I Can't Love You [3]

        Ryland's little sister went back to her grandmothers that night.Ryland kept himself at a distance from Aira for a while, and she gave him the space he needed.She watched him as he sat on the grass.After a while he just layed back and stared at the stars.He had his arms under his head.She could swear she saw a few tears, but it was understandable.After Ryland came in and was asleep in the living room, Aira slipped her bathing suit on and went to the pool.She dove in and came back up and looked up at the window roof of the pool house and stared at the beautiful stars.She floated on her back and then let herself go under and feel the warmth wrap around her.

     Ryland's POV

  She's so beautiful. He thought to himself.He sighed and walked quietly out into the pool area and stood in the shady corner to watch her without being seen.As he watched her beautiful body glide through the water he shuddered with emotion.She had gained wait back, so her body was more filled out, but still skinny and beautiful.He sighed and sat on the concrete floor and watched as she climbed out of the water and layed on the towel with one leg propped up and the other straight out on the towel.Her hands layed out on the concrete, one of her fingers traced a crack in the cement.He heard her sigh and watched as she propped up on her elbows and let her head fall back and her hair fall over her shoulders and hang there, slightly swaying with every breath she took.What am I going to do?

 Aira's POV

  These stars are so beautiful.She smiled up at the sky.She stood up and dried off the rest of the way with the towel.She took her time and went slowly, but to Ryland she was going in slow motion.She sighed and took one last look at the stars and then walked inside.She stopped at the living room and noticed he wasn't there.She went to the window and looked out to the pool area and saw him sitting there.They looked at each other for a minute, and she put her hand gently on the window.His eyes were sparkling and she looked down.I can't let this happen. She walked away and went to her room and changed into her black tank top, and white running shorts.She put on some white socks and pulled her hair into a high pontail and then added mascara and eyeliner.She didn't know what was going on with herself, but she wasn't sure she liked it.She couldn't let herself fall for him.She couldn't take another heartbreak, not again.

 Regular POV

  Ryland came in as soon as Aira decended the stairs and they stood there awkwardly.He motioned towards her room and she nodded.They went up and he sighed and wouldn't look her in the eyes. "When I was only 14, I lost my best friend to an eating disorder.I tried to help her, but it had been going on too long, and there was nothing I could do for her.I didn't know what to do, so.. she made me promise not to tell anyone.Of course, I didn't.I didn't know she was so bad about it, and after a few days, my mom sat me down and told me she had died."

   Aira's shoulders slumped as she sat on the bed. "And you were afraid you were going to lose me because of that." She said matter-of-factly.

    He nodded and kept going. "I was devastated.I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, and I wouldn't talk for days, because I blamed myself.If I had just told someone, it wouldn't have happened.She was one of my closest friends.She loved Stephie like a sister, she loved me, we did everything together, and I could always count on her.I still miss her Aira."

     She put a hand on his arm. "I know.My dad... he died because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.I blamed myself for a long time, because I had asked him to pick me up something from the store.If he hadn't gone, he would still be here." she lowered her head and stood up. "But I realized that, if God hadn't thought it was his time to go, he wouldn't have taken him Ryland."

       She hugged him and he held her tightly. "There's one more thing Aira."

       She pulled back and nodded. "What is it?"

       He stood up. "I'm in love with you."

       She was at a loss for words. "Ryland, we're best friends, I don't feel that way."

      "That's the problem Aira.You don't want to feel that way.You won't let yourself.I see by the way you hold yourself back, and how you won't make eye contact with me.That day in lunch when our hand touched, I saw how you reacted.Why are you holding us back?"

        "Because I don't want to mess this up!We're best friends Ryland and that's all I can see us as!"

         He looked down obviously regretting something. "Well, I don't think I can be just a friend.I'm in love with you and have been since Freshman year.We're Juniors now Aira, do you know how long I've waited?I can't do this anymore.I've got too much on my plate already, I don't need this too.Goodbye Aira." he strode out of the room.

       She ran out into the hall after him. "Ryland wait!"

       He turned back. "What?"

       "I- don't.. don't leave.Please, don't leave." she was on the verge of tears.

       He sighed and looked around hen looked back at her.She walked to the stairs, where he was halfway down, and held out her hand. "Please, don't leave me.You're right.I am holding myself back because I couldn't handle it if I had another heart break.Please, understand." He took her hand and a tear fell from her eye, and she smiled.He laughed as he wiped away the tear.They walked back to her room hand in hand. "You know, you're cute when you're mad." She commented.

    "Shut up." he said shaking his head. "You're cute when you're crying."

    She laughed and pushed him.He got his balance back and wlked over to the bed and plopped down.She walked to her doorway. "I'm getting something to drink, want anything?"

    "No, I think I'm just gonna hit the sack." he smiled.

   She laughed. "That was corny." he threw a pillow at the door and she ran down the hall laughing. "You missed!" she yelled back.

    He got up and ran after her. "Did I?" he grabbed her by the waist making her squeal.

    "Yeah, you did!" she took off running into the living room, running right in on her mom kissing some guy.She stopped short and frowned. "Who the hell is this mom?"

     Ryland came up behind her and put his arms around her.She held onto them for support. "This is Tom honey.The one I told you about yesterday."

      "Is this your first date?" she asked incredulously.

       "Second." her mother corrected.

        Aira scoffed. "And you're already making out?"

        "Honey, I-"

       "Save it." she looked at the guy and frowned.

       He put his hands in his pockets. "I should go.."

        "Don't worry, I'm leaving.Have fun." she walked to the door and stormed out. 

        When she got to the corner she burst into tears and Ryland caught up to her. "Aira, com on don't cry."

         He grabbed her and hugged her. "Why does she have to date?She's 39 for goodness sake!No one will ever take the place of my dad."

           "No, they won't Air.No... they won't.But he may turn out to be a nice guy.I said no one would ever take the place of my friend Jessica that... died, but look now!You did!I never thought I could like someone more than that, but that was before I met you!" he said.

              She looked up at him and smiled.She put her hand on his face and kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry that you've waited all this time for me, but Ryland, I'm not ready to date yet.I'm sorry." she layed her head on his shoulder.

              He nodded and backed away."Come on, let's get back to the house."

               When they returned Aira saw that Tom's truck was gone, but someone's car was there.She ran inside and jumped into his arms.It was her brother Benjamin. "Hey little sister!Gosh I missed you so much!"

                "I missed you too!" she said.

                He frowned. "Have you been crying?" then he looked at Ryland. "Ryland?"

                She looked at her mom cruelly. "It's nothing.And yeah, Ryland is staying here for a while until he can figure something out."

                 Benjiman shook hands with Ryland then looked at their mom. "We're gonna have to talk mom.Aira could you and Ryland go upstairs?"

           "Yeah." they walked upstairs, but Aira stayed at the top of the staircase to listen.

       Benjiman lowered his voice and said.....

 BIG secret coming up!Please continue to read and comment!Please rate it up!!Thanks sooo much!I won't be posting as often, but I'll try!I'm busy a lot, so if I don't I'm really really sorry!Please recomend my story to some people if you don't mind!

 Okay, int he next chapter, you'll find out something about Aira that will make your heart stop.It's very dramatic!Something happens to Ryland too, it may happen to HIM or it may happen to a family member!You'll just have to read to find out!Hope you're liking it!SUBSCRIBE!!!!!