GREEK TRAGEDY
:: xxiii. | realization

Three months had gone by and summer was coming to an end in a few days. Chad was still by Ashely's side, but also getting really close to Peyton. Same with Ryland, she was still by Ashely's side as well, but also fooling around with Johnny. It wasn't that she didn't feel anything for Brooke anymore, it was more so that she thought she'd never have a chance with her because she thought Brooke doesn't like girls. She figured, it was best to accept that now than later get hurt because of hope.

Ryland was seated across from Chad, both of them on either side of the hospital bed that Ashely was sleep in. It was so quiet amongst the two until Ryland sparked up a bit of conversation.

"So, hear anything new about Ashely?" Her tone was quiet.

Chad nodded, "Doc said that there's hope of her waking up but her settling back into her life won't be easy. She also may not remember the events that led to the coma."

"That's good news, right? We'll help her settle back in and catch up on everything. We all got her back, Chad." Ryland reassured him.

Since he was very sensitive to that topic, Ashely's coma, he quickly changed the subject, "Yeah, so, you and Johnny? What's happening with that?"

Ryland rolled her eyes as she shook her head, "Nothing serious or romantic. It's just a casual thing. We're friends and that's all we'll ever be."

"Friends who are fucking." Chad clarified.

Ryland playfully scoffed, "And what about you and Peyton? Friends who are fucking."

"It's deeper than that. I want to be with her exclusively, scream her name from the top of my lungs so everyone can hear but she doesn't want that."

"Do you think this has to do with Lucas?" Ryland asks.

Chad shrugged, "Maybe but I don't think I want to know. I just have to show her that im all in. I don't care what anyone says or thinks. I mean, we've been non exclusive since the beginning of the summer and I don't know, I just want to be able to call her my girlfriend in front of everyone."

"That's sweet."

"Thanks." He leaned back in the chair, "Sometimes you just got to go after what you really want and I wouldn't be doing all this if I were still friends with Lucas. What do you want, ry?"

Just as her mouth opened to speak, the door to the room opened a bit and the two saw someone's head peek in.

"Hey." Johnny smiled towards Ryland, "You got a sec?"

Ryland nodded in his direction and he lightly closed the door back, waiting for her outside the room.

As Ryland got up from the chair and began to the door, Chad commented on that little interaction.

"Casual my ass."

Ryland rolled her eyes at his words as she approached the door, "Shut up."

She opened the door and closed it back behind her before approaching the guy that stood directly in front of her, leaning against the opposite wall.

"I'm gonna head out now. You got a ride?" He informed her.

"Yeah, no problem. Thanks for taking me."

Johnny stood up from leaning against the wall and slowly walked close to Ryland. The more he walked, made her walk back into a wall. He leaned down and their lips soon connected.

Neither of them were at all, falling or feeling anything beyond friends. Those two are just two single people who were looking to bang one night during the summer and it just turned into something more casual ———— nothing more, nothing less. Sure it was new, especially for Ryland but she was looking for some fun as well as him.

As the two continued to make out a bit, Brooke came around the corner. She wanted to see Ashely but little did she know what she was running into.

She paused in her tracks, a bit stunned to say the least. She was watching Ryland and Johnny make out and she felt a bit of jealousy. But she didn't think that much of it. Instead, she carried on her way to the room, interrupting them with the door slamming shut.

• • •

After the hospital, Chad ended up at Peyton's, Ryland back at her house, and Brooke also at Peyton's.

The burnette was complaining to her friends about seeing Johnny and Ryland kissing.

"I mean it's a hospital. Not the place to be doing that."

Peyton looked at her oddly, "And why does that bother you?"

Brooke scoffed, "It doesn't. I'm just saying, respect Ashely's room."

"Right . . " Chad's eyes met Peyton's, "Think im gonna head out."

He got off the bed and walked over to his girlfriend who sat at her desk. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. As well as a couple more before pulling away with a smile.

As he left out the room, Brooke noticed peyton's enormous smile. She could've sworn Peyton was smitten.

Brooke scooted to the edge of the bed, "Things seem to be going well with that."

"Really well. He's the best, Brooke. The only problem is he wants to be exclusive."

"Why is that a problem? You like him, he likes you."

"Lucas." Was all the blonde said.

"And what does he have to do with this?"

"I care about him, his feelings . . . " Peyton shrugged.

"If that were true, you wouldn't be dating Chad at all."

Peyton bit the inside of her cheek, "Do you think i should break up with him?"

"No." Brooke was stern, "You should do what makes you happy, follow your heart. And from what I've seen, Chad makes you happy. Don't care about what anyone else thinks, especially Lucas. He needs to grow a pair and move the fuck on like you." A small smile crept up Brooke's lips, "Plus, Chad seems like a keeper."

"Yeah." Peyton spoke softly, "How are you?"

"Still figuring out my shit and like everyone else, waiting for the day Ashely wakes up."

Peyton let out a sigh and the conversation slowly got quiet as the two just looked at each other for a brief moment before Peyton continued to blast the music.

• • •

What do you want, ry?

That question rotated in her mind the rest of the day. What she wanted, she knew she couldn't have. Talking about it would be a lot easier but the one person who knew wasn't exactly around and so in a way, Ryland felt stuck. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized that talking about it was a must.

One way or another, she was gonna get it out.

She just didn't expect it to be the person that she wanted most.

"Hi." Ryland stood in the doorway of Brooke's house, staring into her eyes.

"Hey. What's up?"

She was nervous, her heart beating fast, "Could i come in?" Brooke closed the door as Ryland entered and the two headed towards the living room. Ryland felt her hands getting sweaty, "So, i have something important to say and I don't think I can hold it in anymore. I wasn't going to say anything, but I've realized something."

Brooke sat on the couch, "And what's that?"

"Felix was a complete jerk and I don't know what you saw in him. You could do so much better."

The burnette shrugged, "If you have any suggestions, let me know."

Ryland just grew more nervous. She thought it was now or never and so she ripped the bandaid off.

"Me." Brooke didn't know what to say, so Ryland continued, "I wasn't exactly sure if I wanted or how I wanted to tell you. I was asked what I want and everyday since that day, it was you. Can't remember the exact moment, but I know each time I see you, my heart flutters and I get nervous." Ryland shook the seriousness off, "Anyway, you know now. Do what you want with it. See you around."

Ryland rushed out of there before Brooke could say anything. To be frank, she didn't even know what to say or how to react. On one hand, she's flattered, but the other, she's never been more confused.

Her enemy turned frenemy to friend, has a thing for her. She did not see that one coming but she did know that she had to be careful because the last thing she wants is to hurt Ryland in any way.

a/n:
well, did not see this
coming myself 🤷‍♀️