Joel had just gotten home and flopped down on his sofa. He leaned back and stared blankly at his high ceiling.
"Yes, wherever Rylie Jang is, I hope she's happy."
The girl his mentor mentioned, her name was Rylie Jang. He didn't know her last name, but 'Rylie' wasn't a common first name. Could they be the same person? The same one Cameron was falling in love with?
But then again, there were millions of people in this city. Just because he didn't know another Rylie didn't mean there weren't any.
He fished out his phone and called Cameron.
"Hey! Did you wanna hang out tomorrow? It's been a while since we saw each other."
"That sounds awesome! But…I made plans with Rylie remember? I told you a few days ago."
"Oh yeah…I guess it slipped my mind. Sorry," he let out a guilty sigh, "I guess I'll just catch up on some work tomorrow."
"Wait, umm…why don't you join us? That way, we can still see each other, and you can get to know Rylie more."
"Are you sure? I don't want to interrupt anything…"
"No, don't worry! You're always welcome!" They said their goodbyes and hung up. Joel smiled at his friend who was always thinking of him.
--------------------------------------------------
Rylie, Cameron and Joel had met up at the park and were setting up for a picnic. The boys had prepared the food while Rylie brought blankets, utensils and games.
The three of them were having a great time, including Joel. He glanced over at Rylie who was laughing at something Cameron said. She seemed liked she was genuinely enjoying herself and living in the moment. She was outgoing and bubbly, she couldn't be the same girl his mentor mentioned.
The sun was setting, and it was starting to get dark out. Everyone had started packing up and leaving the park.
Cameron had gone to get the car on the other side of the park. Joel was coming back from the bathroom and saw Rylie sitting on a bench, hitting her thighs with her fists.
"Is everything okay?" he asked while taking a seat next to her.
"Yeah, my legs are just sore, that's all."
Joel bent down to pull her legs to his lap, "Can I?"
"Uhh…sure?" Rylie sat there with a blank look on her face as he massaged her calves. Would it have been rude if she said no? Or should she be polite since he's trying to do a nice thing? It is her calves and it's not like he's touching her bare skin since she has pants on…
"My muscles get sore all the time when I'm working out, you just have to massage them a little; hitting them doesn't really help."
"Oh…thanks, I'll keep that in mind for next time," she watched his arm muscles flex as he moved them and then looked at her own thin, fragile wrists. She didn't have many chances growing up to enjoy her food unless she was with one of her "boyfriends". Her mom liked to waste food after all by throwing it on the floor.
Joel finished and caught Rylie looking at him. He cleared his throat and gently put her feet back on the ground. In that moment, he remembered why he wanted to see her again in person.
"I was wondering if I could ask you…"
*Hooooooooonk*
"Hey Rylie, Cameron! Sorry it took so long, everyone's trying to leave at the same time. We should go or we really will be the last ones!"
They both smiled and got into the car. The three of them were going to end the night at Cameron's house but when they got there, Rylie shot up in her seat.
"I just remembered I'm supposed to meet my friend Emilia in an hour! I got to go!"
She opened the passenger door and clumsily grabbed her things from the trunk.
"Wait! I can drive you!" Cameron shouted out as he got out of his seat.
"It's okay, it's not far from here. We're meeting at the bar on Hudson and 5th! Thanks for today! I'll call you!" She smiled sweetly at Cameron and waved to Joel.
'Didn't she just say her legs were sore? And why didn't she mention anything about these plans before?'
Joel unlocked his own car parked on Cameron's driveway and opened the driver door.
"Don't worry, I'll catch up with her and give her a ride, make sure she gets there safe. You head inside since you're already home."
"Thanks Joel," Cameron wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. Maybe he should've been the one to go after her anyways but since his friend offered, he let it be.
Joel drove to the bar she mentioned but didn't see her at all. He parked nearby where he could see the entrance and make sure she made it there safely.
A few minutes later, she made it but didn't go inside. Confused, he parked his car and quietly made his way over.
Before he reached her, a man in his late twenties stuck his hand in front of her face.
"Hey, remember me?"
Rylie looked up at the face the arm was connected to but shook her head. She walked around him, but he blocked her way again.
"You told me you were going to call but never did."
"Look, I'm sorry but I don't remember you. You're probably mistaking me for someone else."
You don't remember me? Brian? You were the one all over me that night!"
"Sorry, doesn't ring a bell," she said flatly.
"Maybe this will jog your memory," he grabbed her wrists and pinned her to the wall forcefully. He leaned his head forward in an attempted kiss, but she shook her head back and forth to try avoiding it. She squirmed under his weight trying to break free, but he was much bigger than her.
She shut her eyes, waiting for the inevitable but nothing happened. Rather, she felt the weight lifted instead.
She opened her eyes slowly and saw Brian on the floor and Joel towering over him.
"What's your deal man!" Brian shouted as he sat back up.
"I should be asking you that question," Joel stepped in front of Rylie.
Brian was about to say something but then he smirked at her.
"I see how it is. Well, have fun with your new boy toy. I'm surprised there are still guys in this city left for you to scam," he then turned to Joel.
"Man, do I feel sorry for you. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Have a happy life you two."
He walked off laughing and shaking his head, like he just dodged a bullet.
Confused by what he just heard, he turned towards Rylie to confront her.
"What was that about?"
"Nothing."
"What did he mean by all those things?"
"Nothing, okay? It doesn't concern you."
"What do you mean it doesn't concern me? You're going out with my best friend, and you think I'm just going to let something like that go?!"
""Stop yelling at me! You wouldn't understand even if I told you…"
Seeing her tremble, he lowered his voice and calmed down.
"How do you know when you haven't even tried?"
"Because no one does…"
"Then make me understand. I care about Cameron and if you're using him…"
"I'm sorry but I can't. It's better if you all just forgot about me," She snatched her purse off the floor and ran past Joel, leaving him speechless.
------------------------------------------
Emilia was typing away on her laptop, putting the finishing touches on an essay that wasn't due until Monday. It was Saturday and for some reason, she was home with no where to go.
She reclined back in her chair and stared at her ceiling.
Rylie wasn't free because she had a date with the guy she'd been seeing recently. She couldn't remember his name but there was a high chance she wouldn't be hearing about him again anyways. Although truth be told, she was waiting for the day Rylie introduced her to one of her boyfriends. Because then that meant he was the one. She crossed her fingers and prayed.
Her default was usually Yuki, but he seemed to always be at work now. Not to mention all those weird encounters they've had recently. Maybe it was better to let things cool off for a bit.
"Oh wait, James!"
She straightened her chair and reached for her phone. He wouldn't have anything planned and even if he did, he'd make some time for his new friend, right?
"Emilia…?"
"JAMES! My friend James!"
"Hey…I thought you were ghosting me or something."
"Why would I do that?"
"Well, you never responded to my message from yesterday, but you read it…"
"What message? I never—" She then remembered Yuki's phone ringing when he had literally just told her that it was dead. Did he delete the message?
"Anyways, what are you doing today?"
"Today? Oh, uhhh…nothing why?"
Emilia smiled brightly and clapped her hand excitedly.
"Let's meet up! Can you meet up in an hour? I'll tell you where we're going when I see you, it'll be a surprise!"
"I'd like that, I'll come pick you up?"
"Yes please! And dress casually, bye James!"