Dedicated to Aaradhya for her support and love towards the story! Thanks a lot buddy! :)

 CHAPTER 47 - The Truth

"Fear is the greatest bully in the classroom of life." 

If this quote by Carla Hunter is true, then I was getting bullied, and that to a lot. I don't know why but I really was scared. There wasn't any reason to be terrified but I was.  Maybe it's because of the setting of this place.

You know that feeling when you want to know about something but the person in front of you just won't utter a word?

The same thing's happening with me right now. I want to know why Aiden brought me here. I want to ask him many questions. Why he broke up with my sister? Why he hates Ryan so much.. Where was he from so many days? Was he avoiding me?  What's the reason behind his different behavior?

I wanted to know everything and I wish he'll tell me everything, with pure heart. No lies, no excuses.

Just the truth.

It was dark and chilling at the same time and the fog wasn't helping either. There was a big rock in the corner of the cliff but not to close to it to fall down the cliff. This place wasn’t familiar to me but the only thing or someone that came to my mind when I discovered we came to the cliff was Richie. The things Ryan told me felt fresh again. It felt like Richie's connected to this place because it looked the same as Ryan described me.

What the hell is happening?

Why isn't he saying anything?

I looked at Aiden who was standing very near to the cliff's end, his back was facing me and he had his hand in his pockets.

Wait. Is he going to jump from there?

"Aiden, are you alright?' I asked, trying to get his attention.

He slowly turned to me. It was dark but I could still sense the guilty look on his face. It seemed that he feels bad for something.

"What happened? Why are you so off today?" I asked with concern, though I was shivering like a homeless cat but I still managed to speak.

He smiled weakly at me and took a few steps closer. He was now away from the end and near to me.

"You want to know why I brought you here, don't you?" he asked.

I  looked at him and nodded, causing him to smile a little but it was still that forced, weak smile like earlier.

"Then I'll tell you why."

Ryan's Point Of View

I don't know what I was thinking before taking this decision. I am such an idiot. How can I do something so painful for someone who I love the most?

How can I break my Jade's heart?

I guess I was out of my mind, I still and I'll always be if I don't make up for my mistake.

I thought this would be the best for her, to stay away from me. Staying away from me meant staying away from the troubles which he'll cause. I just want her to stay safe and sound. I never had any intention to hurt her, to break her heart. But I guess, I did it already.

The day I broke up with Jade, I was heartbroken myself. I knew it wasn't the best thing to do but it still was the safest. I knew it'll result in breaking her heart, causing her pain but at least, she'll stay safe.  I can't ever thing my life without her but I just want her to be happy, even though I'll be broken, at least she'll be fine.

And that's all I want.

The next days after that day, I was all alone. I went on a hibernation of my own. I didn't talk to anyone, refused to share my pain and sorrows. And it kind of helped..

It helped me to gain composition upon myself.

But when I saw her with puffy eyes, red nose and tired body, it broke me to pieces. I never thought she'll be so destructed by my act.  It made the most beautiful girl to look so hurt and broken.

She looked so cute in that red nose but I knew it was because of me. She cried because of me, she was broken because a asshole like me. And that's when I started to regret my action. The thought of a hurt Jade haunted my mind like a chilling nightmare.

She looked so vulnerable but she tried her best to hide it and that's what I love about her. She always tries to stay strong, even when she isn't. That's my girl's one of the best quality.

But I guess she isn't my girl anymore and I am the reason behind it.

I hate to stay away from you Cupcake. I want to touch, kiss you, hug you, make you blush, see the most beautiful smile in this world, tease you, flirt with you and do everything I haven't got the change to do. I want to give you the best life in this whole world.

But the corner of my mind which thinks that you'll be safer with me doesn't allow me to go near you. It keeps reminding me to keep you safe from that beast. I know because of our closeness, he'll try to do something to you. I know him well.

I hate him to pieces but believe me Cupcake, I loved you when we were little kids, I love you today and will love you forever.. All I want you is to have the best because you deserve it.

When I decided to break up with you, I had only one thing in my mind...your safety.

I can tolerate the pain of letting you go but can't see you in pain...

You know why?

Because true love is always wanting the best for someone, even if doesn't include you.

But I promise to always protect you, even though we aren't together because I'll always love you, no matter how cheesy that sounds.

"Hey Ryan, where's Aiden?" Drew's voice caught my attention.

"No, why?" I asked loudly, trying to overcome the sound of the loud music erupting from the speakers. I was present at Zac's party right now but I saw her again here. This is getting harder by every minute.

"Because the last time I saw him, he was with Jade." that was enough to make my blood boil.

What was he doing with her?

There's no way I am letting that bastard even touch her, and he will, then it'll be the last time he saw the world.

"Where did you saw them?" I asked, getting up from my seat.

"Near the bar. I am getting a bad feeling about this man. He's not a safe guy to be with." he spoke.

"Let's look for him." I announced and we went in different directions in search of Aiden and Jade. Only Drew was with me right now but he knew about what happened. About that prick killing Richie, about his shameless behavior and heartless act.

We searched for a long time when a thought haunted my head.

What if he...

No, no, no, no, ! That can't happen! He can't do the same with Jade. He just can't repeat the history; I won't let him do this again.

I text-ed Drew that I am going out to find them and then came into my car and begin to drive...

To a place where he could be present. A place where he scar my life, a place where it all started, a place where he can repeat the history again..

The cliff.

Jade's Point Of View

We were now sitting on that rock and I was ready to hear his explanations. I looked at him but his head was bowed down, facing his legs. He was continuously rubbing his palm on his lap which was clearly a sign of nervousness. But the main question is..

Why is he so nervous?

Is the thing he's going to tell me is that important to him?

I heard him take a deep breath and then turned to me with sad eyes and smiled. I smiled back, this silence is killing me. Why isn't he just speaking? It's even so cold here.

"So, from where should I start?" he said and then took a pause, choosing his words.

"When I was younger my parents never gave me any attention, it was only my elder brother for them and their business. I was like a neglected kid for them. They were always busy with their work, never really paid attention to me. I tried my level best to get it back but they were just too busy, so busy that they couldn't even listen to their son's problems and happiness. I started to feel upset about it, I gave up on them because I knew there's no way I can get their attention back at me..."

Why is he telling me all this?

I mean I feel bad for him that his parents were so irresponsible and not focusing on him but that doesn't apply here. I thought, he is going to tell me about his break up, his hatred toward Ryan and his different behavior.

Then, why this?

“But this feeling started to take over me; I began feeling that I was the only one who deserves the attention. No one else. I suffered a lot but now I didn't want to any longer. I wanted the thing I deserved. I became an attention seeker because I loved all of it. When I used to go to the park to play with my friends, I even tried to grab their attention as well and I was successful. Everyone wanted to become my friend, I was happy and satisfied but then Ryan came into the picture."

My breath stopped for a second. This was it, I'll know why they hate each other so much.

"Before he came, I just began with my happy life but then it seemed like everyone began to like HIM. Because of his so called charm, everyone got attracted to him and gave him all the attention that was mine a few days back. And he seemed to enjoy it as well. Whenever we used to play any sport, everyone chose him as the captain but before him, I was the one they used to choose. I wasn't their choose any more. It felt like hell. The only thing I had were my friends but he stole them away from me, he took them away from me. But I wasn't going to give up, I kept going with it. I  hated Ryan from the very moment he stepped into that city centre’s park."

Wait...

City Centre’s park?

That's the same I used to go to play.

God, that means..

"But then, I saw you. The first day you came to that park, you wore a blue frock and looked extremely adorable with your long brown hair tied up into pigtails. I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. It was a new feeling, of course I was just seven then but you still managed to steal my heart. I fell for you and fell hard. But as they say, there's always someone to destroy your moment, he destroyed this one as well. I tried to get your attention but you were a way to attracted to that prick. I saw you to get along and becoming friends. And that was the time when I began to have bitter feelings about you as well. My heart was already into tiny pieces but you broke it into even tiny parts. Your act hurt me. But over this all, I hated him; he was the reason of you being away from me..."

I literally gasped inside when I heard his words...

He loved me and I don't even remember him?

Am I that unobservant?

"I am sorry." I whispered softly, realizing my mistake. I never even thought that this will happen. Why am I so spaced out all the time that I don't even notice people around me?

"Don't apologize Jade, that wasn't your fault. I guess, I was too young or maybe broken to observe that it wasn't you. But I always knew about your inobservance. You space out a lot." He said and then chuckled a little, making the atmosphere cooler.

I chuckled with him as well and asked, “But why did you break up with Sage?"

"I'll tell you that but before that, I have to explain you the whole thing. I don't want you to have any confusion about...anything. I know you'll hate me after this but I just want to take this load of my shoulders."

I nodded and he begin with his explanation.

"There was a guy named Richie. He was my best friend. He was the only one who wasn't trapped into Ryan's act. He hated him as well. I was actually happy to know that. I was always there for him, I helped with everything, I always stayed a loyal friend but I was wrong for thinking that he's as well. You know why,, because he became Ryan's friend and I should add, a very close friend. I couldn't believe it, I trust him and he broke it. He was probably the only person I shared my feeling with but he messed up. I was furious on him. Days passed and their friendship grew stronger and stronger and ours began weaker than a thread. Then one day, he told me that he can't be my friend anymore. I thought he's joking but he wasn't. He broke our friendship for that ass. My hatred became even more for Ryan. He was the person who stole my everything. My friends, my best friend and you."

He paused and then rubbed his hand on his face, wiping the sweat. Yes, he was sweating in this cold temperature.

"Then one day, I was alone here. This place was like a secret area for me and Richie. But then I saw Richie coming, I was happy to see that he came back but then I observed he wasn't alone, he came here with Ryan. My blood boiled at the sight. This was only supposed to be our secret and he told this to Ryan? I just couldn't take it.  I began shouting at him, telling him that what he did wasn't right, leaving your friend for someone else isn't right. I was walking toward him but he kept taking steps back, trying to stay away from me. I took a step toward him again but I didn't know it will result in it... I could never even think in my dreams that it will happened..."

His voice was shaky. I didn't want to pressure him to speak so I placed my hand on his shoulder, giving the indication to stop but I guess he's just too stubborn because he looked away and said, “No, let me finish. So, when I took that step, Richie took a step back again. He lost his balanced and fel-fell from the cliff's end. I was too shocked to do anything but I tried to give him my hand but it was too late. He was gone, he fell and the reason was me."

A tear dropped from his eyes, making me feel even worse for him. What happened wasn't his fault. He was just sad about what happened, he didn't do anything with any evil intentions.

"But believe me Jade, I didn't do it intentionally. It was just an accident, I was angry at him for leaving me alone but I never thought that it will turn out like this. “ guilt was all over his face.

"I believe you." was my answer.

"After his death, I became numb, I never left my room. I was too depressed but the worst part, Ryan was there when he died, and he saw it and thought that what happened was my fault. He tried to convince people for this. He was too angry to listen to me. I guess, his friendship also grew with Richie like mine. He too was sad about his friend's death. After a few years, we came to high school. Everything was new; I fresh started and was successful. I got the attention that I need but I still hated Ryan and I know the feeling's mutual. And then you came to our school in eight grade and it was now my chance to break your heart. I wanted to make you feel the same as I felt a few years back. I tried my best to make you feel special but at the same time, managed to hurt you. I was satisfied. But along the way, I started to fell for you all over again. I just couldn't resist it. But then I saw you with Ryan again, i knew that this time, I wasn't going to let him take you away again."

A shiver rushed through my spine...

His words were different. This felt like a new Aiden.

"But then, you told me at that camp that Ryan and Sage are dating or you were trying to set them up together. I didn't care if I'll break anyone's heart, all I wanted was to treat Ryan the same way he did. I wanted to take everything away from him, just like he did. So, I started to get along with Sage and was successful. She began to like me as well. I wanted to take her away from her just like he did. I wanted to steal everyone he valued because that was the same thing he did."

He used Sage for a plan?

He used my sister? My blood boiled at his words but I wanted to listen to his reason for breaking up with her. I wanted the truth.

"I know you hate me for that and I totally understand that. But believe me; I never misused her or anything. I was just too happy that I treated Ryan just the way he did. But then I saw you two together in the corridor, kissing. My brain went into a merry go round. I couldn't see you two together, it hurt me. I felt the same pain I felt when we were little and he stole you. I couldn't let him repeat the history again. So, I broke up with Sage...to get you back again. And fortunately, her feeling were mutual so it became easier to break her heart. I am so sorry to do that Jade but I just found that the best way to get you back. I couldn't the idea of you being with that jerk."

My widened my eyes at his words and gasped. He thought of breaking us up? And how could he use my sister like that?

"I decided to make you break up with him but by my luck, you two already broke up. I was satisfied because I knew that now I'll be able to have you again. But then, I saw you with red eyes, tears in them. I was furious to see that. I knew you were hurt and I couldn't stand it. And that was the moment when I realized it... that you really loved him, it wasn't just an attraction or something, it was true love because you were crying for him. You loved him so bad that you still couldn't take him of your mind. I never saw you crying when I began to date Sage. And that was my part to improve then. I knew that it'll hurt like hell but I knew it was the best for you. I decided that I'll let you stay with him, because you loved him, not me. You cried your heart for him, not for me. You looked extremely happy when you were around him, not with me. I didn't care if I could have you or not, I just wanted YOU to be happy. So, I decided not to come in between you two. I knew my love for you won't decrease or go away but you don't love me and that's why I don't want you to be forced in a relationship that you don't even wish for because you deserve better, you deserve him. And that's why I disappeared for a few days because I needed time to think, to make this important decision."

His words felt like thousands of pins were stabbed in my heart. I felt the pain.

He still love me and he's thinking for me, he want me to be happy.

"But he broke up with me." I said, tear falling from my eyes.

He chuckled and then turned to me, "I know him well enough, and he must have a reason behind that baby doll."

And how does he know that?

Suddenly, I felt good.

The real Aiden was in front of me, confronting and apologizing.

I know, what he did was not good but at least, he realized his mistakes and that's enough. Coming from a terrible past and still able to say those things made him brave. Now I knew the real Aiden. He's a guy who cares, for others. He isn't a bad one and he is not the reason why Richie died. It was an accident.

"Get away from her or you'll be dead Campbell." a familiar, angry voice came from behind. I turned around and saw Ryan with a very red face, boiling with anger.

"I am not doing anything with her Matthews. No need to be so aggressive." Aiden spoke, getting up and standing in front of him. I got up as well, sensing the heat here.

"Like I will ever believe you." Ryan yelled, suddenly throwing a fist into Aiden's direction and hitting his jaw, hard.

I gasped and then ran to them when Aiden punched Ryan as well.

"Stop it guys." I yelled, trying to separate the two fighting males, but they kept on hitting each other.

With full force, I pulled Aiden away from Ryan and shouted, “Aiden, please go home."

By my surprise, he nodded and began walking to his car with a running nose, filled with blood.

"Yeah, run away coward." Ryan yelled, making Aiden to turn around and run to him.

I ran to Ryan and spread my arms in front of him, facing Aiden. “Please don't start it again. Please go and take rest Aiden."

Aiden's looks softened and he turned again, got into his car and drove away, leaving me and Ryan alone here. I turned around to see a very shocked Ryan.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"Long story." I said.

He stared at me for a good minute when his expression turned from shocked to guilty.

"I am so sorry Cupcake." he said, placing one of his hand on my cheek, giving me electric shocks.

"I guess, you gave a lots of explanation to do." I told me and he nodded his head and then gave me his billion dollar smile.

"And I'll be happy to do that."

********

So, how was it? The secret? Was it cliché? I hope not!

Only the last chapter and an epilogue left to end this! :'((

HINT: Ryan's explanation in the next chapter! :))

Hope you liked it! :)

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HAVE A GREAT DAY CHUBBY BELLS! :PP