Rally doesn't own RFR, never did... Still wishes. She can dream.
I AM SO TRULY SORRY I haven't updated sooner... MORE THAN YOU GUYS KNOW...
ONCE A STORY BUILDS MOMENTUM IT IS UP TO THE AUTHOR TO KEEP IT GOING.
SO, IT MAY BE BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, BUT HERE IT IS...
SHOUTING OUT TO:
radiofreegirl: I thought we WERE already FRIENDS... WE GO WAY BACK, I DON'T TAKE MY FRIENDSHIPS I BUILT BACK ON THE-N LIGHTLY! I mean really, you guys mean the world to me and were there for this crazy, "PARKEREQUSE" GIRL... I mean, I FOUGHT THE "MAN" and you were right there with me... Yes, anytime... I'd be there for you... e-mail me, review me WHATEVER... my address is public... I don't want you guys to think I've forgotten about any one of you... I'm still a fan of yours. Actually, the-N'ers now they had to wait forever to see this story through to its finish.
Crizzy4RFR: I am always honored by your presence on my stories, your reviews WOW! GREAT ANALYSIS too, I mean really you SPOILER YOU! LOL, and you said my stories were "SPONTANEOUS" and that was a good thing. Actually, that is exactly how perceptive I want all my readers to be, just like you. SO, they won't be confused and so I won't have to explain every little thing. IT's GREAT, when readers know what's going on. I ACTUALLY put a lot of trust in the reader... That they'll let the story touch them in their own unique way. BECAUSE EVERY READER IS UNIQUE. You know what's funny seriously, I've read your reviews on like "The meaning of Goodbye" KK's awesome story... AND I WAS LIKE... I HOPE Crizzy4RFR will review one of my stories one day... I think you've reviewed all three...AWESOMELY AWESOME!
Purplereader: Yes, in fact I did check out your fav's list... and THANKS! I appreciate the blushes and the praise you give me.. DO YOU MIND IF I CALL YOU PURPLE? It is kind of personal I know... You can call me Ral your pal... LOL or just plain old RALLY! Anyhow, I'm sorry it took so long for that next chapter... I HOPE IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT! I WON'T PROMISE THE CLIFFS WILL STOP HANGING... but I'll try to ease the pain.
lola5: YES, YOU ALL SHE IS "ANXIOUS..." And she wants to defend me and "LET THEM TALK." SHE IS ON MY SIDE, I WON HER OVER... actually my story did... and that was the whole point... YEAH! LOL, thanks lola for sticking with me. I MEAN IT.
ItalHunni28: I promise Rily interaction, angst, and tears! YOU ARE SO AWESOME!
NOW WHERE DID WE LEAVE OFF? OH, yea right here...
I'm finally willing to risk what I have to...
Ray bounded down the rest of the stairs with a renewed vigor, an almost child-like energy...
The anticipation that comes with a genie granting your fondest wish...
He could hardly wait!
He placed his hand on the cold, steel door nob... which fogged up from his touch...
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes... HE WAS GOING IN'... with no cover...
On the count of
1... 2... and 3... (Click)
With as much energy as he had before; it was surprising even to Ray how calmly and slowly he opened that door...
When all he wanted to do was burst through it and make Lily his for sure, forever...
Lily hadn't even noted his coming in...
Her face was still firmly planted in her hands from the outburst of her last set of tears; her elbows resting softly on the corners of her knees...
I have to do something to get her attention, she looks so sad like that and I can't take it... 'Brennan for once don't be a Duffus and screw this up! You have to say the exact right thing at the precise right time... Use the perfect words to win her over...'
He knew the next words he'd utter would set the tone of this encounter; everything may hinge on this next moment... In the wake of such pressure
Ray settled for an awkward,
"Hey, man..."
Not Shakespeare exactly, but he was nervous and his vocabulary was slightly limited.
He tried his best, and it produced the desired effect...
Ray watched as Lily's head snapped up to attention as shock spread and expressed itself upon all her gorgeous features...
"Ray... Is that you?" Lily asked disbelievingly... he was the last and first person she needed to see right now...
"Yeah Lil, it's me..."
Lily looked at the boy with his hands in his pockets, who found his shoes so suddenly intriguing as he rocked back and forth little by little... She smiled to herself... So, he wasn't a dream before her after all. She'd just have to make the most of it. And she would...
Lily rose from the couch to start and take purposeful movements towards the "innocent" Ray...
Like a lioness on the prowl, on the hunt...
He didn't stand a chance...
With every step she became more and more aware. A million scenarios played themselves out in her imagination.
One step closer seemed a lifetime away...
She knew in that moment, exactly what and who she wanted...
She knew everything, and knowledge was powerfully freeing.
But, knowledge is often burdensome. Freedom is not the same as liberty.
Epiphanies come with responsibilities.
She knew truth, reality, and logic. All were knocking on the back door of her mind like a wrecking ball.
Yes, she wanted Ray and she'd do anything reach out to him, but not like this, it wasn't just right, because as much as she tried to deny it... Ray belonged to Grace now, and she'd just have to accept that. She'd accept it but just wouldn't believe.
Ray could've been no more than two feet away, when she stopped short. She made a boundary and determined not to venture past the safety Pronto's mike would allow her. She was so devastatingly embarrassed of how quickly her courage had slipped away from her. This had to be the worst kind of stage fright. A loss of spirited bravado when she needed it most. Compared to this, "Open Mike Night" seemed like heaven. She'd give anything to be anywhere else, but she was helplessly trapped.
Having him so close was the sweetest kind of torture, the kind that kills.
She may never get the chance to have him this alone with her again.
If she didn't do anything now, she might loose him forever. Yeah, they'd be polite enough to still be friends, but "just" friends. Things would never be the same between them.
Funny, how she and Ray both worked so hard to let things "change" while keeping them the "same," so they wouldn't risk the friendship. Look how well that turned out for them... Seems that,
Not risking anything was the biggest risk of all.