Remember, I told you

Cinderblock Garden

A/N: Hey y'all! This chapter is a lot of fun. Get ready for a charged performance. Also, please check out the song in the banner. It's really beautiful and the inspiration for this chapter. All Time Low is an incredible band so totally check out the rest of their stuff while you're at it. But anyway, ENJOY!!!

Ryder's pull was a rush altogether different from the adrenaline filling my veins. Everything else faded to white noise as I focused on the fire I felt underneath his fingers. He met my eyes, hesitantly singing, unsure of my next move,

But we can let it take us down

Down this road

Where all our colors run together

Let's take the worst and make it better

Let's take this mess and make a home

My brain was telling me to push him away, to not get caught up in the moment and try and find some clarity. I tried to sober up and remember why I didn't trust him, but his voice was intoxicating, making me more and more breathless. I tried pulling away...

...and he let me go.

And just as our hands slowly separated, our fingers barely touching, Ryder's voice echoed through my ears,

I know it gets hard for you to stay

But do you really want to throw it all away?

Fuck. Seriously?! I thought to myself. 

His words were loaded, with a crippling amount of history and the slight waver let me know that he meant what he was asking. The universe was toying with me, pushing me towards him, and for some reason, I don't know if I was tired of fighting, or if it was the melodic allure of "Cinderblock Gardens," but I let myself turn back around.

A look of surprise filled Ryder's face as I looked up at him. I gave him a shrug, letting him know that I was listening, but it wasn't going to be that it easy. 

At that moment, it seemed as though the audience had gone silent. 

Our silhouette must have been telling a story, bring the lyrics to life. A girl that lost everything, lost in her loss. And a boy, trying to pull her back, wanting to take away her pain, attempting to turn it into something beautiful... The question being, would she walk towards him, or away...

The audience didn't roar or cheer, waiting quietly, hoping for the two silhouettes to meet.

Ryder scrunched his eyebrows down at me, silently asking me for this moment. My heart leaped towards him, I wanted this song more than he could imagine, but it didn't seem that easy. 

My mind was racing as I looked again at Ryder silently asking, Just give me a reason. He responded with the slightest smirk, seemingly saying, Come on, Rosie, for old times sake. He tilted back, pointing his head behind him.