GREEK TRAGEDY
:: xv. | space is just a word

Even though dare night was a blast, it caused Ryland to have some after thoughts. Thoughts that involved Jay and herself. She started thinking about more of who she is or wants to be. She was thinking of that quick peck she shared with her best friend and what that meant for her because the more she thought about it, the more she realized, she liked it.

Ryland always figured that she got everything figured out for herself and that there was no more surprises. But what she didn't expect was a different side to her that she never thought to explore. She was only ever attracted to guys, she never saw the appeal to women in that way and still doesn't, but maybe that was because she never let herself open up like that.

The teen had a lot of questions and the one person she could think of who could possibly help her out, would be her best friend. She felt like Ashely could understand because of who she is.

So, Ryland sent a quick text to Ashely that she was going to come over on that Friday night.

As soon as she had the moment to get what she needed and hopped in her car, she began to Ashely's place. Soon enough, after a little over ten minute drive, Ryland pulled up and parked on the curb in front of Ashely's place.

She got out her car with her overnight bag and headed to the front door. Ryland knocked it and just moments later it opened.

"Hey, ry." Chad smiled.

She returned the smile, "Going to see Anna?"

"That's right." He walked passed her, out the door, "Ashley's upstairs."

She quickly turned around, facing his back, "And your parents?"

"It's cool, don't worry!" He lastly said as he continued to his car.

She then closed the door and proceeded to Ashely's room with her bag. She noticed the door wide open and walked in, not finding anyone. So, Ryland assumed Ashely went to the bathroom and took the pleasure to settle in as to wait for her.

As a few minutes went by, Ashely walked into her bedroom finding her best friend lying on the bed on her phone.

"Hey, hey." Ashely plopped next to Ryland, "How's it going?"

"Two things." Ryland closed her phone, "Anna and Chad seem to be getting cozy and your parents aren't here?"

"Yeah, business trip. Which is a lame excuse to get away from me." She didn't let that truth wither away at her, "But yeah, my brother seems to really like Anna. Meteor shower date."

"Cute." Was all Ryland said in return. She bit her lip, a bit nervous to talk about why she really came over but Ashely is her best friend and she didn't know who else to talk to about this with, "Could we order food before I talk to you about something kind of serious with me?"

Ashely immediately agreed, "Yeah, what do you wanna get?"

• • •

Ryland tossed half her pizza slice in the box, sitting up. The two were on the floor at the head of the bed, eating. She rested her back against the bed as she began, "Remember dare night and you kissed me?"

"Yeah —— " Ashely formed an idea in her head, "If you're uncomfortable with that, im sorry. I should've asked, it was totally inappropriate."

"No, no, it's whatever. I'm cool with it, matter of fact I think I liked it."

Ashely's brows slightly rose, "The kiss or the idea of it being with a girl?"

"Both?"

"Oh."

"Yeah, it's a new realization for me and im not sure what to do." She looked to Ashely, "How did you know you were bi or that you just didn't like boys?"

"Bound and Chicago." It was a quick answer for Ashely.

"Like Jennifer Tilly?"

"No." Ashely lightly giggled at the thought, "Gina Gershon and Catherine Zeta-Jones."

Ryland nodded slowly, "That makes sense now."

"So, what brought this on? For me it was movies or some just know themselves well enough."

"The second part is definitely not me, but I'd say your kiss." Her head leaned back against the bed, her eyes looking into Ashely's, "I just need to know if im making this up in my head or if it's real —— if that makes sense."

Ashley's eyes were connected to her's, "It does. I understand."

"Just don't tell anyone."

Ashely shook her head as she began to lean in, "You don't know me at all if you have to say that."

Soon their lips connected again and everything fell into perspective for Ryland. She didn't feel butterflies or anything because that would indicate something more for Ashely, which she doesn't feel but she does however, like kissing girls and is open to the thought of something romantic if it turned out that way with a girl.

Thanks to Ashely, all it took was one more kiss.

The two pulled away and Ashely just stared at her friend, waiting for her to say something.

"Maybe you're just a really good kisser but im open to exploring."

Ashely lightly chuckled, "Cool."

Ryland's grin quickly faded with her mind shifted towards Jay. She was still contemplating about what she saw that night and if she should tell anyone. Just like her, there are others who care deeply for him like Ashely, Chad, Alexa, Luke and of course his mom. But she just didn't know who to turn to until this very moment.

"I think jay's using again." She blurted out in a soft tone.

• • •

The next day, the three teens were up early. They were in the kitchen discussing Jay. After Ryland told Ashely about it, Ashely immediately wanted to tell her brother. It was a serious matter considering the last time what happened with him and drugs.

"Are you sure that's what you saw that night?" Chad questioned Ryland.

"I wish i was wrong, but im not."

A huff escaped his lips, "I'll talk to him."

"Chad —— "

"I'll let yall know if I know something." He assured them before exiting the kitchen and heading upstairs.

Ashely and Ryland shared a brief eye contact before Ashely glancing at her phone for the time.

"I trust my brother when he says he's got it." She reassured Ryland, "Wanna go to Luke's?"

"Should we fill him in?"

Ashely shook her head, "Not until we know for sure."

Ryland nodded, "I'll drive."

She left the kitchen and went to grab her keys as well as her phone from Ashely's room as Ashely waited by the door. As she waited for Ryland, Chad was making his way back to down the steps.

He was headed to meet Anna before getting to jay's. Just when he got in his car and sped off, Ryland came down and the girls were soon headed their way to Lucas'.

• • •

As soon as they pulled up, the two immediately got out the car and headed towards Lucas' door. Just when they got close, Ashely realized she forgot her phone in the car.

She patted her pants, "Shit. Keys?"

Ryland tossed her the keys, then continued her way to the door. As soon as she approached and looked through the window, she saw something shocking and what she was afraid of.

Lucas and Peyton kissing.

She looked towards Ashely and saw she was still looking for her phone. So, Ryland took the opportunity and walked right into Lucas' bedroom without any announcement.

"What the fuck is this?" She wasn't known to curse often.

Peyton and Lucas immediately pulled away at the sound of her voice.

"Please tell me ash isn't with you?" Luke asked.

"Oh your girlfriend? Who's right outside? Yeah, she's totally not here." Ryland spoke sarcastically.

"Please don't say anything, Ryland." Peyton chimed in, "It'll crush her."

"No shit, Sherlock." She scoffed, "And I thought we were kind of like friends."

Just when she said that, Ashely walked right in.

"Oh, hey P." Ashely walked over to Luke and sat on his lap, draping her arm around him, "I didn't know you were here."

"Yeah, I actually was just heading out." She awkwardly made her way to the door, "Something came up. Bye guys."

The tension only grew and Ashely was completely oblivious which in Lucas' case was good and Ryland wasn't too sure what to do. She knew telling her friend would hurt her but not telling would also hurt her. She was conflicted and angry at Lucas as well as Peyton.

She knew if she told Chad, he would lose it because of his falling out with Lucas.

As she watched her friends be all coupley with one another, her phone buzzed. It was a text from Chad saying that Jay did relapse but he's quote on quote, got it under control this time.

Whatever that meant.

a/n:
shits happening 😬