"What is this?" I ask choking back tears.

He still doesn't respond but takes the contents out of box.

Bracelets, letters, a stuffed animal, a receipt and the last items makes my throat tighten.

Pictures of me and Ryan when we were younger.

All these items have a meaning to me, and I guess Ryan aswell if he's showing them to me.

"Whos this girl?" I ask shakily picking up a photo of me and Ryan.

We're waiting for the bus in the first day of school.

"That was my best friend. Funny you guys have the same name. But her real name was Mary Grace." He says looking at the photo.

I'm sorry but Ryan is clueless.

"Are you guys still friends?" I ask looking at him.

"I wish i could say we were. She moved before junior high. I never heard from her again, but I guess that it was my fault." He says.

"Why didn't you try to keep in touch?"

He then picks up the letters.

"I wanted to. I would write her letters."

I never recieved letters.

"I would tell her how sorry I was. That I missed her. When important things happened to me or when bad things happened I would write her letters. But I never sent them. I was scared she wouldn't write me back." He says opening a few and handing some to me.

"Why wouldn't she write back?" I ask looking down at one of letters.

Dated two months ago.

He still writes letters?

"Well would you write back to someone that treated you like shit?" He says looking me in the eye.

I don't respond. Because I don't know. I don't know if i would reply.

He then picks up the receipt.

"I wanted to do something nice for her, so I went around the neighborhood asking people for work to earn money. I made fifty dollars mowing lawns and walking dogs. I wanted to take Mary Grace out to dinner."

My heart.

"I took her out to the diner, and I felt like a big shot taking her out. Its probably stupid I saved the receipt." He says shaking his head and putting it down.

"No it's not. It's sweet" I say.

He then picks up a rugged teddybear.

"She gave me this for my birthday in first grade. It was the best gift i ever recieved." He says.

I think I might cry.

He then picks up the string braclet.

"One summer I went away for a camp. I was so bored there and I missed Mary Grace. So when we would make crafts I would make them for her. I made matching brackets for me and her. I wonder if she still has it."

She does.

It's in a box of things from when I was younger.

He then picks up the photos.

"She was my best friend. And i lost her for good." He says then chuckles.

"I used to tell Santana that I was going to marry Mary Grace."

I feel like there's a rock in my throat, I cough relieving it a little bit.

"Why are you showing me this?" I ask.

"I don't know really. I just feel like I trust you." He says taking the letters and placing them in the box along with the other things.

I'm going to have to find a way to get those letters.

I get off the bed, and look at him.

He puts the box away then stands in front of me.

"Mary?" He says so quiet Its a whisper.

"Yes?"

"Can i kiss you?" He says looking at my lips.

My breathe hitches but I find myself nodding.

He then places one hand cupping my face and the other on my waist pulling me closer.

He then places his lips on mine.

My heart bursts, my hand grips his shirt pulling him closer.

I surprisingly am the one to deepen the kiss.

Ryan tastes very little of alcohol.

Not as drunk as i thought.

Ryan then places his hand on my side before pulling away.

He looks at me.

"Mary, why are you crying?" He asks with soft eyes.

I quickly wipe my tears and shake my head.

"Nothing." I say shrugging.

"Dont lie to me." He says.

But that's the thing. I am lying to him.

"Its nothing Ryan. I think I'm going to go." I say walking to the door.

"Did I do something?" He asks.

I turn and look at him.

"No, it's something I'm doing." I say and walk out.

I make my down the stairs where I hear voices.

"Oh my god, remember the time when I accidentally hit Will in the face with my shoe in gym?"

I know that voice.

At the bottom of the steps is Santana and my sister.

"Mary! You remember Santana right?" Anna Maria says loudly clearly a little tipsy.

"How do you know Mary? She's Ryan's friend." Santana smiles.

"That's my sister you dunce." Anna Maria laughs.

"Wait what?" Santana asks confused.

I get grab Anna Maria's arm and get in her face.

"Stop talking." I growl.

"I'm going home." I say walking out the door.

I run to my house and text Caleb.

Hey, I just left. Don't feel like you need to come home. I'm hopping in shower. Have fun

I start up my shower and strip the get in.

As soon as the water hits me, tears start to flow.

I can't believe Ryan kept all of those things. I honestly thought he forgot all about me.

I can't belive I kissed him.

Pull yourself together Mary.

After my shower, I wrap a towel around me and go into my room.

On my bed is Caleb looking in his phone.

"You could have stayed you know." I say.

"Well what kind of friend would I be?" He says looking at me.

He then stands up and walks over to me.

"What's wrong?" He asks.

"Nothing." I say looking at him.

"Mary. You were crying your eyes are puffy and red. I know that trick and it doesn't work with me. What happened?" He asks looking at me seriously.

I take a deep breath and sit. Still in my towel not caring.

And i tell him everything.

From the beginning.

🔸   🔸   🔸

........

Woah.

What are your thoughts in this chapter?

It's about to get real.

-daaprincess