Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Rylie's POV

I had no idea what to do as my mind went blank. I fought to tear my eyes away but I couldn't. It was like my body wasn't mine to control again.

"Rylie! Get out!" Blake yelled jolting me back to reality.

"Right!" I responded, grabbing the door knob and immediately pulling the door shut.

I stepped away from the door until my back reached the wall behind me and I slowly slipped to the floor with a sigh.

What in heaven's name did I just see?

You might have guessed what I saw by now but for those who haven't, I walked in on Blake while he was naked. Yup! You heard me. I just saw my next door neighbor naked.

I would also like to add that he was also dancing quite comically in front of his mirror but that probably doesn't matter since all I can think of right now is what I just saw.

"Today just isn't my day," I groaned burying my face in my hands.

I stayed in that position until I heard Blake's door open. I couldn't bring myself to look up at him for fear that if I did, I would probably start seeing what I saw before.

When I felt him sit beside me, I closed my eyes even tighter determined not to look at him. I was too scared and embarrassed to anyway.

"So…are you going to stay here all day or are you going to come in?" I could hear the smirk in his voice.

"No, I'm good here," I mumbled in response.

"Okay then… I just thought I'd let you know that you're seriously the first girl I've met who's ever been embarrassed to see me naked. They've been shocked but never embarrassed."

"Oh stop it! I don't want to know!" I groaned, my cheeks darkening even more.

He let out a chuckle as though he could sense me blushing.

When he stopped laughing, he leaned in and whispered in my ear, "You know, I get that you're embarrassed but I'm wearing clothes now so you have nothing to worry about. Except of course, you want me naked again. Then in that case, I'd be more than happy to show you."

I snapped my head up and glared at him. "Ugh! Gross Blake! Seeing your “thing” is just about the last thing I would love to see again, ever!"

"Glad to see you're back. Come on!" he stood up and stretched a hand towards me.

Hesitantly, I accepted it and we walked into his room together.

"So why did you come here again?" he asked as he sat on his bed, patting the space beside him.

Instead I took a beanbag and placed it as far away from him as I could manage.

"Yeah that. I was… The thing is… Well, I just came to apologise for lashing out at you earlier. It had nothing to do with you and I'm sorry I took my anger out at you when you were just trying to help."

"Oh that. It's okay, Rylie. No harm done," he waved it off.

"Really? So you forgive me?"

"I guess. But on one condition."

"One condition? What's that?" I asked, staring keenly at him.

"Don't fret Rylie. It's not something sexual. I could make you do that if I wanted to," he winked. "Just tell me why you were crying and so angry in the first place."

"Oh that," my gaze fell. "I don't really what to talk about it. It's something really personal so you know…"

"Yes. I know that we're not really friends," he sighed sadly.

"Blake, don't be like that," I pouted, going to sit beside him. "We are friends and I'm really sorry for what I said back at Logan's. I didn't mean it and I'm sorry if I hurt you. It's not like I can't tell about it. I'm just not ready to talk about it. Do you understand that?"

He turned to look at me and nodded. "Yes, yes I do. More than you realize," he added as though an afterthought.

"Great. So you forgive me then?"

"Of course. What are frenemies for?"

He smiled and then proceeded to hug me which I didn't expect. The hug was short-lived but I enjoyed it more than I would ever admit.

When Blake pulled away, I was still looking a bit shell shocked.

"Sorry about that," Blake apologized while rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

"No need. You don't have to apologise. It was just a little unexpected is all."

"There were no rules against hugging, were they?"

"No, I guess not," I smiled back.

Blake smiled back and for that single moment, everything was perfect. Nothing but blissful quiet.

"So uh, how about a picture for the Gram?" Blake asked, whipping out his phone.

"Sure. Uh, why not?" I stuttered, cursing myself for being so carried away with his amazing eyes.

We took a picture together and then Blake posted it.

"That was a nice picture," I remarked once the picture was up.

"It was. We look good together," Blake winked at me causing to roll my eyes. "That reminds me. The talent show is in a few weeks and we still haven't gotten you over your stage fright."

"Yeah, you're right. Do we still have time though?" I placed my hand on my chin in thought.

"Of course we do. We have plenty of time but we have to get started. First things first, let's perfect the basics. Before you perform in front of your audience, you first have to learn to be comfortable with yourself and the best way to do this is by performing to yourself. Stand in front of the mirror over there and sing."

I nodded and made to stand up when I suddenly remembered what happened the last time I sang in front of the mirror in Blake's room.

As though reading my mind, Blake said "I promise to keep my hands to myself."

"You better," I warned, making my way to the mirror.

After practicing about four times in a row, I could sing without closing my eyes and I was loving it.

"I've just gotta say though, your voice is astounding. I'm literally blown away by it. Aside from being a model, I think you have a really good shot at becoming the next Ariana Grande."

"You really think so?" I blushed.

"I know so," he reaffirmed. "That's enough practice for now. Let's go get some ice cream."

"Yummy! Ice cream sounds good right about now."

"Great. I know a really good ice cream place right around the corner."

"Nice to hear. What are we waiting for then? Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream!" I chanted excitedly.

"Who would have thought you would like ice cream so much?"

"Well I do let's go!!!" I whined, pulling him towards the door.

Together, we went to get the ice cream and had an absolute blast. When we got to the ice cream place, it turned out that they were having a milkshake drinking competition that very day.

Excited, Blake and I quickly registered and we got to participate in the competition. It wasn't easy and it definitely was no cakewalk but at the end, I won. Blake however ended up second.

Right now, we were walking home, having ice cream and arguing about the competition.

"I still say I deserve to have won," Blake argued.

"Well this trophy says otherwise," I retorted, waving my trophy in his face.

"Trophy schmorphy! That doesn't mean anything!"

"Says the person who didn't get a coupon for free milkshakes slash ice cream for a year."

Blake sighed and grumbled something under his breath while I laughed.

When we eventually got to my doorstep, Blake made to leave but I said, "You don't have to go, you know."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, if you want to," I muttered looking away.

"Well in that case," he pushed the door open and bowed, "after you, my lady."

I rolled my eyes at his antics and walked in with him behind me. We walked into the living room still arguing about the trophy when I suddenly noticed something —or rather someone— in the living room.

"Sky?" I exclaimed.

He looked up at me with a smile, a smile that disappeared as soon as his eyes met with Blake's.

I have a bad feeling about this…