THAT MOMENT IN THE HALLWAY
Their hatred for each other started when Kitty interrupted his moment with Marley. All Kitty wanted to do was flirt a little with the new kid, Ryder Lynn, but she got called a bitch in return. Kitty knew the her eyes flashed with hurt as soon as the word "bitch" echoed through her ears. Kitty tried to brush it off, she got called that all the time, why should she care if some old-school Beiber called her that? But she did care. There was something about that Ryder Lynn that made Kitty feel bad for saying all those hurtful things to Marley.
Despite the fact that Kitty did was hurt by the insult thrown at her from Ryder, she let that fuel her fire of hatred for him. Every goofy smile he gave, she rolled her eyes; every time he tried to act tough, but looked like a little kid, she smirked; she found it easy to make fun of his goofy actions, but she had to admit, he did look rather cute when ever he did those things.
Their hatred for each other came to a 'T' when the two were paired to sing a duet. The first thing that came out of Ryder's mouth when Finn assigned the duet to them was, "No way!", but that didn't falter Finn's judgment. The two were to sing a song together later that week, and his word was final.
Kitty was nervous when she found out what exactly the two had to sing about, "Feelings," Finn said. Kitty felt herself go rigid as soon as Finn spoke those words. Although Kitty did hate Frankenteen 2.0, she didn't want to reveal how she really felt about him. When the school bell ring, she didn't give Ryder enough time to catch up to her. She thought she escaped him, but she made the mistake of going to her locker, giving Ryder just enough time to catch up to her.
"Look, I'm just going to say, and I don't care how you take this, but I would rather throw myself on a cactus than sing a duet with you," Ryder's voice came from the other side of Kitty's locker. She shut it to reveal Ryder standing before her, giving her an icy glare.
"Like wise, but whether you like it or not, we're going to have to sing a song together, so how about you grow a pair and come over to my house after school so we can start practicing," Kitty said, while shutting her locker. She started walking down the hall way, she smirked slightly when she felt Ryder following her.
"I have football practice until five, but I can come over afterwards?" Ryder said. He cut her off, stepping in front of her.
"Alright, whatever. I know how disgusting those locker room showers are, so you can just shower at my house afterwards," Kitty said with a rather seductive smile.
"Uh, I think I'll just shower here at school. It'll be awkward with you parents there and everything," Ryder said, trying to turn down the offer, but Kitty rolled her eyes.
"Nonsense. Firstly, my parents are somewhere in the Caribbean on their anniversary, and secondly, I think you would rather be showering in my slamming shower, than showering with a dozen other guys that are bi-curious than our parents were in college," said Kitty coolly.
"Alright, whatever, I can't believe we're arguing where I'm showering. I'll just see you at five, five-thirty," Ryder said.
"Yup," Kitty said. She twirled on the ball of her feet, her high-pony gently whipping Ryder's chest. She walked away from Ryder. He couldn't help himself to not stare at her as she walked away.
At five, Kitty's mind was on fire. She did the best she could to clean up her house. Since her parents were home, she wasn't necessarily the most clean when it comes to eating, but she did her best to pick things up, and wash dishes before Ryder came over.
Ugh, I can't believe I'm still wearing this fugly cheerleading uniform, Kitty finally realized. She hurried up to her room and changed into a blouse and denim shorts. She let her pony out, and her wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders. Better. Much, much better.
Ryder knew he was quickly approaching Kitty's house as he made his way down the sidewalk. He had to admit, Kitty's neighborhood made his look like Lime Heights, and he didn't live in that bad of a neighborhood. His mind was racing as well, but in stark contrast from what Kitty was thinking about.
Just keep your cool, Lynn. She's Kitty, she's all words and no action. Her insults should go over your head, not in it. Keep. Your. Cool, Ryder thought to himself.
He reached Kitty's house, a rather large brick and stone house at the end of the cul-de-sac. He notes the house looks exactly the same as it did when he came over after a big game earlier in the season. He pressed the doorbell, and heard it echo through the house for what seemed like forever.
Ryder heard the door unlock and he did his best to keep his jaw stay tight when he saw what Kitty was wearing. It wasn't revealing by any means, but the outfit showed off Kitty's body in the right ways. Her legs looked miles long, and her face was framed by her wavy hair.
Kitty's eyes lit up when she saw Ryder's body covered in tight clothing, and Kitty felt her eyes glue to Ryder's large, muscular arms, which were covered, no, glistening, in a thin layer of sweat.
"Sorry I'm late," Ryder said, stepping inside.
"It's cool. Let me show you to the shower," Kitty said, locking the door behind her guest.
She lead him upstairs and into the rather boring guest room, and into the connecting bathroom. "I'm gonna let you get started, and I'll grab you a towel," Kitty said, shutting the door behind her.
Kitty grabbed the softest towel she could find, and snuck back into the bathroom.
"And I will wait, I will wait, I will wait for you! I'll be bold, as well as strong, and use my head along side my heart," Kitty heard Ryder sing. She couldn't stop herself from smiling.
"I never pegged you for a Mumford & Songs fan," Kitty said loudly. As soon as Ryder heard her voice, he moved to cover his private areas.
"Kitty! What are you doing in here!?" Ryder yelled at her.
"I was getting your towel, chill dude," Kitty said, exiting the bathroom.
Kitty was sitting on her bed when the door slowly opened, and Ryder stepped in. She could smell the mango shampoo in his hair and the Old Spice body wash he used. "Ready to get started?" Ryder asked, sitting down on the cheetah-print chair.
Kitty rolled her eyes as Ryder sat down in the chair, and said, "You can sit on my bed, just because I'm a bitch, doesn't mean I bite like one." Ryder smiled at the joke and moved to sit down next to Kitty.
She picked up the closed laptop on her bedside table, and opened it to reveal an iTunes playlist with a bunch of potential songs. "Jesus, you did all of this before I got here?" Ryder asked, looking over the songs, stunned.
"I was bored," Kitty said, shrugging it off. "Anyways, I was thinking we could do this song, because a female artist sang and so did a male artist. Wanna try it out?"
"I'm down," Ryder said, sitting up, clearing his throat while doing so.
"Alright, follow my lead," Kitty said, as she pressed the play button.
KITTY
When the rain is blowing in your face,
And the whole world is on your case,
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you fell my love.
RYDER
When the evening shadows and stars appear,
And there is no one there to dry your tears,
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love.
BOTH
I know you haven't made your mind up yet,
But I would never do you wrong.
I've known it from the moment that we met,
No doubt in my mind where you belong.
RYDER
I'd go hungry; I'd go black and blue,
I'd go crawling down the avenue.
No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love.
KITTY
The storms are raging on the rolling sea
And on the highway of regret.
The winds of change are blowing wild and free,
You ain't seen nothing like me yet.
BOTH
I could make you happy, make your dreams come true.
Nothing that I wouldn't do.
Got to the ends of the Earth for you,
To make you feel my love
To make you feel my love
The music finishes and the two teens find themselves such inches from each other. Kitty was the first one to snap out of the moment: "So what'd you think?"
Ryder blinked a few times to get back into focus. "Um, I liked it, but I think we could do something a little bit different. Can I see the computer?"
The two haven't spoken in four days, the day that Ryder came over to Kitty's to practice, and it was Friday, their day to perform. Ryder suggested they do another song besides "Make You Feel My Love", and although Kitty was first adamant about her choice, she soon caved in.
"Alright! Kitty, Ryder, you two are up!" Finn said as Artie and Unique finished their duet.
Kitty got up from her seat in the third row, farthest from Ryder, while he got up from next to Marley, who was sandwiched between Ryder and Jake, in the front row. The two didn't make eye contact as they made their way down to the front of the classroom.
The band started playing the selected song.
RYDER
I'm gonna wear you down
I'm gonna make you see
I'm gonna get to you
You're gonna give in to me
I'm gonna start a fire
You're gonna feel the heat
I'm gonna burn for you
You're gonna melt for me
BOTH
Come on, come on
Into my arms
Come on, come on
Give into me
KITTY
You're gonna take my hand
Whisper the sweetest words
And if you're ever sad
I'll make you laugh
I'll chase the hurt
BOTH
My heart is set on you
I don't want no one else
And if you don't want me
I guess I'll be all by myself
BOTH
Come on, come on
Into my arms
Come on, come on (come on)
Give into me
KITTY
I'll use my eyes to draw you in
Until I'm under your skin
I'll use my lips, I'll use my arms
Come on, come on, come on
Give in to me
BOTH
Give into me
Give into me
The music finished, and Kitty looked up to give Ryder a small smile, and what she saw broke her heart. She saw Ryder staring at Marley. She instantly knew he only chose that song to sing to her. She could feel her eyes swell up her tears, but she pushed them down.
" Finn, I need to sing something else," said Kitty, still looking at the heart-breaking sight of Ryder and Marley sharing eye contact.
"But the assignment was duets, Kitty, not solos," Finn said, slowly realizing why Kitty needed to sing a solo. "But, I'll allow it. Ryder, take a seat."
Ryder did as he told and sat down next to the blushing Marley. Jake rolled his eyes after seeing Ryder blush as well. Kitty walked over to the band guys and whispered something to them. She turned back to the glee club and smiled, full of confidence, masking her want to cry. She undid her pony and let her hair fall over her shoulders.
KITTY
(Puttin' my defences up
'Cause I don't want to fall in love
If I ever did that
I think I'd have a heart attack)
Never put my love out on the line
Never said yes to the right guy
Never had trouble getting what I want
But when it comes to you, I'm never good enough
When I don't care
I can play 'em like a Ken doll
Won't wash my hair
Then make 'em bounce like a basketball
But you make me wanna act like a girl
Paint my nails and wear high heels
Yes, you make me so nervous
And I just can't hold your hand
You make me glow, but I cover up
Won't let it show, so I'm
Puttin' my defences up
'Cause I don't wanna fall in love
If I ever did that
I think I'd have a heart attack
I think I'd have a heart attack
I think I'd have a heart attack
Never break a sweat for the other guys
When you come around, I get paralyzed
And every time I try to be myself
It comes out wrong like cry for help
It's just not fair
Pain's more trouble than love is worth
I gasp for air
It feels so good, but you know it hurts
But you make me wanna act like a girl
Paint my nails and wear perfume
For you make me so nervous
And I just can't hold your hand
You make me glow, but I cover up
Won't let it show, so I'm
Puttin' my defences up
'Cause I don't wanna fall in love
If I ever did that
I think I'd have a heart attack
I think I'd have a heart attack
I think I'd have a heart attack
The feeling are lost in my lungs
They're burning, I'd rather be numb
And there's n one else to blame
So scared I take off in a run
I'm flying to close to the sun
And I burst into flames
You make me glow, but I cover up
Won't let it show, so I'm
Puttin' my defences up
'Cause I don't wanna fall in love
If I ever did that
I think I'd have a heart attack
I think I'd have a heart attack
I think I'd have a heart attack
I think I'd have a heart attack
I think I'd have a heart attack
Kitty finished the song, breathing heavily, but she could care less. The other glee club members realized who that song was for, and so did Ryder. It was for him.
"Kitty-," that's all the time Kitty gives him before hurrying out of the room. He hurries out after her.
"Kitty! Kitty! Kitty! Stop!" Kitty could hear Ryder's pleas for her to listen to him not to far behind her, but Kitty continued running down the hallway, ignoring whatever Ryder had to say.
She soon found herself in the courtyard. She went to climb the steps, but tripped. Instead of falling on the hard cement, she felt arms wrap around her, pulling her to her feet. She realized they were Ryder's, and they were still around her when she was fully able to stand by herself.
"Let go of me!" Kitty yelled, pushing the much-taller boy away from her.
"Jeeze, Kitty what's your problem?" Ryder said, he could feel the voice level raise.
"Don't you have to go have eye-sex with Marley, or something? What are you doing out here with me?" Kitty asked, trying to keep eye contact minimal.
"You know damn well what I am doing out here, Kitty Wilde," Ryder said, crossing his arms.
Kitty could feel her anger piling up, and soon start spilling out of her: "I can't believe I actually believed you chose that song because of me. I should've have known you were going to sing that about Marley, I was just too blind to see it. I can't believe that I was that stupid!" Kitty started yelling. She could feel the tears start running down her cheeks.
"Look Kitty, I admit, I did pick that song because of Marley, but after singing that song with you in your bedroom, I started having feelings for you, and not the feelings that I wanted to kill myself for being in the same room as you," Ryder said, giving Kitty his goofy smiled she loved so much. "And after we felt that song, I knew I felt something between the two of us, and I know that you felt it too."
"Of course I did, why else would I sing that song for you?" Kitty asked. She can't believe Ryder actually thought she didn't like him. "Anyways, we better get back inside, don't want Jake to win Marley's heart over, do we?"
"Enough about Marley," Ryder said before kissing Kitty on the lips. She felt her heart flutter. He was a good kisser, not too rough, not too soft. Kitty felt his body temperature rise as hers' did as well. Kitty realized that the hatred she bottled up in herself towards Ryder wasn't hatred at all, but rather love. And right now, with their lips interlocked, Kitty realized that this what she wanted to feel like for the rest of her
life.
