Hello my lovelies!

So I've been indecisive about some things in this story. What I mean by that is that, whether every POV switch-off I should continue with the story or re-tell the previous chapter in the other person's POV.

Tell me what you think but I'm leaning toward the first option but re-telling major points in the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters (except for a couple) but I do own the plot

Anyway, sorry to delay this chapter and onwards with the story

Marley's POV

Shit. Shit. Shit!

Out of all the places Ryder had to sit, of course it was next to me. And the first thing he says to me after 4 years was questioning my name?! Seriously? I mean not one phone call, text, e-mail. But it's not like I care right? He left me.

I looked over to Unique who was wiggling her eyebrows at me, so I rolled my eyes and avoided everything and anything that was Ryder. But it was really hard. And to be honest, the first thing I wanted to do as soon as he said my name was cry. Pathetic, I know. It's just been so long since I've seen him in person. Yes, I have photos but it's not the same. It never is.

"Okay, class! My name is Miss Holiday and the first thing we will do in this class is introduce yourselves to your permanent history partners," She shouted across the class. Everyone simultaneously groaned in annoyance.

I turned to Ryder who looked at me with his brown eyes. "Ummm," he stalled. "Hi, I'm Ry-"

I cut him off. "Look we already know each other, we don't have to introduce ourselves, this is downright stupid," I snapped. I didn't mean to say that as harsh as it came out but his look didn't waver.

I looked up at the clock and saw that there was 2 minutes left of class.

"Marley, I'm so sorry that I left without calling or texting or anything," he pleaded. I could tell he was waiting for me to say something but I didn't. If I did I would break.

BRIIIIING!

As soon as the bell rang, I booked it. I got to my locker to see Kitty standing right in front of it. Waiting for…me. How did she get there before me?

"Don't look so surprised Honey Boo Boo," she said in a sing-song voice. "Yes, I got out of there after you, but your fat was probably weighing you down,"

"What do you want?" I demanded.

Her face softened. "Look, although I really don't like you," she mused. "I've had an epiphany. See, my cousin was bullying this girl who was weirdly like you, anyway she killed herself and although again I don't like you… I don't hate you either." She looked up at me waiting for my response.

"Kitty, thanks for apologizing but I know you. What do you want?"

"Fine. I really want to leave this school on a high note. So I've decided to be nice to people. Oh, and my friend Bree really likes Jake so she wants you to tell him off"

"You're leaving?"

"Well, obviously" she said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. As soon as she realized what I was insinuating she added quickly "when I graduate, I mean"

"I'll tell Jake off, but he's probably passed out in the lounge, plus I've told him many times before. I need help." Kitty smiled.

"Don't worry, Bree and I got this, we just needed your consent" she then skipped away.

Throughout the rest of the day, I found out Ryder was in all my freaking classes. But before he could talk to me I ran to Rosie's the local diner that opened a couple months ago. I knew Ryder wouldn't really know about it until a month later.

Rosie's was located on the other side of town from the high school, where a bunch of the newer houses were, so no one really knew about it except for the "newsies" of the town. Most of the high schoolers went to The Lima Bean which was closer and more accessible from McKinley.

As I walked in, the scent of bread, coffee and tea washed over me. Bennie and Meredith were behind the counter kissing while there was no work to be done. They beckoned me over when they saw me.

"Hey, Hon" Meredith greeted. "How was your day?"

"Fine." I breathed. I was running from the school so I was panting.

Meredith gave me a look but I pretended not to notice. She's 24 years old so she still knows what it's like in high school. But while she was in college she met Bennie who is two years older than her. They both grew up in Lima, but they hated the Lima Bean so they opened Rosie's and hired me.

"Put your hair up and put your apron on," Bennie ordered in a stern voice. But he came over to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek so I knew he wasn't really mad. He's like my older brother so I don't mind.

I'm a waitress/chef but I get paid a decent amount to support both my mom and save for college. Though, not going to college seems like the option I'm leaning towards right now, but more from force than want. I sighed and walked over to the customers who just recently sat down.

"Hello, I'm Marley your waitress for the day. What would you like to drink?" I inquired with a bored undertone in my voice.

They left soon after their meal was finished. I sat down at the counter and let out an upset sigh.

"Okay," Meredith said annoyed. She pulled Bennie over to the counter on the other side of me by the register and continued. "Spill."

"What?" I questioned. I was genuinely confused about she was asking.

"You've been moping around for the past 5 hours. You say everything is fine, but you sigh every time a love song plays on the radio. Therefore, spill"

"Ryder came back to Lima. And he sat next to me in every class because the teacher's always put me with the new kids. It's like maybe my goody-two shoes reputation would rub off on them. Or give them a false representation of McKinley"

Bennie's eyes were filled with sympathy. Both of their eyes were. They knew about my past with Ryder so they knew how much it hurt me to see him again. Besides Unique, they were my only friends. And I guess now Kitty is my friend, but I'm not really sure.

Before either of them could say anything else, the bell rang. And in walked Ryder.

I looked back at them and whispered "It's Ryder"

"Do you want me to take his orders?" Bennie offered.

I shook my head and responded while still staring at Ryder "It's my section."

"Hey," I stated awkwardly. He looked up at me with his big brown eyes that made my heart melt once again, without plan. "What would you like to order?

"Umm… the Rueben with iced tea." He replied cautiously. I couldn't blame him with the way I was treating him earlier.

"Sweetened?" I asked him for his tea. He nodded and as he finished up his food, I finished up my shift.

I counted the money and closed the diner. Bennie and Meredith lived in the house next Rosie's so they went home early and let me close the diner by myself for once.

"Can I walk with you?" I asked Ryder as he was leaving.

He looked at me for a second, before looking around making sure he wasn't being played. Then he nodded. And we left the dark Rosie's behind together.

So this might be a weird place to end it. But I wanted to do this next part in Ryder's POV because I need to show you guys Ryder's realization on…things.

Anyway, Rosie's and Meredith and Bennie are based on Speechless by Hannah Harrington's Lou and the other guy that I forget his name.

Goodbye, my lovelies.

P.S. I plan to have the chapter up either later today or tomorrow. No promises though :D