The Summer of Ryland

30. I'll Be Okay

Eliza's POV

On our way to Kai's house, we decided not to go there. Just in case Ryland found us, we didn't want him to hurt his parents as well. They called George to tell him of our plans. On board with the plan, he set it up. I was happy that George was okay, especially with all that he has done for me.

Asia told me everything on the way there. The plan and how they found me. She told me about how George was helping along with my father and Sonia. I was so happy that people actually cared about me, especially when Ryland always told me they didn't. But he was wrong. I was wrong. I had a group of people who risked their safety for me. A sense of relief washed over me. Maybe I would be okay, but I didn't know if our relationships would stay the same. 

With Kyle, I felt like I could probably trust him more. He had proven to me that he did change and regret his decisions. He didn't have to come with them and he did. As for my brothers, I was still hurt but we had a lot to talk about. I know I blocked them out of my life but it was only because they blocked me out of their lives. I want things to go back to normal. No, I want things to get better but I think that we have some ways to get there. But hopefully, they are willing to put up the work.

I can tell Asia also changed. She's back to being my best friend and I love her for that. Whatever stupid fight that we had is in the past and I want it to stay in the past. I used that against her for too long and being with Ryland has taught me that I might not live to see another day at any time so I have to be able to not let things bother me. But there was something that troubled me the most. And it was Kai.

After his meltdown, he never spoke. It was like he was mute. He just stared void of any emotions. I was worried because he would usually smile at me and tell me everything is okay but he's not doing that. I wanted to know what was going on in his head.

"We're here. Are you ready to get out?" asked Nolan. I nodded my head and Asia helped me out of the car. This hotel was nicely decorated. Inside there were marble floors and a golden chandelier. The roof was right making it seem spacious. Many people came about. It was like I was in a movie. Which made sense because my life was very dramatic.

"George went all out," Kyle stated.

"It might be better because since it is a better hotel it most likely is safer," Noel observed. I missed that about him. He could always pick up on the minor details. 

"I'm going to check us in," Nolan stated and he walked away.

"So dad told me that he and George are coming back in about two days. They went far to search for you," Noel said. I nodded my head on the brink of tears. In the past couple of months, I had felt unloved and unwanted. 

Ryland kept telling me how no one loved me. That no one cared about me. I was trash. A bitch. Worthless. A waste of a human life. I was only good for sex and cooking. I kept hearing that all over again to the point where I started to believe that.

My mother always told me those things, well most of them. I needed to lose weight or no one would love me. That I was ugly. That she regretted having me. So when Ryland told me that it was easy to accept them. Especially when I always thought that way about myself.

After Nolan got the room keys, we made our way up to the room. I was excited because it seemed like we were going near the top floor. When we came into the room, we saw that it was a suite. It had two bathrooms and two bedrooms. The living room had a beige theme. The couch was nice and fluffy with brown through pillows. Scenes of the city decorated the white walls. A potted plant was positioned by the large balcony. An ottoman was next to the white wooden coffee table. The scent of vanilla permeated the room.