One Step Closer (Sequel to OSAAT)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Lauren's POV

"Are you going to talk to me?" I asked Ricky and he just continued to look out the window. "You're not just a thing... you're a human being, I'm sorry." I said, but got no reaction. "Ricky."

"I hope I never have to be in a car with you for more than twenty minutes ever again." Ricky said and I sighed.

"Ricky... I'm sorry." I said and he turned his head to look at me. "Do you still love me?" He rolled his eyes and looked out the window again. "I didn't mean it literally."

"Well, I don't care. I don't like you anymore." he said and I sighed. "Go be in love with Louis Tomlinson."

"Ricky." I said and he sighed.

"I don't want to talk about this." he said and I groaned.

"I'm just trying to apologize!"

"And I'm not accepting your apology!" he said, mocking my tone.

"Fine." I said and crossed my arms for two seconds, then remembered I needed to drive. "Why did you have to turn into Luke?"

"Excuse me?"

"You're exactly how Luke was last year!" I said and sighed. He looked at me and tilted his head.

"No. Luke was completely and utterly in love with you. You played him and lead him on to the point where he still isn't fully okay." Ricky said and I looked at him. I looked back at the road and stayed quiet. "I like you. Yeah, that's pretty obvious. But I am not in love with you." he said and I felt my heart literally break.

"Yeah... sorry. Bad comparison." I said and sniffled. "Ricky... I..."

"What?" he asked and I looked at him. I breathed and pulled myself together.

"Forget it." I said and looked at the road. I drove into traffic and sighed. I hate traffic so much.

"Lauren, tell me." Ricky said and I looked at him.

"Fine. I was awful to Luke. I get that, but I was with someone when I led him on. I'm not leading you on because I don't want what happened to Luke to happen to you, okay? I like you, Ricky. I do. There, I said it. But I'm in a relationship that is going to continue." I said and let out a long breath. Ricky's eyes widened a little and I looked down. "You're a great guy."

"Lauren..." he said and I shook my head.

"Never mind. Pretend I didn't say anything." I said and looked out the window. I felt Ricky's hand touch my bare knee and I looked back at him.

"I don't want to pretend you didn't say anything..." he said and I gulped a little. His hand cupped my cheek and I gave him a shy smile.

This is not right, Lauren. Stop it.

He kissed me softly, and I kissed back. Not being able to help it. He pulled away from me and rested his forehead on my shoulder.

"I'm kind of in love with you."

-

Ali's POV

"Oh! You know what? I really have to go..." Luke said and laughed awkwardly. I paused the movie and looked over at him.

"You do?" I asked and he nodded.

"Yeah... I have a date... big night for Luke." he said and I nodded.

"Okay." I said and he stood up.

"See you guys later." he said and practically sprinted out of the room.