My X Bestfriend: The White Lie

Chapter 22: My Only Escape

Aiden's Perspective

I am really determined to squeeze her out of that wall she so desperately built.

"Thanks." says Ryann, pulling me out of my reverie.

After that doofus interrupted our-- I can't call it a date for it never were. Well, we went out together and had fun all day. And Shaw just ended today earlier than planned.

He asked Ryann for a walk, but she declined. And I'm proud of her. She's clueless to what that contemptible git has done back at the time when we're in gradeschool and yet she made a good decision of not coming with him.

"You're welcome sweetheart." I told her smiling broadly. And then I notice she's still in the car. "Do you expect me to open the door for you? Because I'm more than willing to-"

"Wha- No. It's not that, genius!" She rolls her eyes and shakes her head at the same time, making me chuckle in the process. Her gaze then casts towards their house which I followed.

There by their front porch waits Danica.

"I don't want to be bombarded by stupid questions." Ryann says distressed. I look at her hands. She was fidgeting, a sign that she does whenever she's scared, nervous or worried at something. Needless to say, she's worried about Danica finding out that she missed school today.

"And what stupid questions would she ask?" I asked, feigning curiosity.

"She has so many times of being unreasonable and excessively overprotective whenever I've done something---"

"Fun?" I finished her sentence.

"Yeah. Today was fun. But-"

"You'll be alright. She's not really that bad."

"I'm aware. 'Cause if I'm not, we wouldn't still be stuck with each other at the same house for years." Then she fell silent. She look as though she is in deep thought. I know that she's going to tell me something, because her expression just gives it away.

"How much do you know Dan? I mean, how close were you two?"

I stared at her for more than a minute before I end up saying, "She's..like..my- Uhm.. older sister." And somehow my answer made her smile with satisfaction. "I can see you're very close." She huffs and beams at me. At the same moment, I felt my chest tensed. A good kind of tense. She just have so much brightness in her, and I can't help but be lured closer to that sheen she yields.

I direct my gaze away from hers before I can't stop myself.

"Don't take her too badly, she's just.." I can't find a word to describe how Danica exerts too much effort on keeping someone safe. I must say, she acts like a parent already.

"Yeah. She's always like that." She agrees with me, heaving a sigh, despite having not finished my sentence.

After a few minutes of silence, she opened the door and went out. I see that Danica disappeared inside their house. So the coast is clear for Ryann.

Watching her leave my car is like turning the switch of the lights that surrounded us a while ago off. The cold darkness is beginning to engulf me again. And I want her back. Near beside me.

What is this I'm dealing with? I don't understand myself anymore. She's putting me in a trance. She makes me laugh all the time. I want to be with her all the time.

Am I.. Am I falling for my ex-bestfriend?

There's is no way I'll ever fall in love. Me? Aiden Klaus Stone, the playboy? That's just too impossible.

Uhuh! No, you're not. And you'll never. You'll only end up hurting each other. Remember the plan.

That was one long statement from my conscience there.

Yup, the plan. The plan of taking her outside the great walls she made. The plan of making her stand up for herself and for what she believes in what is right. The plan of taking her back to the jolly girl she was.

I didn't want this day to end. Being with Ryann makes me forget about all the oppressive past. The past that I'm having a great necessity to escape. She's my secret hideout. My sanctuary. My refuge.

I think it's me who I'm trying to save here. Ryann doesn't need me to help her stand up for herself. All she needs is a little push, and then she'll be better off without me. Whereas me, I never cared for her. I only cared for myself. I cared for her because she's my only escape from the unpleasant reality. I'm using her.

I'm such a douche.

Is that bad? I never did anything to make her miserable. Except for when I have to leave.

I never was able to say goodbye to her then because it would be the hardest thing to do. I wasn't sure if I will come back at that time so I just left her.

I need to be with her.

Screw the plan!

I got out of the car and followed her to their porch. She didn't notice me until she turn around and was surprise to see me standing behind her.

"Sheez! You gave me a fright!"

"Ryann."

"That was a first. I thought you were gonna call me RJ or Cup-

"I-I missed you.." I interrupted her rambling. She looks at me with much worry and astonishment. She bit her lip and looked uneased. But I have to do this. Screw the plan, remember? ".. so much. I just want you to know that I will compensate to what I've done to you. I know it will be hard, and it won't happen in an overnight, but please.. Even if it takes another lifetime, I ask you.. Please forgive me."

I closed my eyes and waited for her outburst. I'm more than prepared for this. I was born to tolerate her lengthy impassioned rants. Be it she's angry or she's too happy.

"Okay." was all I get for an answer that made me pop my eyes open and stare at her.

I don't know if I should be surprised at what she just said. But one thing is for sure, she said 'okay' which means I am somehow forgiven. Sort of.

END

Sorry about this short chappy. Unfortunately, two typhoons consecutively hit our country last week, and school was cancelled. So was our preliminary exams. But there's no electricity so I can't upload an update.

And truth be told, I'm having a writer's block. I apologize for some mistakes because I've finished this as fast as I could before the idea leaves my mind again.

Truly am sorry.

Anyway, what do you think of Aiden's thought? I love the way they fall for each other slowly without realizing it.

What would happen next?

I promise I will post an update earlier. Cross my heart.

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XOXO DaeSigue