Ryder knows that his new friendship with Jake is shaky. Any small thing could disrupt the precarious understanding they've reached. When Jake tells him about his date with Marley, he can tell he's thinking the same thing. He's expecting Ryder to freak out at him for it, to spaz, for things to go back to the way they were.

But Ryder doesn't. After all, he knows it's Marley's choice about who she dates. Besides, he wasn't ever really all that interested in her anyway. He was just trying to protect her from Jake and his womanizing ways. But Ryder has to admit that he trusts Jake now, so he doesn't worry about Marley dating him.

So why is part of him so against the idea then?

'Hey, sorry about that,' Mike calls over to Ryder as he re-enters the classroom. Ryder looks up, emerging from the thoughts that were distracting him while Mike was talking to Tina in the hallway. By their heated tones, Ryder guessed they were either arguing or confessing their undying love for each other.

'Nah, that's ok,' he replies. 'I mean, girls, what can you do?'

Mike nods in agreement, thinking for a moment. 'Speaking of girls, how are things going with Marley?'

'They're not,' Ryder replies, slightly confused.

Mike seems even more confused. 'But I thought you were dating. I – I could've sworn I saw you kissing backstage.'

'Oh yea,' Ryder agrees, 'that happened. But she's seeing Jake now.'

'Wow, that's underhand,' Mike responds. 'I mean, I always knew Jake was a tool, but stealing Marley out from right under you?'

Ryder shakes his head, tries to set things straight. 'No, it's really not like that. Jake's actually a pretty cool guy. And it was completely Marley's decision. I guess her and I just weren't meant to be.'

Mike looks at him sceptically. 'Why aren't you cut up about this? Last I heard, you and Jake hated each other.'

'Yea we did, but we're friends now. Turns out that fighting over Marley was a waste of time.'

Mike still doesn't seem convinced. 'Look, dude, all I'm saying is that I don't trust the guy. You need to be careful.'

Ryder thinks for a moment, tries to work out how to respond without overreacting. 'Look, Mike, I appreciate your advice, but I think I've got it sussed. Jake's a completely different guy from what he first seems.'

'Well, if you're sure,' Mike shrugs. 'So, what girl do you have your eye on, then?'

Xxx

Ryder glances over at Jake as they watch the Gangnam Style clip through for a third time. He's grateful for his help, because there is no way he would have been able to master this dance on his own. He just hopes that Jake's teaching will be able to make a difference. But as he remembers the way Jake had been dancing just moments before, he has suspicions that it'll make all the difference. He still can't believe that Jake threw the competition just for some silly joke he made.

As the clip comes to an end, Jake turns to face him, straddles the bench in an exact mirror of Ryder's. 'So are you ready to give the dancing another go?' he asks, leaning forwards. Ryder can't help but notice how close their knees are, the way they brush together slightly.

'I really think I'd be better learning the words first,' he insists, not willing to make any more of a fool of himself.

'Ah, right, of course,' Jake laughs, 'apple pies and all.' Ryder laughs along with him, but he can't stop an unwanted image of Jake flashing through his mind. He shakes his head, tries to clear it of thoughts of pies.

'Alright, fine,' he agrees reluctantly, 'teach me your secret ways then.'

Jake grins broadly in response, standing up and holding out his hands. Ryder takes them, lets himself be pulled up. Jake leads him back to the mirror where they stand side-by-side.

'Just try and follow my moves,' Jake tells him, before counting them in. Ryder watches him in the mirror and tries to copy him, but he feels so unco. And he can feel Jake watching him in return.

They work for a while, stopping occasionally for Jake to give him pointers. Ryder thinks he's actually making progress. Eventually though, he's too tired, and he collapses back down on the bench. Jake looks over at him in amusement.

'I can't dance anymore,' he explains between heaving breaths. 'But you keep going. I might be able to pick up some tips from watching you.'

Jake thinks about it for a moment before picking the music player up, and plugging it into his ears. After a moment, he starts to dance.

Ryder can't take his eyes off him. Okay, he knew that Jake was a good dancer, and he'd seen him dance over the past hour, but this is something else. There is something about it, the physicality of it, that just draws him in. He briefly wonders if it's weird, for a straight guy to be ogling his friend like this, but he quickly ignores that thought. He's too caught up in the fluid movements, the way Jake feels the music.

All too soon the dancing stops. Ryder sits for a moment, just continues to watch him. Eventually he speaks. 'You're really good, dude.'

'Thanks,' Jake manages to pant out.

'So you say you take ballet?' Ryder continues, trying to find any excuse for Jake to keep dancing. 'You should show me one of the dances you've learnt in class.'

Jake looks surprised. 'Are you sure? It's kinda different.'

'Yea, I'm curious now. Besides if it's too terrible I can always stop you.' Jake doesn't look too convinced, but after a moment he starts dancing anyway. And Ryder thought he was good before, but this is something else. He's never seen a guy move so gracefully before, so light on his feet. If he's being honest, there's almost a kind of beauty to Jake's movements. It feels like he's seeing another side to Jake, a side that not many people ever get to see.

As he comes to a finish, Jake turns back to him. 'What did you think?' he asks.

'Yea, it was alright,' Ryder replies, just as the bell rings. As they gather up their stuff, Jake clips him around the back of the head, and suddenly everything is back to normal.

Xxx

It's a couple of days before Sectionals, and Ryder and Marley are both around at Jake's house. He's decided that they both need a break from their preparations, and has also decided that this is the perfect opportunity for them to watch their Three Stooges movies.

As they enter the house, Jake ushers them into the lounge, while heading towards another door. 'I'm just gonna organise some snacks,' he explains.

Ryder looks around the room, takes in the peeling wallpaper and worn carpet. He chooses an armchair to sit in, overstuffed and comfy, while Marley sits on the couch. Jake returns, arms laden with a bowl of chips and cans of drink.

'Let's get this show on the road,' he announces, settling down on the couch next to Marley.

The movie begins, and Ryder is quickly engrossed. But as he watches, he can hear Jake and Marley having quiet conversations in the background. They're probably just talking about the movie, but he can't actually make out what they're saying. He can't help but feel a little left out. Especially when he notices the way they're snuggled into each other.

As he looks back at them, Marley turns her head, making eye contact. 'You look lonely, Ryder.' He shrugs it off, but she's shifting in her seat, closer to Jake as she continues. 'Come sit here, there's plenty of room for all three of us.'

Ryder shakes his head, determined to just shake it off, but now Jake's joining in as well. 'Seriously dude, it feels like you're miles away. And Marley's only getting half my jokes. So move your ass already.'

Ryder obeys, squishing onto the end of the couch next to Marley. It's better sitting there, he has to agree. He can finally hear what they're talking about, mostly Jake making cracks, but also explaining some of the history of the movie. He no longer feels like a third wheel, able to throw in an occasional quip, or ask questions about something that doesn't make sense.

Towards the end of the first movie, Marley falls asleep on Jake's shoulder. As the two of them start the next movie, they are able to talk across her, conversation gradually building. Soon, the movie is just background noise, and they've somehow started a discussion about their favourite Avengers characters.

Ryder doesn't think he's ever enjoyed a movie marathon more.

Xxx

Ryder stands in front of his mirror, practising the moves one last time. Sectionals is tomorrow, and it's nearly bedtime. He finally feels like he's got the dance moves down completely now. But it still doesn't mean that he's any good at them. It just doesn't quite look right. Not in the way it does when Jake is the one dancing.

Ryder knows that he should get Jake to take over the lead. He is so much better at this dance. And well, considering how Ryder reacted to his dancing, there's no telling what the girls in the audience will think. Since they would actually be attracted to Jake and everything.

But when he'd tried to convince Jake to take over the other day, Jake had been insistent. Does that mean that he'll be stuck doing the lead? The thought kinda makes him worried, a nervous twisting deep in his stomach.

'Ryder, you should be in bed,' he hears his father call up the stairs. Unwillingly he obeys, but he's pretty sure it'll take forever for him to get to sleep.