Chapter 9

Ryley has decided to become friends with benefits with Jade. So far it has been going really good. She likes Jade much more this way. Being in a relationship was rough with her, but this actually works. It's Saturday night and Ryley has a date lined up. She's going to the movies with a girl named Nicki. Her pics online were cute. She's 22. In college. She's artsy. They've only talked on the phone once. She seems ok with what Ryley wants. Liv had been calling and texting Ryley, but Ryley never responded or called her back. Honestly, Ryley didn't know what to say.

Ryley wants to make sure she looks good tonight. She decided to wear jeans, a nice blouse, and a black blazer. She quickly curled her hair before she left. In the car, she texted Nicki to say she was on her way. She called Nicki once she was in the theatre to see where she was. They ended up meeting by the back door. Nicki was even cuter in person. Ryley gave her a hug and they both got in line for the tickets. Ryley paid for the tickets and they proceeded into the movie theater. About halfway through the movie, Ryley lifted the armrest and slid closer to Nicki. Nicki seems to like it. She smiled and leaned her head on Ryley's shoulder for a while.

After the movie, they went out to eat. They were able to get to know each other a little better. Afterwards, the two went back to Nicki's apartment. The two sat on the couch and Ryley started to flirt with Nicki. She seemed to like it at first, but when Ryley went to kiss her neck she felt Nicki's body tense up.

"Is everything ok, babe?"

"I should tell you...."

Ryley stopped kissing her "Yes?"

"I've lied about something?"

"Well what is it??"

"I'm not 22"

"What??" Ryley said scooting back

"I'm 18....18...I promise. Here's my ID. You can look" Nicki said as she opened her wallet and passed Ryley her ID

Ryley hated liars. She really had no patience for it. Normally, she would go off, but because she barely knew Nicki, she tried to keep it together. She got up and started pacing back in forth in front of the couch. She finally stopped and took a deep breath

"Why did you lie?" Ryley said calmly

"I don't know" Nicki said with tears forming in her eyes

"Did you think I wouldn't find out?"

"I don't know"

"What made you even tell me now" Ryley said- her voice starting to get loud

"I hadn't planned on telling you really, but you were so nice and I really like you"

"Ok" Ryley said as she sat back down and exhaled

"It's hard meeting nice people on that app. All the young people are boring and uninteresting. They're not on my level. They don't want what I want. I didn't think it would matter, but then again I wasn't sure it would go this far. I'm happy it did, but I also feel bad. Have I completely ruined everything? I mean I am 18... that's not that bad"

"I suppose not... but you still lied. I really don't like liars"

"Oh. I see"

There was a long pause and Ryley decided to sit down again

"Can we still be friends. You're really cool. One of the coolest people I've met on that app"

Ryley had to think about this. She really didn't need new friends right now, but she was nice. She didn't want to hurt the girl's feeling right now and have to watch her cry.

"Sure. We can still be friends" Ryley said giving her a half-smile

"Thank you"

"I should go"

"Really? Are you sure? You can stay. We can do... something else"

Ryley tried to remain calm

"Maybe another time"

"Ok" Nicki said with her head down

Ryley walked to the door and let herself out. She drove home in silence thinking about her life.

When she made it home, she took off her shoes and plopped down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Within a few minutes, she got a text message. It was Jade asking if she could come over. Ryley didn't know if she wanted company right now, but she ended up telling Jade she could come over anyway. Maybe Jade can make me feel better- Ryley thought to herself.

While waiting for Jade- Ryley took a shower and put on her pajamas. She was watching Netflix on the couch when Jade arrived.

"Hey!" Jade said sounding more excited than she usually did

"Hey girly" Ryley said

Jade came in and made herself at home. She took her shoes off, grabbed a blanket, and moved close to Ryley on the couch

"How was your day?" Jade asked

"Fine"

"Oh. Good"

"How was your day?"

Jade went on to explain how her day was. Ryley pretended to listen, but she really couldn't concentrate. She had too much on her mind. For some reason she thought about Liv. What was she doing? How was she doing? Was Liv thinking about her? Should she call her...you know...just to make sure everything is ok? She also thought about what happened to Nicki tonight. Nicki reminded her of Liv, but why did she lie? Should they be friends? Should she tex-

"Did you hear me?" Jade said cutting off Ryley's thoughts

"Of course babe" Ryley lied

"Do you want to go lay down for a while?" Ryley asked

"Sure"

They both went to the bedroom and laid down. Ryley cuddled up behind Jade and held her.

Jade eventually turned around and kissed Ryley. Ryley didn't really want to-but she kissed back slower than usual. Jade climbed on top of Ryley and kissed her again.

Ryley could tell Jade wanted more as Jade's hand went under Ryley's shirt

"Mmmm can I just hold you babe"

"Uh....sure" Jade said with a puzzled look

Jade went back to her spot behind Ryley and cuddled again

"What's wrong?" Jade asked

"Nothing. I'm ok"

"Well, you don't seem ok"

"I'm good. I promise"

"But you're usually always up to... you know. It just seems weird"

"Mmm. Maybe I just want to hold you for a change"

"I suppose"

Ryley kissed the back of her neck

"Talk to me babe- about anything. I like listening to you"

Jade started talking and Ryley held her close- listening to her. Ryley was starting to feel much better. Jade always had funny stories or something interesting to tell. She loved to talk. She would go on and on sometimes if no one would stop her. Sometimes Ryley found this irritating, but today she liked it.

Jade's story ended and she went quiet for a moment

"That's it? The story's over?" Ryley asked

Jade laughed "Yes. Don't act like you loved it"

"I always love your long-winded stories" Ryley said laughing

Silence filled the room for a minute

Jade rolled over and faced Ryley

"Do you remember when we went on that road trip after you graduated??" Jade said smiling

"Oh yeah. That was some trip.. You getting sick and me getting hurt"

"Mmmmhhmm. That was the worst" Jade replied

"But there were some good times too.... In the hotel... do you remember?" Jade asked

"If you're referring to the hot-tub...yes, I remember" Ryley said smirking "You were freaky back then"

"Oh! and I'm not now?" Jade asked

"Wellllllllll... I mean......."

Jade's eyes grew wide

"I'm kidding, girl" Ryley laughed "You still are"

"Mmmhhmm!" Jade said pridefully "I miss those days" Jade said as she moved closer to Ryley and put her hand on her back

"Oh really?"

"Yes" Jade said moving in for a kiss. "We should try again"

"Mmmm. Yeah, maybe we should" Ryley replied

The two were kissing now. Ryley was feeling much better now. Although she didn't want to hear about getting back together with Jade right now, it kind of turned her on.

Jade was straddling Ryley again. She reached over to the nightstand to turn the light off and she saw Ryley had a missed call and text from someone named Nicki. Without even thinking, Jade picked up the phone and unlocked it.

"Whoaa, why do you have my phone?" Ryley asked

"WHO THE FUCK IS NICKI?" Jade asked

"What?" Ryley said pushing Jade off of her

"On your phone... You have a missed call and text from Nicki. She says, Thanks for a great night. I can't wait to see you again"

Fuck- Ryley thought to herself

Ryley snatched her phone away. "Why does it matter to you? We are only friends with benefits remember? Why does it matter who's texting me?"

"WELL, I ASSUMED YOU WOULD TELL ME WHEN THERE WAS SOMEONE ELSE" Jade said angrily. "I ALSO ASSUMED YOU WOULDN'T SEE ME AND ANOTHER GIRL IN THE SAME DAY! What the fuck, Ry????

"AND I ASSUMED MY GIRLFRIEND WOULDN'T BREAK MY HEART!" Ryley shouted back

"What? Is that why you're doing this? You said you were over it. This was YOUR idea remember!!!"

"How many other girls are you talking to? And what the fuck even happened tonight? Have I always been your second choice of the night? Every time you called or texted was it after being with another girl?

Ryley was getting highly upset. She was trying to stay calm... but Jade always managed to bring out the worst in her

"You should leave, Jade"

"WHY SHOULD I? SO YOU CAN INVITE ANOTHER GIRL OVER?"

"Jade please, just leave" Ryley said trying to remind calm... but Jade just kept going on and on making Ryley even more upset

"JADE, SHUT THE FUCK UP!!! WE ARE NOT TOGETHER ANYMORE AND WE NEVER WILL BE AGAIN!!! I THOUGHT THIS WOULD WORK.. BUT THAT WAS A BIG MISTAKE. YOU JUST MAKE THINGS SO COMPLICATED.YOU'RE SO SELF-CENTERED AND YOU NEVER LISTEN. WHY WOULD I EVER GO BACK TO YOU? YOU TREATED ME LIKE SHIT"

Ryley took a moment to calm down before continuing

"I'm done with you. Stop calling me. Stop texting me. I'm done. We are nothing anymore. Delete my number out of your phone. I never want to hear from you again. Now leave" Ryley said as she opened the door for Jade to leave

Jade was clearly upset as she walked out, but Ryley meant every word she said.

Why is it so hard to find a decent girl out here? Jade really pissed me off today. I have already deleted her number out of my phone. I hope she never contacts me again. I don't know why I thought being friends with benefits would work with her. She clearly wanted to get back together with me when she was the one who fucked up! She should have thought about how much she loved me before she cheated then. Whatever! I'm just glad that's over. I will just stick to my app for now.