35: The Yellow Light

[ K A R A ] I blinked, and there he was still, Ryder, standing right in front of me. How is he here? Is this even real? "H-What... How... Why are you here?" I stuttered under my breath. Ryder remained calm. He gave me a weak smile before saying, "I came to see you. I wanted to congratulate you on your first book. I read it while I was on the plane earlier. It was really good, reminds me of my own first heartbreak," Joking about it, are we? A smile escaped my lips, but I quickly gathered myself, wrinkling my nose to stop myself from smiling. "You look beautiful, as always," He commented. My breath hitched, but I quickly recovered. "You too," I said shortly. "Thank you," he grinned. "Your hair is longer," I commented. "And you cut yours," he said, and I nodded. And then there was silence. I didn't know what else I should comment about. "Ryder... why are you here?" I spoke finally. "I—" But before Ryder could even answer, I heard a familiar voice coming towards us. "Hey, Kar! Elle said yo