The Popularity Project

Chapter Nineteen - Threatened

Vivian's POV

I made it home unscratched and legally. Ryder was wrong, I could take care of myself, even when I'm drunk. I didn't need him to be my hero. I needed to be my own hero.

I stumbled through the front door, slightly surprised to see a dark house. I thought Gemma would wait up for me, just so she could know that I got home safely. I walk into her bedroom and see her sleeping peacefully, perhaps she forgot about the whole dying thing. I wish I could.

Walking into the kitchen, I make myself some late dinner, my stomach growling loudly. A few minutes after finishing the chicken sandwich I made, there is a loud banging on the door. I walk to the door slowly, having a strong guess who is behind the door.

I open it slowly and peek my eyes through the small open crack I allow. Ryder is standing on the doorstep looking severely pissed off.

"Vivian. Open the door," he yells. I jump at the loudness of his voice. Gemma is sleeping a room away, I didn't want to wake her up, it was only nearly ten o'clock, but still. There was no point in waking her up, especially when there's a possibility she will remember my unhealthiness. If she remembers, I highly doubt she will be able to sleep.

I open the door slowly and slip out, closing the door behind me. I grab Ryder's hand and drag him away from the house, toward the loud calm ocean. He doesn't say a word until we arrive at the spot we talked a few days ago. I felt a sense of déjà vu, except this time Ryder was angry.

I finally stop walking and turn to face him. He still looks quite angry, I try to understand why. Sure, my leaving him at the bar could have angered him, but it didn't warrant this amount of emotion.

"You could have killed yourself, do you know how high your blood alcohol level is?" He says as calmly as he can.

The truth is, I have drunk more in the past and done worse things than driving. I could understand why he was so scared though. He thought I was going to hurt myself, if he only knew...

"I'm fine," I gesture to my perfectly assembled body. He pulls me into a hug, I hug him back.

"I- really thought I would lose you," he whispers. I didn't think Ryder cared about me much, but today he's been acting differently.

"I'm still here," I say quietly, I'm not sure how long that will be true though.

Maybe the doctors have some surgery or drug that can save my life. I will not let myself die. It's not going to happen.

We stay in the warm embrace for a few minutes, just holding each other. I felt safe and happy in his arms. Unlike in the past with Damien, where I felt scared and vulnerable.

"Why where you at the bar tonight?" Ryder asks. I pull away and start walking back to the house. The sky looked like it was going to rain any minute. He grabs my hand and pulls me back to face him. I can't look into his eyes.

"I- uh," I stutter, "I miss my brother and friends in Oregon, and I couldn't stop thinking about Gemma's Alzheimer's."

"I don't believe you, I don't believe that's what caused this outburst," he takes my chin into his hands and forces me to look him in the eye. "What are you keeping from me?"

"Nothing," I answer, tilting my chin up out of his grasp. Ryder squints his eyes at me in an effort to read any hint that I'm lying. I keep my poker face strong.

"Fine," he says. We walk back to the house, and when we get to the door, I turn around to say goodbye to Ryder.

"Aren't you gonna invite me in?" He smiles at me.