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[sub][color=darkgray]Collab with [color=fff700]Ryland[/color] [@TootsiePop] & [color=brown]Marisol[/color] [@Rosalia][/color][/sub]
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[color=darkgray][indent][indent]Originally, this [i]felt[/i] like a good idea. In the heat of the moment, and with how enticing Marisol was dressed, Ryland found himself unable to resist their shared ploy to cause Sonny (and maybe, Julie too...) to get jealous. The fact that Sonny kept looking their way, there was no doubt in Rye’s mind that they DID get under his skin, still… 

There was a small glimmer of hope that if he did something this petty, like have his best friend in his arms right in front of her boyfriend, who was also his best friend, maybe, it could result in Miss Macmillan noticing him. He [i]knew[/i] the redhead thought nothing of him. He [i]knew[/i] first impressions lasted forever. 

She would hold that against him, from now until they no longer crossed paths. His immature outburst and disrespect toward women. His improper manners and his unreasonable anger. While part of him had hoped there was something there, he knew this was a complete lost cause. 

He really fucked up.

Coming to a halt, he delicately released his friend and muttered, [color=fff700]“What are we doing?”[/color] This night was supposed to be fun, but he knew he most definitely caused a rift between two people he loved and most likely looked ten times worse in his crush’s eyes. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t angry. Moreso at himself than anyone else. He wanted to be there for Sol. He wanted to make her happy, instead of focusing on her boyfriend and his date. He wanted to forget for one fucking second that there was a girl that absolutely disdained him and would never even want a friendship with him.

Lost as she’d been in between the carefree, sensual dancing with Ryland and making sure her boyfriend was watching them closely, it wasn’t until her friend released her that Marisol noticed something was wrong. Frowning, she turned around to face Ry, who was suddenly looking as if someone had punched him in the stomach and randomly asked what they were doing.

[color=brown]“Um, what we said we would do? Make Sonny jealous?”[/color] the girl responded without hesitation as if explaining something to a child, rolling her eyes. It [i]had[/i] been his idea after all. But when she noticed how distraught he looked, she raised a questioning eyebrow at him. [color=brown]“Is there a problem with that or something?”[/color]

Shaking his head, clearly upset, he apologized, [color=fff700]“I shouldn’t have come. I’m sorry, Sol. This is overstepping some clear boundaries and now you and Sonny… I don’t know, man. I should go…”[/color] Unnerved, which only happens when Rye was about to go off somewhere to hurt himself, like punch a wall or slam his head against something he clearly shouldn’t be slamming his head on, he continued to ramble, [color=fff700]“I’m a fucking crap friend and a dissappointment to my father.”[/color]

[color=brown]“What the- ?”[/color] Marisol blurted out loudly, staring at Ryland as if he’d grown an extra head. His abrupt change in demeanor was definitely freaking her out. They had now garnered the attention of a few of the classmates in their immediate vicinity, so the brunette decided that it was best to take this conversation somewhere else. [color=brown]“Come on,”[/color] she told him, and without waiting for his answer, she took his hand and almost dragged him to the entrance of the country club.

Once they were away from the prying eyes and ears of the rest of the King’s crowd, Mari turned to her best friend with a worried expression. He’d seemed so determined to make a statement before, and now that they were achieving it, he was suddenly backing out? Ry wasn’t the type to back out of anything, which made his behavior all the more concerning. [color=brown]“What the fuck is going on, Ryland? Where is all of this ‘I’m a piece of shit’ mood coming from?”[/color]

This semester seemed to have a theme of Marisol comforting him and assuring him that things would get better. Relieved they were outside, where he could breathe and calm his nerves, he released her hand and ran all his fingers through his long hair. 

Not answering right away, he decided to unbutton his jacket and take it off, throwing it on a nearby bed of grass. [color=fff700]“Do you know how unlucky I am, Marisol?”[/color] He paced back and forth, clenching his fists. [color=fff700]“Whenever I like someone, it never ends up working and when I see Julie, it just dawns on me that I will never be her type. She will [i]never[/i] want me.”[/color] Before she could say anything, he rapidly continued, [color=fff700]“I’ve called Ariel stupid in front of her face and now she probably sees me as some homewrecker. Do you see why I’m a piece of shit? Because I don’t consider anyone else’s feelings.”[/color] 

[color=brown]“That is [i]not[/i] true,”[/color] Mari quickly interjected, crossing her arms in front of her chest. What was it with school dances bringing out the worst in her and her friends? It was as if they were cursed or some shit. [color=brown]“You’re not a homewrecker, you’re not a piece of shit, and you have no way of knowing what Julie’s type is to even think she wouldn’t want you. Hell, I don’t think [i]I[/i] know what Julie’s type is, and I’ve gone to school with her for over twelve years now!”[/color] she passionately stated, scoffing and shaking her head. Impressing Julie Macmillan long enough for her to give you more than five minutes of her time was a feat that very few men had achieved, but who was to say Ry couldn’t do it? [color=brown]“But if she can be best friends with [i]Sonny[/i] of all people -who we both know is probably the fucking opposite of everything she represents-, then what makes you think you don’t have a shot, hmm? You’re not going all pussy on me now, are you? Because we both know Ryland Aspen is a [i]fucking [b]bull[/b][/i] with balls of steel, not a fucking [i]coward[/i].”[/color]

Damn. Why’d she have to go so hard, so quick? Verbally and metaphorically, his best friend slapped him in the face. It didn’t even hurt. It was more like. Wow. She was absolutely right. He had no idea what Julie’s type was, so why the hell was he assuming? He hadn’t even jumped yet to be scared and he wasn’t someone that pussied out because he MIGHT get turned down. He broke more bones than the average teenage boy because of how foolishly fearless he was. This funk that he was in, whatever this funk was, was unlike him. And yeah! Julie somehow became close with Sonny which was basically his brother from another mother. They had a lot of similarities. Not enough to go gay for one another, but that’s not the point. They were BROTHERS-IN-ARMS, waging this war called: highschool. [color=fff700]“I am a fucking bull! You’re so goddamn right. Like, what would I do without you? You’re so money, you don’t even know it, Sol.”[/color] At this point, his hands were on her shoulders and he was completely pumped. Fire in his eyes. 

Fuelled by pure hype and excitement, the beaming Marisol jumped into Ryland’s arms, wrapping both her arms and her legs around his tall frame. She giggled and held onto him tightly as he spun her around, only letting go of her when they were both dizzy. As she was placed back down on the ground, the short girl couldn’t help but think about the irony of the situation. The start of the night had consisted of her feeling down and Rye cheering her up, and now here she was returning the favor. Say what you would about Mari, but she had a real talent for gassing up her friends even when she was the worst at being kind to herself. It was easier to find the virtues of those you loved, anyway.

Grinning, Marisol roughly grabbed Ryland’s face with one hand. [color=brown]“I love you, you piece of shit,”[/color] she declared, planted a big kiss on his cheek only to follow up the affectionate gesture with two small slaps to the same area. [color=brown]“You’re a real money machine, Ryland James! Remember that. Now stop being a bitch and go get your girl. You’ve got this in the bag.”[/color]

For a second, he thought she’d kiss him in the lips, since this was panning out to feel like a scene right out of a rom com, but he shook that thought out of his head when she encouraged him to confess. [color=fff700]“I love you too, you firecracker.”[/color] He teased back, even going the extra mile to poke her belly. 

Having a new sense of determination, he turned to the door, then turned back to his friend. While he was pumped, he still wanted her to go back inside, with him. [color=fff700]“I’m about to put on a show, sooooooooooo if there’s anyone I want there to watch, it’s definitely [i]you[/i]. Whaddaya say?[/color] 

Mari didn’t have to be told twice. Nearly skipping, she climbed onto Ryland’s back like she’d done since they were kids. She made sure that her grip was strong and that she wasn’t showing off her ass to the world before crying out, [color=brown]“Let’s go get ‘em, tiger!”[/color]


Leaving his jacket behind, he strode to the door and threw it open. The moment it slammed against the walls, he charged, deciding it was now or never, and hoping they didn’t leave Sonny to his thoughts for too long. As they ran, he playfully swerved like a plane, while Marisol giggled, made the comical little sound effects and had her arms wide open. 

Finally reaching the ballroom, he stopped in front of the door to catch his breath, [color=fff700]“I’m going to do this. There’s no turning back now.”[/color] Kicking the door open, knowing that would probably draw some attention, he entered, still with Marisol on his back. Releasing her, making sure she landed on her feet, he turned and gave her one more bear hug for encouragement. 


The girl simply beamed at him, her green eyes sparkling with pride and excitement. [color=brown]“Fucking go for it, man.”[/color]

With her final boost, he strode through the dancefloor and straight to the DJ, not letting anyone, not even his friends stop him in his tracks. He made sure when he passed Sonny and Julie he locked eyes first with his friend, and then with his heart’s desire. Reaching the DJ, he shouted, [color=fff700]“Yo dude! I got an announcement to make. It’s gonna be good.”[/color] 


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