"Are you missing something, because I found this pacing outside like a rabid dog in labour?"
That was the first thing that reached my ears as I opened my door and I couldn't be anymore surprised as I took in at the sight in front of me except of course Tess' annoyed voice as she tried to control the drunk male she's holding by the ear. And of course a part of me wishes that I could have somehow gotten the sense to put on a bra or have my shorts magically elongate themselves.
"For heaven's sake, Diana stop gawking mindlessly at the guy and take him," she said frustrated at the guy ruffling her hair and I could feel my mouth turn into an 'o' shape wondering if I should correct her, since I was trying to figure out the weird phrase alongside what was happening in front of me. I thought she hated him.
"Uhh, yeah sure," I said as she slapped his hand away and all over sudden he looked sullen when he realized we were both staring at him and he let out a goofy smirk.
"Ice princess? What are you doing here?" He asked with a slight slur and I mentally facepalmed as I opened my door wide so that he could enter and he smiled widely before smacking a sloppy kiss on Tess' cheek and I was sure a murder would happen soon if I didn't separate both of them.
"Come on, this way," I said pulling him inside before I turned to Tess who was still fuming.
"Tell anyone that I showed concern for the idiot and I'll deny it," she threatened and I was left confused than ever as I wondered what was their history was, but I didn't have to dwell on that for much longer as I turned to Ryder who was looking around with a frown.
"Ice princess? Do you know your room looks a lair meant for an ice princess?" He said and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as I watched him carefully afraid he might stumble on his own feet.
"I'm not an ice princess," I said almost grumpily grabbing a hold of his hand to push him towards the bed.
"Yes you are. You are always so mean to me."
"I'm not mean to you."
"Yes you are," he insisted his lips growing into a pout and I decided I had a mild version of an angry younger Ryder in front of me. "You never smile at me anymore and you always shout at me. You never see me."
He said and I went quiet as I pulled his jacket off him wondering what on earth he meant by that.
"I see you," I said and he shook his head vigorously and I tried not to raise an eyebrow as I told him to stay put and I got a cloth to wipe off the small smudges on his cheeks. But of course, in the last ten minutes, I learnt drunk Ryder means immature fussy Ryder. "Ryder Stone!? Would you sit still for a moment."
I said frustrated and he shook me off once more crossing his arms on his chest as he pouted at me.
"No. Stay away from me, you big meanie," he said and I was at crossroads wondering whether I should laugh or cry or take my phone and record this moment, not exactly believing this is the same stone cold Stone, get it. I swear he has never acted like this around me and I'm more of amused.
"Okay fine. I won't touch you. Now will you tell me why you're here," I asked watching him amused as he seemed to think hard.
"I want my shirt," he lets out swaying slightly and I realize I have to magically figure out how to get him back onto the bed before he hurts himself.
"You are drunk," I state and he does something in between shaking his head and nodding.
"No. I'm intoxicated," he says and I have to hold back my smile.
"Using a big word doesn't change the fact," I said and he pouts once more frowning deeply.
"Shirt," he says and I refrain from rolling my eyes.
"I'm not taking the shirt off now get to bed," I say and he stomps his feet in disapproval but nevertheless lets me help him back to my bed and he plops down leaving me to stand over him as I gave my greatest disapproving stare, not wanting to believe he could look this vulnerable and broken.
"How much did you drink anyway?" I asked and he holds up his thumb and index finger leaving in between them the smallest of spaces before he seemed to reconsider and spread his arms wide open looking somewhat pleased with himself.
"This much," he said with a goofy grin and my eyebrows shot up in surprise and at this rate I thought they would stick like that for good. Did the guy raid a liquor store or something? I wondered as I dropped down to take off his boots and pushed him back on my bed before pulling the covers over him.
"Why?" I ask interrupting his incoherent muttering under his watches me under his eyelashes.
"You don't like me. You like them better," he said and I halted in my actions looking at him somewhat pitifully knowing well that there was more to why I had made it my mission to ignore him and it had started with the physics class yesterday.
I wasn't talking to him and he was somehow walking around eggshells around me. Truth be told, I had shut down ever conversation he tried to start and I pretended not to hear the inconsistent sighs beside me. I'm not sure what kind of vibes we were both giving out because right then a guy, I believe named Drew, who I learnt was the other exchange student, had approached offering to help me with the assignment I barely had my mind set on and I tried not to show how uncomfortable his obvious flirting had made me especially when I knew the male beside me was harboring some very dark impulses. It's needless to say a one-sided fight ensued and Ryder wasn't the one I was escorting to the nurse.
He had told me to be wary of Kyle after that weekend at the movies and what he was doing was pretty clear. I don't even have to ask whether there is a sort of rivalry between them because they won't say yet parade it around. I know because I don't think I have ever had a proper conversation with Kyle without either of the three musketeers cutting in and scaring him off. It's a cycle that had me wanting to pull out my hair but what could I do? He never listens to me and I have the idea that if I tell them to cut him some slack they'd pick on him.
"You're wrong you know," I whisper as I put away my books and I can feel his gaze on me as I work around him to get in on the other side and he immediately pulls me into his arms.
I'm already aware our relationship is more complex than others. I mean we're not dating or are we some sort of friends with benefits but his statement has my heart breaking to bits and it starts to hit me that Alice might be right. I might fall for the guy without knowing and I'm not sure whether it's a good thing or bad. And it scares me when I figure we'll talk about this and clear this immediately when he speaks up.
"Princess, it's hot in here. Can I remove my shirt?" He said and I find myself smiling inwardly as I look up to see that mischevious glint in his eyes. Drunk or not, this guy never stops. "It's very very uncomfortable."
He insists and I try to hide my smile as he gets to get it off before looking towards me and I try not to let my thoughts stray as I shake my head helping him get the shirt slightly marred with vodka and the small rose peeking on his side seems to glint at me cheekily. It's one thing to almost match a tattoo with your brother but a stranger that's a whole other story, I think tossing the shirt away.
"What about my jeans? They are too tight," he whines again and I narrow my eyes at him as I lay back down.
"Take them off yourself," I say turning away from him feeling a blush coming on strong and he chuckles behind me and the bed shifts before he pulls me into his heat once more and kisses my hair.
He might have muttered goodnight but all I'm aware of as I drift into slumber land is that this will be one of the most sound sleeps I'll ever have.