CHAPTER Six

　　Ryland

　　“See you tonight” Ben asked.

　　Ben was in some of my classes, and we got talking today. He is like me in many ways. He has a wild side and likes to get himself into trouble. We never actually got to talk in class but at the principal’s office. He was there as a consequence of getting into a fight with some douche of a jock. I was there due to being cheeky to the teacher. After our little trip, we sat with each other in class, and now we were making plans for tonight.

　　“Hell yeah,” I smirked.

　　“You should bring Gracie along, and her friend Lola too,” he said, smirking back at me, “I have yet to see Gracie go wild, Lola is a fun girl, but Gracie seems more well behaved,” he added.

　　I have picked up on that myself. They were opposites, Lola seemed like the type who can go wild whenever she wants to, while Gracie seems more reserved.

　　“I plan on changing that,” I said.

　　“Nice! Though, I don’t think it will be that easy, buddy,” he said, “Gracie doesn’t date or do hook-ups, I don’t think I have ever seen her with a guy unless she was only hanging out in a friendly way,” he added.

　　“Yes, but that was before she met me,” I said, “By the time I finish with her, she is going to be a completely different girl, she needs to lighten up,” I added.

　　Ben and I spoke for another few minutes before he headed off. The plans for tonight We were going to his place for a weekday party as his parents were away. The plan To get wasted and high, hook up and have some fun. I needed something in this stupid town to keep myself busy, or I would get into some serious trouble simply because I tend to get into more trouble when I am bored.

　　I headed over to my car, waiting for Gracie. I was her ride to school, therefore I will also be her ride home. We didn’t have the last class together, but I had texted her to tell her to meet me at my car when she was done. I’m going to try my best to get her to come with me tonight. I hope that Lola is with her when she shows up owing to the fact that there is a better chance of Gracie coming if Lola asks her. I was getting impatient with all this waiting; she was late. I thought she didn’t like being late. I checked my phone to check if she had text me, there was nothing. I soon heard a familiar laugh, knowing instantly it was Gracie.

　　I looked up, seeing her coming towards me with Lola. The two of them were laughing and talking.

　　“You are late,” I said, “I thought you didn’t like being late” I said, raising my brow at her.

　　“It isn’t her fault, one of the jocks was trying to chat her up,” Lola laughed.

　　I felt a twinge of jealousy when Lola said that. A jock I thought she had more sense than to go out with an idiot like that. I’d like to hope so anyway.

　　“And failed miserably,” Gracie laughed, “When are they going to get the hint I don’t date jocks,” she added, rolling her eyes.

　　She doesn’t date jocks! By what Ben said, she doesn’t date anyone. I will change that, not maybe, I will do it.

　　“You can do better than a dumb jock, brown eyes,” I said with a smile.

　　“Yes she can,” Lola said, agreeing with me.

　　Gracie rolled her eyes, her cheeks heating up. I smirked because I love the way I can make her blush. Lola came over, leaning against my car, as Gracie stood in front of us.

　　“Did you manage to stay out of trouble for the last hour” Gracie asked.

　　“I did, yes,” I said, winking at her.

　　“Good boy,” Lola said chuckling.

　　Good boy What am I A dog I turned to look at Lola, giving her a ‘what the fuck’ look. She shrugged, laughing louder. I swear, this girl was crazy, I could sense it. I shook my head, laughing with her.

　　“So ladies, I am going to a party at Ben’s house tonight, and I think the two of you should join me,” I said.

　　I was asking both of them but looking at Gracie. I was giving her my best pleading look and I could tell by the look on her face that she was going to turn me down.

　　“Yes, I like that plan,” Lola said, “Please, can we go, Gracie Pretty please, with a cherry on top” she added, batting her lashes at her best friend.

　　I am hoping that with us both begging her, she will cave in and say yes.

　　“Fine! If it will get both of you off my back, yes!” she whined.

　　“Yay!” Lola said, doing a little happy dance.

　　Thank you, Lola! I knew if I were the only one asking Gracie, she would have said no. We arranged a time to meet before Lola said goodbye to us, heading to her car.

　　“Come on gorgeous, let’s go,” I smiled, opening the car.

　　Gracie smiled at me shyly before climbing in. I followed, getting us on the road home, a silence filling the car. She really was not one for talking, was she

　　“Do you want to go grab some food before we go home” I asked.

　　“No, I can’t, sorry,” she said “I need to get straight home,” she added, her voice sounding fearful when she said the last part.

　　I don’t understand why she should be fearful about going home. I don’t even know who she stays with. I think she mentioned her dad, but there was no mention of her mother.

　　“Do you stay with both parents” I asked.

　　“No, my mom passed away a few years ago,” she said sadly, “What about you” she added.

　　“I am sorry to hear about your mom,” I said, “I stay with my mom, my dad left when I was a kid, haven’t seen him since,” I added, shrugging.

　　I never cared for my father, even when he was around. He was an asshole from what I can remember.

　　“Sorry about your dad,” she said.

　　“I am not. He was an asshole,” I shrugged.

　　The conversation ended there. It was not easy trying to have a conversation with her and I wondered if I will ever get a conversation out of her that will last longer than only two minutes. I sighed, not sure of what else to say to her. Instead, I put music on because I don’t like silence. I don’t do well with it; it makes me uncomfortable.

　　I wanted to ask her why she sounded fearful about going home, but I had a feeling that she would not tell me. It makes me wonder if she has a bad home life. He’s better not be hurting her in any way, because if I find out that he is, I will not be held responsible for my actions. I hate when the people who are meant to care and protect you, hurt you, especially when they are in a place of power.

　　“Are you sure you are OK driving us there tonight What if you want a drink” I asked as we pulled up to our street.

　　“I don’t drink, never have,” she said, “So, yes, it is fine,” she added.

　　Has she ever even tried alcohol I thought everyone our age would have tried it, at least once.

　　“Have you ever tried it” I asked.

　　“It isn’t for me. I don’t like what it can do to people,” she answered.

　　I was sure there was more to it than what she was telling me, but I was not going to force it out of her. If she wants to tell me more, then she will, but why would she We have only known each other for a couple of days.

　　Gracie said a quick goodbye to me, telling me she would see me at seven before rushing out of the car and heading inside. I swear, she can’t get away from me quick enough sometimes. I groaned, a little annoyed. I wish she would give me something, anything. I don’t like the way she closes up around me; it is frustrating. I understand it, though. I don’t tend to open up to anyone either. You need to trust people to open up, and I just don’t trust anyone. It is better that way, reason being people can’t fuck you over or destroy you.

　　I was making my way inside when my phone beeped. I was surprised when I saw that it was a text from Gracie.

　　Gracie: I am sorry I keep rushing off. It isn’t anything personal, I promise. I will see you at 7pm x

　　It may not be personal, but sometimes it is easy to think it is with how she always disappears on me.

　　Ryland: It is OK! Why do you keep doing it though X

　　Gracie: I can’t tell you. I will see you in a few hours. I have a lot to do before then x

　　Ryland: OK. See you later X

　　She never got back to me after that, consequently I just left it. She must have her reasons, and what they are is none of my business. I will see her later, anyway. I was glad my mom wasn’t home. She was at work, and I can’t be dealing with her right now, primarily because she may have heard about my trip to the principal’s office today, and if that’s the case, it will result in another lecture that I don’t need, thank you very much! I don’t know why my mother bothers anyway; it isn’t like it changes anything. I do what I do, no matter what she or anyone else says to me. It is who I am, and people need to deal with that. The sooner they accept me for me, the easier everyone’s life will become. I decided to grab a quick shower and get myself some dinner before playing on Xbox for a bit until it’s time to go meet Gracie.

　　I was looking forward to getting wasted. Life is always more fun when you're wasted because you don’t give a damn!