Ryder's Girl
Set after the Worst Couple
Jade stormed off to her car. She always says things she does not mean, but this time, he made it very clear that he did mean to break up. She got in her car and stared at the dashboard in disbelief. "It's okay Jade. He'll come back to you. He'll apologize and say he still loves you." Jade whispered to herself, " We're just on a well deserved break." After all, distance makes the heart grow fonder.
Except it didn't.
Jade tried her best to hold on to hope. However, it hurt like hell when Beck made a move on her 'friend' Tori. Her hope was still intact when he gave her a meaningful gaze. Maybe we still need more time.
More time passed between the two, but the distance became more evident yet it hurt less. Then she found out he went on a date with Tori. Her curiosity got the best of her and she had to see it. She found them at the veterinary hospital. She barged in to confront them, but she was at a loss of words. They didn't need to tell her anything because it wasn't any of her business.
"I'm okay with it." Jade said, surprising herself. She left in a hurry. She needed to leave. In a way she had been preparing herself mentally to let go. It scared her to think she did not love him as much anymore, because it meant he did not love her as much either.
Then Meredith Happened
She overheard Beck tell Tori how no guy would ask her out because they're too scared. She preferred it that way. A guy who can challenge her is exactly what she needed, not one who catered to her demands.
Then they paid a guy off. Pissed as hell, she chased after her supposed friends. That's when she found out… it was all because of Meredith. The girl whom Beck always told her never to worry about. The girl who always loved Beck, long before her. She felt defeated. Her last glimmer of small hope that she had was eradicated. She went home and cried for the first time since the break up.
Saturday Morning
Jade was at Cafe Brew for her regular dose of coffee. It was an unknown cafe hidden in the corner of an alleyway. Perfect. She did not want to be seen by her high school friends. As she got her black coffee with 2 sugars she went to her usual table only to find it already occupied. It was her favorite spot in the whole cafe because she can watch people. She considered it for a moment and without thinking, she took a seat. The person occupying the desk looked up and gave a warm smile.
"You're in my spot." Jade said cooly. The owner of piercing blue eyes chuckled. "Your name's not written here West." "Just so we're clear, I'm permitting you to sit there Daniels. I'm not in the mood to argue." Jade retorted. Her eyes drifted to the passersby. Ryder smiled and continued typing away on his laptop. After an hour, Ryder looked up again to find Jade still gazing at the people walking past the alley. "Hey Jade?" Ryder asked. Jade set her sights on him with an eyebrow raised. "Raina's throwing a debut of James Wan's new horror movie at her house tonight. Would you like to go? All of the HA A-listers will be there, you know, your old crew." Ryder said. Jade blinked a couple of times. She and Ryder were never close enough as friends. They had several mutual friends in common, but never really talked. Usually Jade would scoff, roll her eyes and quote Cher's iconic 'As If!' But she missed her old crew. Her realest friend Raina and Alex's sarcastic sense of humor. She even missed Cody and his conspiracy theories. Raina Ann never approved of Beck. She was always suspicious of pretty boys, especially when she had her heart broken by one. As Jade's relationship with Beck grew more serious, her friendship was put on hold. Jade met Ryder's electric blue eyes, "Do you think she'd like for me to go." Jade asked meekly. Ryder burst in a wide grin, "Yes! Believe it or not, she misses her homegirl!" Ryder jokes. "Okay then. On the condition you buy me lunch, I'm starving." Ryder rolled his eyes, "Nozu it is."
"I have a question for you." Jade said while biting into a mango roll, "I know you're crazy talented. Why did you use girls to do all the work for you in class?" Ryder grew serious and rolled his eyes. "I lost a bet to freaking Cody Wilde. As punishment I had to get 10 girls to do projects for me. Tori was girl #6. Luckily she embarrassed me on an epic level that Cody, being so merciful, ended the punishment." Ryder sighed slightly annoyed. Jade laughed out loud. She forgot how cruel Cody was with his punishments. Everything made sense now. She almost pitied Ryder for having to go through with the punishment. Just then a video was snapped of the duo and posted on the Slap.
Beck
Beck was trying to pay attention to Meredith. Something about new flavors for the cupcake shop. He tried to keep up but grew bored and tuned her out after she listed cranberry cinnamon. He pulled out his phone to check his Slap page. He found a couple new video posts from Tori and Andre, a message from Robbie to bring butter socks, and then he went to the trending page. There he found a video clip of Jade at Nozu with… Ryder Daniels. Beck played the video. All he could see was Jade listening intently to whatever Ryder was saying and then she burst out laughing. Beck furrowed his brow. Jade rarely laughs. She'll laugh if someone is in pain, but she rarely laughs at words. That's why she gets along with Cat so well… because she takes her words seriously. Why the hell was she with Ryder to begin with?!
Jade
Jade surprisingly hung out with Ryder all day. She can see why her old crew liked to hang out with him. He was super laid back and zero drama. She could imagine Ryder and Cody getting into it with conspiracy theories, Ryder and Raina bonding over their mutual hatred of pistachios, and she can imagine Alex making rude comments and Ryder correcting her. No wonder he's an A-lister. He embodied everything A-listers are, confident, bold, and not afraid of failure. "How long have you been hanging out with the Juniors Daniels?" "Oh you don't know? Ever since my best friend Cody Wilde started dating Alex." Jade perked up," What?! Those 2?!" It was… PERFECT! They complimented each other so well. Jade then realized that she really did miss her old crew.
Raina's House
Jade was nervous, but Ryder nudged her forward. She sighed and rang the doorbell. Raina opened the door and eyed Jade warily. The blonde beauty then gave Jade a huge bear hug. "About dang time, babe." Raina said. Jade hugged her back, taking in her fresh perfume. She felt at home.
Over the next couple of weeks, Jade sat with the A-listers. She reconnected and was laughing more often. She was starting to enjoy life more and slowly, but surely, she got her groove back. She still talked to Tori, Cat, and team, but it was more small talk. Rumors of her and Ryder were circling over campus, but Jade didn't really care for it, or mind it. As long as she has friends like Raina and Alex by her side, she can manage.
5 years later
Jade returned home for the summer. After 6 blockbuster horror movies, she needed a break. She went up to her old room and a box caught her eye. She opened it to find a bunch of high school memories. There were pictures of her and Beck, Tori, Cat Robbie, Andre. There were more pics of her with Raina, Ryder, Alex and Cody. Jade sat down and looked through them all.
Alex & Cody
Their wedding was last year. It was a media spectacular. It rivaled Kim K's 2nd marriage to that football guy. Only difference is they lasted longer than 72 days. Jade cracked a smile. It took Alex forever to convince Cody that marriage is not a conspiracy by the government to put primal instincts above cognitive evolution.
Raina
Raina was currently on a promotional tour for her new series, Twins. It was her 8th tv show that promises to be a hit. She promised Raina they will always go to Hawaii for a week every year to catch up. So far, both girls pulled through.
Cat
Cat became a household name in the popstar world. Which is very well deserved. Cat used to be her roommate for some time, so both of them were still very close.
Robbie
He became a well known actor. Starring in comedy hits one after another. Jade still kept in touch with him surprisingly. He still had a great sense of humor.
Andre
Jade sighed. Andre was super busy as a producer. They unfortunately stopped communicating but she wished him the best.
Tori
She hadn't kept in touch with Tori. She opted out of being famous to settle in for mom life. In a way, it suited her.
Beck
Jade lingered on his photo. They've never returned to being friends after the breakup. They were both cordial to each other, but the love was gone.
Ryder
He remembers the first time he talked to her. She sat down, claimed the table as her own, and looked out the window to watch people. He looked at his finished script. He cracked a smile and opened a new document.
Today Jadelyn August West sat down, willingly at a table that I am already seated at. I heard she and Oliver Boy were through. Could this be the universe giving me a chance at a better life? I watched the suite life on deck recently, and Cody Martin Kid made a 5 year plan… I wonder if those work. Raina has been talking about Jade a lot lately, maybe I'll reconnect them. Maybe I'll just list it out…
1.) Reconnect her with A-listers
2.) Become an integral part of her life
3.) Ask her out
4.) Date in blissful happiness for 3 years
5.) Propose to her at the same cafe you fell for her at
Ryder smiled. He just needed to check off the last box, which he will… tonight.