Can You Keep A Secret?

Chapter Eighteen

-Andy's POV-

"He was with me," Liv said, closing her eyes as if she was playing it back in her mind. "I think, we had just found each other when the station went into emergency mode. We found, we found this place to hide that we thought was safe."

Everything about this gave me a bad feeling. He was with her. But he wasn't now. A place that they thought was safe. Thought. What did that mean?!

"I don't know how long we were there. I guess I thought it was over. But then, then there was a gunshot nearby." She had to stop for a moment, taking a deep breath before speaking again. "He came to us," she said quietly. "He was right there, and, and Rye moved in front of me and I tried to stop him, I tried, but I couldn't. It was too late." I felt my heart drop to my toes as Liv broke into tears. Blair rested his hand on her shoulder.

This...this was it. Rye was dead. I would never see him again, never hear his voice, never be able to speak to him about anything. He would never grow old. I made him feel this way, this inexplicable ache, and it was my fault that he was gone. In that moment, I had never hated myself more. But then Liv spoke again.

"He's okay. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but he's alive. He...he got shot, but it was his shoulder, he was awake and moving and talking, but they took him away, they wouldn't let me come with him, they wouldn't say where they were going, and I lost him. I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," Blair spoke. "Who took him?"

"The paramedics," She answered.

"Okay," Blair said, and I found it impressive how in-control he still was, despite everything that had and was still happening. "He'll be taken to a hospital, then. I'll go ask around, see if anyone knows where they might be taking him. I need you all to stay right where you are, okay?" We all muttered phrases of agreement.

Somehow, knowing that Rye was alive did little to make me feel much better – It seemed wrong to me that he had just saved somebody's life, only to turn around and have somebody try and take his own. For the time being, my own problems and needs didn't matter – I pushed aside what was wrong, what was making me feel distant from Liv. Mikey hugged her once more, and my heart squeezed a little bit.

One by one, the rest of the boys hugged her until it was my turn. I walked to her slowly, taking my time as I put my arms around her and pulled her in. I closed my eyes and breathed in her familiar scent – She always smelled like a mixture of shampoo and strawberries, even now. She hugged me back, harder, and I vowed to fix things between us.

I missed talking to her, having her as a best friend. I knew now that I couldn't take advantage of the present – I had to fix things now, or else I may never get the chance – Besides, I need someone to speak to about Pretty Little Liars.