Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Rylie's POV

I slowly opened my eyes to find myself in an empty room. I could tell I was in the hospital but I couldn't remember how exactly I got there. The last memory I had was being in the gym, talking with Blake and being called to play basketball. I remembered stepping on the court and that was when everything went blank.

I tried racking my brain for anything, just anything that could tell me how I landed in the hospital but nothing came up. Eventually I just gave up and laid back in bed.

By now, I had a severe headache and my face hurt. Any sudden movement caused me unbearable pain. I felt like a wreck.

What exactly happened to me?

Thinking yielded no results and even caused more pain so I stopped bothering.

At that moment, I wondered where everybody was and why they hadn't come to see me yet. I wondered… I wondered where Blake was.

"Maybe he didn't come," a little voice snickered in my head.

Just then, I watched as the door opened and in walked my family, Olivia, Mason, the Westons… and Blake!!!

I fought to hide my excitement at his presence but even a blind man could see it written on my face.

"Oh my gosh! Rylie, you're awake!" Olivia squealed excitedly, hugging me tight.

"Oww Olivia! Too tight!" I choked out in a hoarse whisper, my eyes still on Blake who was standing in a corner, observing me, a smile on his lips.

"Oh right! Sorry. I'm just so… I missed you so much!" she said, wiping tears from her eyes.

"Missed you too, bestie!" I whispered back.

Soon everyone had either hugged or spoken to me, everyone except Blake. Probably noticing the stares we were exchanging, Grandma Nellie cleared her throat and ordered everyone out

"But Grandma," Ava whined, "I wanna stay with Rylie."

"I know that but she just woke up so you can't. She still needs some time to rest so everyone out so she can get it. Oh! Blake dear, do you mind staying here with Rylie to make sure that she gets that rest she needs?" she gave him a not-so subtle wink that almost had me laughing if I didn't already know that it would hurt.

"Of course, Grandma," Blake answered, taking her hand and winking back.

Grandma Nellie smiled before ushering everyone out of the room. Just before my dad left, he gave Blake a “I'm watching you” look. I fought the urge to roll my eyes at him.

Thankfully, Grandma Nellie rolled up beside him and gave him a stern look. My dad got the message and soon, Blake and I were the only ones in the room.

There was a long silence in the room after everyone left. No, it wasn't an awkward one and it wasn't because we didn't know what to say. It was like that silence was our way of communicating. That silence alone conveyed way more words than any conversation ever could.

Eventually, Blake moved from his corner in the room and towards me. Pulling up a chair, he sat by the bed and took my hand in his.

"Hey," he said simply.

"Hey," I said back.

"How are you feeling?" he asked tenderly.

"Like a train ran over me," I answered honestly.

"And you look like it too." He winked at me.

"Ugh! You haven't changed a bit. I can't believe I seriously thought you would have changed in…uh, how long was I out again?"

"Three days."

"Three what? Really? I slept through for a whole three days?!" I exclaimed.

"Yes. You actually woke up the first day I brought you here but the doctor put you back to sleep. He said your body needed time to recover from the hit to your head."

"Oh! Speaking of which, any idea who did it? My mind's still kinda foggy."

"No idea. Things kinda went crazy after you collapsed and I didn't get to see the person who did it."

"You don't think…" I hesitated.

"That the person who threw the basketball was the person who left the message for you in the bathroom? I've thought about it. The doctor also mentioned that your injuries couldn't have been from a mere basketball. So I went back to school and as it turns out, the basketball had a metal ball in it, roughly the size of the basketball itself."

"So it wasn't an accident?" I asked, a chill enveloping my body.

"No. This was done intentionally. And whoever it is is good at covering their tracks. No one knows who threw the ball at you."

I sighed and placed my hand on my face. "Great. This is exactly what I need now," I remarked with a bit of sarcasm. "A vengeful ex on a warpath."

"Look Rylie, I know you're scared but I promise you, I'll never let anything happen to you. You can count on me to protect you," he gripped my hand tight.

"Yeah. Like you protected me three days ago, right?" I snapped before I could stop myself. Blake's face fell and I could feel him retreat even though he didn't let go. "Blake, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I'm just… I'm sorry okay?"

"No. I-It's okay," he mumbled, looking away.

"No, it's not. You've been worried sick about me and here I am, behaving like a bitch to you."

"Whatever gave you the idea that I was worried sick about you?" he raised an eyebrow with a smug grin on his face.

"But you were, weren't you?" I hesitated, hoping that I was right.

He didn't say anything for a while before finally breaking into a smile. "Of course I was. You gave this jock quite a scare, you crazy little nerd. And if it makes you feel any better, your face might look like a train ran over it but you're still the prettiest girl I've ever seen."

I forced myself to maintain a neutral expression despite how much his comment affected me and said instead, "Strangely, that makes me feel better. I guess dumb jocks can be sweet."

"Did you… did you just call me ‘a dumb jock’?"

"Why do you sound so surprised? I'm a nerd afterall and if I'm a nerd, you're a dumb jock. There. What are you going to do about it?" I challenged, a daring expression on my face.

He stared at me like he was struggling to control himself before exhaling.

"You're lucky you're on a hospital bed. If not for that single fact, I'd have tickled you more than you ever thought possible."

"Oh please! You talk a big talk but inside, you're just a scared chicken," I taunted.

"You know, there are other ways to punish you."

"Oh yeah! Like what?"

"Other ways that don't involve hands or legs. Just lips," he whispered the last word creepily.

"L-l-lips?" I stuttered.

"Just lips," he repeated, even creepier than before.

"What does that mean?" I asked, bringing my voice down to a whisper.

"Why don't you let me show you?" he trailed his finger across my lips, sending a shiver down my spine. Then, he began leaning in. I wanted to say something but I couldn't get myself to speak. The closer he got, the faster my heart began to beat. When his face got close enough that we were literally breathing the same air, I felt my eyes close of their own accord as I anticipated what was to come.

But instead of a kiss, Blake stuck out his tongue and blew a raspberry in my face, his spittle coating my face with disgusting spots.

"Ugh! Blake, that's just gross!" I gagged, covering my face with my hands. Blake was already out of his chair and laughing in a corner of the room. "You're the worst!" I yelled angrily.

"Love you too, honey." He blew me a kiss before slipping out of the room.

I stared at the door before eventually smiling smugly. This isn't over!