It Was Supposed to Blossom

CHAPTER FOUR

Ryan's POV

What was up with Lilly? After I got home, toweled off and checked my phone, she had blocked me on every social media forum out there. Why? What was going through her brain?

I suddenly felt anxious for that easy, innocent relationship we used to share that was at stake right now. I treasured our friendship, because even though I wanted to be more than platonic, I wouldn't have traded our current relationship for anything else. One kiss. One kiss, and we lost our whole friendship? I couldn't believe it. 

''The number you dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later, or leave a message after the beep.'' For a while, that robotic voice was all I was listening to as I tried to reach Lilly. She must have gone to bed, I tried to assure myself, but deep down, I knew she was avoiding me.

My heart sank. I would be willing to stay just friends if it meant that Lilly could talk to me again, but how could I if she didn't allow me to reach her? I sighed and flopped down on the couches, tucking my mobile into my pocket and staring at the ceiling. But instead of blank plaster, I saw Lilly's beautiful face projected on the ceiling, like a movie theater. I saw her entrancing eyes, her Rapunzel locks, her wide smile, her defined jawline. The same beauty that captivated me the first time we met. When I saw her, I knew I was a goner.

But at the back of my head, I can vaguely hear an odd sound of approaching footsteps. Tap, tap, tap. What was that? Who was there? I was especially jittery right now, but I forced myself to stay still, my fingers playing over my stomach. I fidgeted and fidgeted, all the while wanting to implode, hearing the footsteps get louder and louder. Finally...

''WHO IS THAT??'' I almost shrieked as I jumped up, and nearly bumped into Shawn, who looked very freaked out.

''Woah!'' Shawn put up his hands. ''Calm down, Ryan! What happened!''

''Um...nothing.'' I felt my cheeks redden, and took a deep breath.

''Anyway...'' He looked at me questioningly. ''We're doing a new I Dare You collab in a few days right? With Liza Koshy? Man, I can't wait to meet her! But we should probably bring back a highly requested guest too...I can call her and ask.''

''Do that.'' I nodded absently.

''Also, we just ran out of AA batteries. And I think Derrick was asking for some Pringles, and those new Doritos that just came out...''

On impulse, I grabbed the house keys off the coffee table. ''I'll run down to the convenience store now.'' And with that, I shoved out of the door, into the cool night air, and headed down the street.

I felt the cold air sting my bare arms and goosebumps rise on my flesh, realizing that in hindsight, I should I have brought a jacket. But my ears are picking up the same approaching footsteps as before. I frowned and continued to walk on, ignoring the sound. I turned round a couple times, because I could swear that those footsteps were getting louder, but there was no one there.

What was up with me? I was so jittery. I continued, my mind brooding over Lilly. What could I do? I  should probably go over to her house in the morning and apologize. If only I was really sorry...but I knew it would salvage our friendship and make her feel a little better.

With a set decision, I turned the corner to the convenience store down the block.

What happened next was so sudden, I couldn't even comprehend it. A giant hand clapped over my mouth, muffling my yells for help, and his meaty fist swung at my head. Hard.

The last thing I saw before I hit the ground and blacked out was the cruel, toothy grin of a stocky, beefy stranger.