Chapter 3

As we near my neighborhood, I turned to Ryder and said " Thank you for walking me, if you are. I could continue from here" giving my best genuine smile. He seemed surprised for a fraction of a second but then covered it with a smile "My pleasure".

I smiled, turned around and started to walk. I actually didn't want him to walk me to my house because I didn't want Leslie to see him and tell mom. Even though she is sweet, her tongue is a red carpet.

He is sweet though and funny.

I opened the door and went inside. I saw Leslie sprawled on the couch watching tv as usual. "Hey Leslie" I greeted her with a kiss on her cheek. "Hey, want to watch a movie with me?" I was walking to the kitchen. "Sure, let me just grab something to eat first," I said.

I opened the refrigerator and decided to make a sandwich. I poured myself some juice and drank it all. I didn't realise I was this thirsty. "Want some sandwich?" I asked Leslie and she murmured an 'okay'.

*****

"Don't forget your assignment tomorrow" Ms Petrisha shouts as the bell rang signaling the end of class(Asp) which ends at 5. Asp is so tiring, even the teachers are tired most of the time.

I packed my belongings lazily and walked out. At the school gate, I saw Becca waiting for me. We decided to have a drink and talk. She was so moody these days so I don't know what was waiting for me.

"What are you doing in class, you're always late. Are you having an affair with the teacher?" I told you so!

I fake gasped and said,"How dare you say that to me?" I say putting my hand on my chest acting offended. She chuckled a little and put her arm around my shoulder.

As we were sipping on our green latte's, she exhaled putting down her cup on the table and looked at me.

"I'm really tired of everything. Jake texted me last night saying he missed me. I almost cried, this is so tiring."

Jake is her ex and she kind of got over him, at least that's what I thought, that's what she thought too, but I guess not fully. I really don't know what that has to do with her being 'tired of everything'. I guess he was her everything and she is tired of trying.

"Did you text him back? " I asked, worried about my best friend. "No, my hands were literally shaking, I couldn't even hold my phone. I think I was scared to admit that I really missed him too" she tells me, her eyes watering. She seemed vulnerable and needy for a hug so I stood up and went to her chair opposite mine and sat beside her. I hugged her closely and told her she would be fine. That it's fine to miss someone and even though it's hard to get over them, time will heal.

*****

I was walking home listening to some music. I left Becca near her neighborhood. She told me she would be fine after that and to go home so Leslie would not be alone too long. Leslie is fine alone, I knew she just needed some time for herself to think and I respect that.

Becca and Jake were really nice together so their break up was unexpected. Becca said she was tired of him flirting with other girls and that he was soon off to college so it's better to end it early. She also said that he was distracting her from her studies which I think is true too. She is a straight A student and she doesn't want to ruin that for something that won't last, her words.

I looked up to meet with beautiful brown eyes. I don't know what he was doing here but he was leaning against his car looking at me. As I came near him. " Hello, Mr. King," I said, smiling.

He gave me a bigger smile,"How are you doing, Skylar?" He asked as his eyes sparkled in the sun setting.

"I'm doing great, how about you? "

" I'm doing well." He was tall with broad shoulders wearing a light blue shirt with the sleeves folded up, dark jeans and white converse. I quickly looked away before he catches me checking him out. There was silence for 5 seconds then he swallowed before saying " I wanted to ask you something?"

Oh, I was already curious. "Yeah?" He nodded and swallowed again before saying "Would you like to have some Burger with me?" My eyes widened for a second. I was shocked, I didn't expect him to ask me out. His nervousness is cute though. He is hot, but I don't think he is right for me.

I was silent for some seconds, I really didn't know what to say. "Skylar.." said Ryder softly, as if, if he speaks any louder I would crack or run.

As I looked up into his eyes, they were darker, more nervous than before. Then he smiled, a sad one, taking my silence as his cue to react safely to his rejection. But his hotness is worth a try. I actually like his eyes, his hoarse chuckle...and his funny. I decided to at least try.

So I smiled back, " I'm actually hungry." His eyes widened for a second and he grinned. He smiled at me genuinely, kind of thanking me for accepting. For a second he didn't know what to do and just stared at me.

"Then let's not keep you hungry any longer," he said. He walked to the passenger door and opened it for me, I took a seat and murmured a 'thank you'.

We were silent for almost half of the ride to the place he told me about. It was a little bit awkward but comfortable. After a few minutes, he cleared his throat and said, " Do you have any siblings? '' his eyes were focused on the road as he talked. His hands on the steering wheel and the veins of his arms were so visible which I found hot. "Yeah, Heath is my older brother and Leslie is my younger"

"Oh, so are you in the same school? "

"No, my brother is in Boston University and Leslie is still in middle school, but we're in the same block" I said.