I'm still a little upset that it's my father but I do get a pretty great step mother."

I looked at her and smiled nervously. "We'll finish talking about this later." I tilted my head towards Ryan.

"Oh right. Definitely," she threw Ryan a forced smile. "See you at the party, Tia." Becky waved then walked over to David who was still in his football gear. They seemed to be happy to see each other. I really missed my best friend.

Ms Whiteside and Coach Cumberlorde came up to us and walked us back to the main building for more pictures. On the way, I pulled my phone out from my bra and texted Michael

Where are you?

I waited anxiously, grinning and posing for pictures in front of the black sheet, hung up against the wall. Ryan couldn't keep his hands off of me. It was pretty nice but I still worried for him.

Waiting for the game to start again. You looked beautiful out there. -M

Thank you Michael but where did you go after the kiss?

There was a short wait between the messages while Ryan took pictures with his parents.

What kiss? -M

Michael

Of course I knew what the hell she was talking about. It was the most painful thing to ever see besides seeing my wife's cold body against warm concrete.

How could she have done this to me? She knew how I felt about Ryan. She knew how I felt about sharing. I knew it was a bad idea to let her go through with this homecoming bull shit.

Watching their lips meet made my face hot and my fingers twitch. I had to get away from the crowd and to a place to calm down. Carlisle followed me under the bleachers. "Are you good," he asked. "I know that was crazy."

"I'm fine." I was fuming and my head began to throb, imagining the things I would do to both Tia and Ryan for putting me in this position. I wanted nothing more but for her and Rebecca to be happy and this is how I'm repaid? Damn her.

Carlisle looked around and sighed. "Look, we need to go sit back down. Beck will be looking for us at any moment."

I shook my head. "I need to go to the car. I'll be back. Just go sit with Beck. I'll be up there soon."

Tia

I'd gone to the bathroom for a few minutes to splash my face with a bit of water. Luckily I didn't have a full beat on my face so my makeup wouldn't run. I was nearly shaking. There was no telling what was going to happen to Ryan or when it would happen.

Going back into the chorus room, I looked around to notice that Ryan was gone. I frowned and looked towards are two teachers and camera man. "Where's Ryan?"

"He went to get something from his car, I think," Coach Cumberlorde answered.

"By himself?"

"Yeah?" Coach's face showed concern and he stepped a few inches closer to me. "What's going on?"

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What's good? What's really good?

Here's just an update! Because I know y'all impatient asses want it.

Love y'all!!

~Shann