The Story Of Us

Chapter 24; Nothing Will Be The Same

**Alyssa's POV**

  Ryan invited us to meet up, me and Katie were surprised when we saw Jose there too. We all brought our gifts, when we took them out me and Katie were bawling.

He remembered.

I smiled, I couldn't tell if I was happy or sad. I looked at Jose, he looked so cold. Not physically, but emotionally.

*Jose's POV**

  I don't know why I agreed to come along, it was like an obligation.

I remembered what happened after me and Ryan's meeting

Ryan stared from the shirt to me, then he started shaking himself.

"You... Dumbass." He insulted me.

I just stood there breathless.

"You think I haven't figured you out? Starting shit? TWISTING THE STORY?" He mimicked.

  I held in my breath hoping I wouldn't explode.

"You're leaving us, it was only a mater of time." He spat out, by his eyes he believed every word.

I couldn't meet his eyes, I felt shame. Shame of the truth, if he found out why, he'd throw a fit.

"I don't get it bro, why now? After we've come so far as friends you just go and-"

He cut himself off. I couldn't utter a word.

"You left. Like you always do, like you always did." He finished.

He stepped closer to me and I could feel his presence.

"LOOK AT ME." He demanded.

I looked up at him, my eyes were burning and maybe tears were falling but I couldnt feel them. I could feel myself going cold, and numb and scared. I didn't want to tell the truth, because I knew it would hurt everyone.

"Because I know. I know you don't have much time and i-"

"You ran." He finished my sentence.

"You coward." He insulted me.

"Is that what you expected me to say?" He asked.

"Because I know that's bullshit." He pointed out.

"How can you even say that bullshit to me with a straight face?" He questioned me again.

I unclenched my fist and relaxed myself.

"I have to make you all stronger." I admitted without any restrictions.

He stood there without a word, then he started heading toward the door. Before he went out he said something, low enough for me to hear.

"You know, I don't have a lot of time left. So, drop your plans." He told me with empty words, I could hear his voice crack near the ending.

Now here we were, all of us had texts from Ryan telling us to meet.

I didn't want to look at the other two, Katie and Lis. By the looks of it, they didn't want me here. They didn't hear the truth, maybe not Lis but Katie... she refused to even accept my existence.

"Open your bags." Ryan told us. I took out the T-shirt from earlier.

Every T-Shirt had our names on it, same design, but it was better than before. Better than the 12year old versions and previous ones. We all laughed, the memory of those days were too much.