Alone

Fun in the closet

Kylie's POV.

Gasping, I turn my head. Ryder is kneeling on one knee, looking down at me with concern. I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. Before I even know what's happening, tears are streaming down my face rapidly.

"Kylie-" And that's all it took for me to tackle him onto the ground with me, hugging him tightly. He makes an oof sound, obviously surprised. I'm gasping for air, choking on the lump in my throat, and blinded by the amount of tears coming from my eyes.

Ryder, laying beneath me, slowly pats my back. "I'm so sorry," I blurt out between sobs. "I'm such a horrible friend. Please don't leave me ever again."

"Kylie, I - you're crushing my appendix, can you please get off," He says, humor in his voice. I quickly scramble off of him, wiping my face. He hoists himself up, putting his hand out to help me. I grab his hand and he pulls me into a hug.

"Shh. I know. I didn't leave because of you Kylie. I had to go find myself. I'm here now, I'm not going anywhere," His chest vibrates as he talks, and I hold onto his shirt tightly.

"I thought I would n-never see you again," I choke out, trying to contain myself. He laughs, causing me to pull away in confusion.

"Kylie! You thought I would leave and not come back for my favorite beanie?!" He says, pulling it off my head. he did indeed leave it behind.

"I suppose not," I say, a small smile spreading across my lips.

"Ah, I guess I would also have to come back to see you again," He says in an exaggerated voice, slumping onto the bench.

I punch him on the arm lightly and let out a small laugh. "Oh there is that beautiful smile of yours!" he says, wiping a stream of tears off my face with his thumb. "I'm f*cking hungry, did you bring me anything?" He says casually.

I quickly open my backpack and pass him a bag of chips and some water. I was gonna save that for 3rd period, but oh well. "Thanks," he says in between gulps of water.

"Where did you go?" I say, finally recomposing myself.

"Around, its not that big of a story. I got to meet some new people, see some new things, visit some new places." He says, opening the bag of chips.

"Where did you stay? You didn't live on the streets did you?"

"Don't worry about it. I'm back now," He doesn't seem happy about it, but I don't push him. We skip school and hang out the entire day. I can't believe he's actually back. I'm so relieved yet I still feel so guilty. Just remembering his foster parents makes me look at him with pity.

We go shopping and get some food, we see a movie, and just overall had the best day of my life. But as it draws to an end, I know we have to report back to the police station. I'm so afraid that they will make him go back to his foster home. I start to get nervous as we walk towards The entrance to the police station.

Ryder stops outside the front door and tells me I can wait outside if I want, but I refuse. I'm always gonna be there for him from now on. We walk in and talk to the lady in the front, and then they take Ryder in for questioning. I wait in the waiting area for about an hour, and then they return. I stand up to hear what the officer has to say.

"We are very glad that your friend has returned! We will be returning him to his home-"

"Which home?" I asked, fear overwhelming me.

"His foster home of course," He starts. "He is too young to live on his own-" Ryder looks at the ground, hands shoved in his pockets. He probably doesn't know that I know he is in foster care. I cannot let him go back there.

"Is there anywhere else he can go?" I ask, surprising both the police officer and Ryder. Shocking them more, I quickly volunteer that we can take him.

"Well I - come with me," The officer stumbles over his words before leading us to his office. He calls my mother and talks to her about the situation. In the end, she accepts the terms of taking care of Ryder. It would be a process, but my mom is gonna take foster parent classes. until then, Ryder can still stay with us as a visitor, but his original foster parents are technically still his guardians.

Within a few weeks though, Ryder will be officially ours! My mom comes to pick us up and Ryder greets her with a handshake. "Who's hungry?" My mom says while starting the car.

Ryder and I both agree to stop at Mac Donald's, and I can't help but smile at the joy on his face. I let him sit up front with my mom and they are both bonding wonderfully. I smile while looking out the window, feeling absolutely contempt with life at the moment, and I can tell Ryder is too.

Once we arrive home, I quickly guide Ryder to the guest room. Once we are in there we start to decorate a little, setting up his bed and putting up a few extra posters I had.

I got into the closet and start to clear some stuff out. Ryder follows me in, and suddenly shuts the door, leaving us in complete darkness. I squeal slightly, but love the excitement that the change of mood gives me.

I search for Ryder's face, but its too dark. I can feel his presence though. I feel his touch on my arms and my heart rate jumps. The tight space makes us exceptionally close, my back against the back of the closet. His minty breath fills my nostrils, along with his cologne.

"Ryder what -" I whisper, because the darkness seems to give it that mood. I'm afraid if I talk too loud the moment will end.

"I'm sorry," Ryder cuts me off. "I would never leave you Kylie. I thought you wanted me gone, but it was so hard to be away from you every day."

His low voice practically melts into the darkness, and I can't help but want to be closer to him. As if reading my mind, he closes the gap between us, and I feel his warm breath on my ear.

"I made a mistake leaving Kylie. One that I will never make again, for as long as I know you." My breath hitched, and before I know what I'm doing, I grab him big the shirt and pull his soft lips to mine. I always expected him to be the more aggressive type of kisser, but was I wrong.

His lips seemed to be barely touching mine, and moved so gracefully. Not being able to handle myself, I push my lips hard against him, and he steps closer, pushing his body against mine and placing his hand on the small of my back. Only now does he kiss me with force, his dominance practically radiating off of him.

"Kylie, Ryder?!" My mother screams.

We both stop, and the only thing that sound that fills the dark closet is our our heavy breaths and our loud heartbeats. Each second that goes by with us silent felt like eternity, when in reality its only been about two. I clear my throat before yelling, "Yes mom?"

"Come down for dinner!"

I feel Ryder relax and hear him exhale. His lips lightly peck my forehead, and he then opened the door, letting light shine in on both our flustered faces. He walks out first, leaving me there feeling exhilarated.