The Player Next Door

Chapter 28

I smoothed down my shirt and took a deep breath looking in the mirror. I was wearing black sweatpants and a gray t-shirt with gray sneakers. Not my best look, but I wasn't exactly in the mood to pick out a better outfit.

I spent twenty minutes last night convincing my parents that I had a group project to do after school. In reality I needed to talk to Ryan and I was hoping I could get him alone after classes.

I haven't spoken to him since his fight with Jake which was last week. The past few days he's ignored me and doesn't come to lunch, as has Jake. It hurt having them both not speak to me but I figured I needed to try and salvage my relationship with Ryan first or at least apologize for being such an ass. Once that was all worked out or not worked out, I would talk to Jake about our awkward friendship situation.

I get to school a little early hoping to catch Ryan at his locker.

"Hey Kitten," Tommy says walking toward me and opening the locker a couple down from my own.

"Hey Tommy, what's up?" I ask offering him a small smile.

"Nothing, I miss you, you haven't hung out with us in a while," Tommy says offering me a cute pout.

I laugh softly, "Jake and I aren't exactly speaking right now." Saying the words aloud made my chest pang a little. I felt like I was saying those words way too often.

"Ah yes, the big fight" he says recalling it like it was some historical event, "He still seems a little pouty whenever we try to bring it up"

"Is he okay?" I ask frowning. As much as I tried not to worry about him I couldn't help it. Jake is someone I care about. Plus, a lot happened that day.

I remember the feeling of his lips on mine and frown, hating how I missed it.

"He's fine, he just doesn't like when we ask about you" he says offering me a small smile and breaking me from my thoughts.

"Oh" I say my frown deepening.

Tommy comes up to me and places a hand on my shoulder, "It's okay Kitten, he'll come around."

I nod slowly and offer him a tight smile before he leaves to go to class. I look over to Ryans locker and see him shutting it before walking in the other direction.

Dammit! That was the whole reason I came here early. Stupid Tommy and his small talk. I groaned frustrated and walked off to my class. Guess I'll have to try again later.

Lucky me, two periods after, I catch Ryan leaving one of his classes and I hurry over grabbing his arm. When he sees it's me he pulls his arm back like I burned him and I frown, "Ryan please just talk to me."

"There's nothing to talk about" he says not looking at me.

"Just let me explain please, I owe you that" I plead and at that he stops walking and turns to me still not making eye contact.

"I'm listening."

"Not here, after school, in the parking lot" I say before walking away and letting out a deep breath.

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I look at my watch and begin getting antsy, did he decide not to come? Is he seriously going to ignore me forever?

I begin patting my hands against my legs trying to busy my anxious body.

I was about to give up and get into my car when I heard one of his friends call out his name. I look up and see him coming out of the school, walking up to his friend. They do that hand shake hug thing and they chat for a minute or two before Ryan says goodbye. He scans the parking lot looking for someone and stops when his eyes land on me. He slowly walks over and I try to smile but I can't.