hotel ceiling ✔ randy

chapter thirteen

I huffed and crossed my arms, flopping against the bench.

"Well that's a lot of help." I mumbled and Rye chuckled.

"Don't worry, I'll tell you some day. But I doubt he feels the same." He said sadly, turning to face the pond.

"You don't know that." I sighed. Rye just shrugged.

"Well I highly doubt he does. Why would he like me anyway? I'm just a kid with rich parents." He sighed, and I felt really bad for him.

"Rye, you aren't just a kid with rich parents. You're actually a really nice guy. You're funny, handsome, kind, caring..." I listed, then noticed him staring at me weirdly, his face slightly pink. I frowned.

"What? Is there something on my face?" I asked, beginning to wipe my face.

"No no, there's nothing on your face. It's just... you think I'm handsome?" He asked and my face paled.

"Did I say that?" I chuckled nervously and he nodded.

"Yeah, you kinda did." Rye giggled and I smiled.

"Yeah... yeah I do think you're handsome." I mumbled, turning my face.

"Well you're not to bad yourself Fovvs." I heard him say and I turned around, raising an eyebrow.

"Fovvs?" I smiled, and Rye grinned  sheepishly.

"What? It's a cool nickname." He murmured and I laughed.

"Yeah, I guess it's kinda cool." I agreed.

"So what's my nickname?" Rye asked and I shrugged.

"Rye-Pie?" I suggested and his face dropped, making me laugh.

"Do not call me Rye-Pie." He replied seriously and I just shook me head.

"Too late Rye-Pie." I smirked and Rye broke out into a smile, shoving my shoulder lightly.
•••
And well, that's just how it went, I guess. Rye did start being nicer to me when his friends were around. There was still some name calling and stuff, but hey, it's a start.

I woke up on Thursday, feeling pain throughout my whole body. My dad really went to town last night.

I rubbed my eyes and got changed, limping out the house. My eye was really sore and I kept rubbing it. I knew that that wouldn't help; but I still did it.

I hobbled into the cafe and put on my apron. I was tying it around my waist when I heard the little bell.
Someone's in the early?

I lifted my head to see Rye walk in with a big smile and a bouncy walk; both immediately disappearing when he saw my face I frowned as he ran over.

"Andy what the hell happened to your eye?" He asked, cupping my fave with his hands and examining it. I blushed and swatted him away.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused. He gave me a 'seriously.' face.

"What do you mean 'what do you mean'? you have a bloody black eye!" He exclaimed, examining it again and I screwed up my face, once again batting his hand away.
Then it struck me;
he's seen my black eye.
But how? I covered it up with concealer this morning...
SHIT I'VE BEEN RUBBING MY EYE.

"I uhh, fell into... a.. uhm, I fell into my tv?" I said, but it came out as more of a question.

"Really? You fell into your tv?" He said in one of those 'you expect me to believe that' voices. I nodded slowly.

"Yep... I was walking... and there was a tv.. and crash." I said, slapping one of my hands against the other. Rye raised an eyebrow.

"Andy I'm not an idiot." He crossed his arms and I sighed.

"What? that's what happened!" I lied. I felt bad for lying but I can't tell him the truth!

"Yeah right, and I'm the queen of England." He snorted and I giggled.

"Seriously Andy, who did that to you?" He asked, placing his hand to my cheek. I felt butterflies in my stomach and moved my face away.

"No one. I told you, I fell into my tv." I mumbled. Rye sighed.

"Fine. Whatever you say. But that's bullshit, and you bloody well know it." He stated, and walked out the cafe.