Changed For The Better

Phonecall

Ryan and I had been at the party for about an hour, and all we had done was stand around near the snack table where not many people were standing. This isn't what I imagined when everyone was talking about this party. It sounded so exciting and eventful.

Instead we hadn't spoken to anybody. Honestly though, Ryan looked like he was happy just standing with me in the corner, and I wasn't having a bad time. Luckily, Carmen was right. Everyone else there was heavily done up, and the boys were all wearing pretty much the same thing as Ryan. The only difference being that they put a lot more effort and products into their hair, but that doesn't matter.

We were just chilling and talking about life in general, when Molly came up to us, her phone in her hand.

"Marie can you come with me for a second?" I turned back to look at Ryan in confusion, but before I could respond she started dragging me away into the crowd. I lost sight on Ryan which worried me a little, but I'm sure he will wait for me to come back. I hope he doesn't start going any where.

She dragged me through loads and loads of people and took my most of the way up the stairs. She held her phone out to me, I looked at her, puzzled.

"It's my mum" she said, as if that made any more sense than it did before. "She wants to talk to you" she said, almost sounding fed up with my stupidity. I was still confused but I took the phone from her and put it to my ear.

"Hello?" I asked awkwardly.

"Hi is this Marie?"

"Yes...?"

"How is the party going? Everything alright? Do I need to come back? Is everyone behaving? Come on, you're the sensible one, what's going on?"

"Oh yeah everything is fine" I said in a pitch that was too high to be natural. This is s awkward why the hell have I been put into this situation?

Molly slowly took the phone off me and gave me a sort of weird smile before walking away. Oh now I get it. I was invited so that her parents wouldn't stay. So that she could say someone responsible was going to be there. I'm basically an unofficial babysitter. Now I want to leave.

I felt jittery in the crowd and needed to go and find Ryan. This isn't fun anymore. I want to go home. I took a deep breath and began wading my way through the crowd. It was easier before, when Molly was helping. Now I'm on my own and hate it.

"Excuse me...sorry...just...do you mind if I...yep okay..."

"Ow!"

"Sorry"

I was knocking into everyone, trying to find me way back to the kitchen. It doesn't help that I'm so much smaller than everyone else here. I started to panic. My vision went blurry as tears threatened my eyelids. Not now. Not here!

Suddenly I felt a pair of war hands grip me and pull me aside into a less crowded area. I looked up at them, expecting to see Ryan. Instead, it was Harley who was looking down at me, concern painted across his face.

"Hey calm down. Deep breaths, in, and out"

He helped me out of my panic. I wasn't having a panic attack, but if he hadn't come along and helped when he did, I might have been having one. I'm glad knowing that he doesn't hate me or anything.

"You decided to come then?" I asked once I had recollected myself.

"Yeah. I guess I thought I would regret it if I didn't come. Specially since I knew you were going to be here. You look great by the way"

"Thanks, so do you" I said awkwardly. I didn't want him to start getting the wrong impression.

"Is Ryan with you?"

"Yeah he came with me. We got separated so I need to go and find him again" I said as I attempted to walk away having remembered that Ryan is probably waiting for me still, wondering where I am. However, Harley grabbed my wrist and brought me back to where he was.

"Don't" he said, almost begging.

"Harley I have to find him he'll be on his own..."

"He'll be fine for a couple more minutes. Come on, we haven't spoken in a while. Just stay with me for a few moments, it won't do any harm"

Somehow I felt like it would do some harm, but at the same time, Harley was right. I need to stop messing with him and just be there for him. I thought he hated me, and now he's at a party having not been in school for a few days. I suppose I can give him five minutes.

"Fine" I sighed. "But only for a few minutes. then I really do need to go and find Ryan"

We got talking. Turns out Harley couldn't bring himself to leave his bedroom. Almost like a shut in. That's why he hasn't been at school. I don't believe him when he tells me, but he says it was nothing to do with me. I still kind of feel responsible.

"Thanks Marie" he said as we neared the end of the conversation.

"What for?"

"Well you're just really easy to talk to. I wouldn't tell anybody else any of this so thank you for being there"

"Well what are friends for?" I smiled.

"Yeah, friends.." he said awkwardly.

"Harley? You alright?"

"Look Marie, let's face it. We both know it, I like you. I have for a while. But you always seem to be around other guys. I really thought we had something you know? But you never seem to be on the same page as me"

I stood there for a second in shock. I mean, I kind of knew but I had hopes it was just my imagination getting the better of me.

"Harley I..I don't know what to say"

He took a step closer to me, trapping me in between him and the wall. "You don't have to say anything" he whispered, before leaning in to me.

"No Harley...Ryan..." I stuttered.

"He's just fine. I've got it covered"

He began leaning in again and I felt his breath against my skin, it made me feel sick. "I said NO Harley" I said louder, almost shouting, as I pushed him back forcefully.

"But, Marie I..."

"Save it. I'm leaving. I'll speak later, goodbye Harley"

With that I began to make my way through the crowds again. It was stressful, but I had my mind set on getting to Ryan and getting the hell out of here. I stopped quickly and sat on the floor before pulling the shoes off my feet and shoving my converse on. I felt smaller, but it felt more right and way more comfy.

I got up again and ran back into the kitchen. My eyes were stinging, but I refuse to cry again. Not now. We just need to give Mai Lee a call and go home. When I spotted Ryan across the room, there was a girl standing in front of him. Ryan looked really bored, I don't think he wanted her there.

As I wandered over to them, I watched as the girl leant forward onto Ryan. Oh no she did not! I came up behind her and pushed her off by her shoulders. She glared at me before walking away. I turned back to Ryan who looked a bit flustered.

"Marie it really wasn't what it looked like..."

"Ryan"

"She just came over and started flirting with me..."

"Ry..."

"And I didn't want to just force her off me or hurt her..."

"Ryan!"

"And I couldn't just leave because then you wouldn't know where to find me..."

I shut him up by pressing my lips onto his. He seemed tense at first, but quickly relaxed into it. I pulled away and looked up into his eyes.

"Ryan, I trust you"

He lit up and smiled, his eyes even grew watery. He wrapped both arms around me and engulfed me in a warm hug, which made everything that happened today matter a little less.

"Thank you" he breathed. "Thank you so much"