Paired

Paired: Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Ryan..might love me?

Sorry, but of all things I thought would happen, that was least expected. I mean, I like Ryan, sure. But when he told me it wouldn't work, I lost all feelings for him.

Also, after what Ryan said, I....went to Fintan. Fintan told me not to worry and that we could build on our relationship. So I could trust him. At first, we didn't quite see eye to eye. Then before Ryan got arrested, Fintan purposed to me. Of course I had to say yes. Before that, I was waiting for Ryan to come be be my knight and shining armor. That never happened

How was I supposed to get out of all of this? I couldn't tell Ryan that I didn't love him. That wouldn't be fair. I couldn't tell Fintan that I wouldn't marry him. I didn't love Fintan, but I think that I might love Ryan.

I went to go talk to me dad when I ran straight into a wall. I grabbed my nose and cried in pain.

"Chayna!" My dad was screaming. I only ran into a wall for gosh sake.

"Dad, I'm fine really. I just....ran into a wall." I giggled, but since that sound comes out your nose when you giggle, that didn't feel too good.

"I'm going to take you to the nurse. But before I do that, why are you up?"

He was on to me...us.

"I had to go to the bathroom."

"Okay, that's fine sweetie, hurry up and make it there okay?"

"Okay dad."

I walked down to the nurse and she said I broke my nose and had a black eye. Fintan was going to be really mad since I messed up my face. Maybe Ryan would too. Stop thinking about him. Your marrying Fintan. My inner conscience commanded. I was right. I should be thinking about Ryan. No, Fintan. Ryan? Fintan? Who?

"Chayna?" a gentle voice came into view.

"Oh. My. Gosh."

"Does it look that bad?"

"Cleo, did you get hit by a bus?"

"Not exactly. I was coming to see Ryan, because I heard what was going on between you two," she winked at me. I rolled my eyes. "and then all of a sudden Fintan arrives and tells me that I can't see him." she took a hard gulp. "I told him that I could do whatever I wanted and then, well, a man came into my house and started chasing me. And he pushed me down the entire 3 flights of stairs we have." She had bruises up and down her entire body.

"And Fintan did this?" I wasn't even surprised. She nodded.

"Okay, good." she gave me a confused look. "Fintan asked me to marry him and I had to say yes, of course, and I don't want to marry him. So now I have an excuse to 'not' marry him."

"What?" Fintan came around the corner.

"shoot." I mumbled.

"You don't want to marry me?"

"Um, Fintan. No. You're not nice. At all. Your handsome, sure. Nice? No. Generous? Never. Considerate? Not a smidge bit. So, no. I don't want to marry you. Oh! Your also very selfish."

"I did all of this for us."

"No, you did all of," I motioned my hands around the police station. "this for us."

"Goodbye." He walked around the corner, and I never saw him again. Ha! I wish it was that easy. Of course, he won't leave my alone anytime soon. But he did leave.

"Cleo, I need you to slip this note to Ryan, okay?"

Ryan,

I can't be in love with you. I know that in a way, I am. But, I can't. I don't need the feeling of betraying you or Fintan behind me. I can't choose one of you. In my gut, I feel a burning passion for Fintan. In my heart, there is a fire like passion with you. Do you understand? I can't deal with any of this. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you the way you hurt me. I have no choice, I really am sorry. Please don't come looking for me. I'm leaving with Chimala and Lauren. Cleo will send you any new information about me. I regret it being my fault for you in prison. I know you will argue, but you can't argue in a note, can you? So this is why I chose a note. I again apoligize for for me leaving, I know this will be hard, but you and Fintan will move on. Fintan especially. I love you Ryan, I hope that you never have to see me again.

Chayna.

I explained everything to Cleo, Chimala and Lauren. They all agreed and Cleo promised to update. I didn't tell my dad anything. I spoke to my mom, and she said to call her. I know I'm my daddy's little girl, so I couldn't tell him. We left early the next morning.

"Chayna? Are you sure you want to do this?" Lauren asked me while driving onto the highway.

"I can't stand either of them, Lauren. It's for the best, really." I answered, tone unchanged.

"I'm glad you found a solution. If your happy, I'm happy." Chimala said. She was my sister and I will always love her.

"Chimala, I'm not happy. I won't be happy for a long time now. Okay? But I want you to be happy. I can't think happily if your not happy. Okie Dokie?" I told her carefully.

"Okay." she said quietly and dropped her head low.

We drove for many hours in the night. We finally stopped and slept in the car. There weren't exactly motels is our society. Morning came, as expected, and I took over we driving. Laurens aunt was totally rich and owned three houses. We were going to the one in the north. We drove all day, and all night. When we arrived, it was later afternoon, and we had a message from Cleo. I opened the phone, and out came Ryan's voice.

Chimala. Do you want to make me suffer? Me not having you in my life is like humans not breathing on oxygen. I need you, Chayna. Please come back, if you don't, I will come for you. My trial is in three days and I won't be held in here, not if it's worth losing you. Nothing is worth losing you. I never knew how much you meant to me in my life until you were gone. That, safe feeling that you'll be alright is gone. I'll go crazy. Do you want to continue to make my life miserable? If so, too bad. I will find you.

Ryan

Man, he never gives up, does he?