8 Proud of you

SOPHIA

“So…” Ryan began. From the corner of my eyes, I caught him sparing me a glance.

“Do you have an itinerary or not?“ 

Well, I did have a few things planned out. I've always wanted to try pottery back in Canada but I had been too busy to, so I signed up for a pottery class by noon, afterwards I'd try out some street market food and lastly hike to the top of the hills to catch the sunset.

I was especially looking forward to the hike. I think the beautiful view would be exactly what I needed.

“Are you still with me?“ I heard Ryan's voice. I blinked back as I realized that I left his question hanging. I cleared my throat and took out my phone so I could read the address out to him.

“Dais Potters-”

“The same I know?“ He asked incredulously. 

I whipped my head to look at him. “How do you- oh”

I totally forgot it was the first place he learned pottery. What was I thinking?! How did I forget?

It was the place he forced me to go with him when I was in sophomore year and I ended up getting in trouble with my mother.

“You want to learn? What changed your mind?“ He asked, casting me a curious glance.

I wanted to ignore his question but I remembered my promise to Zara. She didn't force me, I willingly said I'd try to act normal around him, I should at least keep my promise and by the way, being polite would help me forget about the lingering memories we had.

“I'm trying new things,” I replied and turned away from him.

“That's good. I'm proud of you,”

His words made me freeze for a few seconds.

Those exact words that I've yearned to hear for so long. Why did I have to hear it from him first?

“You shouldn't be,” I didn't realize when the whisper left my lips. I turned to look at him just as he did, hoping he didn't hear my words.

“Did you say something?“ he asked with raised brows, his eyes watching me carefully as if waiting for the guard I had put up to fall, even for a second.

I bit the inside of my lips and looked away from him. “No,”

I ran my hand down my hair and kept my eyes outside through the rest of the ride.

A few hours later…

“You did well,” Ryan said, a smile on his face as soon as he saw me walk out of the room where we took the pottery class.

I held onto my bag with a frown. “You've not left,”

He smiled lightly. “So eager to push me away,”

I stopped just as I got to him, a few feet away from him. “We are not that close. Stop trying to be friendly,”

I don't know if I was expecting him to back off from my rude remark but instead, he smiled.

And it irked me. It made me mad that he thought I was a joke and he could just weave his way back into my life, I mean I might have come here first but it didn't mean it was an open invite for him.

“What do you want to do next?“

“We can watch the sunset on your favorite hilltop”

I stared at him out of words as he stared back at me quietly. I hated that he knew me so well.

“Oh thank Goodness you are still here,” I heard a voice behind me, I turned around to see the teacher, Mrs Julius, also the owner of the academy. 

I immediately put on a smile as I turned to face her completely.

“I thought you'd have left,” 

“It's been a long time since you both came here, 12 years?“ 

I nodded. 

I don't think I'm interested in wherever this conversation was headed. Any conversation that would remind me of my past relationship with him, I like to avoid like a plague. 

“It has been that long? How time flies“ It was Ryan speaking and he was now standing beside me, too close for my comfort.

“I hope to see you again soon, Ms Adams,” she said, turning to me.

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Of course,”

She gave me a warm smile and turned to Ryan. “And you too. Don't run away after one week this time,” she said, frowning at the end of her statement. 

He chuckled. “Don't worry. You'll see us from now on,” 

She smiled and one last goodbye, she turned around and left. I turned to him. 

“Don't waste your time coming here. Focus on your work,”

He shrugged. “This is the best way to distress. I'm going to listen to her this time,”

I opened my mouth to speak but he was already walking away. I exhaled in frustration, running a hand through my hair.

This is all my fault. I shouldn't have agreed this morning. What the fuck was running through my mind when I did?

I exhaled deeply and then walked out of the building. 

A few hours later…

I let out a tired sigh as I climbed the last steep step to stand on top of the rock. All my anger and frustration disappeared as soon as I saw the beautiful view. It was extremely breathtaking and my lips pulled up into a smile unconsciously. 

I let my eyes and body soak in the beauty of the sun setting from the top of the hill.

I knew this was just what I needed.

I felt Ryan come up next to stand beside me but I didn't turn to look at him.

“Breathtaking isn't it?“

Normally I'd disagree but I didn't.  “It is,”

There was silence after that and I was glad for it because I wasn't interested in having any kind of conversation with Ryan Caddel.

It wasn't even up to ten minutes before Ryan broke the silence. “Don't you want to take pictures?“

“No,”

“I want to though,” he replied. I frowned while sparing him a glance.

“Suit yourself,” 

Suddenly he took out his phone and thrusted it into my hand before taking a few steps backwards.

“Take them for me, would you?“ He asked, a small smile on his face. I sighed in frustration. 

I knew arguing wouldn't work and it was my fault for agreeing to his demands so I might as well face the consequences of my decision. 

I glared at him and raised the phone to take a picture, just as my finger hovered above the screen, a call came in.

A strange feeling settled in the depths of my stomach as soon as I saw the familiar name on the screen. The same Adriana Hills.

“You have a call,” I muttered, stretching the phone towards him. He moved closer to me and gave me a confused look before he grabbed the phone. His expression hardened when he saw who it was. I wasn't expecting him to end the call.

Why was he pretending to not be interested?

“Is it not a personal issue? You should answer your wife's call,”

He looked at me, frowning for the first time I'd seen him today.

“Sophie-”

“I'm ready to leave now,”  I cut him off and turned around, heading down.