DISCLAIMER

Thank you for all your support so far. Sorry that it's not as good a chapter as the others, but I think the one year anniversary is a very important part of the relationship and I wanted to have a chapter with only Ryder and Becca in it to ensure that we have some proper focus on their relationship. It's only a filler chapter; I promise that things will improve after this. Please don't forget to review to tell me what you think xxx

I've also started an SYOC. Applications are over, but I'm happy for you to enjoy my other Glee work.

Chapter 11

Ryder looked at the clock.

In a matter of minutes, Becca would arrive at the house. One year ago today, the pair went on their first date and now were celebrating their anniversary. Ryder managed to clear the house out, with his parents staying at some friends' house a few towns away and Liv at a sleepover, leaving him and Becca alone to spend the night together. He had offered to cook, which had come down to chicken breasts and fries. Still, he wasn't exactly Julia Childs so he wasn't entirely sure Becca wouldn't come down with food poisoning.

He still couldn't believe it had been a year since they got together. He knew high school relationships often didn't last, but they'd survived everything else that had felled many other couples. Neither had cheated, there were no pregnancy scares or scary exes. Ryder still couldn't understand how people cheated, like when Jake had an affair with Bree because Marley wouldn't put out. Simply put, Becca was his universe and the idea of going off with someone else horrified him. He didn't want to be with anyone else, Becca was the perfect girl for him, he couldn't imagine making her cry. Seeing her made his heart beat a thousand miles an hour, she just lit up his life. God, he really loved her. Ryder knew that whatever happened to their relationship, if they stayed the distance or broke up over summer, she'd still hold the largest part of his heart anyone ever would. He couldn't imagine falling in love with someone else like he'd fallen for her.

Getting her present was difficult. Becca had told him not to get anything major, as Valentine's Day and her birthday were little over a month away. Ryder ignored her, deciding to get a couple of things that she could love. It had been hard, finding something absolutely perfect but after weeks of searching he found what he was looking for. He'd even wrapped them himself, despite Jessica begging to so that they looked 'presentable' for Becca. Sure it was a little messy with cellotape in all the wrong places, but at least it was done.

He heard the doorbell ring. A giant smile on his face, he rushed to get it.

Ryder nearly ripped open the door off his hinges. Becca smirked at the other end, knowing that she had the desired effect. He nearly drooled at the sight of her. Her signature high pony was out of the question, replaced with tousled curls that would have probably taken a while to do. She was clad in a bodycon that showed off her slim body (and assets), leather jacket and heels that showed off her long legs. Make up was done perfectly, her lips a sultry red. Ryder could feel himself get...excited.

"Hi honey, someone's excited to see me."

"Yeah...yeah I am..."

"Are you going to let me in or am I going to shiver on your doorstep?"

Ryder moved back, indicating to her bag, "As far as I'm aware you're staying for a night, we're not doing two weeks in Spain."

Becca rolled her eyes, "Shut up and kiss me Lynn."

Ryder moved closer, the two passionately making out in front of the door. Their hands roamed all over the other person, keeping it intense for a long time.

"You look absolutely gorgeous Becs, you always do but you really do this time. I think maybe it's the day that makes you glow."

"You're a smoothie," Becca rolled her eyes, "Look what I brought."

Opening up a paper bag, she pulled out a bottle of wine, "Bordeaux's finest. My dear pimply friend was serving so no chance of me being ID'd, but I'm still 22 according to my fake. I thought we could celebrate over a tipple- not too much though, because tonight means sex and I don't want either of us drunk as a skunk going at it."

"Nice job," Ryder kissed her head, "C'mon, let me take your bag upstairs and I'll get the food on."

"Thank you my Prince Charming, I'll be waiting."

Ryder took Becca's bag- which weighed a tonne- before going back downstairs to start with the cooking. The blonde had turned the radio and was dancing along to it, singing loudly and shaking her hips to the beat. Ryder smiled, leaning against the door frame. After he watched for a while, he went to turn on the frying pan.

"May I have this dance my lady?" he asked as the chicken pieces sizzled.

"You may sir."

The pair danced happily in the kitchen, spinning each other around and lifting each other in the air. Well, Ryder pulled Becca up with ease; the blonde didn't have the same luck with her boyfriend. They were so busy dancing with one another that they paid no attention to the food until Becca stopped, sniffing the air.

"Does that smell like burning to you?"

They turned around just in time to see the food burst into flames. It was so sudden that Becca let out a scream, jumping backwards. Ryder rushed into action, grabbing a tea towel and trying to batter the flames down. In a stroke of quickness, Becca filled up a cup of water and poured it all over the flames. They immediately went out, though smoke still filled the kitchen.

Turning off the top, Ryder looked at Becca.

"Frozen pizza?" she suggested.

"Frozen pizza," he agreed, going to get it from the freezer.

Becca threw the chicken pieces in the bin and washed out the pan with cold water. The two busied themselves, though it was fairly easy to do pizza and fries. After twenty minutes, everything was sorted, Becca pouring the wine.

"Want to say grace Becca?"

The blonde nodded, doing the sign of the cross, "Be present at our table Lord. Be here and everywhere adored. These mercies bless and grant that we may feast in fellowship with Thee. Amen."

"Amen. Let's eat."

"I can't believe it's been a year," Becca sipped her drink, "It seems like two minutes since we started dating, a year just seems so insane. Like, I never thought we'd be here, not that I thought we wouldn't last, it was just like getting to the point of dating. I didn't think you'd like me back but when you asked me out, that's when everything changed. We've been together for a year, which is pretty good in high school. No drama apart from like a five day long argument, we've done well. Here's to a year of a phenomenal relationship."

"Cheers," Ryder clinked her glass with his, "To a perfect year with the girl I love the most in the world."

"Love you too dork," she smiled, "This pizza is great."

"As great as it is for frozen pizza, I agree."

"You know what my favourite part of our relationship is?" Becca asked.

"Indulge me."

"When you told me you love me for the first time. It made me feel so warm and special inside because I know that I truly felt the same way," Becca reminisced with a smile, "It was just the best moment of all."

"For me, it was our first time."

"Typical man, all about sex."

"Well, the sex is obviously amazing but it was more than that. For a start, it was the first time I'd ever been intimate and considering how hard the babysitter thing hit me, I never thought I'd be able to do it so soon. Then I fall for a beautiful girl and get to lose my virginity to her. It was a really great experience, not only because we had a great time, but because it was with someone I really care about. I felt normal for the first time since it happened. Having my first time be both actually amazing and with someone I love is incredibly lucky."

Flashback

The sun blazed on Lima on the warm sunny day. After a day in the park, Ryder and Becca had returned home to his house. The two were making out on his bed, not an unusual occurrence. His hands were running through her hair, her lips pressing against his skin.

"We should go further."

Becca pulled away, "Babe, we've had this conversation..."

"Becs, I want to."

"I don't want to force you into something you're not ready for. Everyone should be ready for their first time."

"No, I'm ready for this. We've been together for six months and I love you. We've been honest with each other and being with you made me realise that I won't live my life being held back by an experience that was out of my control and not my fault. I don't want to be going through life without having sexual encounters when I want to and like other people are. Me and you, we're perfect together. I want to lose my virginity, and I want to lose my virginity to you. If this is my first time, then I want it to be with you."

Becca smiled down at him, "Ok."

"Ok," Ryder nodded back.

"I have a condom if you need it," Becca told him as she went towards her bag.

"You're alright thanks; I have one in my drawer."

"Brilliant, let's do this."

Beginning with a passionate kiss, the two began to have sex with each other for the very first time.

End of flashback

"Damn, you even have to spin that into romance," Becca shook her head, "It was pretty great though. I mean, I don't regret being with Kyle but I do wish my first time had been with you instead. It meant I had more experience to bring to it, but I think having both of us lose our virginity to each other instead would have been better. Sex is better with you anyway."

"It would have been nice, but it doesn't matter," Ryder shrugged, "We both get to be with each other and that's awesome. We both found our way to each other, that's the main thing. Yeah, the sex is pretty incredible though. I think you being a cheerleader definitely helps things."

Becca winked at him, "Well babe, tonight is a night that you will never forget."

"Tonight's gonna be a good good night," Ryder sang, "I can't wait to give you your gift."

"You know I'm really curious to know what you've got me."

"You'll love it Becs, I promise."

They continued to eat, laughing and joking as always.

Becca still couldn't get her head around the fact it was her one year anniversary with Ryder. She really did love him, she was lucky that they were together. It was the way he looked at her, that was what she loved the most. His eyes went all warm and mushy, with a delicate look that told her he was going to be with her always. Every day she would feel joy wash over her when Ryder joined her in the corridor, an arm around her shoulder or a hand in hers. She could hug him tightly and feel like all the pain of the world would go away. His touch could make her weak at the knees. No man would compare.

Ryder told terrible jokes, he wasn't smooth and he wasn't always confident, but it was part of the charm. She didn't want someone who acted as though they were already perfect and that they had the right to win her over. Becca loved that he was a dork because he balanced her out, made her into a calmer, cooler person. One of the jerk jocks wouldn't have been good for her. Everytime she looked at him, her heart skipped a beat. God had rewarded her for being a good person, she knew it- He had allowed her to find someone that she was truly content with as a well done for following His word. Becca believed in soulmates, even though the Bible said nothing about it. She didn't know if she and Ryder would make it past graduation, what with them probably going to college across the country from each other, but she still felt he was the one person she would always love. Even if she married someone else in the future, he would always be the first love and perhaps the strongest.

She prayed for him every night, like she did for everyone else. She prayed for everyone- for health and happiness; for Spencer to be accepted in his sexuality and never be victimised for it; for Katie to always be kind and loved; for Bree to continue to grow and for Ryder to overcome his past experiences in order to make his life whole.

Becca took Ryder's hand in hers, pulling it up and kissing his raw knuckles. He smiled back, kissing her temple and resting his head on the top of hers.

"I'll clear these up, dessert?"

Becca nodded, "That'd be great, what have we got?"

"The brownies from Baker's Delights."

"Ooh, they're my favourite," Becca clapped her hands.

"They're like heaven baked into a brownie," Ryder agreed, bringing them on a table, "You know how people say who deserves to live forever? Some say Stan Lee, others say Grumpy Cat. I say eternal life should be bestowed upon whoever bakes these brownies because these are the best things I've ever tasted. If every other store in Lima goes bust, Baker's Delights will go on forever. Not even an apocalypse could tear that down, there would be like a queue of skeletons waiting. Twenty people were in front of me when I was buying these bad boys."

"Well it was so worth it because I'm sure that God above has made this beautiful slice," Becca replied, mouth full, "Holy crap this is good."

"I know," Ryder replied, mouth full also.

"How the hell did you eat that in three bites?"

"I have a big mouth Becs, that's done well for you so far."

"Shut it," Becca slapped his side, "Oh God I am stuffed. Shall we rest for five minutes?"

"Yeah, good idea."

The two lay back against their chairs, patting their stomachs. Ryder went to put everything in the dishwasher before holding out his hand for Becca to take.

She took the hand, following him upstairs into his room. The house was strangely quiet without the Lynns in the house. Ryder was so glad he'd managed to get them out of the house tonight; otherwise the pair would not be doing half of their planned activities. He knew that his folks were very aware of how special the night was. They adored Becca; he knew that- they loved her as a girl, but more so as a girl that could date that son. Well, Becca was the perfect type to bring home to your parents. Liv loved her as well; Becca had always been kind to her.

Becca fumbled in her bag for her package, Ryder getting it from his bedside. As soon as she was on the bed, Becca threw a large blanket around herself.

"You look like ET."

"Thanks babe," she responded, "God this blanket is comfortable, I feel like I'm in a bed with a thousand covers. I can't wait for summer to come along."

"Not cuddle weather though," Ryder corrected.

"True sweetie. Shall we exchange?"

Ryder nodded, passing over his present and Becca passing over hers.

"Jeez, you really did a number on the sticky tape."

"Yeah, I know. My mom was like 'Ryder, I can do it so it's all pretty, stick a bow and a nice tag on it.' Still, I insisted that I do it because it's my gift for you and I want to put my heart and soul in it. So yeah, good luck Becs."

"On three? One...two...three."

Ryder managed to rip open Becca's first, as hers was actually wrapped properly, with the blonde eventually managing to open hers.

For Becca, Ryder had got a songbird shaped necklace with lyrics from the song 'to you, I'll give the world.' In return, Ryder received a large box with a frame that could be put on the wall. Inside was a small Superman Lego toy and a comic book 'POW' drawn behind it. At the top, the words 'you will always be my Superman' were written.

"Oh Ryder it's so cute," she gushed, "I love it, it's so beautiful! Thank you so much."

"You're welcome...oof," Ryder was cut off when Becca leaned over and kissed him passionately, "Thank you Becs for yours, it's really sweet- I'm going to put it up tonight."

"Well you are my Superman, brave, loving and with more power than he believes."

"You're very sweet," Ryder went and played with her hair, "Well, like the necklace says, I want to give the world to you. I really do love you; you have just been the best girlfriend a guy could ask for. Being with you, it's just right you know? You've supported me through so much and always at my side. I've never questioned being with you, ever. I doubt I'll ever love anyone as much as you because you're the one who really holds my heart. You are more than just a 4.0, or Honour Roll, or your SAT scores. So the colleges receive your application. Grades are flawless, they can move onto the next sheet. They see a Cheerio, a charitable student who babysits and tutors others, helps out with dance, like you did in the school musical this year. Great, they say- they've seen how awesome you are, and an acceptance is on its way to your mailbox. But they don't see what I see, what everyone at McKinley does. When your mom isn't feeling well, you look after her- do the stretches with her, just so the pain goes away. When your dad is tired after work, you'll put dinner on; he won't even need to ask. Spencer is your best friend; you are such a great friend to him and to Bree too, and Aimee and Jordan, and everyone else. Look at how you are with Katie, she is going to grow up to be such a great student and cheerleader under you, you've made her become the girl she is today. Everyone at school- well, apart from Kitty but you know what she's like- loves you, you're the girl they all want to be, not just because you're the hot Cheerio who walks like she owns the place. They love you because you inspire them to be more than just who the world thinks they should be. Then there's me, the guy that is lucky enough to be yours. You could have your pick of the litter, yet you choose me. I love you with every piece of me. Yes, you're hot as anything, but I get more than that from you. I get a sweet, bright and fun girl who I just want to be around all the time. More than anything, I wish for another year of high school so I can just be with you and you only."

Becca immediately teared up.

"Dammit Ryder, you're going to ruin my makeup," she wiped her eyes.

"Sorry Becs, c'mere."

She lay against Ryder's chest as he stroked her hair.

"Did you hear about that guy downtown who stole a calendar?"

"No, what happened?"

"He got twelve months."

Becca rolled her eyes, but managed to bring a smile to her face despite the terrible pun. She looked up at him, "You know your jokes are so lame right?"

"Don't lie, I'm hilarious. I'm surprised you haven't suggested a photo yet."

Ryder knew Becca too well; she was a girl who liked her selfies. He found it easy to understand; Becca was a stunning girl and wanted to show herself off in pictures.

"Well now's the time," Becca flipped open her compact, checking to see if her mascara had smudged.

Taking out her phone and handing it to Ryder, the two took a number of selfies. Some were sweet ones with Becca's head on Ryder's shoulder or him kissing her cheek, whilst others were just of them doing silly faces. The two selected the ones they liked.

"What shall I put as a caption?" Becca asked.

"Does it matter?"

"Of course it matters; a good caption makes a post. Now, I know."

Quickly typing, she showed Ryder 'One year with the amazing ryder_lynn. He may have burned the chicken, but it's a perfect anniversary. Love him 3.'

"Perfect babe," Ryder kissed her cheek, "I think we're gonna get a lot of likes, you have more than a few followers."

"With great power comes great responsibility. Might do some song lyrics for the Twitter caption," Becca mused, "It's gonna take a lot to take me away from you."

"There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do," Ryder continued, "Gimme a sec, I'll give us a beat."

Heading off the bed, he went to his drum kit and began the start to the song. Becca lying on the sheets, the two joined in a duet of the classic song. Ryder grinned as he bashed the drums, craning his head slightly so that he could see Becca playfully singing along, arms waving in the air. He couldn't hide the delighted smile on his face, she looked so happy doing it.

Ryder started it up:

I hear the drums echoing tonight

But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation

She's coming in, 12:30 flight

The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation

Becca then jumped in with her sweet voice.

I stopped an old man along the way

Hoping to find some long forgotten words or ancient melodies

He turned to me as if to say, "Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you"

Ryder did the heavy drum beat and they started the chorus together.

It's gonna take a lot to take me away from you

There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do

I bless the rains down in Africa

Gonna take some time to do the things we never had

The wild dogs cry out in the night

As they grow restless, longing for some solitary company

I know that I must do what's right

As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti

I seek to cure what's deep inside, frightened of this thing that I've become

It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you

There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do

I bless the rains down in Africa

Gonna take some time to do the things we never had

Hurry boy, she's waiting there for you

It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you

There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do

I bless the rains down in Africa

I bless the rains down in Africa

(I bless the rain)

I bless the rains down in Africa

(I bless the rain)

I bless the rains down in Africa

I bless the rains down in Africa

(Ah, gonna take the time)

Gonna take some time to do the things we never had

When it was over, Becca clapped enthusiastically.

"If the business degree goes nowhere, I think we might have a rock star on our hands."

"It's more likely I'll get to be a rock star than use my degree in this economy, but thank you," Ryder leaned in to kiss Becca. It quickly got more passionate, the two moving backwards onto the bed. Without a word uttered between them, they began to take each other's clothes off. Ryder awkwardly fumbled with the back of Becca's dress, causing the blonde to laugh and help him out.

"Condom, condom," Ryder muttered, pulling his arm from around Becca and reaching into his cabinet, "You ready to go Becs?"

"Of course I am."

For a couple of hours- having teenage stamina helped- the two enjoyed the passion. Becca loved the feeling of Ryder against her, the sweet kisses against her neck and his hands running through her hair. There was nothing better than the feeling of being with him, just the two of them having sex. Plus, he was very satisfying in that department.

Ryder loved having Becca with him like this, hearing her sweet voice in his ear. He could listen to it all day.

Becca rolled over on her back, pulling the sheets up over her body so that she was covered. Ryder did the same, also panting.

"God I'm sweaty," she moaned, "Right, I need to go pee don't I? I'll put the shower on; call you in when I'm done on the toilet."

"Thanks babe."

Becca pulled Ryder's t-shirt on and went off to the bathroom. Once the shower was on, she called Ryder in. They kissed happily underneath the dancing warm water, Becca using Jessica's expensive shower gel on her body (it smelled perfect). She laughed as Ryder blew some bubbles on her face before making a moustache with them.

"You look like the Pringle can guy," she giggled.

"Wow, aren't you a real doll?"

"Just telling it how it is," she leaned in for a wet kiss, "Come on, we should get out now."

"It's warm though," Ryder pouted.

"Well I thought we could raid your cookie tin, cuddle up and watch videos of people falling over."

"I can show you a thread I read about the funniest injuries, it's really hilarious."

"Bingo," Becca tapped his nose, "C'mon."

They exited the shower, Becca taking Ryder's shirt and putting it on.

"Do you not have your own night stuff?"

"I knew that if I didn't bring some, I'd have to borrow your shirt," she smirked, clearly knowing exactly what she was doing, "I mean, I couldn't exactly sleep in anything less, it's really cold."

"You could sleep in your birthday suit."

"You are so awful Ryder Lynn," Becca shook her head, "Awful. I may get cuddles, but it is still January and in case you didn't know, January is a very cold month."

"Well you're going to have to get used to it Becs. Boston winters are very cold with a lot of snow, learning to wrap up warm is something you need when you get to Harvard."

"There's no guarantee that I'll get in."

"You will; you're a teen genius. I'll get my winter coats ready for when I come visit you."

Becca made a face, "I am not having the college conversation with you on our anniversary. This day should be about presents, sex, cuddles, reminiscing and watching people get wacked in their private areas by planks. Now, you go get the laptop ready with hilarious America's Funniest Home Videos and I will bring us enough cookies to keep our bellies full tonight."

"You know how to charm me, don't you?"

"It's why you love me honey."

Ryder did as asked, Becca returning with a tin of cookies. She went to put her hair up in a bun for bed, but stopped when Ryder started looking her like a sad puppy.

"You want to play with my hair, don't you?"

He nodded at her, making a strange sound. Becca put her hair band on her wrist and lay against Ryder's chest, ready to watch.

GROW APART-

The hours started ticking by, but it was only after Becca let out a giant yawn that both realised it was probably wise to go to bed. They'd spent hours watching hilarious videos, with Becca crying with laughter at the thread Ryder had told her about with the funny injuries. Both of them had belly aches from laughing so hard, gasping for air as humour took over them.

"We should get some sleep I guess," Ryder turned off his laptop.

"Yeah good idea," Becca yawned again, "I'm putting my hair up by the way, no amount of puppy eyes can stop me."

"Fine, I'll take it out when you fall asleep though."

"Ooh, you're a brave man," Becca teased, wrestling her blankets away from Ryder, who pulled them back, "You know I love warm blankets."

"You're in my bed, tough it up."

She rolled her eyes but gave in. Ryder turned off the lamp before settling down to let Becca cuddle into him. She kissed his chest with a smile, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Night Becs, I love you."

"Love you more."

With their anniversary over, the two descended into a blissful sleep.

Chapter 11 is done! I hope you enjoyed the Ryder/Becca romance. I want it to be a good, loving relationship as opposed to more angsty fics with drama and teaching.

Next Time: Becca faces her Harvard interview, a chapter in which I will reveal the inner workings of her mind and what makes her tic. This will lead into a mini arc revolving around college applications for an intelligent, ambitious but slightly perfectionist student.

I have a general draft of what's to come for the story, but I still have a few chapters blank. If you have any specific requests- characters you'd like to see, storylines or anything else, then either add it into the review or DM me with anything. I would appreciate it very much.

Thanks again, I can't wait to see you all for Chapter 12 xxx