Everything Opposite

Chapter Eight

Ryleigh
I clung to Alex. I hadn't formally been introduced to them yet. Regardless, I sat crying into his chest for forever while he stroked my hair. I calmed down slowly. "Wanna talk about what happened?"Alex asked. At first I shook my head no then changed my mind and pressed a piece of paper into his hand. "Oh,"he said, caught off guard. I nodded. He hugged me tighter.

A banging sounded at the door. "ALLLLEEEEXXX!"Jack whined. "Jacky,"Zack said. I heard Rian laughing. "We need a minute, guys!"Alex yelled, startling me. The hall became quieter. "Are you doing okay now?"Alex asked. I shrugged. "It's all gonna be okay. Remember their just chemicals,"Alex said. I nodded and then he stood before putting his hand out to help me up.

"Where are we going?"I asked. "I dunno. We'll ask Zack and Rian. They're a bit more responsible and they'll have more ideas,"Alex explained. "Thanks, Lex,"I said, hugging him. He nodded. "Anytime, Ryles,"he said, making his own nickname for me. We stepped out into the hall.

"RYLEIGH!"Jack shouted and ran to hug me. I lost my balance as he collided into me and we both fell to the ground. He groaned. He managed to twist so he hit the ground and I didn't. "Jack, what the hell?"I asked. "Hugs?"he asked in a question. I sighed. Zack held a hand down to help me up. While Jack got himself together, the others made a plan.

"So, where are we going?"I asked. "It's a surprise!"Rian said. I shrugged. Zack ended up giving me a piggy back ride outside. His camera was strapped around his neck. The sun was setting on the horizon. The pinks, oranges and yellows blended together beautifully. Zack sat me down to take a photo. Jack swooped in and scooped my up bridal style causing me to laugh and Zack to take more photos. We walked for awhile till we found a building. We scaled a ladder on the side of it and made it to the roof. The view was even better. In that moment, I had never felt so alive.

I swung my legs over the side of the roof and sat down, dangling them. The guys sat next to me and we watched the sunset. When the stars came out we stayed a bit longer before my stomach growled. "Is Ryleigh hungry?"Rian asked, poking my stomach. "Yes, I'm hungry,"I said, realizing I skipped meals today. "Hi, hungry, it's nice to meet you, I'm Alex,"Alex joked. I rolled my eyes and punched his arm jokingly in a friendly manner. "Ow,"he said and put a hand on his chest, faking being hurt.

We climbed back down and found a pizza parlor called Leo's. The girl working the front seemed starstruck. They took a photo with her before we were seated in a booth at the back of the restaurant. Jack and Alex kept joking around. Rian and Zack were in some deep conversation. I tried to pay attention but I felt that darkness creeping back inside.

I tried to fight it off and zoned out. "Yo, earth to Ryleigh. You okay?"Alex asked, waving a hand in front of my face. I nodded and gave him my best fake smile, hoping it fooled him. After all, if I act the right way and say the right things then I'm fine right? A frown overcame his features but only for a moment. The waitress showed up, batting her eyelashes and flirting with the guys.

"Hey there, sweetie, what can I get for you?"she asked. I rolled my eyes. It pissed me off because she was so condescending. I hated when people talked down to me. I'm not a child. I ordered two slices of cheese pizza and some sort of Mac and Cheese Alfredo pasta with a sweet tea. The guys gave her their orders and she walked away to place the order then get our drinks.

She returned and placed our drinks down, using the same flirtatious manner with the guys and talking down to me. I scoffed. She twirled a piece of hair around her finger. "Oh, puh-lease, knock it off. These men are taken and I'm not a child. You're a grown ass women, act like it and get back to doing your job!"I said, telling her off and having enough of her attitude. She scoffed and rolled her eyes before walking away. The guys stared at me.

"What?"I asked as I stole one of Alex's fries. He had ordered them an appetizer and that's the only food item to come so far besides Zack's salad. He smacked my hand away lightly before Jack grabbed the whole basket and passed it to me. I stuck my tongue out at Alex and he did it in return. I saw it start to rain through the window. We were gonna get wet. "Cut it out, children,"Rian scolded and we jokingly looked down at the table like we were in trouble.

"So, are we gonna talk about the fact you just told that chick off?"Jack asked. I shrugged. "It had to be done. She was pissing me off. I hate being talked down to and she was too conscending while flirting with you guys. Someone had to stick her in her place,"I said, shrugging and taking another fry.

Our food came and we ate. I heard the bell over the door chime but didn't think anything of it. The guys suddenly got quiet and I looked up from my food at them to find them staring at someone next to our table. "Ryleigh, can we please talk?"Josh asked me, giving me puppy eyes.

I wasn't sure if I should give him a second chance. I never trust easy to begin with and he already broke my trust by keeping that a secret from me. On the other hand, he's my blood related family? Family sticks together right? I shrugged and he took a seat next to me, meaning we squished Rian up against the wall.

A/N: Hey y'all! Sorry I'm so shitty updating. It's been a very long week. I'm exhausted and mentally it's been excruciating but JacobAlexannderConne is absolutely amazing and convinced me to write this which I was stuck on and then suddenly wasn't. I hope you enjoyed. How are you? How's summer? I go to school in like a week and I wish I didn't. I hope you enjoyed and I'll try to keep chapters coming often. Much love!

B