I Understand Now (Ricky Dillon Fanfiction)

Chapter 9

Ellie's POV.

Remember before all of this, when I was Ellie Waters, the girl who's afraid of love? Well, I guess that's not so true anymore. Ricky isn't like any other person I've ever met, let alone any other guy. He's the only person that understands me. He's the only person my age with similar interests to me. He's the only person that wants me for more than just my looks. He's the only person that doesn't judge me and call me a 'nerd'. He's the one person I want in my life. I'm just not ready to tell him I love him yet.

After we finish our coffees, Ricky takes my hand and we walk down the street to a park. For some time we just walk in silence, enjoying each other's company, and the tranquility of our surroundings. But I break the silence.

"So, what are your friends back in America like?" I ask.

"They're pretty cool," Ricky simply replies. "I still keep in touch with them. Probably not anytime soon, but I really hope I can go back to America to see them again." We arrive at a park bench and let go of each other's hands as we sit together on it.

"I wish I could meet some of them," I sigh.

"Maybe you will one day," Ricky says. "Even if it's over FaceTime." We both laugh.

"Afraid of love, eh?" A voice sneers from behind us. We both turn around, and standing there, arms folded with a smirk on her face, is Sarah, the girl who threw the paper at me. I gulp, trying to make it seem inconspicuous.

"Doesn't seem much like that to me," Sarah giggles.

"Shut up," I tell her, looking away and rolling my eyes in disgust.

"Ooh, attitude," she jeers. "You know it's rude to ignore people when they're speaking to you." I know she's just baiting me, but I look back at her anyway.

"Not as rude as making fun of people's fears," I shoot back, standing up and walking around the bench to meet her.

"Ellie," Ricky warns, placing his hands on my forearms.

"Yeah, Ellie," Sarah mocks, splitting her high ponytail into two and draping one section over each of her shoulders.

"You too, Sarah," Ricky says. "Stop it."

"Wow, that's a first," Sarah remarks. She turns to me. "Ellie, you never told me your boyfriend knew my name."

"He's not my boyfriend!" I shout at her, unexpectedly loud. Ricky tightens his grip on me as Sarah lifts her arms up in defence.

"Whoa, just saying," she mutters. "Looked like that nerd actually had a chance for once."

That's when I lose it. I scream and throw myself at Sarah, punching her in the jaw. She cries out in pain as I grab her shoulders and she tries to push me off her. She slams her foot into my shin and I scream at the sudden impact, but I keep my grip on her. I draw back to punch her again, but I feel Ricky's hands on my shoulders and he pulls me away from her. She stands there for a second, breathing heavily and her mouth wide open in shock, before quickly turning and walking away from me. I turn to face Ricky.

"What the hell was that?" He demands.

"You heard what she said about me," I say defensively. "She deserved every bit of what she got."

"No, she didn't!" Ricky retorts. "You didn't have to hurt her like that."

I fold my arms and stare at him. "Are you suddenly on her side?" I ask.

"No, of course not," he replies. "But I don't like seeing the people I care about getting into conflict like that."

My heart stops. "You...care about me?" I whisper.

"Of course," Ricky replies, as if it should be obvious. "And I know what you've said before about relationships, and I know this might be rushing in, but....every time I look at you.....and every time I think about you....I can't help but think that...well, um, I love you, Ellie."