Chapter 157 Walls

Chapter 157 Walls
Skylar's POV

Your Homecoming King is….
"...Ryan Wilfred!"

The crowd cheered again, this time louder, I turned already knowing and certain it was him. There he was, walking toward the stage from the crowd, that same black mask still covering the top half of his face. My fist clenched at my sides, our eyes meeting through the mask.

He climbed the steps beside me, as someone reached to settle the big crown into place, he lifted his free hand and pulled the mask off himself, tucking it into his jacket pocket.
I already knew it was him yet seeing his face still hit like a physical blow.

"You," I whispered, my voice disappearing in the applause still filling the room.
"Me." His mouth curved, he stepped closer, lowering his voice just for me. "Did you really think I was going to let you have fun with your little boyfriend tonight without me?"
"You've been dancing with me this whole time." My hands curled tighter at my sides, the crowd still smiling at the two of us like this was some sweet, expected moment. "You let me stand there thinking you were a stranger."

"I knew you'd figure it eventually." He shrugged slightly, unbothered. “Didn't you?"
"Ryan." I said through gritted teeth.
"Sky." He whispered back, watching my reaction. "Smile, everyone's still looking at us.”

"Now," the announcer beamed, "let's have our King and Queen open the floor with the traditional dance!"
The crowd cheered, already stepping back to clear space. I barely had time to shoot Ryan a look before someone was gently steering the two of us toward the center of the floor.
"You have got to be kidding me," I muttered.

“Isn't this great.” He pulled me into position, one hand settling at my waist. "Or would you rather dance with your dear Elias."
I scoffed, shaking my head.
The music started and we moved through the first few steps in a tense and forced rhythm, his hand steady at my back, mine resting on his shoulder, now I knew he was the one I didn’t know how to touch him.

I brought my heel down hard on his foot as we moved.
He didn't flinch, just tightened his jaw, a low breath escaping through his nose. "Feel better?"
"Not even a little."
The rest of the crowd finally spilled onto the floor around us, other couples joining in.
The second the space filled enough to make an exit less obvious, I grabbed his hand and pulled, dragging him off the dance floor and through the side doors before he could protest.

He didn't fight me, he let me pull him, following easily behind me. I dragged him down the hallway toward the elevators. I jabbed the button continuously till it opened, the second the doors opened, I hauled him inside.
The doors slid shut, and I finally rounded on him.
"What is wrong with you?" I turned on him, my voice shaking. "You had a tinnitus episode two weeks ago on the gym floor…In front of everyone."

You don't need to remind me, Sky."
"And tonight you walked right back into it. Are u crazy Ryan….Loud music, a packed room, dancing right next to the speakers for an entire song." I crossed my arms, needing something to do with my hands besides shake. "Why would you do that to yourself?"
The elevator dinged, slowing down, the doors beginning to open on some random floor. I jabbed the button to close them again before anyone could even step toward the gap, and the doors slid shut, sealing us back into the space.

"You could have really hurt yourself," I said, rounding on him again. "Do you understand that? Actually hurt yourself, not just embarrass yourself in front of the whole school again."
He stood there saying nothing, his hands in his pockets.
"I've told you," I continued, my voice rising, "so many times, Ryan. Stay out of my life. Stop following me into every single place I try to build without you. Stop showing up like you have some kind of right to be there." My hands curled into fists at my sides. "And you never listen, not even once. You just keep doing whatever you want no matter what it costs me…” I eyed him. “....or you."

He stepped closer, I backed up on instinct, my shoulders meeting the mirrored wall of the elevator. He stopped in front of me, one hand bracing against the wall beside my head, caging me in.
"You want to know why," he said, his voice low and his jaws clenching. "Fine. I'll tell you why."
I swallowed, feeling a little intimidated and uncomfortable at how close we were.

"Because I can't stand it." He growled. "Watching you with him or anyone else. I can't stand off to the side while some other guy gets to hold your hand, gets to kiss you, to be the one you laugh with like that. I've spent years pretending it doesn't bother me, telling myself it's fine that I'm supposed to just watch, supposed to just be happy for you." His hand curled against the wall. "I'm not fine with it. I've never been fine with it."

I gasped. "Ryan…."
"I know exactly what I'm supposed to be to you." His voice cracked, the composure finally slipping all the way. "Family friend, your mom's best friend's kid. The guy who's supposed to look out for you like some brother, that's what everyone's always called it and that's what I've spent years calling it, just so I wouldn't have to say the real thing out loud."

My breath had become shallow, my back pressed flat against the wall, his face inches from mine now. I could feel the unsteady rhythm of his breathing.
"I'm ashamed of what I actually feel," he said quietly. "Every single day. Doesn't change the fact that I feel it anyway."

Neither of us moved, the elevator, our breaths bouncing off its walls, his eyes locked on mine.
"You happy, Sky?" he chuckled bitterly. "You happy now?”
His hand was still braced beside my head, making things worse.
My eyes dropped to his lips. I hated myself for it.
"Say something," he said, his voice rough, barely holding together. "Sky."
I didn't say anything at all, I did what I've always wanted to.

I closed the distance between us my hand fisting in the front of his shirt, pressing my lips on his.
I kissed him…..and I didn't care.