Chapter 4

Ryder is easy to talk to. He kind of understands and doesn't seem to judge. He told me he had one older brother who is in his last year of engineering. His mom and dad live in Houston while he is here in Cali for his job. He works in a really good company as a programmer and I think he is loaded from his car to his 'non-bragging' words which is kind of a rich people's accent. It's normal to them.

We finally arrived at a restaurant and as he opened his car, I did too and hopped out. The bell above the door dings as we enter the restaurant. The place is nice, so neat and organized. The furniture and paints seem luxurious but at the same time usual. Ryder picked a corner table and we sat across one another.

The waiter came immediately with Menu in hand. We both ordered a cheese burger with coke. The waiter smiled at us then left. Ryder turned to me, and said "Why don't we play 20 questions? "

"Sure.." I said

" When is your birthday?"

"August 2, how about yours? " I ask.

"September 3, how old are you?"

"17, and you?"

"20." Oh, I was almost there. " What's your favorite color?"

"I don't have one, I can't choose..what's yours?"

"Black, I feel like...it's necessary in everything" I nod, he is right. Black is everywhere.

"Your favorite food?"I ask

"Pizza, yours? "

I smile,"same".

"What do you fear the most?"

"Losing the ones I love." I said. He smiled and nodded.

"Well mine is..." The waiter came with our food, and my mouth watered instantly.

We ate in silence. The food was amazing. "I love this place," I said, sipping on my coke. He nodded, swallowing his food. He smiled and said "Glad to hear that" he said bowing his head. I laughed.

*****

We were in the car now, Ryder was driving me home. I told him that Leslie was home alone and I didn't want to leave her alone since it was getting late. The music was playing, filling the silence in the car, which I was sure would have been awkward.

I am an awkward person and I think many occasions or meetings are awkward for me, even if it's not for the other person. As we stopped near my house, I turned to Ryder "Thanks Ryder, I enjoyed this date, if that's what it is'' I said smiling, he smiled back "I enjoyed our date too"

I picked my bag from the back seat debating if I should ask his number or not. Does that make me seem desperate or it's fine? I don't kn..

"Can I have your number?" Asked Ryder. At least he has more balls than I do...well obviously.

"Yeah" his eyes sparkling through the night and his smile completing it. I won't lie and say I'm not flattered that such a hot guy was happy that I accepted to give him my number.

He reached for his phone in his pocket and handed it to me. I typed my number and gave it back to him. I hopped out of the car and waved him a small goodbye, before walking home. I searched in my bag for the door keys, but I couldn't find it. I was too lazy to look further so I just knocked since Leslie was there. "Don't you have the key?" She said with an irritated voice before I could even look at her face after she opened the door. She doesn't like when people interrupt her while watching tv.

"I think I forgot it in my room, and hello to you too". She sat back on the couch and I sat beside her, putting my arm on her shoulder. "How are you Les, I haven't seen you these days, I miss my little bunny" I said, pulling her closer.

It has been a while since we talked and I miss her middle school gossip. She smiled, her green eyes looking at me warmly, "I missed you too sis, I think I just got caught up in school and you are tired when you come home too" she replied.

"Yeah, so how is Chris?" I ask. Chris is her not so long crush who is in 3 of her classes. She thinks he's cute when he eats and she likes his handwriting. Middle School!

"He is fine, he is my partner in chemistry Assignment for the whole semester, isn't that awesome?" God I hope he is handsome, otherwise I don't want to be the evil sister in the movies who tries to separate the 'cute' couple.

We continued to talk about the recent gossip in our schools until mom came. At 8:15 we had our dinner with mom and talked for a while. I went to my room, very exhausted. I quickly changed to my pj's and layout on my bed. I checked my phone and saw that I got a message from Dylan and Mr. King

Dylan was informing me that there's a party this Friday at the Winters'. Nathan Winters was the best in throwing parties and is known for that. I replied " okay, thanks." Not sure if I want to go or not. Ryder's was

Unknown:

Hey, it's Ryder. U up?

I felt the butterflies in my stomach erupt. I didn't know what to reply. I was grinning like a mad woman. I read it again and again then said

Me:

Hello Mr. King

I know, I know. It's bad but I didn't know what to say. My phone buzzed after a minute

Mr. King:

Ms Baxter, how is the night going?

Me:

It's alright, your highness. Hby?

Mr. King:

Haha. It's good.

After three seconds, my phone rang. It was Ryder. I felt the butterflies in my stomach circling again. I answered the phone "Hello" I said in a sincere voice.

"Hey, did you eat dinner?"

"Yep" I said, popping the 'p' confused why he asked.

"Good, I need to make sure my date is fed well, so I can ask her to the second one." Is he flirting with me? I smiled, I could feel my cheeks heat up.

" Maybe you should feed her next time."

"I will, if she allows me to?" I laughed

"So, would you like to go on a date with me again?"

"Hmm..when is that?" I ask, debating if I should say yes or not. He's great, but I don't think I want to be in a relationship right now. But I like that he is asking me on another date the same day the first went on. No game, no drama. I think I like him.

"Friday, if you're free. Is that a yes?" He sounded hopeful and soft. I want to go and I'm not sure if what I'm doing is right. But who cares.

"Yeah, but I don't think I'm free on Friday"

"Okay, we can go on Saturday?"

"Saturday sounds good. " I said with a smile on my face. Ugh now I have to choose a dress and stuff.

"What are you doing? " he asked in a calm voice, soft but hoarse, which I really like.

"Talking to you" he laughs on the other end.

"Other than that" he says

"Just laying in bed, what 'bout you?"

"Yeah, me too...Who are you the most close to, other than family? like friends... I would like to get to know you more, Skylar" My heart jumped and I can feel the heat creeping to my cheeks.

I gulped and said "Well, Becca is my bestie, we've been friends since freshman year. Then there is Dylan, not like Becca but we're close...