*Chapter 7*

"Okay, you're going to think their middle names are ridiculous." Ryland said and blushed at the same time. ""Nah, I won't at least I wouldn't say it to your face."" I replied back in a joking way. Ryland sighed, closed his eyes, took a deep breath and said. "Brayden Levi Finnton. Ava Makinlee. Shay Aleah Harlow. Talia Scarlet. Chase Jax Hudson. And Lukas Ryder. I mean they all have my same last name too, Marx. But, don't say anything mean. My mom named them all. And, she's um like you know gone. So, they may have weird names, but she liked them." And with that Ryland opened his eyes and looked at me with those eyes that were as green and deep as a forest. "" I love their names." I said softly. Hopefully, that was enough of an answer. Ryland continued to move closer to me to the point where our noses were almost touching. I cleared my throat when I realized how close we actually were. I was frazzled at that point. So, I stood up. And turned to ask him one more question. "You said we both were raising ourselves the other day when you gave me this," I pointed to my stitches on my cheek and shoulder. "What do you mean we? You know how my life is. You come here every day and see me alone in this house." I looked at my watch it was 9:30. I wondered if he realized that no one was here now, and no one would be till after midnight. "You aren't dumb. You can see I"m here alone. But you, I want to know. You're alone too, how is that. You have six little siblings and a dad who loves you all. So, how are you alone?" I asked. I didn't want him to think I was rude. I wanted him to think I was sympathizing. But, he didn't take it that way. "Alone? I'm seventeen, living in a house with six five year olds. That's not alone? And my dad? You think he comes here and then comes home? No. He comes here then goes to his second job. While my neighbor watches the kids. They're asleep by now, but how can you not realize that yeah you may be literally alone, but I'm emotionally alone. And my mom is dead. At least you have one. And we're poor. That makes my life lonelier than some one in solitary confinement. You have your animals and your servants and your electronics to keep you company. I'm alone in a room with a ceiling that leaks with musty books from my dad. It's not just you Elaina. You're not as alone as you think." His rant felt like a slap. And I realized I never had told him my name, but he knew it. And likewise. I knew his and he knew mine. We were getting to know the deep details of each other quickly. And for some reason the last thing I wanted to do was upset him. ""Ryland, that's not what I was trying to say..." I looked over at him. He was vulnerable at this point. His head in his hands. Rubbing his skin raw. I sat down next to him, I could feel that he needed some one. The air was hanging thick though. And I wasn't sure what to say. "You're right Ry. Your life is hard. I get it though. You may think that I'm so far off. But, I really understand where you're coming from. A lot more than you think, Ry." I tried to say something to bring his head out of his hands. That statuesque face that looked as if some divine being had carved it from a fine Italian marble. ""Did you just call me Ry?" He asked. ""Um, yeah. I think so. Why, I can stop that if you want. Or not want..." I left the question hanging. ""Uh, well no. I mean I don't care, but the last person to call me that was my mom." ""Oh, Ry-Ryland I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. Really, that's the last thing I wanted to do. Honestly." ""No, no, no. You didn't. At all." With that, He picked up his head and put his arm around me. I had butterflies swarming my stomach. And I wanted to just push him up against a wall. He was a caring guy, I could see that. ""Uh, Ry..." He had moved a hand to my neck. And his nose touching mine. ""Yeah?" He answered. ""You've got a smudge of something..." I confessed. ""So do you." He told me. I immediately felt self conscious. Where was it? ""Where?!" I said a little anxiously. While moving back a little. ""Here." Ryland said while pressing a soft warm kiss into my mouth. I was surprised scarily and pleasantly. He was moving his arms around my back and his mouth was gentle and amazing. After an embrace of what I thought was eternity, but nearly not long enough. I pulled away from Ryland. "" I think you got it." I told him and smiled. I may not have known Ryland well at that point. And I may not be able to fathom his personality, ideals, and life. But, I know one think for sure. I had fallen for him. And hard.



Let me know if you liked this one, I'm not sure if it pushed things too far. Let me know please!!