All That Matters

Chapter Eight

ARIA'S POV

Song suggestion: Paris - The Chainsmokers

I made my way through the swarm of drunk under age teenagers, trying not to lose Ryan in the crowd. It wasn't a very difficult task since all I had to follow was the occasional "Hey watch it dude" as he rudely pushed his way through.

I also had a strategic plan of kicking him in the balls if he tried to make a move. Finally, we made it to the end of the rooftop.

"Look", he said turning towards the cityscape. I stood there mesmerized. The sun had almost drowned over the horizon, leaving streaks of orange and pink across the darkening sky. The city lights lay beneath, spreading before us like a map of infinite possibilities.

"I like views", he said suddenly, breaking the silence.

"Its beautiful", I replied. I haven't been one to admire natural beauty, I prefer the view through the screen of my laptop but this was different.

"Why views?", I asked, turning over to look at him. He stood there, leaning forward,using his elbows to prop himself up.

He looked down with a small smile. "They help me escape. Clear my head, calm my thoughts. You know, that sorta thing?", he replied.

"Yeah. They do seem relaxing", I said. I wanted to ask what he wanted to escape from but I didn't want to seem nosey.

"What about you Aria ? Whats your escape?", he asked, turning his attention towards me. Suddenly I felt extremely conscious.

"Um.. well usually hot showers with good music.", I replied.

"Oh come on. Don't give me that Tumblr bullshit. What is your escape Aria?", he said taking a step closer towards me.

"I write. I write about what hurts", I said with a sigh. Not many people knew about it. I didn't want them to. Words helped me release pain and capture it on paper.

"Good.", he replied, a small smile playing on his lips. Good? What sort of reply was that ?

"This party blows. Maybe it would be better if people acted more like themselves. They're all just so hypocritical and an imitation of what they think they want to be", he said looking over to the crowd.

"What makes you say that??", I asked intrigued.

"There", he said pointing at a girl with glasses wearing a red mini dress with her tits almost falling out. "That girl is a nerd. A fucking genius. She hates these parties and the people here yet she's here, trying to fit in."

"Oh", is all I could say.

"You see that guy there? The one with the crazy sneakers ? He's gay but fucks a different chick every night to hide it.", Ryan said shaking his head and taking a sip of his drink.

"What about me? Do you think I'm like them? ", I asked looking over at him.

He took his lip ring between his teeth. "You haven't even accepted who you are yet, let alone be someone else.", he said, looking straight ahead. "I think you're just afraid.", he said in a challenging tone.

I don't know how, but whatever he said made perfect sense to me . I gave him a long hard stare.

"I might just surprise you", I said suddenly with a laugh as I grabbed the glass of whatever it was he was drinking and disappeared into the crowd before he could say anything.

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Author's note: What do you think of Ryan so far ? Let me know in the comments ××