Step 4

On my 25th birthday party, I was sitting next to my sister, watching her treasured by the very first man that was able to catch my very attention, for the very first time...

And my mind was just...

Confused and lost.

'Why am I feeling... sad?

What does this unknown pain in my chest... means?'

My thoughts stopped invading my head as Ray called out to me.

"Emy! Come and dance with us! It's your birthday afterall, you can't just sit here as you're the main girl of this special day!" he said smiling while his left hand was extended towards me, signaling me to take it and right in that moment I felt guilty for all the people that purposely came here today and I wasn't even partecipating in it with them, so I made up my mind.

"You're right Ray!! Let's dance!" I said cheerfully, taking Rei's hand while I stood up from the couch as he leads me towards the center of the living room to dance together.

As me and Rei were dancing slowly and smiling at each other, his right hand leading my left one while his left arm wrapped my waist, with a sweet music surrounding us, I murmured to him...

"Sorry Ray..."

"Why are you apologizing Emy? You didn't do anything wrong. Just like Rosalie always says, you apologize too much!" he said it chuckling, before he continued...

"I know why you're not acting like your usual self... After Rosalie introduced her boyfriend.

You're hurt because Rosalie didn't let you know that she had already a boyfriend, right?

But I'm sure she had a valid reason to have kept it a secret from you..."

My eyes looking into his dark amber ones as I heard his words, before I lowered my sight, leaving his one... and a sad light smile was formed on my lips as I said...

"Ray, you really know me so well..."

"We've been together since forever now Emy. I can also proudly say that I know you just like I know my own pockets haha" he said it joking and laughing a bit, which made me instantly smile and laugh too.

"Hey!! You!!" I said laughing happily as he sweetly pinches my nose too.

'He's always so caring, despite his teasing ways.

I'm really lucky to have him by my side.'

When the music turned into a rock one, I decided to stop dancing as I'm not really a good dancer for that kind of music. I told Ray that I had to go toilet and he released me from his left arm. As soon as he did that, my blue eyes met a pair of green ones that were staring at me.

Ryan was looking at me.

I directed my sight away immediately and without realizing it, my cheeks had already a shade of pink on them.

I excused myself to Ray before I went, kinda rushed, to restroom.

After closing the door of the washroom, I rested my back on the closed door behind me, before slowly I slided down to the floor, finding myself sitting on the ground now.

'This is... bad.

'I can't even look at him...

'I can't even stare at his eyes properly for a single moment.

'I can't even think straight, as I'm feeling like I'm not even myself anymore when he stares at me.

There must be really something wrong with me today.'

I shook off those thoughts before I got up and did what I had to do. As I was done, I opened the door to exit and my feet froze in their place as now I found in front of me the person I didn't want to see, but at the same time craved to see, the most in that very moment:

Allen Ryan.

'What... Is he doing here...?'

His back was leaning against the wall and his arms were crossed in front of his chest, before he turned his head around to look at me and as I tried my best to look at him properly, I failed again as I lowered my face.

'Damn... I feel nervous...'

I cleared my throat a bit before a gave him a light nod with my head, signaling him to excuse myself and that he could use now the toilet too if he needed it, but as I started to walk towards the living room, he started heading towards me too, and right in the moment I walked past, near him...

I heard him whisper...

"Cute."

And he entered, before closing the door behind him.

I was left... Paralyzed there.

'Wh- What was that?..... What....

Of course... He was referring... about a beautiful painting behind me or something...

It must be this way... for sure...'

I turned behind to see if there were paintings on the wall, even though being my own house I should know very well if there were paintings on the wall or not, but when it comes to him, as I said before, I can't even think straight anymore.

My eyes widened as I saw nothing on the wall and I blushed... Instantly, before I slowly returned to living room, with my mind... messy.

'Why did he say that... ?

Why...?

I don't understand it...'

After more drinking and celebration, everyone was taking their leave now. They congratulated me again, handing me amazing presents too and I accepted them with so much happiness, thanking them from the bottom of my heart for this unforgettable party.

As I waved goodbye to everyone, the only people left in the house were my parents, Ray, Rosalie and Ryan.

"Sorry, but I have to go too." Ray said before he added...

"Tomorrow is Sunday and the bar is closed, so I have to get up early to buy supplies.

It's already past 1 am now..."

"Ah ok! Sorry if you had to stay here until this late Ray!" I didn't noticed the clock until he mentioned it.

"It's okay, stuuupid. It's your birthday today, afterall. I wanted to stay until the end." Ray said smiling, ruffling my hair gently... and giving me his present which was a beautiful silver bracialet.

"I love it! Thank you so much Ray!!!" I exclaimed as soon as I saw it, before giving him a tight hug too.

"I'm glad you love it Emy!

Goodnight and sweet dreams. See you on Monday. " he said it before he walked out of the house.

As Ray left, my parents started talking with Rosalie and Ryan.

"Ryan, you can stay here for tonight since it's late to return to Chicago now...'' my dad said.

'Please... Leave.'

''And since tomorrow is Sunday, there'll be no lessons at university, but if you have commitments then it can't be helped..." my dad continued.

' Please... Leave.'

"Yes, we have empty rooms anyway. I'll be happy if you stay here tonight. Tomorrow, you can take a visit around Cedarburg with Rosalie and Emma, since she doesn't have work either" my mom said smiling.

'Stop that... Dad... Mom...'

But as soon as I thought that, I felt a stab in my chest again as I saw my sister hugging her boyfriend's left arm before I heard Rosalie say...

"Ryan, Cedarburg is a pretty nice city, you'll like it for sure...

But if you really can't stay-" Rosalie's phase was interrupted as the handsome black haired man talked...

"I'll stay.

I'd like to visit the city with Rosalie and...

If you agree, with you too, Emma." he said, looking at me and smiling sweetly and I couldn't do anything if not only showing a light smile before I nodded as answer, and my eyes were looking at Rosalie.

In front of the sight of my sister's happy expression on her face while her head was resting on Ryan's left shoulder...

That unknown pain I felt before...

Now it hurts me even more.

'It... Bothers me... '

Everything went perfectly good today...

But I also got to taste for the first time...

These new, dark feelings born into me:

Envy...

And jealousy.