•Bittersweet (Ryan Sitkowski)• COMPLETED

Cough { 8 }

Jessica

The car ride was silent as I drive down the road with no destination in mind, Prescription Happiness playing in the back ground. Ricky sat in the passenger seat beside me.

"Something's up, Jess. What's wrong? I know this is more than you're letting on," Ricky says, breaking the silence.

I run a hand through my hair and sigh.
"You wouldn't understand," I whisper.

Ricky turns around in the seat and faces me. "Try me."

I pull into an abandon parking lot and park, laying my head against the steering wheel.

How was I suppose to explain that 'oh, hey? You're best friend ruined my life, made fun of me, drove me to do unspeakable things back when we were teens. That he's still an asshole behind closed doors. And now he's dating your sister?'

"Alex didn't tell me. That's all."

"Bullshit. I can smell your lies." Ricky rolls his eyes.

I glare. "You wouldn't get it. He's going to hurt her. Do you want to see your sister hurt?"

Ricky returns my glare. "He won't hurt her. Ryan's my best friend. He knows damn well I'll beat his ass."

I huff. "Whatever, Ricky. Don't trust me. When have I ever been wrong about something? Like honestly?"

"Not in a while. But--"

"But nothing! You don't know Ryan like I do!" I growl, eyes burning.

"I've known Ryan for almost 2 years now. Pretty for sure I know him better than someone who just met him," Ricky crosses his arms.

"Sure, Ricky. Since you know every fucking thing in the world. I'm only trying to protect your sister and MY best friend." I rub my chests as a slight pain begins.

"You know what I think? I think you like Ryan but you're jealous because Alex has him instead." Ricky spits with so much venom in his voice. "I mean, you two are always alone a lot so it wouldn't surprise me."

I blink at him, shocked. Where did this sudden anger come from? What happened to the cool and calm Ricky who was worried earlier?

"No, I don't for your information. How could you suggest something like that?" I ask, dumbfounded.

Ricky inhales, realizing what he had just done.
"I'm sorry. That was uncalled for."

"You think?" I mumble, rubbing my arm.

"I just. I know Ryan. He won't hurt Alex. I've seen them together and he genuinely cares about her. And he makes her really happy. I've never seen her like this in a long time. I just don't understand why you would think that? What happened to make you think that way?"

"Ric--" I start before coughing.

Ricky looks at me concerned as I cough for a few minutes. Reaching over, he rubs my back to help. After a few, it stops and I sit back, grimacing.

"What was that?" Ricky asks.

I shrug. "I probably just choked on air or something." My lungs hurt and burn from my hacking fit so I run at my chest, hoping to ease it a little.

"You okay to drive?"

I nod and turn the car back on. "Starbucks okay? I want a hot coco." I say.

"Yeah."

It goes quiet in the car.

"What song is this?" Ricky hums, tapping his fingers to the drumming.

Thankful for the change of topic, I latch  onto the distraction.

"Still Breathing by Prescription Happiness. They're really good." I say as I drive down the road.

"They are."

*****
"I know why you are acting like this," Ryan crosses his arms, standing in my doorway.

I ignore him, laying in my bed with my arm over my eyes.

"You think you have everyone fooled but you don't."

I peak underneath my arm.

"Really? And what exactly am I trying to fool anyone with?"

Ryan smirks at me.
"You're little crush on me."

*****
Hey guys, Alice here.
These chapters will be getting a bit shorter than usual for now on because it will make the story move a whole lot faster when I'm not trying to write like 400 something words as fillers to get the chapter above 1,000 words.

The picture is actually part of a conversation I had with the band Prescription Happiness. They're really good. Check them out.

Xx-
Cruelty🖤🖤