Almost You

You Again

Chapter 23

 You Again

 A sudden Smack penetrated my numb mind, sounding through my ears and interrupting my dreamless slumber.

Subconsciously, my heart beat shot up to a racing point, making my palms slick. I kept my eyes closed, remembering where I was. Alone in a parking lot. Which meant...

"AHHH GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME YOU FREAKING ZOMBIE MUTANT!" I screeched, scooting back rapidly in my seat. My eyes flew open, focusing on the silhouette peering into my window from the outside.

The figured sighed, clearly not the reaction a Zombie Mutant would want on a early summer morning. I didn't blame the guy... Or thing. Well, I guess he just wanted some brains to eat before he continues on his path of being UN-dead.

I studied it. Blinking through bleary eyes, the creature kept showing familiar signs. The perfect blond hair, large innocent blue eyes which had melted my heart in seconds. But right now, the sight of him made my heart tremble in inexplicable pain.

Ryan McLean was standing outside my car door.

My brain reeled back to the months we spent together, and to when he left the messages. Anger sizzled through my half-asleep system.

Ryan pointed to the lock on the side of the car door. With shaking hands, I obeyed, my eyes not leaving his dimly lit figure. The early morning light shadowed his face.

The lock popped open, and as soon as it did, Ryan pulled open my car door. He grabbed my hands and crushed me into a hug.

A strange urge to rip his face off bubbled within me, but a small part of me wanted to hug him back.

Ryan loosened the tight grip he had around my waist, drawing back to search my face.

Standing in full daylight now, I got a good look at him. Ryan had dark marks smeared under his eyes, rough patches grew along his sweet face making him look rouged and UN-washed. His hair had once been parted perfectly with exact steadiness, but had been disheveled.

I sucked in a large breath as I studied him once more, he looked so haggard. This was much different to the Ryan I had come to know.

Finally, he spoke. "I found you! I never expected for you to be here! I've been looking all over for you, you know that?" Ryan searched my face.

Shocked, I nodded.

He carried on. "Well, thank goodness you're alright! You know, I left messages on your home phone 'cause you never answered your cell phone. I thought you've been avoiding me!" He laughed loudly, tightening the grip on my shoulders.

"Oh... Yeah?" I spoke quietly, my voice turning up at the end like a question. I cleared my throat, trying to suppress the squeakiness in my voice.

Ryan nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! We have so much to talk about! I've missed you my little SophBear!" His grip slid down to catch my arm, pulling me towards the car he had.

I stopped in my tracks momentarily, debating my options. Obviously, taking my car home was not an option, and walking home was too far to walk.

I let Ryan pull me along, yapping non-stop. I weakly smiled when he turned to me, pausing for a second with bright eyes. Happy with my reaction, he continued his talking.

"Sophie?" Ryan let out a laugh, waving his hand in-front of my face. I quickly snapped out of my fearful trance. My heart was quickly sinking, going numb.

"Oh. Sorry." I mumbled. I took the seat-belt and pulled it across me. I took a large, silent breath.

"Ryan...?" I spoke quietly, my heart constricting the abaliatiy to talk any louder.