Ryan's POV

"I cannot believe it!" Ella said. "You guys are gonna get married?!" Julia asked. "I'm so happy for you guys!" Thomas said. This is pretty much the reaction I expected. I had a smile on my face that wouldn't go away. 

I woke up to my phone buzzing at 3:14 AM. I got a text from someone I had hoped to never talk to again. Darren.

D: Hey, Ryan

R: No.

D: I didn't ask anything!

R: I am not taking you back. You know exactly why.

D: But... sugarplum, you know I didn't mean it. It was a complete accident.

R: An accident would be tripping down the stairs. You were kissing another person.

D: Whatever. I know you're dating that excuse for a man Anthony.

R: No, I'm not.

D: You broke up with him?

R: No, I proposed to him.

D: WHAT?!

R: Maybe if you hadn't cheated on me, I would've popped the question to you.

D: Look, I really am sorry. Just let me talk to you, alright? Please? I'm here:

He sent me an address. Only one way to get out of this...

R: If I meet you there, will you leave me and everyone else alone?

D: Of course!

R: Fine.

I changed into casual clothes. I walked past Anthony's room, where he was sleeping soundly. "You're lucky you don't have to deal with this," I said to him quietly. He stirred. "Are you going somewhere, Ryan?" he asked sleepily. "I'm just... going for a walk," I lied. "It's 3 in the morning. Don't lie to me. Where are you going?" he asked again. I sighed. "This is something I need to handle alone. I love you," I said, and kissed his forehead. "Wha- stop! If you're doing something dangerous or stupid, you're gonna get ripped apart," he warned. "It's not stupid. But it might be dangerous. Which is why I need you to stay out of this," I said. "You're acting like this is some kind of last goodbye! I need to know that you're gonna be safe!" Anthony said, and I could see tears springing from the corners of his eyes. He blinked them away. I stared at him sadly. He huffed. "Fine. I clearly can't do anything to stop you," he said, and looked away. I walked out of his room and into the kitchen, where I took a knife, just in case.

When I got to the location, I saw it was a warehouse. A pretty beaten up one, too. Darren was standing in the middle of the empty room. "Alright. I'm here. What do you want?" I asked. "You know nothing is going to stop me from loving you," he said, not turning around. "Apparently that blonde did," I answered. "I'll do anything to have you. Even if... I have to kill you," he said. I gasped. "Why would you do that?" I asked. "Isn't it obvious? Dead boys can't say no," he said, and started to advance towards me.

He punched me in the face, to which I kicked him in the stomach as much as possible. He looked hurt, but he grabbed a knife similar to mine out of his pocket. I took mine and we sparred. I was able to take his knife and pin him to the wall. "Okay... kill me... what's that going to do for you? What will your fiance think when he learns you've murdered me? Do you think he'll believe you did it to protect him? Or that you did it out of spite? Hatred? Malice? Revenge? You'll be sent to prison. The only thing that benefits from killing me is not seeing me again. So, kill? Or spare?" he asked. I dropped the knives and said, "Don't ever go near my family again," I said, referring to Anthony, Ella, Thomas, and Julia, and I walked off.

Before I could leave, I felt something tug on the back of my neck, and I gasped, before a huge blow knocked me out.

Anthony's POV

Ryan left his phone on his nightstand. I looked to see what had happened. As soon as I saw the address, I called the others and raced to the place. I walked in, and saw Ryan lying there, hurt, bloody, and unconscious. "No, no, no, no, no!" I said, and rushed over to his body. "Oh, please don't be dead, don't be dead, don't be dead," I pleaded. The other three ran in right behind me and saw me carrying him. "What happened?!" Julia asked. "Darren happened," I growled. "That lowlife!" Ella shouted. "Come on, we have to get him to a hospital! NOW!" Thomas said, and we rushed away.

Once we were in the hospital and Ryan was secure, I said to him slowly, "I cant believe this is happening again. I wanted to keep you safe, but I just got you hurt. If you die on me I don't know what I'll do. I love you, so much, and I don't want to ever let you go," I said, and held onto his limp hand. After a while of crying, I stood up to leave. Just as I left the chair, I squeezed his hand. I felt his pulse. It was very faint. "You're still alive. Just barely.  Hang in there, Baby," I said, and walked out, my heart hurting.