“I got one bullet left... You better come up with something better than an arrow Blondie.”
She swore her heart stopped at that moment as she suddenly froze in place, her eyes widen as she could feel her face become hot with panic. “Ry-“ Before she could finish a bullet slammed into her abdomen, forcing her down the ground as she grit her teeth in pain, trying to refrain herself from screaming.
Blood began pouring from her wound as she watched Ryan, seemingly in slow motion, rush up to her side before... everything went dark.
Two years ago…
“Nicole! Dat Candan kid is here.” Her uncle Paul slurred out as he left the door to the apartment open, walking away and back to the couch as Ryan stepped into the room. It stunk of booze, a sent he knew too well.
“Ok! I’ll be right there!” Her voice could be heard coming from her room, almost as if she was in a panic.
Ryan was wearing a three piece charcoal suit with a white button shirt and yellow tie, something that Nicole picked out for him after she asked him to go to prom with her. He didn’t see the big deal about going to an event like this, but if it made Nicole happy, then he didn’t mind it so much. Rubbing his nose he leaned against the wall, waiting for his friend.
Then, high heels clicking on the wooden floor was heard. Ryan picked up his head as he saw Nicole walk from behind the corner and into the TV room. Nicole was wearing a lighted beaded sweetheart neck line, sleeveless yellow dress that gracefully fitted her body. Her hair was wavy, instead of the usual straight and pulled up into a pony tail. Ryan almost instantly stood up from the wall as Nicole walked up to him, a huge smile on her face, she was so excited, she couldn’t wait to get out of the apartment and away from her uncle and just spend the night with her best friend.
“Um…” He began, trying to figure out what was appropriate to say without getting smacked across the head. “You look really nice.”
She couldn’t help but give him a questionable look. “What? No, ‘I’d hit that’ comment? Or ‘Wow Nicole you actually look like a girl!’ remark?”
Shaking his head he gave that cocky smirk she knew too well. “I told you I would behave tonight, so I am.” He opened the door for her. “My lady.” Nicole couldn’t help but laugh.
“Why thank you my good sir.” And with that, the two walked out.
At Prom
The teen couldn’t hold back her smile as she wrapped her arms around his left arm, walking onto the building. “You look really nice in this.” She reached up at his tie, adjusting it just a bit. “I’m surprised you knew how to put this thing on.”
“I didn’t, I had to youtube it.” Ryan admitted as he gave a nervous chuckle while rubbing his nose, sniffling a bit.
“Ryan, are you still sick?” Nicole showed concern as she pulled back just a bit. “I feel like you’ve been sick all year.” She reached up with her free hand to feel his forehead but was quickly swatted away as Ryan gave an annoyed glance.
“I’m fine, it’s probably just allergies.” He sniffed once more as they made it into the area of the actual prom. The music was thumping through the room as their classmates were seen dancing on the dance floor either as a couple or in large groups with their friends.
Nicole wasn’t big on dancing as she glanced over to right, a long line of teens who stood while waiting in line to have their pictures taken. “Come on, lets take a picture!” She didn’t give Ryan a chance to oppose as she pulled him over towards the line.
“Do we really NEED a picture?” He hated taking pictures and strange part was that he knew Nicole hated taking pictures too. “I mean, what are we going to do with them?”
“Ryan, look.” Nicole shift her body so she faced him. “Prom night can be a special night, if you let it be. I know you think it's for losers and something that popular kids do because they are boring people with porcelain hearts who don't know what it means to be lonely. But you're wrong. I mean… I’m here with the one person I conceder my best friend, and I wouldn’t want to spend it with anyone else but you.”
“I’m your ONLY friend Nicole.”
“Don’t ruin my speech Candan!” she playful smacked him across the head.
“Damn it… not even ten minutes in here.” He rubbed the back of his head. “Look I erm… I need to go to the restroom.”Sniffling he began to try and pull away from his friend.
“No, not until we take our picture.” She demanded, tightening her hold on him. “Plus, we’re almost there, just… One two… ten more couples!”
“It will take me ten SECONDS to go pee and come back.” He flashed a smile at her. “Come on, I’ll be right back.”
Giving him a questionable glare she sighed, nodding her head. “Fine… but if you don’t come back on time, I’m going in there after you.” She released her hold.
“I know you will, be right back!” He sped walk towards the bathroom, leaving Nicole waiting in line.
About twenty minutes, Nicole stood next in line, getting a bit anxious as Ryan was seen rushing back, his tie looked a bit sloppy as he quickly slipped on his jacket.
“What happened to ten seconds?” Nicole quickly reached out, adjusting his tie and noticing something… powdery white on it.“Ryan what is-?” Before she could finish asking the photographer called them.
“Come on Nicole!” Ryan sniffed as he lead in front of the backdrop.
“Good, good, now, stand behind her and wrap her arms around her waist.” The photographer explained to Ryan.
“Erm… you’re not going to smack me across the head again, right?” He hesitated for a moment.
“Ryan, shut up and hold me.” Nicole whispered as she grasped his hands and warped them around her waist as the two posed for the picture.
Filling out some forms so they could get them later the two then sat down at an empty table and Nicole couldn't help but notice Ryan scratching at his arms and his eyes shifting from left to right, mostly upward at the lights that were flashing around them.
"Ryan, are you ok?"
"Y-yeah I'm fine." he sniffed, rubbing his nose as it suddenly began to bleed.
"Your bleeding!" Nicole shouted, quickly grasping the black, cloth napkin from the table and pressing it against her friends nose.
"I'm fine Nicole." He gently pushed her hands away from his face. "I feel great, it's just my allergies."
Genuinely concern she pulled a chair next to him. "You're sure? I mean, if you weren't feeling well you could have just said so."
"I'm fine," he pulled the napkin away from his face and as Nicole looked down, she noted a trace of white upon it.
"Ryan... what is that? It's the same thing I saw on your tie." She grasped the napkin away from before he could pull it away from her.
"It's nothing, probably just my-"
"If you say it's your allergies one more time, I'm going to punch you in the nose." Nicole almost growled at him as she took a closer look, it was a white powder like substance... but around his nose? “Ryan… is this…?” She didn’t even have to finish, she knew what it was… standing up she dropped the napkin and walked away, leaving Ryan sitting at the table running his fingers through his hair as he let out a heavy sigh.
Standing outside Nicole leaned against the wall of the building, not sure who she was more upset with, him for turning to drugs... or herself for not catching on sooner. “Allergies, does he think I’m THAT stupid?” Her hands buried her face as she began sobbing to herself. Tonight was going to be the night when Nicole was going to tell Ryan something she had been holding onto for the past year, her feelings for him. She cared for Ryan so much, and while she loved the friendship she had with him, but for the past year she had liked him more than just a friend, she was just afraid to ruin the friendship they already had. But now… “Maybe I am that stupid…”
“You’re not stupid…” Ryan spoke as he stood a few feet away from her, hands in his pockets. “Look, I know you’re upset, but… it’s not THAT big of a deal-“
“Not THAT big of deal?” Nicole cut him off, pulling her hands away from her face, her mascara was seen running down her cheeks. “You’re snorting coke in the bathroom! I thought you were sick! I was worried about you and you-!” she was so frustrated she couldn’t even finish. “All the rumors that have been forming around since you were a kid are coming true, and you’re letting them!”
She could see Ryan’s jaw tighten, he was getting upset with her, his eyes grew hard. “Let me take you home.” He took a step forward only to have Nicole pull back.
“No, I’m walking home.” She turned her back to him and began walking.
“In heels?” He called out to her, trying to lure her back.
She stopped for a moment only to reach for something in her clutch purse, turned around and threw a paper at him. “Here’s the receipt for the picture, you can have it.” And with that, she walked home and that was the last time she spoke to Ryan.
Present
“Wake up! Damn it Blondie wake up!” A voice echoed from the distance as she felt someone’s arms wrapped around her body as her head bobbled from side to side.
Opening her eyes she looked up to see Ryan holding onto her, he was running down the allies with her in his arms. “Blondie, come on, we need to get out of here!” He stopped around a corner, breathing heavily as he set her down.
“My bow.” Nicole murmured as she pulled an arrow out.
“Fck the bow, they have guns!”
“Ryan.” Her voice stern as she spoke, and she could see in his expression, that he was shocked he used her name. She knew he knew who she was, and he must have known he knew who she was, now it was time to get out alive. “Bow, now.”
“Still bossy as ever.” He pulled the bow up handing it to her while setting her down to the ground.
Slowly trying to stand with the help of Ryan, she grunt in pain as she put the arrow in place, taking aim at a building, the arrow flew, leaving a line behind.
Using the line she tied it around his waist, securing it in place. “What are you doing?”
“Ryan, shut up and hold me.” She could feel his arms wrap around her waist, it made her shiver in pain as his arm pressed against her bullet wound. Then within seconds, the arrow pulled the two upwards towards the roof of the building.
Reaching the top Ryan pulled the two to safety as the mobsters that were chasing them just minutes ago passed the building they were now hiding on top of.
“Are you... ok?” The young archer spoke, pressing her hand against her abdomen as she lowered herself to the roof to sit. She was more concern about her former friend than herself as the foot steps and shouting were heard being moved down the street. She was beginning to feel a bit lightheaded, but was too afraid to look down at her wound.
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