As you might have figured, I'm not a fan of social places. Could be because I was normally an awkward kid, until I came here and learnt I could make so many friends in a week? Well friends of friends were being friendly, I guess it counts as something, but here I felt out of my element. And even if I did show a slight interest, I was only here for others. I mean it had been Alice's idea that we meet up tonight before Addie's one hell of a birthday party tomorrow night but I wasn't really going to complain. For the school of the snobby, rich and pretentious, sometimes all people took school spirit seriously. I mean there were even parents in the crowd. If this was just a scrimmage game, I'd hate to see the homecoming game.
With no Jaime to distract me, or Ethan to be his cocky and flirty self since he was playing, assuming his constant winks were actually thrown my way, I resort to people watching which isn't at all calming and fun without anyone to laugh it up with and I figured I'd wasted enough time here, I thought starting my way out through the cheering mass and for a moment I was glad my seat was perfectly placed for easy access and exit but it didn't necessarily mean I was safe from stray hands and elbows, I thought rubbing my shoulder just as I got out only to come face to face with the last person I expected to see here and I didn't even bother to hide my frown, even if everything in me wanted to run my eyes all over him but it was a luxury I wanted to deny myself with no avail. My breath still hitched at the sight of those deep blue eyes that reminded me of the ocean. In some light the deep blue waters in others the sheet blue of the calm ocean on a sunny day.
"Wow, you look..great. You always look great," he said nervously and I crossed my arms across my chest giving him an are you kidding me look.
"You left," I said and an emotion I couldn't quite describe passed through his eyes and he grimaced.
"I didn't think you wanted to see me again," he said in a low voice and the voice of nonchalance wasn't lost to me. Even when he wasn't trying he still sounded arrogant but something tells me he rather call it confidence.
"And when did you decided that?" I asked regarding him with an expressionless face.
"I figured I'd made a fool of myself. I just..had to," he said with a sigh and I found myself shaking my head before I looked up at him. I had the right to make that decision didn't I?
"You did," I said and he frowned as I made to brush past him and he caught my wrist.
"Diana wait. You don't understand," he said and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, taking back my hand.
"Actually, I do. And perfectly for that matter," I said and he looked beyond agitated. Clearly not used to explaining his behavior, not that I cared anyway.
"It's not like that," he said with a sigh before looking back at me. "You shouldn't have had to see me like that. So out of control and my emotions all over the place. I could have.."
He said almost bitterly and I narrowed my eyes at him as I missed the last part. So this is what it was about. His pride, I thought with a frown as I regarded him once more.
"Well obviously you don't have to worry about that. I'm not a kiss and tell kind of girl, not that it matters anyway. I doubt anything can downsize your humongous ego, so no worries," I said and his frown deepened.
"That's not.. please stop being difficult."
"Then stop disrespecting me. I have a right to make my own decisions."
"But I do respect you."
"Well, you have a funny way of showing it. You are not going to make a fool out of me Ryder Stone," I said hands on my hips and his lips curved at the sides and I narrowed my eyes at him. He was effing laughing at me.
"You are unbelievably cute when you're mad. But for the record I doubt anyone can make a fool out of you," he said and I crossed my arms satisfied at least I was till I thought it over and I frowned turning to find him walking away.
How had this turned into him having the last word?
"Hey, that better not have double meaning to it. You hear me," I let out irritated before letting out a frustrated groan realizing I had lost track of my mission. Half time was already over and it meant I either had to wait for the end of the game or call Alice.
Taking a chance with the latter, I mean what are phones for, I made for home, more like my bed but who's judging, not to sleep though. More like questioning my life choices or rather my parents'.
********
"What the hell happened!?" I asked running a hand through my hair and Cody shrugged giving Alice who was hugging her knees on the bed wary glances.
"I don't know. I found her in the bathroom like that and she won't tell me what's wrong," he said and I gave her a wary glance of my own and I couldn't help but feel guilty. Maybe I should have stayed back and gone to the after party with her, which in itself was another story.
I had stayed awake in bed all evening until around 11 when Alice had called and I could tell something was off. Maybe it was her raspy voice in the beginning and I got to my feet asking her to send me her address and I couldn't hide my shock when I realized it was Ryder's house. Of course I didn't dwell much on it my curiosity did get the best of me and I hurried not even bothering with my dressing. After all, all that mattered was my friend.
"Can you keep an eye on her so I can get her a water or something?"
"Yeah sure," he said walking towards her and I watched them before walking out of the room.
I still couldn't wrap my head around it, why she was crying not why I'd found them arms wrapped around each other. But if there was something going on between them, neither of them gave me any clue and I quickly dispelled the idea out of my mind as I met a sight I wasn't exactly prepared to see.
"Di..babydoll, I... didn't you were coming over..what are you doing here?" He stammered his spine stiffening as he stood no longer leaning against the counter and I refrained from rolling my eyes. Maybe because I wanted to believe I was still mad at him. But even I knew that was far from the truth. He irritated and annoyed me more than anyone I knew but today it was mostly because of the female currently glaring daggers at me and the slight detail that he was shirtless. Was this what it felt like to be jealous?
"I'm not here for the party if that's what you're asking," I asked making for the fridge and I heard a snort making my gaze turn briefly to Bianca a queen B wannabe and one of Heather's cronies, I thought recognizing that jealous look in her eye since I had stolen Ryder's attention, not that he was paying attention to her in the first place.
"Clearly," she snorted and I tried hard not to take the bait. "Was there a homeless convention in town nobody was aware of?"
"Bianca, Bianca, Bianca," I patronized and shock passed through her eyes for a moment before she narrowed her eyes at me. "If there was, you'd need it more than I did. I pretty sure you could get some second hand with no trouble at all."
I said with a click of my tongue as I looked her over not hiding my distaste at her choice of clothing. I mean if I had the time I could probably tell whatever size of bra she wore, I mean that's how far the neckline of her crop top plunged and the fact that I could see her white knickers peeking out from her short skirt.
"But since we both know that's not the look you were aiming for, weren't you ever told that dressing provocatively would not only grab the male attention but also deem you slut, but don't let me discourage you. You're just keeping up appearances," I said with a tsk and from the corner of my eye I could see Ryder's eyebrows shoot up in surprise before he guffawed, doubling over in laughter that his face turned red and she puffed up red and in embarrassment.
"You..you won't get away with this," she cried out before hobbling away as fast as those six inch heels could take her.
"What did I say? I was merely stating the truth," I said coyly and he chuckled under his breath looking at me amused.
"Remind me never to make a snide remark when you're clearly in a mood," he said and I frowned suddenly reminded why I was down here. "What's wrong?"
"Can I borrow a tub of ice cream, preferably two?" I said and he frowned seeing I was serious as I opened the fridge and he stalked towards me and I diverted my eyes from his shirtless torso.
"Yeah sure, which one? I'd probably keep away from the mint. Kaylee has a weird craving going on," he said coming up behind me and I tensed, but he saw it he didn't say anything.
"Chocolate is just fine."
"Something from my stash, huh?" He said rubbing his chin dramatically as I turned to him not realizing how close he actually was and I could swear I'd lost the ability to think clearly for a moment before I noticed the mischevious glint.
"I assume you want something."
"Assumptions, assumptions. Maybe it is you who wants something," he said with a huff and I refrained from smiling.
"That doesn't make any sense," I said and he grumbled under his breath as I reached for the ice cream before turning to him I could hear his hitch of breath as I let my lips brush against his neck and I tell the hustle of being on my tippy toes was worth it. At least now I know I affect him in some way.
"Now, now princess. That isn't fair," he grumbled as his arms wrapped around me and one of his hands found its way up the shirt as he dipped his head to my neck and his tall frame pressed against my back side and once more I could feel the heat lick at my insides.
"Well, you didn't specify what sort of payment you wanted," I said pushing him away and his frown deepened, despite the darkened look in his eyes.
"God, you're so infuriating at times. Why do you have to be a fucking tease!?" He groaned as I picked dsome spoons before turning to him.
"You don't hear me complaining about myself. I'm effing awesome, don't you think? I mean, I got what I wanted after all," I said before darting out of the kitchen and I could hear him call my name before a string of curses followed and I chuckled under my breath. Now to spread my good mood to Alice.
*********
"Oh God, my head hurts so bad."
"You have yourself to blame. I told you not to do all those shots but no."
The sight of a blonde female yelling over Ethan's figure sprawled on couch and another helping Cody and Ryder cleaning up welcomed me as I came back downstairs. Seemingly midway ice cream, a box of tissues and taking advantage of Ryder's Netflix account, the party had ended and I wondered how much of a fit Kaylee would throw if she found out about the impromptu party that had come out of a bet.
"Well, I didn't think I'd feel like this this early. I couldn't say no to the shots," Ethan slurred still clutching at his head.
"I'll say karma is a bitch. I told you I didn't want to you hold the party here." This went on to prove how much Ryder hated losing.
"Well you lost the bet and I did. It was the best fucking party I've ever thrown, I tell you," he said and Ryder scowled turning away from him before his eyes landed on me and his mood suddenly shifted as he smiled.
"Kaylee is gonna be mad isn't she?" I said and they turned to me and Ryder winced.
"Don't remind me."
"Now I'm hearing voices. I'd be damned if my Sunshine saw me like this," Ethan groaned and Ryder glared at him once more.
"Tough luck buddy," I said and he lifted his eyes to me before groaning once more.
"I'm never drinking again."
"Ever seen a shit faced liar," the female standing over me spat out and I chuckled. "Emma, this idiot's cousin."
"Diana," I said and she beamed a smile at me before my gaze shifted to the other girl.
"She's.."
"Megan. His girlfriend," she said sliding up to him and I raising an eyebrow at her before turning to Cody for confirmation who was looking behind me.
'She's fine,' I mouthed to Cody not in the mood to unleash this particular crazy possessive girlfriend on an unsuspecting Alice once she took her gaze off me.
"Is she alright?" Ryder asked coming to my side and I nodded.
"She will be. I don't feel so good about leaving her at the mercy of her mother. Can she sleep over? I'm staying with her so you don't have to worry about her?"
"Are you asking for her or for yourself? You know I don't mind you warming my bed," he teased and I rolled my eyes.
"Don't flatter yourself Stone," I said grabbing the trash bag in his hand and he chuckled behind me.
"I'm not. But it's sounds like you're eager for a sleepover in my house."
"Your house? I had no idea you paid the bills. Oh Mr Stone, you're just so dreamy right now," I said in the most dreamy voice I could come up with as I batted my eyelashes at him and Emma doubled over in laughter making him scowl.
"I like you already," she said before going on to clean the rest of the house and we joined in before realizing that apart from Ethan and Megan who said she was tired and was taken up to rest, the rest of us were mostly sober or just sober and we sat down for a late night movie.
"Oh, popcorn," I said excitedly as Ryder sat on the love seat with me but he held it out of my reach.
"Get your own," he said with a scowl and I glared at him. The conniving bastard. He had said he was going to get us popcorn when he left.
"You promised me popcorn."
"I said I was getting popcorn, not for you."
"Oh really because I said popcorn would make everything better and you said you'd get it," I said giving him a scowl of my own before he gave me an evil grin, then again, what's new.
"Okay. We need to come to a compromise. How about a kiss and I'll share with you?" He said and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion before looking at him.
"Just a kiss?" I asked looking at him for confirmation and he threw me a questioning look, probably surprised I was actually going for it. "Just one?"
"Yeah," he breathed out and I was aware that at the moment I was aware we were the center of attraction for the two people behind us.
"Okay," I said sitting up and leaning towards him and he sat still looking down at me as his gaze dropping to my lips and I didn't hesitate to wet them and his eyes bulged for a moment before meeting my own.
My heart was beating like a jackhammer and I realize that this is probably the worst idea I've ever had as I lean my body against him and he's holding his own breath. And yet just as my lips reach his own and I dropped my gaze to his kissable lips, I'm already grabbing the loosely gripped popcorn bowl and sitting back on my side before blowing a kiss at him.
"Thank you Mr Stone," I said in a sing song voice and I swear if looks could kill, I was seconds away from being shot dead.
"W..what... What was that?"
"You never specified how you wanted the kiss," I said a little coyly and he narrowed his eyes at me as Emma and Cody laughed.
"God, how have I never met you before?" She said in between laughs as Ryder gives me a look that anyone else would cower away from, maybe I should but the look in his eyes say that I'll pay for being such a tease. All I can ask myself is if the skip in my heart beat is due to being anxious or eager for it.