That's Nina!

Dedication to my readers so vote and comment!!

Chapter 9.

You left me alone with these stupid people.

~~~

"I think girlfriends are a waste of time."

And just like Rylee felt like she had lost a battle that hadn't even begun yet.

Many pairs of eyes stared at him in confusion and disbelief.

"Are you gay?" Krish finally broke the silence by asking.

"No."

Krish waited for a more elaborate reply but none came. "Well, um, so you have never had a girlfriend?"

"No."

Krish looked at Rylee and raised his eyebrows in a 'What-the-hell-are-you-doing' look and Rylee just passed an uncomfortable smile. She hadn't known about Aahan's aversion to a girlfriend and it wasn't a pleasant piece of information.

Krish sighed. "Can I ask why you think they are a waste of time?"

"No."

Krish opened and closed his mouth at the blunt reply and then leaned back on the couch, he looked at Rylee. "All yours." He grunted in surrender.

Rylee couldn't believe that the same guy who had been nice during their talks was suddenly so rude and insensitive.

"Maybe he has his reasons." She piped in, pinching Mikaela to change the topic.

Aahan's reply did not help at all. "Not really. But why are you all so nosy?"

Mikaela's eyebrows raised at his choice of words. There was a sharp tone to it and it seemed accusatory. She smiled sarcastically at Rylee. "Really?" she whispered to her friend. "Him? Out of Sven, Harvey and all the others, you choose him?"

Rylee narrowed her eyes at Mikaela. "You said you would be supportive."

"He doesn't need support apparently. He prefers to live alone. He's a loner Rylee, you know it's stupid to expect anything from them. They like being alone." Mikaela replied.

Zack suddenly stood up. "Washroom?"

Rylee pointed to his left, distractedly. "Second door."

"Show me?"

Rylee could see that Zack wanted to talk to her and probably disapprove and tell her to get lost again. She grudgingly got up and motioned him to follow her.

After they were away from the inquiring ears, she turned to Zack and folded her arms. "What?"

"Don't talk to him again."

Rylee physically winced. "Excuse me?"

Zack ignored the bitterness in Rylee's tone. "You heard him, he doesn't want a girlfriend."

"And I never asked him to be my boyfriend." Rylee retorted sharply.

Zack stared at Rylee. "You are messing him up."

Rylee could feel the anger she felt every time she was with Zack. He somehow managed to provoke her with every word he spoke. "What is your problem?"

"You."

"We have never even talked. You barely know me."

"That's the problem."

"Then get to know me before judging me."

"I know you enough to know that you are a bad influence."

Rylee took one step closer to Zack, letting the boldness and courage radiant itself. She wasn't just going to keep quiet while this guy insulted her so blatantly. "You don't tell me what to do Zack. If Aahan wants me out of his life, let him tell that to me himself. Don't meddle in other people's lives. And if you know me enough, you must know that the more you tell me not to do something, the more I'll want to do it." Rylee stepped back and uncrossed her arms. "The washroom's there. Have fun." She pointed at the door behind him and walked away.

Instead of going to the living room she walked into her room, needing some peace of mind to calm down herself.

She breathed out heavily and stared at herself in the mirror.

I think girlfriends are a waste of time.

His words kept running in her mind and she hated how much they affected her. She never wanted to be Aahan's girlfriend, that wasn't the plan. A friend, that's all. Friendship was all she wanted. But with Zack not wanting her to be with Aahan, made him somewhat more desirable.

It's the people we can't have that we want to have.

She picked up a pebble that was in a small red box on her dressing table. It had been there for over ten years now. Her thumb brushed over the smooth grey surface. It fit perfectly inside her fist and just holding it made her feel safe and better.

She kept the fisted hand on the right side of her chest and tapped softly. "Well, whatever happens, it's for the best. Right?"

But why did she feel like the worst was soon to come?

Nina stood outside the door staring at Rylee. Over the years she had learned that Rylee Brooks got hurt easily. If someone refused to share their sandwich with her, she would get upset. She would never show it to the world but she would carry the weight in her heart and remember it forever. She was one of those – forgive but never forget types.

And every time something bad happened Rylee would find solace in that tiny pebble she had gotten when she was six years old.

Nina knocked lightly on the door, startling Rylee. "They are waiting for you down. It's weird that the hostess herself has disappeared." Nina said.

Rylee delicately kept the pebble back in the box. It was special. It was a treasure she fiercely cherished.

"It's a stone. It won't break." Nina chuckled.

Rylee shrugged. "Even so. It's special."

To Nina it was confusing how one tiny pebble could be so special but she didn't judge. She still kept the pink teddy bear her father had given her when she was 7 years old. Even thought it was faded and half torn, it was her favorite thing in the whole world and nothing was close to replacing it.

"What are they talking about?"

"About Eloise's latest French manicure." Nina snorted, sitting on the bed and rolling her eyes.

"Ugh." Rylee groaned. "Does she ever not brag?"

"Only when she's sleeping."

Rylee took a pause as she asked Nina. Her tone couldn't hide the anxiety she felt. "What do you think of Aahan?"

Nina observed Rylee's enquiring and insecure gaze. She shrugged a shoulder. "I think he is a messed up soul. And the messed up souls are always the most beautiful when unmessed."

Nina's words had some truth in them that gave Rylee some confidence. "So I shouldn't stop talking to him?"

Nina smiled. "When you started talking to him, did you ask anyone?"

Rylee shook her head.

"Then why ask when you want to stop?" Nina got up from the bed. "The choices you make are yours alone, don't let someone else make them for you. People are always going to talk behind your back, at least give them something interesting to talk about." She opened the door. "Now let's hear about how long and beautiful Eloise's nails are."

Rylee followed Nina silently. Nina was what most people called old souls, she had been adopted when she was 5 years old. That is why Krish and Nina didn't share the same looks. Very few people knew it and Nina preferred to keep it that way. What happened behind the closed doors of her family was her family's business alone. And that is probably why Krish and Nina were so trigged when Aahan commented on how different they looked.

And Nina was grateful for being adopted into such a loving family. Krish was the best brother despite his quirkiness, immaturity and fun-loving nature, he cared for Nina and it showed in his eyes even if not in his actions.

"Where were you two?" Mikaela asked them with a frown.

"Upstairs." Nina replied.

Mikaela glared at them. "You left me alone with these stupid people."

"You are over reacting." Nina whispered.

"You didn't have to listen about how Eloise's designer Aunt said she had the perfect collarbone." Mikaela hissed. "Collarbone! Now we know why she wears tops that show her whole neck."

"They show more than just the neck." Krish snorted.

Nina slapped her brother's back. "Pervert."

Rylee ignored Zack's glare as she sat next to Aahan. She wasn't going to let Zack rule her life or anyone else for that matter. As long as her and Aahana were on the same page, she was fine with it. "You good?"

Aahan nodded. "Eloise talks a lot. And only about useless stuff."

Unfortunately like Mikaela and Krish, Aahan didn't think it was important to lower his tone.

Rylee sneaked a glance at the offended expression on Eloise's and pressed her lips together to stop from laughing out loud.

Mikaela didn't care to hide it. She snorted and then snickered, aloud.

Eloise scowled at Mikaela and then at Aahan. "Useless stuff?"

"I don't really care about your nails or your collarbone or you." Aahan responded with less than zero emotion.

Rylee's eyes widened at his words. And even if they were rude, she liked them because they were directed at Eloise Blanc.

Way to go Aahan!

Zack on the other didn't appreciate it. He secretly slapped Aahan twice on the back and shook his head.

Aahan understood the signal and bowed his head. "I am sorry, that was rude."

Rylee's eyebrows furrowed at the sudden change. But even his apologizing attitude was of indifference. It didn't look like he actually felt sorry about insulting Eloise. He looked like he didn't even understand that he'd been rude.

Eloise could see it too. She scoffed and folded her arms, making her chest bigger. "You have some nerves, insulting me like that. I am Eloise Blanc. Everyone cares about me."

Aahan looked at Zack for help. He wanted to reply that he didn't care about her, at all. But after Zack's slap, he thought that saying it would be inappropriate. He needed a confirmation to react, to respond.

Zack chuckled softly, quick to jump in save face. "He does care, he's had a rough day. Don't mind him."

Rylee stared at the two of them with a questioning gaze. She still hadn't figured out how important Zack was to Aahan. She hadn't missed the black slap and the following Aahan apology either. She wondered what their bond was and how deep it actually went. Was Zack actually Aahan's bodyguard, why would he need one?

"I think they are dating." Mikaela whispered into Rylee's ears.

Rylee gave Mikaela a 'don't be ridiculous' look. Aahan had already admitted that he wasn't gay so Zack couldn't possibly be his boyfriend. And the bond they shared – it wasn't a lover's one, it was more like... a guardian's.

Eloise continued to stare at Aahan.

Aahan squirmed under the gaze. It made him uncomfortable when people kept staring at him. He didn't know what they expected him to say and that made him feel uneasy. "Can you stop staring? I don't like it."

Eloise gasped. Rylee laughed. Aahan was a breath of fresh air, far too audacious and bold than expected.

"Who do you think you are?" Eloise shrieked, offended beyond limit now.

Aahan felt a little confused. "Aahan Miller. I thought you knew."

Rylee pressed a hand over her lips to stifle her laughs. Mikaela was clutching her stomach as she guffawed and even Nina and Krish couldn't hide their smiles.

As it turns out, Eloise had found her match.

Harvey stood up, familiar with Eloise's rising anger and hurt pride. "Sven take her home."

If there was one trait Eloise deeply cherished, it was her ego. One small scratch and she would lose her brains.

Sven nodded and got up. He quickly grabbed Eloise's arm and said goodbye to everyone except Mikaela.

He hadn't talked much throughout the evening and it was mainly because of Mikaela's glares that made him bite his tongue and keep quiet.

"I am going to kill him one day." Mikaela muttered under her breath as Sven disappeared with his pretty so-called-girlfriend.

Harvey looked at Rylee. "Can I talk to you?" he looked at the many inquisitive pairs of eyes on him and added. "In private."

Rylee didn't move. "About what?"

Harvey repeated. "In private, Rylee."

Rylee still didn't move. She had nothing to say to Harvey. "About what Harvey?"

Harvey licked his bottom lip in frustration. "This matter is between us. So can we go out in the garden and talk?"

"She means she doesn't want to talk to you. So leave." Aahan suddenly spoke.

All eyes landed on him and he did not enjoy the attention. He didn't even know what prompted him to say that. He didn't even know if he was right. But something about Rylee being in the garden, in private with Harvey Blanc irked him to no end.

His flow of blood quickened and his teeth clashed against each other. A part of him wanted to punch Harvey and the other want to light his ass on fire.

Anger, he thought to myself, that's what this emotion is.

Why he felt it, he didn't understand.

Harvey did not appreciate the tone this guy had. First, he insulted his sister and now he dare to raise his voice and stop Rylee from being his. How dare he? "What did you say?"

Zack slapped Aahan on the back twice again. But Aahan didn't apologize this time. He didn't want to. He sincerely believed that he had done nothing wrong and said nothing inappropriate.

Harvey took one step closer, his stance filled with fury. . Although there wasn't much difference in their size or height, Rylee knew that Harvey boxed and she was sure Aahan had zero experience in fist-fighting.

Rylee stood up, knowing that Harvey preferred fists over words and one punch to Aahan was enough to leave him with a huge bruise.

"Your sister's waiting for you." She said, standing between Aahan and Harvey. "You should go."

Harvey glared at Rylee, letting her know that he didn't like this one bit. He felt as if she was choosing Aahan over him and that didn't sit well with Harvey. Over her shoulders he passed one deathly stare to Aahan who tried his best to not twitch. He looked back at Rylee. "We are not done. I'll see you on Monday, Rylee." He promised and then walked away without a backward glance.

Rylee finally let out the breath she was holding and sighed.

"We should go too." Zack said, getting up and making Aahan get up too.

Rylee didn't argue. She smiled at Aahan. "Thanks for coming. Hopefully the next meeting isn't this horrible."

"If there is any." Zack interrupted, making Rylee angry. She was getting tired of Zack's pessimist attitude.

She ignored Zack and wanting to piss him off further. She pulled Aahan in for a quick hug.

But the second her arms wrapped around his neck she realized what a terrible mistake it was. She was standing slightly on her toes due to the height difference and her arms were draped loosely around his shoulders. The feel of his body so close to her was more comforting than she had ever expected. But it also increased her heartbeat tremendously and made her feel giddy.

Their bodies pressed together, fitting like two missing puzzle pieces. She couldn't help but notice how broad his shoulders were and how muscular he was.

Before Aahan could get over the shock and hug her back. Rylee pulled away.

She couldn't meet his eyes, she stared down at her old dolphin slippers, shaken by her own act. "Bye. I'll see you in school."

Zack had to physically pull Aahan outside since he was still dwelling in the aftershock of Rylee's warm embrace. Zack shook Aahan by the shoulders, glaring at his best friend. "Aahan, are you dead?"

Aahan blinked. "Am I? Was that heaven?"

Zack sighed and he wanted to go in and curse Rylee for turning his best friend's brain into a mush. But he held back, getting Aahan back to his home was top priority now. "Let's get you home, bro."

Aahan blinked. "Okay, bro."

Zack shook his head and held onto Aahan's arms as they walked. Zack knew what that Rylee only hugged Aahan to piss him off but with Aahan reacting like that, he knew that the consequences were going to be dire.

Meanwhile, there were three pairs of eyes staring at Rylee with dumfounded expressions.

"Did you seriously just hug Aahan?" Mikaela shouted.

"Rylee, what the fuck is wrong with you?" Nina shrieked.

"Do you think Zack is gay?" Krish gasped.

Rylee ignored all three questions and took a deep breath. She was still tingling, her nerves on fire. Even though Aahan hadn't hugged her back, she was close to him, insanely close and she realized that she liked it. It felt... incredible. He smelled of wood and citrus and it was intoxicating. She wanted to hug him again.

The thought jarred her out of her imagination. "I am going to sleep now."

"As if!" Mikaela snorted. "We are staying her tonight."

"Yes, we are." Nina agreed.

"I still think he's gay." Krish muttered.

"Jeez keep it in your pants, Krish." Nina bellowed at her brother.

That night the four friends didn't get any sleep, not because they spend the time analyzing Rylee's feelings or talking about the sudden hug but because they spend the night watching reruns of Marvel Movies and eating popcorn and ice cream.

Sometimes just the presence of friends is enough comfort.

But that didn't mean Rylee's mind stopped thinking about Aahan.

~~~

A hug, that's progress right? 

Likey this chapter?