The adventures of Rydel and Ellington

Ellington - 2

I stretched out in my bed, and then I yawned. It felt nice to be back at home. There was the homeliness everywhere, way more personal than the tour bus or even the different hotels that we went to. Sure, they were mostly grand and were nice to live in, but nothing, I repeat nothing, beats the comfort of your own house. The morning sun filtered through the curtains, and I pulled myself upright and reached for my phone. There was a message from Kelly.

<We need to talk.>

Eek. <Sure, I'll be right over> I replied.

Well, the first day back wasn't starting off so well. I sighed and got ready. I took a shower, changed my clothes and jeans (another perk of not being on tour) into something fresh.

I kissed my mum on the cheek before leaving for Kel's house. I had a feeling that it wouldn't have been such a old meeting. I was right. I think.

When I got there, Kelly was already outside. Her head was down, and I was sure, that nothing good could come out of what was going to come out of today. "Kel?" I asked her.

She forced a smile when she saw me. "Oh, Ell hey."

Ah. I was screwed.

"You know, I've been thinking," definitely not good. "You're always on tour and I'm always the one excited to see you come back, but you know, I- uh-"

"You wanna break up with me?" I suggested mildly.

She bit her lip and then nodded. "Yeah. I mean, don't get me wrong, Ell, you're wonderful and anyone would be happy to be dating you, but I think that maybe we should just stay friends. I mean, you're awesome and everything I wanted, but all the time away just makes the space between us just continue to grow..."

I sighed. "I understand, Kel. I understand."

"I'm sorry," she said, biting her lip.

I placed a sad smile on my face. My cheeks hurt from the falseness of it. "Goodbye, Ell," she replied. With that, she left me alone on the outside of her porch.

My arms were cold from the absence of her hug; of her touch. I shook my head. You'd think years of being together, maybe the relationship would end up in something. But then again, we both knew that it was coming. It was all just a matter of time.

I left for the place I knew the best; the place I'd come to recognise as my own second home: the Lynchs'.

I let myself in, where thoughts of Kelly still haunted my mind, like ghosts in a haunted house. The memories of the both of us together replayed like a tape in my head. I saw the good times we shared together. I saw the fun we had as a couple. And most importantly, I saw the moments we shared.

It felt like a stab to my heart that she would have broke up with me.

"Ratliff, heads up!"

I was so in my own thoughts I completely missed the football that sailed straight to my head. "Oof," I groaned as I was knocked to the floor."

Ross saw me and the burst out laughing. This was followed by Rocky, then Riker. Even Ryland came out to see the commotion and burst into laughter. This made me wonder where Rydel was.

My question was answered when she tackled me (well not really, seeing how I was already on the floor). "Ratliff!!"

Rocky gagged. He placed his hand over his heart and said, "Don't forget about me, Rat!!"

I rolled my eyes and messed his hair. "Aww," he cooed, "knew you'd miss me!"

Riker rolled his eyes and Ross pulled him aside and whispered something inside his ear, making him laugh and follow him. The boys all filed out and continued with their game, leaving Rydel and I outside.

"Hey Ratliff," she said. "You know what?"

I played along. "What?"

"I feel like having ice cream."

I rolled my eyes. "What's new?"

She flicked my forehead. I laughed.

"Let's go!" She exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes. "No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

I smirked. "What're to going to do about it?"

She grinned. "Riker!" She hollered.

Her oldest brother ran out of the room the boys were playing in. "What's up?"

"I want I've cream," she declared.

Riker rolled his eyes. "Are you kidding me?"

She gave him her innocent smile. The kind that would make any boy's heart melt and either of her brothers - especially the oldest - give in to her demands. Riker sighed. "Ask El," he said.

"He doesn't want to take me," she pouted.

That little-

Riker gave me a pleading look. "El, will you please take Rydel out for ice cream?"

"But-"

"Please!" He begged.

"Fine," I conceded.

Both of them grinned. Rydel kissed Riker on the cheek. "Thanks!"

He rolled his eyes.

With that, she grabbed my hand and made for the ice cream parlor nearby.

***

Bad chapter but I realised I really needed to update this haha.