Ryan looked at her with a knowing smile. He knew that she liked him. He had known her since she was seven and could read her like an open book. He had been knowing it for a long time but she had no idea that the feeling was mutual. He couldn't like anyone else but her. 

"What? I asked you something, " reminded Victoria when he didn't answer her. She'd been dying to know and here he was just smiling at her. What could that possibly mean? Just then her brother walked in and she scooted a little further away from him, giving him a disgusted look. Ryan smiled more seeing her so frustrated but he didn't say a word to even give her a hint. 

The lights were again dimmed and the movie continued. Dylan and Dani cuddled up as they sat on a blanket on the floor at the foot of the bed. Others sat on the sofa at the far end while Cameron and Mila lay down beside them. Ryan couldn't take his eyes off Victoria. Her creamy complexion glowed under the dim lights making her look ethereal. He could see that she had filled up deliciously in the right places and sighed. He wasn't the desperate kind who could confess his feelings for her ever. He knew that right now his focus should be on his studies and clearing his medical entrance was all he should think of but he couldn't stop thinking of Victoria since he saw her again. 

Victoria knew that Ryan's attention was upon her. She trembled a little as a flash of excitement shot down her body at the thought. Ever since she had met him again, he hadn't stopped staring at her. It gave her hope that after all her efforts hadn't gone to a waste. It wasn't easy to get Ryan's attention since he was extremely intelligent and smart. He was very different from everyone in their group. He didn't do wild parties or sleep with random girls like the others did. Everyone termed him the nerd of the group but Victoria knew that he wasn't just a nerd. He was a very interesting person and had more depth than the other boys in their entire group. 

She leaned back against the headboard of Dylan's bed, deep in thought, not even watching the movie when a movement against her back brought her to her senses. She blinked and tried to look back but blushed seeing her face inches away from Ryan's. "Umm, I..," she stammered like a fool, unable to look away from his deep blue eyes that glittered in the dim lights. Ryan shifted his shoulders and it was then that Victoria realized that she was leaning on him other than the headboard. Embarrassed to the roots of her hair, she tried to get up but his arm went around her waist and held her close against him. 

"Stay," he whispered softly, still holding her gaze. Victoria glanced down at his plump kissable lips. She had dreamt of them all her life since she was fourteen but he never kissed her. She wondered if he liked kissing other girls. Maybe he had a girlfriend! 

She shook her head slowly. The magic spell broke and she looked away, sitting erect the way she had been since the start. "You haven't answered my question, " she whispered. Ryan wanted to feel her against him, he wanted to hold her, he wanted her to kiss his lips like she wanted to. He had seen where her gaze was stuck at but all he could do was just sit and watch her. He couldn't take a single step forward as it would mean betraying Dylan. 

The movie was paused and they all decided to have dinner first since everyone could hear one another's stomach grumble. "I swear mine's the loudest, " said Ben as his stomach growled like crazy, making them all chuckle. They discussed the movie excitedly. 

"Why did you have to choose rom com? I was bored out of my senses!" Exclaimed Phil. 

"Really? I saw the way you were ogling at Mark and Margaret's first kiss," said Katelyn with an eyeroll. They were watching The Map Of Tiny Perfect Things which was a story of two teenagers stuck in a time loop where they're forced to repeat the same day.

"Shut up. I was not. I can kiss better. Wanna try?" He asked, leaning towards her.

"Ewww! You keep your kisses to yourself. I don't need them," said Katelyn, moving further away from him. Everyone chuckled at them knowingly. They both were attracted towards each other but would never accept it. 

"So why were you watching me instead of the movie?" Asked Phil wiggling his eyebrows. 

"I wasn't, " said Katelyn but the deep blush that crept up her cheeks gave her away. Phil watched her with a smirk all the way to the dining table. 

Dylan, Dani and Ryan helped lay the table and serve the food. They hall helped themselves to the food and drinks. It wasn't the first time that they had spent their night here so everyone knew where everything was stored. 

Ryan tasted the Buffalo chicken wings that Victoria had made. It really was the best. She even surpassed her mom's cooking. "How's it?" Asked Victoria, nervously watching him with her plate of food untouched in front of her. 

"The best I've ever tasted. I'm amazed, Victoria," he said softly, picking up his untouched chicken wing and holding it up for her to taste. She took a bite hesitantly. Ryan's eyes glittered as he took a bite at exactly the same place where she had. Victoria blushed and looked down at her plate. Did he really do that? She concentrated on her food but the deep flush on her cheeks wouldn't go away. 

It felt so good to be back home, to feel appreciated by Ryan. She had agreed to go away only with one objective. She wanted Ryan to notice her. She wanted him to appreciate her. She wanted him to see her as a woman, not a child or a sister of his best friend. 

"Thanks Vicky, this is the best food I've ever tasted. I could kiss your knuckles," exclaimed Ben but Dylan smacked his arm hard. "Oww, man! I was just saying. Did I do anything? Stop getting physical at the drop of a hat!" Ben said, glaring at his friend.

"No hitting at my sister," warned Dylan, his eyes flashing with annoyance. Ben held up his arms in mock surrender. 

Cameron leaned towards Ryan from the other side. "Heard him?" He asked in a whisper. Ryan nodded with a sigh. He knew that Cameron had guessed his feelings and there wasn't a way he could hide it from him. 

"You can't hide Vicky forever, Dylan. She's a beautiful girl and you should let her choose the one she likes," said Chris. Ryan was instantly on high alert by Chris's words. The way he stared at Victoria made his blood boil. His dad was a cop and he too studied with Dylan in his batch. He had joined their group a month before Victoria left Houston. He usually steered clear of controversies and was usually quiet so it was quite strange that he spoke about something as controversial as this. 

"It's none of your business, Chris," said Dylan, glaring at him, his hands clenched to fists. 

"It is my business. I like Vicky and she likes me too. Just like you like Dani. So what will you do Dylan? Separate us? Go ahead, let me see you do that," challenged Chris. Dylan punched Chris and he punched him back. Victoria stood transfixed to the spot with horror. She had no idea what suddenly started happening. She had never told Chris that she liked him then where did all this come from? 

The other boys tried to stop the fight and Chris left their house angrily. Dylan turned towards Victoria and scolded her right in front of everyone. She ran to her room, crying. 

"Sleepover finished, done. Go back to your homes guys. I just need a few drinks," said Dylan. Everyone tried to cheer him up but couldn't. So they all left. 

"Are you sure you're alright, Dylan?" Asked Ryan worriedly.  Dylan didn't answer so Ryan sighed and started walking towards the door. 

"Where are you going Ryan? I didn't give you permission to go," said an upset Dylan. Ryan retraced his steps back to his best friend and sat beside him.

"Relax Dy. Breathe deeply, in and out. Chris was just trying his luck. We can throw him out of the group if he's a menace to Victoria, " said Ryan. Dylan nodded. 

"Thanks dude, why can't everyone be like you?" Said Dylan, pouring himself another drink. 

"Don't drink any more, Dy. You've had enough," said Ryan. 

"This is the last, I promise. Can you do me a favor, Ryan?" Asked Dylan, almost begging him. 

"Anything for you bro," said Ryan. 

"Can you go upstairs to Vicky's room and check up on her? I've been harsh on her and I don't want her to cry the whole night. She won't talk to me now but she won't say no to you. Please?" Pleaded Dylan. Ryan's heart started beating faster and faster. 

"Okay," he said, sighing and getting up. 

"I'll be in my room. Come over when you're done, " said Dylan. Ryan nodded and excitedly walked upstairs to Victoria's room.