Thanks for the reviews :) I'm glad you guys are liking the story. Well here is the next chapter, I hope you enjoy :)
"No pleasure, no expressions just an illusion of what should of but wasn't"
Stephanie stared intently at the slim blonde hair girl as she giggled and smacked the sandy blonde haired man on the chest. The girl was obviously better than her; she had all the guy's attention at the table where she sat.
"Damn, you trying to kill your mashed potatoes with your fork or are you just pretending it's her?" Asked the tall black haired guy standing in front of her. Stephanie hadn't realized anyone had walked up to her table or that she had been repeatedly stabbing her mashed potatoes with her fork.
"I'm not sure yet" replied Stephanie with a blank voice.
"Well do you mind if I sit here McMahon?" Asked the black haired boy curiously arching his eyebrow at her.
"What you don't want to sit with your best friend Paul and the all so lovely blonde over there?" Stephanie asked.
"Not really. If I have to hear another thing about what makeup or outfit she's going to wear tomorrow I'm going to shoot myself, or her."
"Sure I don't mind" giggled Stephanie as he sat across from her. Ryder was one of Paul's other best friends. Stephanie and Ryder never really talked though, or were ever really friends. It's not because they hated each other or anything, it's just Ryder was more reserved. Plus Stephanie hadn't really socialized with anyone but Paul.
"If it makes you feel any better she's jealous of you too" said Ryder breaking Stephanie out of her thoughts.
"What?" Asked Stephanie confused.
"Nikki, she is jealous of you too. Why do you think Paul stopped talking and hanging out with you as much?" Ryder asked staring into her eyes.
"I'm not jealous of her" lied Stephanie trying to brush off how she felt.
"Sure. You can fool Paul, but you can't fool anyone else McMahon. It's obvious."
"You don't know me, and it's not jealousy. I'm mad because I feel like I've lost my best friend because of her" lied Stephanie looking down at her tray of food.
"Okay. Looks like you don't want to talk about it, which is fine. I'm not into getting in other's people's business or mushy feelings. I'm just stating that if you are jealous of her then don't worry because she is just as jealous of you" stated Ryder shrugging.
Just hearing that made Stephanie feel a little better. It had been weeks since the night Paul told her they couldn't hang out as much and he kept to his word, which didn't surprise Stephanie. Paul was a man of his word. She had been trying to slowly get over Paul in the past few weeks but it seemed harder every d ay, especially having to see Paul and Nikki together every day. Also she was alone now most of the time and had too much free time to think.
"So McMahon you any good at Math?" Asked Ryder curiously looking at her again.
"I suppose. I'm managing an A" replied Stephanie as Ryder nodded his head. "Why?"
"Well surprise I'm failing Math. Well it's not really a surprise" Ryder chuckled.
"Hmmm… Yeah it's not really a surprise since you ditch half of your classes" replied Stephanie.
"Hey I'm off making a difference in the world."
"By vandalizing walls with graffiti?"
"If I don't do it, who will?" Asked Ryder with a smirk with amusement in his blue eyes. Stephanie rolled her eyes and smiled.
"So does this question with Math have a point?" Asked Stephanie.
"Well I know you're on the honor roll and your smart and all. I was wondering if you could tutor me" Ryder asked in a serious tone.
"Why me?" Stephanie asked curiously.
"I know you're not going to ridicule me for asking and if Paul can trust you then so can I" answered Ryder honestly.
"Why do care about your grades all of a sudden?"
"Well there is the senior year field trip that is coming up and I would honestly like to go. Also I don't want to repeat my senior year."
"Okay I'll do it" replied Stephanie. She didn't have anything else to do now that Paul wasn't around and maybe doing something could keep her mind off of things.
"You have to make a deal with me McMahon" said Ryder staring into her eyes with intensity that it felt like he was burning a hole through her.
"What's that?" Asked Stephanie nervously.
"You can't tell anyone that you're tutoring me. I don't want my reputation ruined" stated Ryder.
"You mean you're bad boy reputation?" Asked Stephanie amused as he arched his eyebrow at her. "Don't worry; I won't utter a word to anyone about it."
"Cool. So what time can I come to your place?" Asked Ryder as Stephanie's eyes got wide.
"Why do need to come to my place?"
"To study, I can't do it in public" stated Ryder.
"Oh yeah, well is there anywhere else we can do it?" Asked Stephanie as Ryder started chuckling. "What is so funny?"
"We can do it wherever you want McMahon, but we have to find a place to study" joked Ryder.
"In your dreams" sneered Stephanie as she finally realized what she said and how Ryder took the comment.
"It was a joke, lighten up McMahon. Why can't we just study at your place?"
"Honestly? If I walk into my house with you my parents will grill me with questions and I honestly don't want to deal with that today."
"That's cool. We can go to my place and study. It's no big deal" shrugged Ryder.
"Okay. I guess I will meet you after school at your car" said Stephanie as she grabbed her lunch tray from the table and left.
Ryder picked up his lunch tray a couple of minutes later after Stephanie had left and threw it away. He made his way out of the cafeteria and was almost to his car when he heard his name being called. Ryder turned around to see Paul jogging up to him.
"What was that all about?" Paul asked a little irritated.
"Hey man its nice talking to you too since we haven't in awhile…."
"Cut the bullshit attitude Ryder" said Paul even more irritated.
"What was what all about?" Ryder asked confused.
"You haven't sit with me at lunch in awhile, and today you sit with Stephanie all of sudden. You two aren't even really friends. What is up with that?"
"I can't stand hearing another word about makeup and clothes from your girlfriend. It never was like that before. It used to be us guys with the exception of Stephanie. Stephanie never talked about girly stuff and was never annoying like your girlfriend. So sue me for sitting with Stephanie at lunch today, I just wanted a normal conversation for a change" explained Ryder.
"I'm sorry man, I didn't mean to jump down your throat" apologized Paul feeling guilty. "Everything has changed and when I seen you and Steph talking, it made me want to be over there engaging in the conversation too. I miss hanging out with just you guys sometimes."
"Are you sure that's it?" Asked Ryder with a smirk.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Paul asked.
"Are you sure it was just because you miss talking to us or is because you're jealous because I was talking to Stephanie?"
"Well maybe I was a little jealous you were talking to Stephanie because I really don't get to much anymore. She is my best friend and maybe you will take my place as her best friend, but if you're thinking I'm jealous because of any other reason, you're wrong" explained Paul.
"Okay. I was just making sure and I'm not going to replace you as Stephanie's new best friend so don't worry about it. You need to actually start acting like her best friend again if you want my honest opinion" replied Ryder as Paul felt guilty. Paul knew he hadn't been a good friend lately to Stephanie at all.
"I know. Right now I'm trying to show Nikki that she can trust me and that nothing is going on between me and Steph" explained Paul.
"You don't have to explain to me. I'm not the one you're hurting and it doesn't make up for how much of a bad friend your being right now."
"I deserve that" replied Paul feeling even worse about himself.
"If you want me to sit with you at lunch sometimes then you're going to have to make your girlfriend stop being so annoying" said Ryder with amusement in his voice as Paul smiled.
"She can be pretty annoying" laughed Paul. "She is great though."
"I'll take your word for that" said Ryder sarcastically as Paul shook his head and laughed. Ryder smirked and opened the door to his car.
"Where you going?" Asked Paul curiously.
"I'm going to ditch my next class, I have some productivity to do outside of school at the moment" laughed Ryder as Paul shook his head in disapproval but smiled at his friend. He knew him all too well to judge. Nothing would change Ryder.
"Have fun" laughed Paul as he walked back into school and Ryder peeled out of the school parking lot.
A Couple Of Hours Later…..
The last bell rang as Stephanie made her way out of the classroom and into the hall. It was crowded of course everyone was hyped. It was now the beginning of the weekend. Everyone was excited for a little freedom and partying. Stephanie pushed her way through the crowd and made it to her locker shoving her books into her locker and reaching in and grabbing her Math textbook. Stephanie shoved the textbook into her backpack and zipped it as she looked up the hall where her eyes landed on Paul and Nikki flirting and kissing. Nikki giggled as Paul broke the kiss and swept a lock of her blonde hair behind her ear. Stephanie felt another little piece of her heart break as she watched. Stephanie slammed her locker door and walked as fast as she could out of the building. She couldn't take looking at them anymore. Stephanie walked outside of the building feeling better that she got away from the torturous scene; Stephanie looked ahead to the black corvette that Ryder was sitting in. She felt relieved to see him. Ryder knew she was in love with Paul and Ryder hated Nikki half as much as she did. Stephanie definitely felt like she had found a friend who might just understand. Maybe she had someone to confide in after all. Stephanie smiled as walked to his car and opened the passenger side door and climbed in.
"Let the pain and torture begin" groaned Ryder.
"Being around me is that much torture for you?" Asked Stephanie.
"No it's not you, it's the math" laughed Ryder as he started the engine of the car and sped out of the school parking lot.
As soon as they were on the road Ryder lit up a cigarette.
"You smoke?" Asked Stephanie surprised.
"Yeah. I'm surprised you didn't already assume I did" joked Ryder. "Does it bother you?"
"I guess not" replied Stephanie as he continued to smoke his cigarette.
"So you've never smoked?" Asked Ryder looking over at her as she shook her head no. "Have you ever drank alcohol or anything?"
"I had a sip of some of my mom's champagne one time when I was fifteen. She seen me and took it away. I was curious but I haven't tried since then" answered Stephanie a little embarrassed. She felt lame all of sudden.
"Really? Miss McMahon is a goody two shoes" joked Ryder "I can't believe you haven't drunk alcohol at the parties Paul dragged you to."
"I guess partying isn't really my scene" replied Stephanie.
"Oh God, you really are a goody two shoes" laughed Ryder.
"Does that mean you can't hang out with me?" Teased Stephanie.
"No we can hang out, just not in front of anyone. I can't have people think I'm turning into a loser" joked Ryder.
"Funny" said Stephanie sarcastically as Ryder smiled and shook his head and flipped his cigarette out the window.
"You really need to chill McMahon and take a joke. You need to loosen up. I'm going to have to get you drunk one time."
"Ah so you're trying to be a bad influence on me?" Joked Stephanie.
"Maybe" smirked Ryder as Stephanie rolled her eyes.
A few minutes later they pulled up to Ryder's house. It was a quiet little neighborhood. Ryder's house was a small little white house. There was a small porch swing on the right side of the porch. It wasn't something Stephanie would picture Ryder living. She didn't really know what she expected Ryder's house to be like originally. Probably something with graffiti on the front of the house.
"You going to just sit here or we going to go inside?" Asked Ryder looking over at her.
"Sorry" said Stephanie as she grabbed her backpack and got out of the car. Ryder started up to the house in front of her as she followed behind. He opened the screen door as they stepped in.
"I'm home" called Ryder as he went to the refrigerator and grabbed a Dr. Pepper. "You want something?"
"I'll take a Dr. Pepper" said Stephanie as Ryder grabbed another one.
"How was school?" Asked a soft female voice from what Stephanie assumed to be the living room.
"Same as every other day really" answered Ryder as he went into the living room and Stephanie followed him. "How was your day?"
"It was fine. I'm feeling good today" replied the lady sitting on the couch as Ryder smiled and leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.
"That's good mom, I'm glad you're feeling good. This is my friend Stephanie. Stephanie this is my mom Charlene" introduced Ryder.
"Hi, it's nice to meet you" greeted Stephanie with a smile.
"It's nice to meet you too dear. I'm so glad to meet one of Ryder's friends" replied Charlene with a sweet smile. Stephanie couldn't help but smile back. The little woman was friendly and very tiny, Stephanie could tell when she seen her that she was very sick.
"Well mom, me and Stephanie are going to go to my room and study. Do you need me to get you anything?" Asked Ryder.
"No sweetie I'm fine for now" replied Charlene.
"We will be in my room then" replied Ryder as he headed down the hallway with Stephanie following closely behind.
Ryder opened the door to his bedroom and flopped down on his bed. Stephanie closed the door behind her and sit on the edge of his bed. It was silent for a few moments. Stephanie wanted to break the silence but it was awkward and she didn't know what to say.
"My mom has cancer" said Ryder breaking the silence. "You're the first person to come to my house. It's obvious to see that she's sick."
"I'm sorry" apologized Stephanie.
"I don't bring people over here, not because I'm ashamed or anything. I don't want people feeling pity for me" explained Ryder as Stephanie nodded her head. Ryder was looked at as a bad boy in school. He was always getting detention or suspension; he wanted to look like a hard ass.
"So why did you decide to bring me?" Asked Stephanie curiously.
"We needed a place to study and I knew you wouldn't crack jokes about how I'm not all that much of a hard ass like Paul would."
"I see. So where is your dad? If you don't mind me asking."
"My dad bailed on us when I was ten. I haven't seen him since. I don't really want to" replied Ryder.
"So you're taking care of your mom on your own?" Asked Stephanie.
"Yeah pretty much" replied Ryder. Stephanie then realized that Ryder was having a hard time and maybe he did the things he did to rebel. It looked like he had a lot to take on that he couldn't feel like a normal teenage boy. Behind the tough exterior was actually a sweet guy, who would have known?
"When I told you about wanting to do better in school because I wanted to go on that senior field trip, which was true. I mostly want to do this though because I want my mom to see me graduate while she still has time" explained Ryder.
"Hmmm…it all clicks together now" said Stephanie.
"Yeah just don't tell anyone…"
"Because it will ruin your reputation" finished Stephanie mocking him.
"Exactly" replied Ryder with a laugh.
"Well are you ready to start studying?" Asked Stephanie.
"Yeah, do the best you can to make this look easy for me" joked Ryder as Stephanie brought the Math textbook out.
A Couple Of Hours Later…
Ryder was taking Stephanie home. It was dark out now but it was the worth studying that long for Stephanie at least. It got her mind off of Paul and she had actually had fun. It was actually easy to talk to Ryder, like it used to be for her to talk to Paul. Stephanie was lost in thought as they pulled up to her house.
"Well here you go McMahon, home safely" smirked Ryder.
"I am so shocked" replied Stephanie sarcastically with a smile.
"I actually had fun" replied Ryder.
"Me too" smiled Stephanie.
"So…."
"What?" Asked Stephanie.
"I know you're going through a hard time right now. I just want to say if you need a friend to chill with you have me" answered Ryder with a smile.
"Thanks" replied Stephanie.
"Also there is going to be a small get together at one of my friend's house tomorrow night. If you want to go I could pick you up because you really need to get out instead of mope around."
"I don't…."
"Yes you do" interrupted Ryder as Stephanie sighed.
"Fine. I'll go" replied Stephanie.
"I'll pick up at eight tomorrow night then" smirked Ryder as Stephanie got out of the car. Stephanie started up to her house as Ryder drove away.
"Steph" called a familiar voice. Stephanie turned around not really knowing what to expect.