Collapsing Walls

Chapter 8, The Journey Begins

Rylee's POV

It feels like we've been hiking for hours- I mean, we have, but it's starting to make me feel sluggish and tired. I know we have to keep going though, so I push on until we reach a stopping point. I look at the sky and it's night time, the sky is clear and dark blue, so I start to gaze into it, looking at every star until I realize Nick joins me.

I pretend not to notice, but it's hard to not look at him when he looks so hot, and I can practically hear is heart pumping right now. He looks over at me and smiles, and I start to melt all over again. I was about to talk to him about last night when Sara came up to me.

Sara's POV

Now I knew what was going on- why Rylee was acting so weird this morning. I pulled her over and started squealing.

"I can't believe this! Ya'll like each other?!"

"Shh be quiet... and I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know? When did this happen? Tell me everything!"

"Shutup... It was nothing, okay. He just took me up to the tree and we watched the sunset. We were laying down and somehow ended up holding hands when Phoebe walked in on us," Rylee's face turned red.

"What did ya'll do?"

"Well we made up an excuse that we fell but I know Phoebe's not buying it."

"Really Rylee, that's so stupid! He obviously likes you back!"

"I know, but I didn't know what to do...And NO he doesn't like me back. It was probably because we were both sad about Brooks."

"Stop denying it- ya'll like each other even if you don't believe it," I could see it crystal clear when they were standing next to each other. I mean, Nick did this weird smile and Rylee basically melted over him.

I can't believe this- after all these years they finally like each other. When we were younger we used to tease them about it because Nick was always at her house with Brooks. You have to admit they'd make the cutest couple ever. I would ship them together.

Nick's POV

I really needed to talk to Rylee. When we were traveling I thought about it, nonstop until I finally came to a conclusion- I like her. A lot. This is the first time it's happened so fast. It was like the day before yesterday I didn't like anyone- and Boom, last night I was holding hands with Rylee, watching the sunset. I needed to tell her how I felt, whether she likes me back or not.

I walked up to Rylee where she was standing with Sara. When I walked up, they got really quiet, so I pretended to walk towards Mary Grace. God, why did it have to be so awkward now! I mean, I can't talk to anyone now with Phoebe walking in on us, and Mary Grace asking me that question. I never really replied, thank god Rilee and Landon walked up at that time.

Mary Grace's POV

I saw Nick walking towards me, so I gave him a half smile until he closed the distance. I looked at him expectantly, waiting for an answer from this morning.

"So... What is going on with you two?" I asked, curious to see why they had been acting so weird around each other lately. Plus, this gossip was about the only thing distracting me from Brooks.

"I don't know what to say, so I'm just going to say it honestly. I like Rylee. A lot, and I need to know if she thinks of me like that too."

"Just tell her. She likes you back- I can tell. Whenever you're with her you smile like an idiot, it's like you have a special smile just for her. And every time it looks like her heart is melting all over again."

"Maybe, but I'm not asking until I know for sure- we have a long journey."

"Dinner... is served," Dylan interrupted our conversation.

Phoebe's POV

Dinner was really, really good. It was actually cooked- Miles was able to build a fire for us. I ate the squirrel that was hunted in the forest. We were actually out of the forest now- we were walking along a path on an empty plain of yellow- brown grass.

I looked over at everyone else, but I couldn't talk to anyone now. Rylee and Sara were talking, and so were MG and Nick. All of them looked like they had serious conversations going on, so I decided to stay out this time. I saw Mason and David playing around with each other, and the 3 elves just sitting and talking.

I sighed as I finished my dinner and started to fall asleep. I just laid down in a grassy spot, and used the grass as a pillow. I took out my dragon skin cloak and put it on, trying to keep warm. The fire was warm, but none of the heat was staying on me. As I fell asleep, I couldn't help but hear Nick and MG talking.

They were talking about Rylee... she's my friend and all but I'm a little jealous. This is happening way to fast and I'm so lost, but I still have to act strong. It was like I was jealous I had no one to talk to, and then when I walked in on them my heart sank. I never thought I'd ever like Nick, but I do now, and there's no way denying it.