It Was Supposed to Blossom

CHAPTER NINE

Ryan POV

"Is everything OK?" I asked anxiously. Greg was setting up the camera, while Derrick was busy carting all the heavy ring lights around.

"Everything's fine. The resolution's 1080p, audio is good, and lighting is also OK." Shawn informed me. He was decanting strips of paper into the upturned hat. "Relax, Ryan. Lilly and Liza will be here soon." At the same time, his eyes hooked onto mine with a question: What's up with you and Lilly? I found myself staring at the floor, finding hardwood endlessly fascinating.

"Who's taking part again?" asked Derrick. "It's me, Greg, Ryan and Liza and Lilly. I think she mentioned something about bringing David Dobrik."

"It's the first time we've ever had three guests. Have you got the tinfoil laid out?" Shawn takes a box out of the cupboard and puts it on the kitchen counter.

"Actually...do you think I should not participate? I mean...there's a lot of people and all, so..." I trailed off when I realised there was a long silence. "What?"

"Ryan, I Dare You is your thing. You have to be in it, otherwise it'll look weird. Derrick doesn't mind handling the camera, right?" He nodded, and Shawn turned to look at me.

Before I could protest any further, the doorbell rings. Shawn goes to open it, casting a meaningful gaze at me as he passes. It swings open, and I hear raised voices, laughter.

"Hi, Ryan!" And out of nowwhere, Liza Koshy rushes into the room, beaming widely. I stand to shake her hand, but quickly realize this isn't the case as she flings her arms around me in a big hug.

"This is David!" She points to the pale-skinned, smiley boy with messy brown hair next to her. I make to shake hands with him politely, and he laughs off the formality and pulls me in for the fist-bump hug.

"Oh, wait. Where's Lilly?" Liza asks, looking around. "Lilly!" She calls out, and she comes striding in confidently and quickly, as fast as she could with the plaster cast. Lilly's ankle boots thud with each placement of her step, sure and steady.

"Hey everyone!" She hugs Derrick, Shawn, Greg and finally comes over to me. Lilly puts her arms around me and leans into my shoulder.

I pause, before whispering in her ear, "I love you."

Her lips brush against my ear and it tingles. This girl is going to end up killing me. I hear the smile, yet the underlying sadness in her voice, all while sounding cool and perfectly calm.

"I know."

She pulls back, smiles and walks to the couch to squish in next to Liza.

I've just been friendzoned. Hard. In two small words I take a back seat in her list of romantic admirers. She has made it clear she couldn't reciprocate her feelings to me right now in a relationship, which I wanted with her so badly and one she couldn't devote time and emotion into.

But I'm a lost cause.

What can I say? I loved a challenge.