As we were celebrating and laughing, I suddenly saw Stephanie walking into the bar, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for someone. My heart sank, and I felt a wave of unease wash over me like a cold shower. What was she doing here? I thought to myself, my mind racing with questions and doubts. I shot Ryan a look, trying to convey my discomfort and surprise, my eyes narrowing slightly as I raised an eyebrow and tilted my head, signaling to him that Stephanie was here and she shouldn't be.
Ryan, seemingly oblivious to my distress, smiled and waved at Stephanie, inviting her over to our table with a friendly gesture. I couldn't believe it. Had he invited her? I thought to myself, feeling a surge of anger and betrayal wash over me like a tidal wave. How could he do this to me? Didn't he know how I felt about her?
Stephanie walked up to us, exchanging greetings with Ryan, her voice cheerful and friendly, like a knife twisting in my gut. "Hey, guys! Mind if I join you?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.
Ryan, still smiling, offered her a seat, his expression oblivious to the tension that had suddenly filled the air. "Not at all, Stephanie! Join the party!" he said, his voice booming through the room like a death knell.
I couldn't take it anymore. I angrily stormed out of the table, pushing my chair back and standing up, my heart racing with anger and hurt. "I need some air," I muttered, trying to contain my emotions, my voice barely above a whisper.
Ryan called out to me, "Hey, wait up! What's wrong?" but I was already heading outside, not wanting to deal with the situation anymore, my feet carrying me away from the table like a runaway train.
I could hear Ryan coming after me, his footsteps echoing behind me like a drumbeat, but I didn't stop. I kept walking, my heart heavy with emotion, my mind racing with thoughts and doubts.
Finally, I stopped outside, taking a deep breath of the cool night air, trying to calm down. Ryan caught up to me, his voice concerned. "Hey, what's going on? Why did you storm out like that?"
I turned to him, my anger boiling over like a pot left unattended. "You invited her, didn't you?" I accused, my voice low and even, like a snake hissing in the grass.
Ryan looked taken aback, holding up his hands in defense, his eyes wide with surprise. "Whoa, calm down! I didn't mean to upset you. I just thought it would be nice to have her join us."
"Join us?!" I barked at Ryan, my voice incredulous and angry, echoing through the night air like a slap in the face. "How does he ever think that I will be happy having Stephanie join us?" I thought to myself, my mind racing with questions and doubts, like a runaway train careening out of control.
Ryan looked taken aback by my outburst, his eyes wide with surprise, like a deer caught in the headlights. "Whoa, calm down! I didn't mean to upset you," he said, holding up his hands in defense, like a shield against my anger.
But I was beyond calm. I was furious, my anger boiling over like a pot left unattended on the stove. "You think I can just forget about everything that happened between us and be friends with her?" I spat at Ryan, my words dripping with venom and hurt. "Me and Stephanie can never be close anymore. Our relationship breakup doesn't mean she would come back to be a friend anymore. That chapter where me and her can ever click and become friends has totally closed for now."
Ryan took a step back, his eyes darting back and forth as he tried to process my words, like a computer trying to understand a complex algorithm. "I didn't think it would be a problem," he said, his voice hesitant, like a child who had been scolded.
I laughed, a bitter taste in my mouth, like a sour pill that I couldn't swallow. "A problem? You think that's a problem? You have no idea what it's like to be in my shoes," I said, my voice heavy with emotion. "Me and her were in a relationship for six years. Six years, Ryan! You can't just erase that kind of history and expect us to be friends."
Ryan shook his head, his expression contrite, like a child who had made a mistake. "I know, I know. I was just trying to..."
But I cut him off, my anger pouring out of me like a flood, like a dam that had burst its banks. "You were just trying to what? Fix everything? Make everything okay again? Well, let me tell you something, Ryan. Some things can't be fixed. Some things can't be made okay again. Me and Stephanie's relationship is one of them."
Ryan looked at me, his eyes sad and regretful, like a person who had lost their way. "I'm sorry, man. I didn't mean to hurt you."
I was trying to calm down, trying to hold back my anger and not pour out everything at Ryan, but he's just the one who fits into the situation, the one who just fell into the shoes of taking in my outburst. I took a deep breath and tried to quiet my racing mind, letting Ryan speak. I could see the sincerity in his eyes, the genuine concern etched on his face.
"I'm really sorry, Gabriel," Ryan said, his voice filled with emotion. "You know I wouldn't try to intentionally hurt you. You're my best friend, and as well, like my brother. It has always been me and you since our childhood. We've been through thick and thin together, and I wouldn't try to stab you in the back, knowing that it would make you bleed."
I looked at him, my expression softening slightly. I knew Ryan wouldn't try to hurt me intentionally. He was my best friend, and I trusted him with my life. I remembered all the good times we had shared, the laughter, the adventures, the late-night conversations. He was more than just a friend to me; he was a brother, a confidant, a partner in crime.
"I got to become friends with Stephanie through you," Ryan continued. "You guys were dating, and as my best friend's girlfriend, she also became a friend of mine. And for that six years you guys were dating, she has been my friend. I've gotten to know her, and I care about her deeply."
I nodded, understanding. I knew Ryan and Stephanie had become close during our relationship. I had introduced them, and they had hit it off immediately. They had bonded over their shared love of music, movies, and books. I had been happy to see them get along so well, happy to see my best friend and my girlfriend become friends.
"So what do you expect me to do when in a group of three friends, two were quarrelling?" Ryan asked, his eyes pleading for understanding. "It's my responsibility to fix that, to try to make things right. I didn't mean to take sides or hurt you in any way. I just wanted to help."
I sighed, feeling my anger dissipate slightly. I knew Ryan was trying to help, even if his methods were misguided. I knew he was coming from a good place, a place of love and concern.
"I know, Ryan," I said, my voice softer now. "I just...I don't know if I can be friends with her right now. It's too soon, too raw. I need time to heal, to move on."
Ryan nodded, understanding. "I get it, Gabriel. I really do. And I'm here for you, always. But can I ask you something?"
I nodded, curious.
"Do you think you'll ever be able to forgive me for this? For trying to help, even if it was the wrong way?" Ryan's eyes were filled with concern, filled with a deep desire to make things right.
I looked at him, my heart heavy with emotion. "I'll always forgive you, Ryan. You're my best friend, my brother. But right now, I need some space, some time to figure things out."