Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Rylie's POV

I was shocked to the bone. My whole system was rejecting it because it couldn't possibly be real but I was looking right at him. He was standing right in front of me, in the flesh. Asher was back.

Even as I slowly came to terms with it, I still couldn't believe it. A part of me wanted to believe it was a lie, that I was only seeing stuff but when he touched me again, I knew.

"Rylie," he started in a low tone. His voice which sounded so familiar felt like cold water being poured all over me and I shivered and shrank away from him.

"A-Asher! What are you doing here?" I stuttered, blinking furiously, hoping that would make him disappear.

"Rylie," he said again, attempting to cup my cheeks but I jumped to my feet and put some distance between us.

"You're not supposed to be here. You're not supposed to- Oh my gosh!" I couldn't go on and ran my hand through my hair, unable to get over what I was seeing.

"Rylie baby, you've got to calm down and let me explain," he started advancing towards me but I kept moving away.

"Stay the fuck away from me, Asher. Stay away! I mean it! Stay- stay-" I broke down now and fell to my knees.

What was going on with me? I had no idea why I was crying or why I felt this way.

Asher was back in the flesh and now it was like all the emotions I'd kept shut away finally broke out and I couldn't help it anymore.

"Rylie, Ry, I'm sorry," I heard Asher say as he wrapped his arms around me. I wanted nothing more than to push him far away from me but I just couldn't do it. I felt so weak that I couldn't do anything.

"Rylie. Rylie, are you in here?" I could hear Blake call as he walked into the garage and flipped the light switch. Instinctively, I pushed Asher off me and jumped to my feet, locking eyes with Blake instantly. He glanced at me and then at Asher who was on the floor.

"I thought I heard crying in here. Who is he?" he gestured at Asher.

Before I could respond, Asher rose to his feet and placed his arm around my shoulder. "I think the question should be, Who are you? I'm her boyfriend."

"Boyfr- Wait, you're Asher?" Blake asked.

I quickly pulled out of Asher's embrace and stared wide-eyed at him then at Blake and then back at him.

"Boyfriend? Since when, Asher?" I yelled, struggling to keep my voice even.

"Look Rylie baby, I'm sorry about all that happened and I'd like to explain if you'd let me," he moved towards me but before I could tell him off, Blake draped his arm over my shoulder.

"Don't bother with an explanation. She's taken. She's my girlfriend," he told Asher off.

I couldn't deny it. Being in Blake's arms after so long felt like a dream. A dream come true. But I knew I couldn't let myself fall for it again and continue to live in a fantasy so I jerked Blake's arm off me.

"What is wrong with the both of you? Neither of you is my boyfriend so what the heck is going on? You know what? I can't handle this right now!" I turned away and stormed off.

On entering the house, everyone turned their eyes on me and my mom approached me, looking concerned.

"Rylie. Honey, are you okay?" she touched my cheek affectionately.

"Yes Mom. I'm sorry if I seemed upset earlier. I'm fine now, I promise. Sorry, Mrs. Weston," I apologized to Blake's mom.

"It's not your fault, dear. We shouldn't have stuck our noses in your business. We were just worried and trying to look out for you guys is all."

I smiled at her to show that I wasn't bothered. "I think I'll go to bed now. I'm kinda tired."

"Of course. But where's Blake?" my mom inquired just as Blake stepped in, soon followed by Asher.

Seeing both of them together brought up so many feelings in me I didn't want. They both had hurt me and they were both standing right in front of me.

"Asher! What are you doing here? Why are you here?" my mom was quick to ask.

"Hello Mrs. Myers. I'm actually here to see Rylie. We need to talk," his eyes were pleading with me to accept but I couldn't take it anymore so I ran up the stairs before I gave in to the urge to break down.

As I did, I could hear my dad already asking Asher to leave or he would call the police and I couldn't help but smile. Just like my dad to look out for me.

I ran into my room and closed the door behind me. Finally in a safe place, I heaved a deep sigh as I dragged my feet to my bed and fell face first, letting the warm comfiness soak into my system.

My life sure sucked. I thought I already had problems with Blake but now Asher was back, bringing with him more questions and probably bigger issues.

I just get a break, could I? It was like the world was against me. Why, Universe? Why are you so against me?

I looked up from the bed and found myself staring out my window, the one that was directly facing Blake's room, once Asher's room. The cool night breeze blew into the room and despite not wanting to, I found myself getting up and walking towards the window.

I laid my hand on the window frame and stared into Blake's room through the open window and let my mind roam.

I could still remember all the times Asher and I had spent together, talking all night long right there at the window. With his arrival now, those memories seemed so fresh in my mind but they were soon accompanied by the times Blake snuck into my room or spoke to me right there by the window.

How did my life get to this point? So complicated and out of wack? I could only imagine just what the universe had in store for me tomorrow.

Suddenly, I had a feeling that winter break wouldn't be so boring afterall...