CHAPTER Five

　　Gracie

　　I was dreading seeing Ryland after what happened last night. He saw right through my lies; it was written all over his face. I will just need to make sure I convince him that I hurt myself. I don’t want or need him to find out anything else. I just have to find a way to distract him.

　　I finished off getting myself ready, pulling my baggy hoodie over my outfit. I could get away with it today because it was colder than what it had been recently. I was trying to get out as quickly as I could since my dad was still passed out, and I would rather not be here when he wakes up. I grabbed my bag and rushed out of the door. I was outside fifteen minutes before I had to be, so I sat on the front porch, playing around with my phone.

　　“Someone is eager to get to school,”

　　Ryland! I turned to face him, smiling.

　　“Always, I enjoy school,” I laughed.

　　“Weirdo,” he laughed.

　　I got to my feet, going out to the front path, Ryland soon joining me.

　　“Good morning, beautiful,” he said happily.

　　“Good morning,” I said.

　　“We have a little time, do you want to grab a coffee before school” he asked.

　　I nodded, Ryland softly placing his hand on the small of my back and led us over to his car. I was surprised when he opened the door for me. I turned to him, the look on my face clear to read. He chuckled loudly, motioning me to climb in. I didn’t think he would be the opening the door type. But then again, I don’t know him that well.

　　“Thank you,” I smiled, slipping into the passenger’s seat.

　　He closed the door behind me, ran around to the driver’s seat, and got on the road. I suddenly became nervous because I was in a moving car with him, meaning it wouldn’t be as easy for me to get out or away. I am not saying I am scared to be alone and locked in the car with him, it isn’t that at all. I am just naturally anxious. Realizing I couldn’t dwell on that, I turned to watch out of the window, sighing to myself.

　　“Hey, are you OK” Ryland asked, placing his hand on my knee.

　　“Fine,” I said, refusing to look at him.

　　It was strange, with his hand on my knee; I felt comfort taking over me.

　　“I meant what I said last night, Gracie. If you need to talk then I am here,” he said.

　　I managed to get a strained thank you out, hoping that if I didn’t say much, he would leave it at that. It worked, he left it at that, though he didn’t remove his hand from my knee. Not another word was spoken as we drove. I still can’t believe he is my new neighbor, out of all the people in the world, he had to be the one who moved in next door. What are the chances of that It was all a little strange in my eyes, but I guess coincidences can happen, right

　　He pulled up outside the coffee shop, the one that happens to be my favourite, Marco’s; it makes the best coffee in this town.

　　“Nice choice,” I said.

　　“Thanks. I saw you here one time with your friends, and decided to come somewhere that I know you may like,” he smiled.

　　“Thank you. It is the best place in town,” I said.

　　Ryland finally removed his hand from my knee, and it made that feeling of comfort disappear. I don’t understand, why is a person I barely know making me feel at ease Another question to add to the long list that I already have.

　　“Come on then,” he smiled.

　　Rylan got out of the car, and I followed. He came around to help me, but he was too late. His hand fell on the small of my back, once again, only this time I shuddered when he did, his touch getting to me. I turned to look at him and found him watching me, a strange look in his eyes. One of which I could not work out what it meant.

　　“I knew you were attracted to me,” he said, a smug look painted on his gorgeous face.

　　I went to protest, but he never gave me a chance. He laughed loudly, pulling away and heading into the coffee shop. I groaned to myself, frustration took over me. Why does he need to be this smug And what makes him think that I am attracted to him in any way I have not given him any reason to think this, have I I don’t blooming know anymore. I am tempted to turn, and walk the other way, the way that would take me away from him.

　　“I swear if you run away from me, I will come after you, throw you over my shoulder and carry you in,” he said, “Is that what you want, brown eyes” he asked.

　　I rolled my eyes, not responding to him with words. Why does he insist on calling me that all the time I barged by him, heading in. Ryland followed, laughing. I swear, I will end up slapping him one day if he keeps on irking me this way! I took a place in the line, which was pretty long. It was that time in the morning when people were going to school and work. It was always busy at this time.

　　He came up behind me, standing at close proximity, which was not needed. I tried my hardest to ignore him but having him this close was not easy. The scent of his aftershave was strong, not in the way where he has too much on, but enough that the smell will follow behind him. And damn, he smelt amazing! I feel his warm breath brush against my neck just as his lips fell to my ear.

　　“Do you like me being this close to you” he whispered.

　　“Hmm,” was the only word that I managed to let fall from my lips.

　　“I will take that as a yes,” he said, his hand on my hip once again.

　　“Are you always this annoying and arrogant” I said, looking over my shoulder at him.

　　“Nope! I am delightful,``” he said, the cutest smile playing on his lips.

　　I couldn’t help but giggle. I do have to admit one thing; he is a funny guy, and his sense of humour is good.

　　“That is better,” he smiled, winking at me.

　　We were called forward for our orders, both ordering the same thing, Vanilla latte. I went to get my purse from my bag to pay, but Ryland stopped me, paying for them.

　　“Thank you,” I said gently, kissing his cheek.

　　His smile seemed to grow when I did this, and I felt the heat rise on my cheeks. Why did I do that Why did I not just say thank you, and left it at that I don’t know what came over me.

　　“You’re cute when you blush,” he said, trying his best not to laugh.

　　“Oh, be quiet,” I laughed nervously, playfully pushing him, before walking away.

　　Ryland was quick to catch up with me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

　　“I am only messing, well, sort of anyway,” he said, “You are cute though, I wasn’t messing around when I said that,” he added.

　　I let out a scoff when he said that. Me, cute I don’t think so. And if Ryland believes that, then there is something wrong with him. I watched the features on his face change instantly when I scoffed. He went to open his mouth to say something, but I wasn’t going to let him.

　　I pulled myself away from him, walking faster than I needed over to his car. I honestly hope he does not ask me about it once we are moving and I can’t get away from him. The anxious feeling had taken over me, the same one that had disappeared after being around him for a little while not so long ago. Ryland opens the car for me, letting me climb into the passenger’s seat while he gets into the driver’s seat.

　　“What was that” he asked, turning to look at me.

　　“Nothing. Can we please get to school I don’t want to be late,” I replied firmly and turned away from him.

　　He let out a frustrated groan before doing as I asked him. I watched the world drive by, sipping my coffee, neither of us saying a word. The silence must have been getting too much for him because he put music on.

　　I turned my attention to him, watching him for a moment, but making sure I was not too obvious about it. He was very handsome, and I found myself taking in every detail of his face from his strong jaw, the small clutch of freckles he had on his left cheek, to the tattoo on his neck, and down to the ones on his arms. I swallowed hard as I studied him. Wow! He was beautiful.

　　“Enjoying the view” he asked, not looking at me, but I could see he was smirking.

　　“Sorry,” I said, embarrassed.

　　I slumped down on the seat, feeling both my face and neck heat up with embarrassment. I would love for the ground to swallow me up now, please I guess I was more obvious than I thought. I seriously needed this car journey to come to an end so I can run away. I can’t run very far since he is in most of my classes today, except one. There is no way of escaping from him.

　　“It is OK. I don’t mind, beautiful,” he chuckled, his hand falling on my knee once again.

　　He squeezed my knee, and that was enough to make me shiver for a moment. I turned to him, and I could see he was watching me out the corner of his eye, a smile now on his lips, not a smirk. I smiled shyly back at him. I can’t work out his interest in me. I sighed, shaking my head, turning away from him again.

　　“What’s wrong” Ryland asked.

　　“Nothing, I am fine,” I said softly.

　　“I don’t think you are, but if you insist,” he said, as we pulled up outside of the school.

　　Thank God! The moment the car came to a halt, I rushed out of it, taking a few deep breaths. Why is he doing this to me I do not act this way when it comes to guys.

　　“Gracie, are you OK” Lola said as she approached me.

　　“Hmm, yeah fine,” I said, with a small smile as I tried pulling myself together.

　　Rylan got out of the car, coming around to where we were. Lola smirked, giving me a “oh I know what is wrong with you” look. I glared at her, which only made her giggle. Ryland was looking between us, seeming baffled. He was trying to work out what was going on.

　　“Hey, Ryland,” Lola smiled.

　　“Hey, right back at you,” he said, returning the smile, “Did Gracie tell you I am her new neighbor” he added, smugly might I add.

　　“No, she never,” Lola said, the same look on her face as Ryland had.

　　I groaned, tossing my arms in the air before walking away from them, and headed into school. I went straight to my locker, putting away everything that I didn’t need until later on.

　　“I think you enjoy running away from me,” Ryland laughed, appearing next to me, resting against the lockers.

　　“Whatever!” I huffed, closing my locker and turning to him, “Do you not have someone else to annoy for a bit” I added.

　　“I could if I wanted to, but I don’t,” he said, “Come on, beautiful, let us get to class, we can’t have you freaking out because you are late,” he added.

　　I could have argued with him, but what would be the point And I didn’t want to be late. He was right about that.

　　I have a feeling the rest of the day is pretty much going to be the same as this morning. I don’t think I am getting a break from him. To top that, I don’t know how I feel about him living right next door to me. I guess I’ll need to learn to deal with it given that there is nothing else I can do.