Paired

Paired: Chapter 12

Chapter 12

This alarms went off.

Nothing was going to stop me now. I screamed an earsplitting scream and raised to crack the window glass.

crack.

The glass shattered and I stood there waiting for something to happen. Then, I realized how hot it was. There was a fire in the room Ryan was in.

I reacted quickly, running towards the door, steering around the shattered pieces of glass.

Then, BOOM.

The explosion knocked me away and I was thrown off my feet. Time moved slowly as I went backwards in the air. I could see every shatter of glass pass me by. Every single microscopic piece of ash floating in the air. Ryan, his chair knocked from under his feet. His body slowly flying towards me. But there was fire towards me. Ryan wouldn't get burned. I would save him, if it meant it was the last thing in my life that would happen. I never thought on how I would sacrifice my life for others. That never happened in any of the stories they told us. It as time for me to make one. I hurled my body towards Ryan, Knocking him away from the fire. I now saw all of his bruises.

Purple, green, blue, and a red tint to his skin. His bruises stood out like black on white. Undoubtedly, beaten for the truth. But I know that Ryan had told to truth. They just didn't believe him. Now, it was my turn to say I love you, without saying it. He would know my actions meant more than any I love you. I will miss him the most, I think. I landed near to the fire, already feeling the burn on my skin. I ran on my knees, and looked to see if Ryan was unconscious. He wasn't. He was staring at me with hatred. I only had one thing left to do, and it wasn't any question like: Why do you hate me? I could easily know the answer.

Before he could say anything, I kissed Ryan. I didn't know if I was going to live, or if I was already in Heaven, or if I was going to be in jail for the rest of my life. And I didn't care. I only cared about what Ryan thought of me. What he liked about me. What he hated about me. I was losing oxygen quickly and I pulled away, planted a gentle kiss on his cheek, and ran. I had to leave here so no one would ever bother me, or pair me up once more. I just needed to be alone. I would be asked Ryan to come, but the pain I've caused him, I would be lucky enough to get a stupid wink from him. Before I knew it, I was knocked off my feet, again, with a strong pair of arms around me. I ached and it hurt me from the impact of the explosion. I looked up and there was...

Ryan.

He looked at me, and hoarsely said, "Where do you think you're going?"

It hurt to hear his voice. His throat, probably sore from screaming. His hands, beaten up and his palms, hard from ties around his wrists trying to get loose.

I only replied, "Away from here." And with that, he picked me up, and I tried not to imagine how sore he was. He cradled me in his arms and ran out the exit. The fire trucks were everywhere. He ducked under trees and ran downhill.

"Ryan, where are you taking me?" I asked, my voice sounding like a smokers.

"Just relax." He said sorely. With that, I relaxed into his arms and worried about our future.

He ran to the bottom of the hill and stopped when he saw a lopsided cave. He threw me a worried glance and he set me down, taking me with his hands and pulling me into the dark hole.

There was 2 little hospital beds. I looked at Ryan and said, "How did you know we'd come here?"

There, on his face, he showed worry. "I knew one day I would have  to escape."

"Why? From Who?" My throat burned like fire talking. The questions just flew out.

"Um, let's see.." He said, rubbing his chin.

"Ryan, I'm serious. It's not funny." I couldn't take any jokes from him right now.

"From my family. They were never my real family. I was adopted. I was just left on a doorstep. Cruel. And cliché. It just happens, Chayna. It just happens." Ryan and I went over and each sat on a bed.

"I'm sorry." I wasn't sure on what else to say to him. But we needed to talk.

"Chayna?" Ryan asked me. I was probably making a funny face. I tended to do that when I was thinking.

"Ryan, we need to talk about us." I stated firmly. I hope he takes me seriously.

"Okay, let me start. I like you, and I'm assuming you like me because you kissed me."

"To get your attention." I guess this shocked him because he drew back.

"Well, okay. But that doesn't mean that you don't like me." He replied.

"Ryan. I can't do this. I can't. I like you. I do But I can't be with you. I don't want to end up alone one day without you. It's a lose-lose situation, but that's the best bet I can have."

"Who says you can't always be with me?" He asked.

I snorted. "Because of your reputation Ry."

"My...reputation?"

"In high school, you said you had a pair, but you didn't act like it. You flirted with all the girls."

"I only love you Chay. Believe me."

"And tell me that you've had a pair for only the entire childhood we spent together. Sure. Believe me, Ryan."

"Please?" Ryan questioned innocently.

"I can't argue anymore!" I yelled. It was so frustrating!

Can't this get any easier?

"Fine." Ryan got up and started to leave. But first, he turned around and looked at me. I had never seen Ryan James cry. His face was tinted pink and his eyes were puffy. "I'll be back. Maybe not tonight. You obviously don't need me or my comfort for you. I might be back tomorrow. See you, Chayna." He finally left, and I saw a single tear stream down his cheek.

I only had one wonder to why I wanted him to come back. I realized why moments later and I didn't want to admit it,

I was unconditionally in love with Ryan James.