It Was Supposed to Blossom

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Lilly POV

The rest of the morning passed in a similar fashion. I got dared to catcall three pets off the street (catcall, get it? Oh, Liza and her puns). Liza got dared to climb up a tree and sing the loudest Disney song she could think of, which was A Whole New World. Ryan got dared to be filmed doing synchronized swimming in the basement pool, and his comical actions and the way he waggled his eyebrows made even me laugh. Shawn had to let us send messages to his contacts for ten minutes, a glorious ten minutes it was. Greg got dared to bathe in a tub of water with three condiments of our choice. He smelled so bad afterwards we felt it warranted a good 3.5 points.

Right now, Greg was in the lead with 8.5 points, Shawn close behind with a seven, me with a 6.5, Liza and David had both scored a 6 and so had Ryan. The game was about to come to a close. Right now, I put my hand in, still chortling at Shawn's failed attempt at a smoky eye and glitter shadow combo that he was furiously removing now, and extract a strip of paper.

"I dare you to have seven minutes in heaven with the person on your right." Everyone gasped. In case you didn't know, seven minutes in heaven is a game that is usually paired with spin the bottle, and two people have to enter a closet and do anything they want for seven minutes. Anything.

And that person was Ryan.

"I mean," Shawn was saying, trying to look serious with his faded makeup. "How much is this worth? Like three points?" Everyone nodded, affirming a solid three.

"Off you go!" sang Liza, shooing us away. "Don't do any of the shame-shame!" David called. "Maybe! They all laughed, but by then, we were down the corridor and opening the doors to the closet.

"Ready?" asked Ryan. His eyes are a question and I don't know how to respond. My body is ready but my heart isn't. Right now listening to my heart feels like a good option.

I nod once, and he swings open the doors. I step in, he follows and then we are engulfed in darkness.

"Seven minutes!" called out Shawn. He probably had a timer or something. I glanced around. There were a few coats on hangers and some boxes piled onto the floor, but otherwise there was enough space for the both of us. I perched on top of a grey hatbox, while Ryan took up a position by the door. For a few moments, we were silent.

"What does seven minutes in heaven even involve?" Ryan shook his head in frustration. "Does romantic stuff even matter?"

"Maybe," I'm grateful that the darkness is masking my blush. "But we don't have to. Most people just talk."

"OK." Ryan folds his arms. "So if we are talking, I suggest you and I need to seriously talk. What are we?"

"What?" I asked a question I already knew the answer to.

"You come up to me, you my crush for as long as I know you. We kiss and you immediately run away. You wanted space. You don't like me like that. Fine. But then you come and save me, fight those kidnappers, bring me ransom, even confess you like me but don't want to be with me..and I'm supposed to leave it be." Ryan ran a hand over the back of his neck, brows pinched in frustration. I want to reach out, grab his hand, touch him, have his skin on mine, but my body remains motionless.

"Yes, Ryan." I say staunchly. Trying to guilt trip me? Fine. Two can play at this game. "You know I've never, ever seen a healthy relationship growing up. Even my mum and dad aren't that loving of a couple. I'm scared. Scared you'll get tired of me and move on. Scared I was getting hit by another bullet after dodging another."

Ryan looks completely stricken. I feel a twinge of guilt that I push away. How could this boy? How could he so easily take my heart and consume my thoughts, when I'd completely sworn off romantic relationships, possibly for life?

"Three minutes!" called out Shawn.

"I'm sorry." His hoarse whisper takes me completely aback. "I know you've never really seen proof that love...exists. But just give me a chance. Us a chance. Please."

I drummed my fingers on a stack of hatboxes, pressing my lips together. Should I really? I liked him, he liked me...no. No. I couldn't let myself be swayed.

I smiled a sweetly sarcastic smile. "If you can't even show me how you feel, then how about..." I pretended to consider. "No."

I made to open the closet door, but Ryan's body moved fast. He quickly pressed me up against the side of the wardrobe. He leaned forward and whispered into my ear. "I can think of a few ways to show you how I feel."

I swallowed hard. Ryan went closer. The temptation to touch him was irresistable, so I didn't resist. I slid a hand behind his neck, laced my fingers through his hair, trailed one down his jaw to rest softly on his collarbone. He put his hand on my waist and finally, our lips met.

It had been a while since we had first kissed, but now I could feel the warmth and steadiness he brought. The way he pressed his lips to mine made me feel like I was his spark, his firework, everything that made the world beautiful and safe.

When he pulled away, Shawn called out, "Time's up!"

"You realize this doesn't make me your girlfriend, right?" I told him, trying to force my smiling lips into a scowl.

He grinned and nodded. "I know." Ryan pulled the door open and we left together.

I blinked in the sudden light, expecting wolf-whistles and cheers from the group. But instead they were all bantering with and addressing a beautiful girl with glossy dark locks, flawlessly milky skin and the widest eyes that sparkled with her charming smile.

Arden.

Ryan's alleged flame.