Lost in You

dark glasses and large hat just as my door opens. I’m being treated like the celebrity that I am. I should’ve asked for no special treatment. I seem to stop thinking rationally when I’m with Ryan. He clouds my judgment. This isn’t what his mom needs to see. I look like some rich snob, too lazy to open my own door.
    Ryan nudges me. I look at him briefly and smile before sliding out of the car. He follows, reaching for my hand once the car door shuts. I try to pull away, to save him from the onslaught of what’s about to happen, but he holds on tighter.
    The last time I was here, we snuck in. That was the smart thing to do. This time, I’m out in the wide open and people staring. Funny enough, these are the same people that saw me in the basement and paid no attention to me, but now, they can’t get enough of an eyeful.
    Ryan walks us by a small group of people. A few of them whisper, one of them points. I should be used to this, but I feel like I’m under a microscope. I’m being scrutinized and I hate it.
    His mom walks up to us. Her dress is green and looks new. She beams when she looks at her son. The expression on her face is infectious and I can’t help but grin.
    “Mom, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Hadley. Hadley, this is my mom, Sally Stone.” Ryan repeats the same words he said last time he introduced us, only adding girlfriend this time. I extend my hand and am warmly met by Sally Stone’s hand.
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hadley.” Her hand is cold in mine. She doesn’t have a strong grip.
    “Believe me, Mrs. Stone, the pleasure’s all mine.”
    “Please, call me Sally.”
    I look at Ryan, who looks pleased, if not sitting on the edge of excited. “Thank you for inviting me today.”
    “Well, I know you’re busy so I’m glad you could join us.”
    Ryan leans in and gives his mom a kiss on the cheek. Her face lights up, like this is the first time he’s done something so sweet. Somehow I doubt that.
    We follow his mom into church. I try to ignore the stares and whispers and wonder if Ryan is listening. If he is, does he care? I pray that he doesn’t, because this is peanuts compared to what things will be like if we were to be seen in someplace like New York.
    We stop short when his friend, Dylan, steps in front of us. She looks upset. Her hands are resting on her hips and her eyes are red. It looks as if she’s been crying.
    “I can’t believe you brought her here after you told me yes.”

CHAPTER 21
    Ryan
     
     
    I freeze when Dylan stops in front of us. I never got a chance to tell Hadley about the stupid dance. No, that’s not right. I had many chances, but couldn’t bring myself to say the words. Deep down I have a feeling I’ve done something wrong. Every time the words were ready to come out, my heart feels as if it’s squeezing, cutting off my circulation. I don’t know what’s going to happen when I tell Hadley, but my gut is telling me that she’s going to be hurt.
    Dylan stands in front of us. She looks stiff, nothing like the Dylan I’m used to. Her eyes are dark, heavy with make-up. She tried this look once before and I told her it made her look scary, only I can tell she’s been crying. She looks at Hadley and back to me, her eyes becoming wet.
    I look at Hadley as she pulls away, joining my mom in a pew. My mom nods to Dylan and looks at the side door. I suppose that means I need to talk to Dylan, but what do I say? I’d rather sit with Hadley through the sermon and deal with Dylan later. I turn around and walk back down the aisle toward the side door with Dylan following.
    She slams the door and pushes me, her fists clenched. “What is she doing here?”
    I step away from her and her flying fists, waiting for her to calm down. I’ve never seen her like this. Dylan crosses her arms and stares out the window. I wait, but hope that she gets on with whatever her issue is because I want to get back to Hadley.
    “Ryan?”
    “Yeah?”
    “You said you’d take me to Homecoming.”
    “And I will.”
    “But you’re still going to see her?”
    I run my hand through my hair and sigh. Maybe this is why I’ve never had a girlfriend, because this is all complicated. Did agreeing to take Dylan to a dance mean we were now a couple? Because if that’s the case it’s not what I meant.
    ”Why would I stop seeing her? I like her.”
    Dylan turns and shakes her head. She presses her face into her hands. I don’t know if I should reach out and