Dedicated to @paradox-falls ^-^

-Maddie's POV-

Hi! My name is Maddie. I'm a freshmen in high school. I have black hair and blue eyes. I have an amazing group of friends. Their names are Geoff, Jack, Michael, Gavin, Griffon, Meg, Caiti, Lindsay, Ray and Ryan. Ray and I are the same height, everyone else is taller. Ray is also my best and closest friend out of all of them. Oh, and Ryan is my boyfriend. We have been dating for about two years now. He is a sophomore in high school, so is Geoff, Jack, Griffon, and Caiti. Everyone else is in my grade. We all went to the same middle, that is were we all met. Well I met everyone in middle school except Ray. Ray i met in pre-school. 

Anyway, it is the first day of school and it is lunch time. Lucky I have lunch with all my friends. They are all here, Ray to my left, Lindsay is in front of me with Michael next to her and across from Ray. They are all around me, I do have an empty seat next me to me though, for Ryan. Not sure were he is.

"Lindsay, you seen Ryan?" I asked.

She looked up behind me quickly before answering, "Nope haven't seen him." 

"Alrig-" I was going to say alright, but a hand covered my eyes.

"Guess who?" The person who was covering my eyes said.

"RYAN!" I said happily. He took his hand away and I sat next me. 

"Hey babe. How was your first day so far?" Ryan said.

"Good. Better now that I'm with you." 

He laughed and kissed me.I then started to tell him about all of my teachers and warned me about some because he had them last year. 

Everything about the first few months of high school was perfect. Ryan and everyone would come to my locker in the beginning of the day, the five minute bell would ring, we would go to our class, at lunch we would all hang out and discuss what we would want to do that weekend, then at the end of the day Ryan and I would go to my house or his, usually mine. Unfortunately good things don't last forever. Ryan stopped coming to my locker every morning, he would show up once or twice a week, and at lunch, when he showed up he was distant. I could see that Geoff, Jack, Griffon and Caiti knew why, but they refused to tell me or anyone. Ray would always be there for me and tell me everything was fine though, he reassured me everything would work out fine in the end. Soon enough it was Ray I hung out with after school most of the time instead of Ryan - usually I would end up complaining about Ryan and like I said before he reassures me about everything. Although Ryan still would text me everyday all through out the day so I knew he still loved me. 

It is Friday morning and Ryan actually showed up to my locker. The first thing he did was hug me tight and spin me around kissing me before letting me go. 

"How are you my love?" Ryan said. 

"I'm good. Where were you the past few days? And whats with this scratch on your face?" I said and lightly put my hand on the scar or scratch, I'm not sure which it is, he hasn't been here all week, Saturday and Sunday he basically fell off the face of the planet. 

"Hm, oh its nothing. Don't worry about it my love. And all week, I...was taking care of my little cousin, she was sick and my aunt and uncle are away so my mom dad and I had to watch her. Of course she gets sick while she is with us. My parents had to work and couldn't take off so I said I would watch her and take care of her." I could tell he was lying.. he took a pretty long pause between I and was. I also saw Geoff, Jack, Caiti and Griffon look at each other with a face of 'that is complete and utter bull shit.' Even Ray, Michael, Lindsay, Gavin and Meg, could see he is clearly lying. "Anyway, want to go see a movie after school then I will take you out to dinner and we could then relax either at your place or mine, my cousin went home yesterday night." 

"Sounds great." I said trying to ignore the fact he lied.

"Maddie I thought we were going to check out the new game today?! I got it last night! I didn't open or play it because I was going to wait for you.." 

"Oh yeah, sorry Ray.. maybe tomorrow. You go and play it with out me." 

"I knew I should have opened it last night.." Ray said under his breath before walking away. I didn't go after him, I stayed with Ryan talking about tonight. 

That night was perfect, Ryan brought me flowers, we were cuddling during the movie, we went to get pizza after because that's what I wanted and after we went to my house and we cuddled on the couch in my living room watching TV. We fell asleep there, my parents must of put a blanket on us as well because there wasn't one when we fell asleep that night. 

Soon, i would only see Ryan once a week - Friday -, sometimes the weekends. In school, he just wouldn't show in the morning or at lunch, but i know he is in school.

"Alright, you guys are going to tell me whats going on with Ryan." I said to Geoff, Jack, Griffon and Caiti. It is lunch time and the others aren't here yet.

"I don't know what your talking about." Geoff said. 

"Oh yes you do!" 

"We really don't know what your talking about Maddie." Jack said.

"Alright fine. If you wont tell me, I'l just tell the others something you made me swear not to tell." 

"You wouldn't." They all said at the same time, then looked at each other and said "You tell her and not me?!" Its funny really.

"You going to tell me or what?" 

"We can't.." Jack said.

"Ryan knows we know... If he found out we told you... well it wouldn't be good." Caiti said.

"Answer me this, is he .. cheating one me?" 

"Maddie, I think your over reacting a little, you know Ryan loves you to no end. He isn't cheating." Griffon said.

"Alright. Thanks." 

"Hey guys, what are we talking about?" Michael said.

"The new video game that comes out next week." I said changing the topic.

"I heard its suppose to be really good." Ray said and sat down next to Michael. "My mom is let me pre-order it, as soon as it is out I'm going to download it and play all night until I get all the achievements." 

"My mom let me do the same thing!" Michael said.

"I'm going to get something from the vending machine, anyone want something?" 

They all said no in one way or another so I grabbed my money and went over the the vending machine. On my way there I saw Ryan with his other friends, three other girls, and two boys. All of them sophomores. We all have other friends outside our group, but we don't really hang out with them out side of school. Is that were Ryan has been all this time? Hanging out with them? One is even all over him and he does nothing to stop it.. Did they lie to me? I'll ask Ryan myself when I get the chance.. I got my soda and went back to my seat.

"Ray can I come over and watch you play?" 

"It comes out on a Friday. You will be on your date with Ryan."

"So i'll skip a week, I can hang with him the next Friday."

"Yeah sure, we can go right after school. I'm going to have it start download before I leave so when i, or well when we get home I can start playing. Maybe I will let you play."

"You better let me play! And if you were next to I would so elbow you!" I said laughing.

We all laughed, when someone covered my eyes, Ryan. "Hey Ryan." I said.

"Hey babe." He said and sat next to me. Even though he doesn't show up anymore everyone still leaves him a seat next to me. "Want to come over after school?"

"But its not Friday." I said 'confused'.

"Well no its not but that doesn't mean you we can't hang out." Ryan said.

"Really? It sure has hell seems that way. Why don't you go hang out with your other friends, one seems to really like you." I grabbed my soda and bag and get up to leave.

"Maddie wait!" Ryan said and grabbed my arm. "Its not what you think! She is dating some else, she was exaggerating on how I am with you since I always have my arm around you! Maddie I love you." I put my stuff back down and sat back down. Ray looks annoyed but I don't think it means anything. Michael and him have been whispering back and forth, I bet Michael just said something.

"I love you too." I said and we kissed. 

After that Ryan was a little more careful, he started coming to my locker in the morning again, and he comes to lunch and we are hanging out more during the week again. I am still going to Rays on Friday though, I'm going to ditch him again. I feel really bad for doing it the first time.

"Hey Maddie." Ray said. "Where is everyone?" 

"Geoff is with Griffon off doing god knows what, same thing with Jack and Caiti, I don't know about the others." I said. "Oh! I'm still coming over later right? You started to install the game so later we can play." 

"Yeah, it will be done long before we get home so I can play all night." 

"Hey babe." Ryan said and put his arm around me, like always. "Where do you want to go for dinner?"

"Sorry love. Hanging out with Ray today. We can go on our date tomorrow." 

"Oh, alright. Then how about I take you some place nice." 

"Alright." 

Ryan kissed my temple and Ray rolled his eyes. Whats up with him? I noticed that he has been doing that since we got together.

The school day is boring, currently I have math but we are reviewing for out test tomorrow, I already know everything, so I asked for the bathroom pass. I didn't actually go, at least not yet. Going to walk by Ryan's class room. He was out side with that girl from lunch the other day, i hide behind the corner so I can try to hear what they are saying. 

"So you coming tomorrow night or what?" The girl said.

"Can't we do it tonight? I'm going out with Maddie tomorrow." Ryan said.

"Well it can't be moved, the other are busy tonight. I guess you'll just have to ditch her." 

"I can't... she is on to us....." 

"I don't understand why you don't break up with her already. I'm not going to keep doing this babe." 

"I still love her though... she has been there for me for so long. I can't just leave her I really love her." 

"Well, it seems you just made your choice. Don't bother showing up tomorrow." 

"Babe, wait hey listen to me. That doesn't mean I love you any less. Its just Maddie and I have more history and all of our friends would turn on me. I would like to attempt to keep there friendship. Again they have been there since the start. Besides, you make it sound we are going to do drugs, kill someone or drink, its just a video games."

"True... but still you got to choose, i'm getting tired of putting up with this."

"Alright, i will babe. Just give me time to think things through."

"Alright."

And then there was silence. I guess they are kissing or went back into class, possibly both.

I ran to the bathroom and started cry. Griffon said he wasn't cheating on me! Never trust sophomores... they all seem to be lying sons of bitches... alright, i need to get back class.

At lunch now, i ate quickly, don't want to stay for long. Soon the other will get here and i don't really want to talk to anyone. Lindsay and Meg are the first ones here after i finished eating.

"Oh my, Maddie whats wrong?!" Lindsay said.

"Nothing, i got to go."

"Hey, babe. Whats wrong?" Ryan said walking up to us.

"Nothing, now I really got to go..." I basically ran out of the cafeteria and into the bathroom. I can't believe he is cheating. I should be the one to end since I know... but I can't I love him... he he did say that he loved me, that has to count for something, but he did say he loved her... why me...

"Maddie, what's wrong." Lindsay said. I guess she followed me. 

"Come one Maddie, what's wrong you can tell us." Meg said, she followed as well.

"Its nothing just some family stuff, I don't want to get into it." I said. I will tell them the truth when I know what I should do.. should I wait for Ryan to pick or just leave him now. I'll worry about that later. "Hey lets, get back to the cafeteria." 

When we got back to the cafeteria Ryan was actually at the table, he didn't have lunch, he doesn't eat fast so I don't think he ate already.

When Ryan saw me he stood up and came over to me putting his hand on my check, I leaned my head into his check, I love this touch even though he is cheating on me I can't help but love him. 

"Maddie, love, what's wrong??" Ryan said.

"It's nothing, just just some family stuff."

"Promise?"

"Yeah... promise."

"I love you." He said and kissed my forehead. Yeah, sure you love me...

"Maddie, whats wrong?" Ray said.

"Its nothing Ray, just family stuff." 

"Alright..." 

The day went by somewhat fast after lunch. Ray and I just got to his house. He is loading up the game now. 

"Maddie... what really happened today? Is it Ryan... again?" 

Never have I been able to successfully lie to Ray. "Alright, fine its Ryan... he is cheating on me, and the other girl knows everything.." I started to explain what happened during school. I hugged my knees, we are sitting on the floor leaning on his bed. Not sure why we don't sit on hit and lean against the wall.

He paused the game as I finished the story and he pulled me into a hug and I cried into his arms. "Its alright, no matter what that asshole does I will always be here for you. I promise, no one will hurt you as long I'm here."

"Thank you Ray. You are just an amazing person." Now that I think about Ray has been there for me so much more that Ryan, not only because I have known Ray longer. Thinking about it, once Ryan and I started dating, I have been going to Ray for comfort more and more. 

"No problem Maddie. You want to play?" 

"But you barely played!" 

"Its alright. I want you to play." 

I started to play for a few hours then I let Ray play, and we have been going back and forth all night, well until I had to go home. I got home at about 12:30, yes I am aware that I got home extremely late, that is excepted when I hang with Ray. Anyway, I decided to text Ryan to see if he is still awake, oddly he is. 

"Hey Rye-Bread." ~M

"Hey babe. Did you just get home?" ~R

"Yeah. What do you want to do tomorrow?" ~M

"Well, I was thinking I would pick you up at noon we would go our for lunch, then we can come back to my place and watch that movie you wanted to see a while ago but we couldn't. You know that romantic one I can't think of the name but I got it. I have my ways." ~R

"Sounds perfect! I need to go get ready for bed since I have to be up before noon. :)" ~M 

"Alright, I love you so much. Sleep well." ~R

"I love you too." ~M

Why do I love him? He will do nothing but hurt me and cause me pain once he choices the other girl... best bit to think about this now. I need to sleep. 

I wake up to my alarm. Its is 11:30 am, Ryan will be here soon. I throw on a decent shirt and my favorite pair of jeans. Then I decided to put on little make-up, and do my hair nice. by the time I finish with all that my phones goes off. It is a text from Ryan saying he is outside, so I ran outside.

"Hello my love." Ryan said. "These are for you." He handed me the prettiest looking flowers ever. 

"Hello Rye-Bread. AND THESE ARE SO PRETTY! I'm going to run inside and put these in water. Then we can leave." 

"Alright." We shared a quick kiss, I put the flowers inside then we started to walk to the restaurant.

Lunch was great, it seemed like he loved me more that other girl in that moment. Then we started to walk back to his house. He was texting someone else, I'm going to assume that other girl... well there went our good time on the date... why am letting him do this to me... I should just end it right? Make it easier, but I don't want to... maybe maybe I should ask Ray. Yeah, I will go to his place after. Ray always makes me happy.

"You alright babe?" Ryan asked sounding worried.

"Yeah. I'm fine." I said faking sounding happy. "Just thinking about the how much I love you and I just get all teary because I love you so much." 

"Aww, I love you so much to babe." He said and kissed me and we continued on our way to his house. Once we got there we went down to the basement, he started the movie and then he sat next to me putting  his arm around me, I moved into the embrace.

I stayed for dinner and then Ryan walked me home. I walked inside and texted Ray.

"Ray, want to hang out?" ~M

"Not looking to see who texted me. :) Playing the new video game. Bye." ~Ray

"RAY NARVAEZ JR! IF YOU DON'T ANSWER ME IN FIVE MINUTES I'M COMING OVER AND TURNING OFF YOUR XBOX!"   

"Alright alright, whats up Maddie?" ~Ray

"Just got home, bored, want to hang out? :)" ~M

"Come over then. You already threatened to do so. Lol." ~Ray

"On my way." ~M 

I got to Rays pretty fast, he lives the closest. He answered the door when I got there and we ran up to his room to play.

"How did the date go." Ray asked.

"It was perfect until on the way to his house after lunch he was texting the who I think is the other girl he is dating. Which reminds me I wanted to ask your advice, what should I do? Should I just end it? He seemed to really love me when he we were at lunch. I don't know that to do anymore. I love him, but I know I'm going to get hurt and I don't know if its worth it..."

"Look Maddie," Ray said and paused the game. "I want to help you with this but I don't really know how, you know I have never had a girlfriend, so I don't know how to help. You were in a situation where you like someone that doesn't love you back, then I can help." 

"NO WAY YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON SOMEONE TELL ME!" I said lightly slapping him arm.

"Fuck." 

"Tell mee." 

"I can't!" 

"Ah come on why not?" 

"I-I just can't okay."

"Please, I won't tell her I promise. Is it Tina? The one we have science with." 

"She is cute, but its not her."

"Is she in our grade?" 

"Yeah." 

I started to go through every girl that I can think of in our grade, he just just kept saying no as he played his game. I don't get it who can it be?! I said every girls name in the grade. "Is it even a girl? I said every girls name in the grade." 

Ray laughed, "Yes it is a girl. And there is one girl you haven't named." 

Who's the one girl? I said everyone except... me. No it can't be, can it?? He is really cute, if Ryan didn't ask me out when he did, I so would have asked Ray out, or he would ask me out, either way I would have dated him. "Is is it me?" 

"Yeah..." Ray sighed. "Don't hate me..." 

"Why would I hate you? I think its kind of cute, its like everyone those sappy romantic stories." 

"Your right." 

"My mom has some ice cream the freezer lets go get some, I have stuff for Sundays as well."

"But its Saturday." 

"Shut up." 

I laughed as  i got up to go downstairs. Ray pulled out the ice cream and I got the bowls and spoons. Ray put the ice cream in the bowls, I put the toppings.

"This is exactly what I needed. We need to have Sundays more often." 

"Once a week is enough, I don't want to have the feeling of 'tomorrows Monday' more than once a week."

"Shut up." 

We laughed and ate out Sundays in quite, not an awkward kinda of silence, but a good one. After we were done, I help Ray clean up then we went back up stairs to play the game. We went to grab the controller at the same time and our hands touched. He pulled his hand away immediately and his face turned bright red causing me to laugh.

"Whats to funny?" 

"Your face is bright red." 

"What ever, just just beat the game for me." 

"You can do that." I said and handed him the controller, again our hands touching. This time Ray didn't pull his hand back right away, we just looked into each other eyes. He always had nice eyes. I said before I would have dated him, he is cute and he is always there for me. I can't help but lean in and kiss him, he is to cute and nice not too. He melted into the kiss and we stayed there for a moment. The kiss sent a chill through my spine. I haven't experienced a kiss like this in years.

"Forget Ryan, he hasn't done anything but hurt me recently. You are the one that makes me happy." I said after I broke the kiss. 

"You you want to give us a try? "

"Yeah I would like that. I'll tell Ryan in school Monday."

"Alright." 

Monday came around faster than I thought, and honestly I forgot I still needed to break up with Ryan. I was standing with Ray, his arm around my shoulder, and I'm holding his hand. We are talking with Michael and Lindsay, who I don't know if I mentioned are dating. They are standing like Ray and I are. Well anyway, out of the corner of my eye I see Ryan coming with flowers, for me I assume, but when he saw Ray and I - Ray kissed my check - he almost dropped the flowers and went the other way. Should I follow him? Maybe I should wait until lunch when we have more time to talk... Yeah I will wait for lunch.

Well lunch came pretty fast, I ate then excused myself from the table to go see Ryan. 

"Hey Ryan can I talk to you for a second?" I said. 

He looked up at me before answering, his eyes are glassy and it looks like he was crying earlier. "Sure.." 

He got up and we walked outside the cafeteria were it isn't as loud. 

"Whats up?" He said look behind me, there wasn't anything behind me besides a wall.

"Well, I'm breaking up with you..."

"I figured it was over since you and Ray are now together." 

"Yeah..... I just want to know something though..." 

"Yeah?"

"Why did you cheat on me? Was I that bad of a girlfriend?"

"You know about that huh.. well to be honest, you were the best girlfriend ever. I really don't have a good reason as to why I cheated on you... I wish I didn't... how how did you find out?"

"I heard you and the other girl talking in the hall way one day. Also, I heard her say that you needed to choose one of us... who would you have chosen?"

"I choose already, it was you I choice. I was going to give you flowers this morning but I saw you and Ray.. you both looked so happy, I haven't seen you that happy since we first got together... I I wish I could still make you that happy... I'm sorry.." 

"Sometimes things happen for a reason Ryan. Now please tell you ended up giving the flowers to the other girl and you weren't an idiot." 

"Yeah, but she could she was the second choice, so she punched my arm playfully but took the flowers anyway."

"Good. Best friends?" 

"Of course.

"Good, I think everything will work out okay in the end. I know that you will be able to make this girl trust as happy as you made me over the past years." I kissed him one last time then we went back to our lunch tables.

I told Ray what happened because he wanted to know so I told him. He was fine with me kissing him one last time. Everything is going to be okay.