AN: So for those of you wondering what Ryan actually looks like, I picture him to look somewhat like model Marlon Teixeira.
and sorry it took so long for an update, I was having computer problems. I'm working on the next chapter and hope to have it out soon!
"So thank you for showing me to your moms class, and for keeping me company." Ryan says as he and Aria walk into the empty classroom. "I didn't do it for you" Aria replies sternly. "Anyway I thought you worked at the Brew" "I do, well until I realized I didn't know anything about being a assistant manager. So Zac demoted me to a server." Ryan says with a awkward chuckle. "And what makes you think you know about being a TA?" She asks with a glare. "Did I do something wrong? Cause you seem mad, and what ever I did I'm truly sorry" Ryan says looking hurt. "So the meeting didn't take as long as I thought it would. Everything okay?" Ella says walking into the classroom and noticing the tension between Aria and Ryan. "Everything is perfect. Aria was just telling me what you were covering in class." Ryan says clearly lying. "Well let me show you" Ella says with a soft smile.
Through out Aria's last two classes she couldn't stop thinking about Ryan's face, when he asked if he had done anything wrong. He looked so hurt, then he turned around and lied to her mom to make sure she wouldn't get in trouble. Part of Aria believed Emily, why would a murder come back to the scene of the crime? It made no sense. But another part of her feels Ryan is hiding something. "So the usual?" Emily asks snapping Aria out of her thoughts. "Huh?" Aria asks confused. "For the test on Friday? The usual pizza and study session at Spencer's? Were you paying attention?" "Sorry I was just thinking. And yeah the usual." Aria says with a nod of her head as the bell rings.
So you think you can handle your first full day tomorrow?" Ella asks Ryan as she erases the chalkboard. "Yeah, it seems easy enough. Besides I was a teenager once, how bad can it be?" Ryan laughs. "Their heads don't spin do they?" Ryan adds as an afterthought making Ella laugh. "No, there is no Linda Blair's." Ella laughs. "Okay good" Ryan smiles. "So you were telling me you went away for a year and half for school. What were you studying?" Ella asks taking a seat at her desk. "Well in all honesty I wasn't in school." Ryan says nervously. "I was actually getting surgery. I'm transgender" He says looking away from Ella, scared to see her reaction. "I understand if you no longer wish to work with me. It wouldn't be the first time. I just felt safe telling you" He says letting a few tears fall.
After a few minutes Ella speaks. "Like I was saying there's no Linda Blair's, but there is a Megan Cooper, and sometimes if you look closely her head spins." Ella says making Ryan chuckle as she gets up and walks over to him. "My feeling about you Ryan, hasn't changed. You're still a Goodman. I can see it in your eyes." Ella says hugging him.
"Am I interrupting something?" Aria asked walking into the classroom and seeing her mom hugging Ryan. "No. I was just leaving" Ryan says before quickly walking out of the room. "What was that about?" Aria asked pointing over her shoulder. "Nothing, just reassuring him he can do this job." Ella lied. "Was there something you needed?" She asks putting upgraded papers in her bag to take home. "Yeah, I was wondering if you wanted to go to dinner tonight?" Aria asks hopefully. "Actually, I have some tests to grade, so I can't. Maybe tomorrow?" "Sure." Aria smiles before walking out, and bumping into Ryan. "Sorry, I just forgot my jacket." Ryan smiles weakly. "It's okay. About earlier. I want to apologize-" "For what? I don't remember you doing anything wrong" "Ah Ryan! You forgot this." Ella says walking up behind Aria and handing him his jacket. "Thank you. Well I better get going. You two ladies have a nice night." Ryan smiles. "You too Ryan." Ella smiles as Ryan walks away. "I want you to promise me something" Ella says looking at Aria once Ryan is out of eyesight. "Sure." "Try and be nice to Ryan. He's been through a lot and can use some good people in his life" Aria swallowed the lump of guilt in her throat before answering. "I'll try" "Thanks. Now I have to go, these papers aren't going to grade themselves." Ella says walking away.
Ryan walked out of the school and across the street to his car. He stopped in his tracks when he saw someone leaning against his door waiting for him. "Jason" "I heard you were back in town. Got to say I'm hurt you didn't come by and say hi." "We didn't exactly part on good terms" Ryan says walking closer with his keys in his hand. "Well, you did give me a broken rib." Ryan unlocks his car door as Jason steps aside. "What do you want Jason?" Ryan growls. "Temper Temper, you haven't changed Ryan. No matter how much you like to think you have" Ryan opens his car door and gets in. "Just go back where you came from. You're not welcome here" Jason says slightly leaning into Ryan car window. Ryan just drives off.
"Alright guys, this is Ryan. He's going to be my new TA. So be nice." Ella says as she get's the classes attention. Ryan gives a shy smile. "For now, you can just sit in the back and grade what papers I didn't get to last night." Ella says handing him a small stack of papers. Ryan nods and makes he way to the empty desk in the back of the class. Ignoring the stares he starts grading the small stack.
Through out class Aria keeps looking out of the corner of her eyes at Ryan. She had to make things right with him, not just for her mom but for herself. She still hasn't gotten his hurtful expression out of her mind. He had looked like a small little boy who had just lost his favorite toy. The loud ring of the bell snaps her back to reality, looking down at her paper she realizes she hadn't taken any notes. Sighing in frustration she jams her notebook in her bag and makes her way out of the classroom.
"Everything okay?" Ella asks seeing Ryan frozen and pale. "I have to go" Ryan stutters out as he rushes out of the empty classroom, leaving behind a concerned and confused Ella. Ryan was seething, and scared, but mostly he wanted answers. He knew exactly how to get them.
Aria was putting her books in her locker listening to Spencer Emily and Hanna talk about some knew TV show, when Ryan walks up behind her. "Follow me" He growled as he took her arm and dragged her to the empty class by her locker. "What's going on?" Spencer, Emily and Hanna ask walking in and shutting the door. Aria walks over to the girls putting as much space between her and Ryan as she can. "I don't know how you found out, but I swear when I find out you'll regret it. You and your friends better stay away from me" Ryan says throwing something at Aria before storming out and slamming the door behind him. "Okay what the hell was that all about?" Hanna says looking at Aria, who looked terrified. "Guys, you need to see this" Emily says holding the piece of paper Ryan threw at them. It was a picture of Melissa and a few of her friends freshmen year. Poor Ryan, even with surgery you're still not one of the boys-A Emily flips the picture over notices that it's glued to Aria's test.