This is a part two but also part of a different request by @nicole_18096. <3
Darren's P.O.V.
I should've just left with the others. Pretended everything was fine. But instead, I found myself in the mall bathroom, sitting on the closed toilet lid, staring at my phone like it held the answers to life while tears streamed down my face.
I tried so hard to rub them off my face with the sleeve of my sweater, hoping that my face wouldn't be red and puffy later.
Then there was knocking on the stall door. I held my breath, wishing I was anywhere else.
"Darren?"
It was Ryan.
"Yeah?" I swallowed hard, wiping at my face furiously.
There was a pause before he spoke again, softer now. "You good?"
"Yep." I lied.
Another pause. Then, a knock. "You wanna let me in, or am I gonna have to wait out here while you pretend you're fine?"
I let out a weak laugh, sniffling as I reached out to unlock the stall. The door creaked open, and Ryan stepped in, crouching down slightly so we were level.
"Why'd you leave?"
"Because they were talking crap. About me. About the dress." I play with the sleeves of my hoodie, "Not to mention, it looked like you guys were about to fight them."
"Well, obviously. They don't get to start throwing words around like that."
I nodded, not looking up.
"You didn't need to leave though." Ryan puts a hand on my knee.
"What was I supposed to do? Stand there and listen to it?" I let out a heavy breath.
Ryan ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. "Okay, first off? Screw them."
I let out a wet laugh. "That's your grand advice?"
"No, seriously." He nudged my knee. "Darren, they don't matter. Whatever they said? It's trash. You looked great. And you should be able to wear whatever the fuck you want. End of story. Ok?"
"Yeah, ok." I wipe my face once more as Ryan stands.
"Now let's go, the others are waiting."
We stepped out together, Ryan keeping close. When we reached the mall exit, my stomach twisted again.
They were still there.
Leaning against the wall, talking and laughing, like nothing had happened.
Ryan clocked them instantly. He followed my gaze, his posture shifting. Then one of the guys spotted me, smirking.
"Look who it is," one of them said, voice full of mockery. "Still playing dress-up?"
I stiffened but Ryan stepped forward so fast I barely saw it.
"Excuse me?" Ryan said, voice ice-cold.
The guys exchanged glances, suddenly less smug.
"You've been running your mouths constantly," Ryan continued, his tone sharp as steel. "But the thing is, you shouldn't be saying shit about how other people dress, especially considering whatever the fuck you decided to wear today."
The leader of their group took glances at us both. "I'm wearing high fashion, bitch."
Ryan scoffed. "Doesn't look like it."
Just as the leader went to speak, Ryan cut him off. "Your jealousy is showing, in case you weren't aware. Also, you don't get the privilege to talk to people that are gods compared to you."
Before they could continue speaking, Ryan grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the door.
The ride home was full of jokes and chatter, and slowly I started to feel okay again. When we got back to the house, I was about to head to my room, but Ryan caught my arm.
"Wait a sec," he said, disappearing into another room.
I frowned, confused, until he came back with a small shopping bag.
"Here," he said, holding it out.
I blinked. "What is this?"
"Just open it."
I pulled back the tissue paper and froze. The dress. The one from earlier. The one I'd loved but convinced myself I shouldn't buy.
I looked up at Ryan, stunned. "You... you bought this for me?"
Ryan shrugged, smiling. "You looked at it like it was meant for you. So I figured I'd make sure you had it."
"Thank you." I basically whispered, admiring the dress.
Ryan squeezed my shoulder, his smile warm. "You deserve it," he said, voice quieter now. "Don't ever let anyone make you think otherwise."
There was a pause, then, "But don't tell the others that I was this nice. They'll never leave me alone about it."
I laughed and nodded, feeling so much lighter than before.
