Chapter 44

Chapter 44

The walk to Jessie’s dorm was quiet, aside from Ryan mumbling to himself as he rehearsed his apology.

"Hey, Jessie, I was a jerk yesterday… no, that sounds too formal… Jessie, I messed up, but I really like you… ugh, too desperate."

Lana shook her head,she was scrolling through her phone watching him stress over every word. "Dude, relax. Just be yourself."

"Yeah, easy for you to say. You're not the one about to put your heart on the line."

She smirked. "Nope and I don't think I ever will be , which is why I am here getting hurt over all this , she said to herself 

 But I am the one who told you this was a bad idea."

They reached the dorm building, and Ryan took a deep breath. "Okay. Let’s do this."

Lana stood back, arms crossed. "Good luck, lover boy."

Ryan shot her a glare before heading inside.

As he walked down the hall, Ryan could feel his heart pounding in his chest. This was it. He’d knock, she’d answer, he’d give her the chocolates and note, they’d talk, and maybe—just maybe—he’d leave with a new girlfriend.

But when he reached Jessie’s door, something made him stop in his tracks.

The door was slightly open.

And from inside, he could hear voices., at first he thought it was from the other roommates with Lana , or probably just friends

   As he walked closer , it grew louder , sounded like people teasing each other 

Laughing.

Then—his stomach dropped—a familiar voice.

Jessie’s voice.

And then—another voice. A guy’s voice.

Ryan took a deep breath as he took a step closer, peering through the gap in the door.

There she was. Jessie. Sitting on her bed, tangled up with some guy he didn’t recognize. Their faces were inches apart—no, not inches. They were kissing. He was stroking her body with his fingers as they kissed ,the both of them loved up in bed 

Ryan felt like the floor had been ripped from under him.

His hands clenched around the small bag holding the chocolates and note. The same chocolates he had spent way too much time picking out. The same note he had stressed over writing.

For what?

   She played me.,he said to himself 

He frowned as he took a shaky step back. He didn’t know whether to storm in and demand an explanation or just turn around and leave.

Before he could decide, Jessie and the guy pulled apart slightly. She giggled, resting her forehead against his.

"You’re such a distraction babe," she murmured.

"Can’t help it,have you seen yourself babe?you are irresistible," the guy replied, grinning.

  Babe? Did she just call him that ? He became even more furious more at himself than any other person 

That was enough. Ryan felt his stomach twist with something between anger and humiliation. He took another step back, then turned on his heel, walking away before he did something stupid.

Lana was close by at the corridor leaning against the building, not wanting to see any of it as she might just totally lose it she continued scrolling through her phone. She looked up when she heard him approach.

"Well?" she asked. "How’d it go?"she said with a fake smile

Ryan didn’t answer right away. He just kept walking.

"Ryan?" Lana called after him, noticing him and how he still held all the things bought in his fists. "What happened?"she said no?

Finally, he stopped. Without looking at her, he exhaled sharply and tossed the bag into a nearby trash can.

Lana’s eyes widened. "Whoa. What the hell—? It was that serious"

"Let’s go," he muttered, his voice tight.

Lana frowned but quickly caught up to him. "Ryan, what happened?" You know this is my dorm right you can't be making walk around, especially with that attitude you're putting 

He finally looked at her, and she saw it in his eyes.

Anger. Disappointment. Hurt.

"Well you might as well excuse her and leave the dorm room for her alone as She was with someone else," he said, his voice flat.

Lana’s mouth fell open slightly. "Wait… sorry what ?you mean—?"

Ryan nodded, swallowing hard.

Lana frowned; she was genuinely angry to see Ryan hurt . "That girl knew she was up to no good" she said to herself 

Ryan let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah. Guess I won’t be needing your help after all."and it was a dumb idea , maybe I should listen to you more , but at least I know better now

Lana didn’t know what to say. She wanted to tell him he deserved better, that Jessie was trash, that he’d get over it—and she was here for him if only he would see her as more than just a friend but she knew none of that would help right now.

So instead, she just walked beside him in silence, matching his pace.

She didn’t say it, but she was glad he hadn’t gone in there with the chocolates and the note.

Because Jessie didn’t deserve them.

And Ryan?

He deserved so much better. Her , she was also happy that the chapter would be closed so soon, it was becoming so unbearable to her 

   She put a hand on his shoulder to console him.  

*"Cheer up, lad. You’re taking this deeper than I thought. I told you it wasn’t like that, and you were taking it too much."*  

*"Because I thought it would be deeper! I literally got chocolates. We exchanged smiles all the time. During the time at Zach’s place, she kept her hands on my lap,"* Ryan’s voice was growing louder as he spoke.  

Lana knew he was crashing out. Maybe she should have maintained the silence.  

*"And then, how about the drive from Zach’s place back here? We had deep conversations, maintained eye contact so many times—I was sure we didn’t need words for anything. Before I got the call, I could have sworn she was about to tell me she likes me."*  

*"Yeah, I for one thought there was a thing going on there, with the way you all got touchy with each other,"* Lana said, supporting him.  

*"You see? Before it sounds like I’m delusional or something, are you telling me all that was for nothing? And this whole time, she had a person to kiss?"*  

*"Hey, calm down, Ryan. I’m sorry you had to see all that. Just take a deep breath, and we will talk about it with her tomorrow."*  

*"Like hell I am ever going to speak to her. Here’s me hoping she avoids me as best as she can."*  

*"I’m going to need a smoke and a strong drink for the night,"* Ryan said.  

*"No, you are not going to do that over a two-day love interest, Ryan. Don’t even think of it."*  

*"You can’t tell me what to do, Lana. I really appreciate you being here, and I’m sorry for taking most of your time, but you’re not my mother."*  

*"Yeah, like hell I’m not. But now that you mentioned her, imagine being too high and unable to attend classes tomorrow. Then you get reported by the professor."*  

Ryan sighed in frustration. *"Yeah, you have a point. I’m just so mad this had to happen. It’s getting late, you should be heading to your room now, Lana."*  

*"Not until I am sure you are okay,"* Lana said to him.  

*"I’m fine. It’s something I should be expecting anyway."*  

*"Want a hug?"* Lana opened her arms. *"Come here."*  

He reluctantly walked toward her, and they hugged. It was a warm and affectionate one, and he stayed there.  

Lana wanted him to stay; it felt so good to her. At that moment, she realized that even though they had been friends for years, they had never hugged this close.  

Finally, he let her go.  

*"Hey, thank you for that. Kind of really needed it."*  

*"Of course, I am always here if you need me. I best get back to my dorms then. Hope you’re going to be okay?"* she asked him.  

*"Yeah, definitely. I’ll be fine. Thank you once again,"* he replied.