Chapter 2: Ryan's cheating

ADRIANA

~~~

12th of July, 2024

““Dear Diary.

My stalker hasn't shown his face in a long while, and I'm beginning to think he has grown tired of me.

Ryan came begging with flowers last night. This is the fourth time in two months I've caught him cheating on me, and it fucking hurts.

I love him, but I can't keep doing this. I should break up with him, yet I can't let him go.

Our relationship used to be sweet, until it turned sour. Now Ryan is distant, uncaring and manipulative. Whenever he's wrong, he manages to twist it around, placing the blame on me.

But I love him too much to bother. I gladly take the blame, as long as he doesn't break up with me.

Lately, things have become boring. The sex is no longer exciting. I just lie back and let him have his way with me. He doesn't cuddle, he doesn't even try foreplaying. He just spreads my legs open and fucks his way to climax.

I long for some excitement. I yearn for a thrill, something dark, something out of this world–""

"Adriana? Are you up?"

I jerk upright when I hear my mom's voice.

Slamming the diary shut, I shove it beneath my pillows and jump out of bed.

I'm dressed for school already; a white tanktop, black baggy jeans and sneakers. My hair is wrapped into the usual ponytail.

I grab my bag, take a whiff from the flowers Ryan sent me and rush out of the room.

I don't climb down the stairs. I slide down the banister.

"Adriana!" Mom chides me when I trip and nearly fall facedown. "You'll hurt yourself sliding down that way."

"But it's fun." I say over my shoulder as I walk into the dining room.

Grabbing an apple from the fruit basket on the table, I lower into a chair, glancing absentmindedly at my phone.

"Where's your brother?" Mom asks from the kitchen.

"I dunno." My voice is muffled as I bite into the apple. "Probably still asleep."

"Go wake him up then. You'll both be late."

"We can't be late, mom. It's college, not a fucking elementary school."

"Hey! Language!" She snaps.

I grin innocently and turn away. Getting on her nerves is something l look forward to every morning.

Just then, my twin brother Romeo, comes barrelling down the stairs like the demons of hell are after him.

He's my exact copy, only he's more masculine and ripped.

He waltzes into the kitchen and plants a kiss on mom's cheek.

"Morning, mom."

"Eat your breakfast and be on your way– Hey! Hands off!"

I turn just in time to see him grab a pack of alcoholic sodas from the refrigerator.

"Chill out, mom." He laughs. "It's just a drink."

"Do not tell me to chill out." She reaches out and grabs the drinks from him. "Adriana, talk to your brother."

"Sorry." I shake my head, my eyes still glued to my phone. "I'm staying out of this cat fight."

Romeo walks past me and pulls my ponytail.

"What's wrong, little sis? A racoon crawled up your ass?"

"Fuck off, Romeo." I snarl.

"Adriana!" Mom yells again.

"Sorry." I laugh, amused at how angry she looks. "Tell Romeo to quit annoying me."

Romeo has been a thorn in my butt ever since we got separate bedrooms. The first time we fought, he dunked my head in the pool in our backyard. I retaliated by kneeing him in the groin.

It's funny how a lot of mom's friends think we are the perfect siblings.

Perfect siblings my ass!

Mom lays out our breakfast. Eggs, toast and freshly squeezed orange juice.

I slouch forward slightly to eat.

"Don't slouch!" She taps my back. "It's not good for a girl."

I sigh and straighten my back.

"Where's dad?"

"He took Karina to her cheer practice. He should be back soon."

Just then, her eyes lower to my outfit.

"You're going to school in that?"

I look down and notice my nipples straining against the soft cotton of my top.

"I have a jacket." I reply, which is a bloody lie. I wore this because Ryan likes to see my nipples.

"She's probably wearing it because Ryan likes it." Romeo jeers across the table.

I glare at him, wishing I could wipe that smirk off his face.

But to my surprise, mom doesn't scold me. She just chuckles and walks back into the kitchen.

I lean over the table and whisper to Romeo so she won't hear me.

"I fucking hate you."

He grins. "I hate you too."

My lips twitch into a smile and I look away. It doesn't matter how much Romeo annoys me. I love him to death.

...

I arrive at Ravenswood College in the space of an hour. The College is a long way from our mansion which sits at the heart of Queensland.

I maneuver my Bentley into the parking lot and step down, checking to see if there's any scratch on the side. This car is my baby, a gift from my dad on my eighteenth birthday.

Rissa and Abby, my best girlfriends, are waiting for me at the entrance doors.

"Over here." Rissa waves at me as I walk towards them.

"You're a little late." Abby drawls, the gum in her mouth popping loudly.

"Quit whining." I grin, placing both my arms around them.

We step into the building filled with students, exchanging the latest gossips and giggling within ourselves.

Halfway to our class, I spot Ryan at the end of the hallway, talking to a blonde girl.

Jealousy slams into me instantly, unexpectedly. I can even taste it.

Ryan Lazzare, my boyfriend. We met five years ago, at a party my parents hosted. I was only fifteen, he was eighteen. We bonded instantly.

When I turned eighteen, he asked me to be his girlfriend, and I accepted in a heartbeat. I literally flew into his arms with happiness.

He was every girl's dream boy. Blonde hair, blue eyes, dreamy smile. He was my Ken, and he would call me his fucked up Barbie. I used to like the nickname, until the first day he cheated on me.

Now I hate it.

I don't want to think about that incident, so I push the memory away.

"I'll meet you girls in class." I detangle myself from my friends and walk towards him.

He sees me approaching, and he quickly steps away from the girl.

"Hey babe." He smiles, sweeping me into his arms.

"Hey." I smile and shut my eyes as he leans down to kiss me. Ryan's kisses are sloppy and wet, like he's learning how to kiss for the first time. I try not to recoil when I feel his tongue in my mouth.

He pulls back, his hands straying lower to my ass.

"Who's that girl?" I ask. Even though I try not to show how jealous I am, I can't stop my voice from showing it.

"Just a friend." Ryan answers. "She needed assistance with a few things."

"Is that so?" I murmur. The girl is gone, but the feeling of jealousy remains with me.

Ryan notices and moves away from me. "Don't get worked up, Adri." He frowns. "I didn't do anything."

"I know." I say quickly before he can get angry. "I'm sorry. You know how paranoid I am."

I have nothing to apologize for, yet I do it, because I love him, and I can't bear to anger him.

"I'll see you around." He taps my ass and walks off, leaving me standing there alone, feeling like I just did something very wrong.

...

Hours later, my classes for the day ends. I didn't focus. I didn't even hear a word of what the lecturer taught.

I rush out of the class, yelling to my friends to meet me at the parking lot.

I need to find Ryan and apologize. I need him to know I didn't mean to get jealous. I don't like this feeling within me. I just know I need to apologize.

I round the corner that leads to his lecture hall and push the door open.

The hall is almost empty, but I spot Ryan immediately.

I freeze at the door, my books falling from my hands.

Ryan has the same blonde girl pressed against the wall, her legs around his waist, kissing her like a hormone-crazed teenager.