Hey guys, thanks for the lovely feedback after the last chapter- hope you enjoy this one just as much :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or any of the characters in this story.
Ryder had seen off Marley with a smile following their second tutoring session, which was equally successful to the first, albeit with more work, but they had chatted away like old friends, and Marley had been delighted to discover that he had gone to Miss Pillsbury and booked his dyslexia test for Wednesday after school, which was coincidentally, the same time Marley was auditioning for Glee Club. He had noted the obvious displeasure of her Mother when she had come to pick Marley up, whom he was obviously going to have to get on his side if he was going to make Marley anything more than his friend, (he suspected that she had heard him talking about Marley in a lewd way in the cafeteria- before he had realised how she so was much more than just a hot girl.)
Now that the session was over, Ryder was online, browsing for colleges with football scholarships, when the familiar chat-room noise went off. He realised that he had forgotten all about Katie recently, but reluctantly clicked on the notification to see what she had to say.
katie_xoxo: Hey babe…you haven't been talking much recently…
Ryder sighed, and obligingly typed in a reply.
ryder_lynn:Ive been bisy with football praktice and tutoring
katie_xoxo: You've got a tutor? Like, a professional one?
ryder_lynn: No jst a new girl at my scool
katie_xoxo: A new 'girl'? Just a tutor I hope?!
ryder_lynn: Atm yes. But u cant expekt me to be in limbo forever…I like her and I admit to that
Ryder crossed his fingers and waited for a reply. He didn't want to hurt Katie's feelings, but he had to give some thought to his own feelings, too.
katie_xoxo: what, so you're thinking of cheating on me?
Ryder's chin dropped, and he began to type angrily.
ryder_lynn: no im relly not bcos thanks to u were not togther! Like I sed before, u cant expekt me to sit around if u NEVER agree to meet me!
He thought about saying something ruder to her, but instead decided to just log off in the same way she usually did whenever she didn't feel like answering a simple question. He sighed. Every day he was getting less into Katie and more into Marley, that was certain.
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On Wednesday after the final bell rang, Ryder went nervously to wait outside the room he would do his test in. He tapped his feet compulsively and went into an anxious trance, until he was snapped out of it by a recognisable voice. He looked up to see Marley standing before him, looking equally nervous, clutching tightly on a piece of sheet music.
"Hey. Are waiting for your test?" She asked, with a small smile.
"Yeah. I'm freaking out." He replied, looking down.
"Well don't. It's not about doing well, it's about doing your normal. If they know your true level they can help you more." She said, reassuringly.
"Thanks." He said sincerely, with a warm smile. "You waiting for your audition?"
"Yes," she sighed. "I'm one of the last ones on. I could be here for a while…I wish I was first, the waiting's making me more nervous!"
"You'll be fine Marley. In fact, you'll be awesome! Don't panic." He said.
"New York State of Mind…you probably don't know it."
"I do, it's like my parent's song, they're always playing it around the house." Just as Marley smiled back at him, the classroom door opened, and a woman called Ryder's name.
"That's me," he said, beginning to follow her into the room, before turning towards Marley.
"Good luck!" He whispered, giving her a double thumbs up. She grinned.
"Thanks, you too!" she replied, and Ryder walked into the classroom.
"Take a seat, Mr Lynn." The woman said pointedly, and he did as he was told. She came over and placed a sheet of paper with a load of questions on his desk.
"You have an hour to do the test, but if you finish before then, let me know. If you don't know an answer, don't put anything." She said, before sitting at the front of the class at the teacher's desk. She looked at the clock. "Your time starts now."
Ryder looked down at the questions, and gulped. It was a jumble of letters and words. He took a deep breath and began.
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About 40 minutes later, Ryder finished his test, and was allowed to leave the room, after learning that he would find out the results in the morning. He wondered if Marley had auditioned yet. He'd been able to faintly hear some of the hopefuls singing during his test, and he didn't think he'd heard that familiar song. So, with this in mind, he made his way into the auditorium. As he opened the door, he noticed that Marley was just taking the stage, so he took a seat right at the back so as not to be spotted by the weirdo misfits of the club, and watched in awe as she rang her hands through her long dark hair, and nervously spoke into the microphone.
"Hi, I'm Marley Rose, I'm gonna be singing New York State of Mind."
"Come on Marley," he whispered under his breath, crossing his fingers. The music started.
And then she began to sing.
Ryder's eyes widened as he sat dumbstruck at her voice. It was the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard, and her confidence…it was as if she had a different personality on stage. If anyone was gonna make it in New York, she was. He was moved. Actually moved.
Apparently, the rest of the auditorium was too, because, when she killed the strong final note and the song ended, the Glee clubbers broke out into rapturous applause. She looked at her feet shyly, before their Spanish teacher and Glee Club leader Mr Schuester began to speak.
"Marley Rose, that was incredible! Auditions start Monday after school, I expect to see you there!" He said emphatically, clearly excited about having unearthed this raw talent. Marley put her hands over her mouth in delighted shock, and squealed adorably before practically skipping off the stage. Ryder grinned, quietly clenching his fist, and made his way out into the corridor to his locker, wanting to meet Marley there. Unfortunately, it would seem she had decided to stay to watch the rest of the auditions, so he got out his stuff before driving home.
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The next morning, Ryder drove to school extra early, hoping to get his result before many people were there, not wanting to be seen. He went to Miss Pillsbury's and, luckily found her sat there organising some weirdly titled flyers, despite the early time.
"Oh, hello Ryder." Miss Pillsbury said brightly. "Take a seat, you're here early!"
"Um…yeah." Ryder mumbled, taking off his backpack and sitting down.
"So, I got your result from Mrs Dent, the woman from special ed services who was with you for your test yesterday and, you did the right thing in taking the test. She's diagnosed you as dyslexic." Ryder felt slightly nauseous, as he took the news in.
"So what now?" He asked glumly.
"Now, we have secured some funding to provide you with extra help with your reading and writing, you'll do those sessions with Mrs Dent-"
"What about football?" he asked worriedly.
"The timings are flexible Ryder, it doesn't have to impact on your football practice. You'll have a letter sent home sometime this week with more information, ok? That's all for now. Have a nice day." She said with a smile. Ryder nodded, and left the office. He walked down the corridor towards his homeroom, but stopped when he saw a certain beautiful brunette putting something in her locker.
"Hey you," He said, playfully poking her in the sides. She turned around with a jump.
"Ryder, you scared me!" She said, smiling.
"Sorry, Glee clubber…" he said, nudging her with a smile. She grinned.
"How do you know about that?" she asked. Ryder shrugged and looked around, feigning innocence, before looking down at her.
"I watched your audition. I finished my test and poked my head around the auditorium door, and guess who was just about to start singing…" She gasped.
"Oh my gosh! You watched me sing? That is so embarrassing…" Her cheeks turned pink.
"Nuh-uh! You were amazing!" He said, gesturing wildly for effect.
Just then the two were interrupted.
"Hi, is it Marley?" Marley turned to look at who was talking to her, nodding. "Oh hi, I'm Unique Adams. I just wanted to say welcome to the Glee club! You were awesome yesterday."
"Oh, thanks!" Marley giggled, shyly. Ryder shifted his feet, awkwardly looking around to check that no one could see, wishing that the unwanted arrival would go away quickly.
"So I guess I'll see you around" Unique said cheerily to Marley, before turning to stare at Ryder for several seconds. Ryder looked back with a 'what-the-hell-are-you-looking-at' kind of expression, before finally Unique walked off, somewhat sadly. Ryder grimaced uncomfortably.
"What's wrong?" Marley asked, having witnessed Ryder's displeasure. "Don't you like her?"
"Marley…'her' is actually a 'him'…she's…she's…" he tried to think of how to word it. Marley beat him to it.
"Trans?" She asked. Ryder nodded. "Is that a problem?" she asked coolly.
"No…" Ryder started. "I mean- I don't understand it personally, but, no. I just don't like the way he- I mean, she stares at me that's all. It's creepy."
"She probably has a crush on you…" Marley giggled, before turning pink, wondering if she'd made it obvious that she had a crush on him, too.
"Yeah…but…whatever," he sighed, reaching into his backpack. "This is for you." He said, handing her a small slip of paper. "For being an awesome tutor, and pushing me into getting tested…which was necessary, because it turns out I am dyslexic…"
"Oh! Well…I'm proud of you Ryder. I know it was a difficult thing to do…and now you can get the proper help you need. You didn't have to get me a present though, what is it?" she asked, looking down and examining the gift.
"It's tickets to watch me at the Titans' first football game of the season. Tomorrow night. Grudge match against Carmel High." Ryder explained. Marley grinned.
"Thanks! That's so sweet! I mean I don't know much about sports, but-"
"Oh, that's ok, you can just enjoy the view," Ryder smirked. Marley looked confused.
"The view?"
"Me in tight football uniform," he said, grinning, before Marley playfully swatted him with her arm.
"You are so in love with yourself!" She giggled, secretly realising that it would be a very lovely view indeed. "Well…" she added, looking down and gesturing towards the ticket, "Thanks. I look forward to it."
"Of course you do," Ryder laughed, before being swatted again.
"I meant the game, not 'the view'!" She giggled, blushing. They laughed, before saying goodbye and going to homeroom with a spring in their step.
Hooray! Please let me know what you thought!
To my reviewers after the last chapter:
TeaAndGlee: Oh, I'm so pleased you like the idea, thanks! Haha, rainy in England, what a surprise- I'm glad to have left the British weather I must say! Here is your update! Hope you enjoyed!
Gleeotch13: Aw, glad you thought it was cute, that was what I was hoping for! Well stand by, there may be even more fluffy goodness soon…
Gleeatic713: Oh thanks, you flatter me too much! Yes, he's a cutie really haha. Thaaanks :)
Savannaramirez35: Well I might just do that, haha…I updated soon :p
Yourfictionalmind: Aw, hooray, that's lovely to hear! Glad you like the concept- here is the update, haha
Thanks also to favouriters/followers.
I will try and update soon as I am loving writing this story and have billions of ideas for it :) (I do however, have to research this funny game which I know nothing about called American football before I can update, as I am British, haha) but until then, lots of love,
Lauren xxx