Dance Till You're Dead (ON HOLD FOR THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE)

Chapter 9

Ella stormed out of the dance studio, with no idea where she was going. The bus stop was about a mile away, and she had no money at any rate. She wanted to collapse onto the steps and cry with frustration - why had everything suddenly become so complicated? Then she heard the door behind her open, and turned around to see Ryan. She moved her head back immediately, not wanting to talk to him. He walked slowly over to the steps and sat down next to her.

"I'm sorry Ella."

That was it?!

"I'm not the one you should be apologising to." She said as calmly as she could.

"I know Ells. I just...I don't know why I did it. My friends, they thought it would be a laugh. I don't know why I went along I guess I just wanted to...you know, fit in."

Ella sighed and looked at him. He saw the tears brimming in her eyes, and the look of pain on his face made Ella's heart leap. Maybe he really is sorry? She lost herself to her turmoiled emotions and let herself bury her head in his chest. The feel of his strong arms around her was the best feeling she could have imagined at that moment, and she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him back.

"Oh Ella." He said simply, his face in her hair. "Let me take you home, it's the least I can do?" Ella pulled away from him and nodded, the tears still running down her cheeks. All her anger had gone somewhere else. All she felt now was frustration at herself for letting her feelings confuse her like this. Ryan held her hand all the way to his car, and she clung back gladly. After he'd sat her in the passenger seat and gotten into the drivers seat himself, they set off and continued the journey in silence. Ella turned her back on him and curled up in the seat, letting her eyes close and the tears stream. When the car stopped she didn't open them until her door was opened by Ryan, who stroked her face and gave her a look she'd always wanted to see.

She knew what Ryan wanted to do right now, and she knew that wanted it to. But not now, not when she was like this. She sat up before he leaned in, and composed herself a little. Ryan insisted on helping her to her door, where she once again hugged him tight. She was strong enough to let go though.

"Please text me later Ells. I hate to leave you like this." He reluctantly let go of her hand and stepped back.

"I just need some time to think and rest. Thankyou for driving me home."

"It's honestly fine, I'm just glad I could help. You still want to come bowling tomorrow?" Oh gee. She'd forgotten about that.

"Yeah I do, it'll take my mind off of things."

"I'll drive then, I'll pick up you first then Carys and Chris. Will two o'clock be ok?" Ella nodded silently, trying to take the information in as her eyes finally stopped producing tears.

"I'll see you then. Text me when you feel like it."

"I will." She waved once then opened her door, dragged herself up her stairs, and threw herself onto her bed.

----

She awoke a couple of hours later, when her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Umm Hi, it's Josh." She could tell by the umm.

"Hey" She breathed.

"Look I know today was a bit...weird but I was wondering whether you still wanted to go to the library with me and August? I'm not expecting you to drive of course, we can get the bus, I'll pay for you and..." but Ella cut him off.

"I made you a promise Josh, and I don't tend to break those. I'll drive, and don't even think about paying me." She was glad to get out and distract herself. She really needed to work out how she was feeling about Josh, especially after what happened with Ryan earlier.