AN:/ As a rule for this story I'm going to ask for a minimum of two reviews per chapter for the next chapter to be posted


Chapter 4

I must have changed my outfit four different times by the time I settled with that I was wearing, and that was only because Jake had told me that he was five minutes away and I didn't want to make him wait. I had gone through all my usual favorite outfits before settling on something completely new, but easily a new contender for the best outfit I have put together. I obsessed long enough over my entire wardrobe before settling on my pink skater skirt, a white peter pan collared button down with a grey pullover sweater on top. My hair was half up, with a bow pulling it together. It wasn't too different from my usual preppy attire but it was definitely something a little more than my usual t-shirt and jeans. I don't know why I wanted to spend so much time with how I look today, and even though I argue with myself over the reason, I still apply a thin coat of my favorite lipstick. Mom was still waking up, and she didn't seem to notice the extra work I put in to my appearance, and probably wouldn't until she had her morning coffee. I didn't wait for that though, I grabbed a cherry poptart from the cupboard, and went outside to wait for Jake, who should be pulling up any second.

From the outside my house was only a bit more rickety than her friends' houses. It was a bit more gritty, a bit more compact. We've had small get together's before; Sam, Unique, and the other Glee clubbers. All their houses, even if they weren't as big and grand as Kitty's, were all still much bigger, and had more grandeur than mine. The only person I've ever allowed to even see my house is Unique, and that is only because she offers to give me rides every now and then, and she doesn't judge. But it still makes me uneasy, so I haven't invited her in yet. The only one who I never feel anxious about coming to my house is Jake. Jake is different from the Glee clubbers because he lives not too far from me. Jake's family live in a house that isn't much different from mine if you didn't count the do-it-yourself basketball hoop on the side of the house for Jake and his little brother. I was sure that Jake understood the insecurity of the way our houses compare to everyone else's. Sure there were other kids who lived in our neighborhood, other kids with houses like our in McKinley, but none of them we were particularly close to, none of them were our friends. The friends we did have were use to the picket fence, the separation between the kitchen and the dining room. Hell, they were use to a garage, and two stories.

When Jake finally came I let his presence pull me out of my reverie. He had this big grin on his face, like he had the best idea in the world, and he was a bouncing energy ball just waiting to tell someone about it. I didn't let him get out of the car, instead, I just hopped in.

"I'll take it that someone is far too excited to meet this super star?" And just like that all the joy was sucked up from Jake's face and he made a smug, disapproving face.

But also just like that it hit me. I was finally going to meet Ryder Lynn!

The realization hits me like a freight train. Of course, I've been obsessing how I look, obsessing over getting there in time, excited even, but now that I'm in Jake's car and I'm ready to go it feels like there is a frog in my throat. My face is heating up and flushed, I feel the restlessness throughout my body and I turn to Jake to talk to him so that I can keep busy. "Yes, today is the day." I push my hair out of my face. "It's silly, but I'm kind of anxious." I admitted, giving him a goofy smile and I shrugged my sleeves down so that I can cover my hands.

Jake didn't seem pleased as he drove, a bit grumpy, actually, but as I got him talking he seemed to cheer up. In the end by the time that we pulled up into the mall parking lot we had planned that he would stay with me for an hour, and he would get the most sugar induced drink from the bookstore's cafe as I hunted down some books I had planned on buying. It was actually really early, but Jake was pretty good company. The meet and greet wasn't set until around eleven, so there was plenty of time to kill, and the mall itself didn't even open until ten, the half hour at the bookstore was actually the perfect filler.

Before I went on my exploration of the shelves I stood in line with Jake, giving him all the advice I can for the sweetest possible drink with a kick of coffee that he could possibly get. "You know, I didn't take you for a guy with a sweet tooth." I noted as I turned to him, with a raised eyebrow.

"There are plenty of things people don't know about me, Rose." He shrugs, looking at the menu, "this just happens to be one of them."

I tilted my head, intrigued to say the least. "Oh yeah, is that right?" I thought for a moment, "Hmmm, how about this, tell me something 'plenty of people don't know about you' and I will order for you a special off the menu drink that will not only be extremely packed with sugar," his ears perked up just the slightest bit, and I knew I had him, and I just needed to reel in the hook. "but will actually taste like cotton candy." The whites in his eyes grew more prominent and I knew I had won with that one.

Crossing his arms across his chest, tapping his finger on his chin, he thought, "If you're offering that, then let me think of something," I laughed, I never thought I could get Jake to open up by something as simply as a syrupy drink, it was so contradictory to his outward appearance and personality. "Musical talent actually runs in the family." This time it was my ears that perked up.

"Jacob Puckerman! Are you telling me that you can sing, and you've never told me?" I tell him appalled and feigning an insult look. This would be perfect! We need one member in Glee to be able to join any of the contests, and we've been short, if Jake can-

"No, I'm not saying I can sing. And even if I could, I wouldn't tell you, Mars, because then you would try to get me into your little choir group and that is definitely not happening." Jake said with a knowing look. "However, I can play guitar like my deadbeat father."

"Oh! Okay, now that makes more sense." I thought out loud, as we stepped up to the counter.

"Hey, Rose, what is that suppose to mean?" Jake accused, but I shushed him with a finger in the air, as I talked to the barista with a pleasant smile, knowing I'm irking him, and his face is like a child with a temper tantrum.

"I would like a medium vanilla bean frappuccino with two shot of espresso and a shots of hazelnut syrup, whip cream on that please." I turn to Jake as I talk with a smile, "Also we will get a medium vanilla bean with two shots of espresso, and two shots of raspberry syrup. Jake, do you want whip cream?" He nodded his head a bit awestruck from what must sound like such a weird order. "With whip cream on that as well." The barista knew me well enough by now, I'm a regular at bookstores, so she already knew very well how to keep up with my ordering. And even though I'm a regular she gave me a knowing smile before she asked me for my name. This was the fun part. With quick thinking I replied with "Lara Jean." to Jake's utter surprise.

As we walk away after we pay Jake leans closer to me, forgetting about what I had said earlier, "why'd you say Lara Jean? That's not your name." I simply gave him a small laugh.

"Relax, Jake, the barista's name is Anna, she's a friend of mine. We both read a lot, so our running joke is that I use a name of a character from a book I'm reading right now." Looking at me oddly still, though less shocked, Jake stands up straight. He doesn't seem to really get the joke but it is an inside joke after all. "So, Jake, I did want to ask something." I admitted as we waited around for our drinks. I don't know why, but Jake suddenly became very… excited? But in a way that was ruining his kind of bad boy appearance, and he knew it, so he tried to hide it- unsuccessfully. "Why aren't we considered friends, exactly?" Even though he was opening his mouth to reply I stopped him, "I mean I know you said that it messes with your image, and all that, but from what I see you might not be completely your image anyways."

"I don't know, Mars. I mean I guess we are kind of friends, yes. You're awesome to hang around. We get along. But that school is a jungle, and it's typical. That means we all have to be something. You are a goody two, and I am the bad boy. That's just where we are at." He said shrugging, it wasn't really much of an answer, but I accepted it.

Finally getting our drinks, I watched Jake take the first sip of the secret menu blend I made for him. As his face lit up I took a sip of mine, pleased as peaches. With my frapp in hand I started my exploration looking at books with Jake on my heels. He asked me question every now and then, but more than not it was like having a very visible ghost following me up and down the aisles.

When ten o'clock started to roll around, coming out of my high from the books that were now settled into the plastic bag hanging from my wrist we stepped into the mall. Jake keeps putting off the rest of his plans more and more, and he suggested that we grab a bite. the mall has never really been much of anything for me, I didn't have the money to buy from here often, and I usually only came for books. However, today, the lights held a lot brighter sense of excitement. Later, perhaps even now somewhere, Ryder Lynn would be here. He'd be here with his camera, smiling bright as he showed off the group that gathers, bopping along to whatever song pops in his head, actually having a face to face conversation to his fans- and I might be one of them. The more and more I thought about it the more the cheese fries I bought were settling wrong in my stomach. I was getting really nervous, and the restlessness was returning. Jake across from me started to fall silent, beginning to feel awkward, and probably sensing that I was ready to go off on my own soon.

"What's the big deal about this guy, anyways?" Jake suddenly asks, and I look him the eyes once more and see that he is annoyed, I'm not sure why. I guess I've been annoying him, and not much company; that thought upsets me but I hadn't asked him to stay, either, so it wasn't my fault.

"He's talented."

"Just like other people."

"He's dedicated."

"Just like other people." He countered again.

"He's nice."

"He seems nice." Jake points out.

"What's your problem with him?" I question, frustrated.

"He's just another guy, another person. So what if he's online, that doesn't mean he's better than anyone else."

"I've never said he is."

"Your starry eyes do." Jake called me out.

"Just because I can admire someone doesn't mean anything. And, so what if I do?" I grumble, finishing my fries.

"You're just going to be disappointed when he turns out just like any other person."

"I'm not confused as to that knowledge." I pointedly reply, standing up and collecting my things, as well as the trask that I need to throw out.

"You're just all starry eyed, because you think this dude is hot, and that's clouding your thinking." Jake finally says.

"Go home, Jake. Or rather go look up some cheerleader's skirt like you were planning to, and stop insulting me, and my intelligence." I flare at him angrily, as I toss out the waste. Jake just shrugs, and leaves, without so much as a wave goodbye.

Starting to head over to the fountain at the end of the food court, the pre-positioned set place to meet up, I see a small gathering of people already. In the middle of the half a dozen people I see him.

Ryder Lynn.

He seemed like everything I pictured from afar, but that is from afar. Maybe Puckerman was right…

"Are you here for the meet and greet, too?" I hear a voice call, and I realize I must have been staring, my face flushing with embarrassment from the realization. When I look at who called me I feel my face aflame. Ryder Lynn was beckoning me over, a smile on his face. I walked over, feeling shy, but ultimately incredibly happy. Today was going to be a good day, I don't care what Jake said. He may be a regular person, but he's a person I've been looking forward to meeting.