Hello! Sorry it took me a tiny bit longer to update than I would have liked, I was busy with my other fic and classes! Also, I apologise profusely to any fans of 'American football' who may reads this chapter. I researched and researched, and it's just so confusing, so I opted to tell that part of the chapter from Marley's pov and have her have no knowledge of the game whatsoever, haha. Please let me know what you thought! Also, get ready for a 'development' :p
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee!
Ryder stared intensely into the locker room mirror, psyching himself up for the big game, which was due to start in ten minutes. He was fully kitted out in his red McKinley Titan's uniform and protective padding, which was especially required tonight, as the McKinley High-Carmel High rivalry was infamous throughout followers as brutal and bitter- players took no prisoners during such encounters and purposefully caused injuries were common. It also meant that victory was as important and imperative as ever- but it would be tough, as Carmel were the current reigning state champions, and hadn't lost to McKinley in three years. Added to the fact that, if he was going to stand a chance at getting a football scholarship, every performance from now until the end of season had to be fantastic, Ryder was the most nervous he'd ever been before a game.
Ryder knew, however, that he would have a hopefully lucky charm sat on the bleachers tonight, or at least, an extra reason to impress. He knew that something very strange was happening; the more he tried to convince himself that he only wanted to get in her pants, the more obvious it became that he wanted more than that. The strangest thing at all was that he didn't mind it. Marley Rose was girlfriend material, it was as simple as that, and he'd met her in real life, which was more than could be said for Katie.
"Come on bro, it's time to go out onto the field. Stop checking yourself out in the mirror, just 'cause she's there…" Jacob sighed to his best friend, a hint of jealousy in his tone. Ryder smirked. He was thoroughly enjoying having gotten dibs on a girl for once- as quarterback, it was almost an unspoken rule that Jake generally got first choice. He obediently followed Jacob and the rest of the team, and they made their way to the edge of the field, lining up alongside the Carmel High players.
Marley watched high up on the bleachers next to her mother, both slightly bemused by the rowdy fans surrounding them. Marley knew next to nothing about the sport, but she was relishing the idea of watching Ryder doing something he loved, and yes, although she would never admit it to him, the 'view' he had described yesterday- that being him rolling around in the tight uniform- was also a factor to her excitement. The crowd suddenly got louder, snapping Marley out of her Ryder based daydream. She looked down to see the players running onto the field. She watched Ryder looking up towards the crowd, and jumped up and down, clapping enthusiastically to catch his attention. It worked, because despite the distance, their eyes met, and he gave her a flirtatious wink, causing her to blush scarlet red. She was grateful that it was dark and she was a wallflower, and no-one, expect for perhaps her eagle-eyed, now frowning Mom, noticed.
Once the players had finished their pre-game huddles, they got into position. The referee blew the whistle, and a huge roar erupted around Marley. The game had begun.
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There was less than a minute on the clock, and the scores were even. The tension in the crowd was unbearable, as it had been a brutal, close encounter- Marley's throat was sore from screaming so much. With seconds remaining, the Titans were on the attack.
It all happened in a bit of a blur. Lipoff, the player with the ball, was crashed into by a Carmel player.
"FOUL!" Screamed the crowd, and the whistle blew. Marley had no idea what was going on, but assumed, once she saw Ryder picking up the ball and playing it carefully, aiming for between the posts, that with only time for this one kick left, McKinley had the chance for victory…and it was all resting on Ryder's broad shoulders.
The bleachers went deathly quiet for the first time all evening. Marley put her hands together against her lips, as if saying a prayer.
"Come on, Ryder," she whispered. Ryder took his run up, and kicked the ball.
The crowd exploded back into life as the ball sailed through the posts, with the McKinley fans beginning a long, wild celebration. Marley cheered and wooped, and joined in as the crowd began chanting Ryder's name.
…Until she became flooded with jealousy, as she watched him become mobbed by scantily clad, attractive cheerleaders. She tried not to let it get to her; he was the hero of the night, and it was their job to support the team, but she couldn't help it.
"Mom, I'm just gonna…go get some air," she said sheepishly. Millie looked at her daughter with a confused expression.
"Marley, we're outside…" she started, but her daughter was already making her way quickly down the bleachers. She figured she would go wait outside the locker room and try to intercept Ryder to congratulate him. She knew it was stupid, and a girl like her could never be with a guy like him, but, she could dream, right? So she traipsed through the eerily dark corridors of the school but, on the way to the locker room, was distracted by voices coming from the girls bathroom. Voices which appeared to be talking about Ryder.
"…ok, so he's tall, hot, single and now the hero of the football team? He could not get any better…" A girl swooned. Marley hid behind the wall, but silently nodded her head in agreement at the statement.
"Jenny, I've told you before. Ryder Lynn is an ass. Don't go there! As soon as you put out, he'll drop you like a hot potato," Her friend replied. Marley frowned.
"Oh come on! You're too harsh. You know, the Sadie Hawkins dance is next month…do you dare me to ask him?"
"No I don't! Ok, please don't judge me, but you need to know this. Before you moved to McKinley, we dated-"
"You dated Ryder Lynn?!" 'Jenny' interrupted loudly, astonished.
"-yes, just for a couple of weeks…then as soon as I opened my legs, guess what- it was the last I saw of him." Her friend replied with a sigh.
"Oh my goodness, really?"
"Yup. I sat on the same Chemistry table as him and like the week after he pretended like he didn't even know who I am. Believe me, he is piece of work. Just…don't tell anyone, ok. I don't want people knowing I'm yet another naïve 'slut' that Ryder Lynn humped and dumped…"
Marley stood absolutely still. She tried to tell herself that he was nothing special, just a guy, and that she was nothing more than disappointed, and that the Ryder she knew wasn't like that and had changed, but deep down, she knew she was really upset. She turned around and immediately went to find her Mom to go home.
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The next day after school, Marley and Ryder were taking a break from their latest tutoring session. Ryder had been given the extra confidence boost he needed by snatching the win for McKinley last night and especially from seeing Marley cheering him in the stands. He was, therefore, about to take a step.
"So…did you have fun at the game last night?" He asked her, looking right into her blue eyes.
"It was awesome…I mean, half the time I had no idea what was going on but…it was great. And you won it right at the end…that was so cool!" She smiled.
"Cool…" he started, summoning up his courage. Why was this so hard? When had it ever been hard talking to a girl in this way? Obviously Marley was different… "So…I was wondering…if you maybe wanted to go out for dinner sometime…" He suggested. Marley raised an eyebrow. "…Like…on a date." He finished, looking up nervously, at her shocked face.
Marley felt her mouth drop in shock, and her cheeks turn pink. She was caught in the classic battle between head and heart; her heart was screaming 'yes', but her head was thinking back to the conversation she'd overheard last night, to the open box of condoms in his car, to the hordes of girls who stared at him lustfully wherever he went…and she and her Mother had been hurt so painfully by a man before…
"Ryder…sorry, but…no…I can't." She replied reluctantly, wishing with all her heart that she could say yes. Ryder's face fell, the usually confident, slightly smug expression replaced by a crestfallen one of sadness.
"Why?" He asked, correctly not believing that she didn't want to. Marley looked down.
"…I…we get on so well as friends, but…" she trailed off.
"but what?" Ryder persisted. It was a very new and alien feeling, being rejected by a girl. Particularly when the girl in question was the most perfect one he'd ever met.
"but…I've heard lots of things…" she continued, "and…I know you're so sweet with me, and I don't think you're faking that, but…you kind of sound like the kind of guy who gets what he wants from a girl then never calls back." She looked down, feeling very awkward.
"…Marley…" he whispered, not knowing what to say.
"Am I right?" she asked timidly. Ryder sighed. He couldn't lie to her.
"…I…ok. I may have been that guy in the past…" Marley looked down and gave a small, resigned, sad smile. "…But…I don't know Marley…everything's different with you. I can't explain it any more than that, because I'm honestly having a hard time understanding it myself." They both remained silent for what seemed like an age, but was no more than a few seconds.
"Can we compromise?" Marley asked, sighing. Ryder raised a questioning eyebrow, so she explained. "Ok…If you get at least a B in our English test next week, you can take me to dinner to celebrate as friends. Deal?"
"Does a B minus count?" Ryder asked hopefully. Marley folded her arms and shook her head. Ryder sighed. "Fine. Deal."
Ooh! What do you think about that lovely people? Let me know below! Also, chapter 10 of my other fanfic 'A Journey Soon Begins' is out and was drama filled- so if you'd like to find out why it took me longer than usual to update this fic, please check it out :p
To my beautiful reviewers:
TeaAndGlee: Thank you so much! I'm not the biggest fan of Unique either. I like her as Marley's friend but that's about it!
Guest 1: For your review of chapter 1- thanks! I love Ryley and hate Jarley too! Hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Gleeotch13: Aw thanks so much, that's such an awesome compliment! You're the bestest :)
Savannaramirez35: Thank you! Here's your update lovely. Are you updating your Jennoist fic anytime soon? :D
Guest 2: I'm assuming you reviewed chapter 4,5 and 6 at once? If you are separate reviewers I apologise! But yeah, Millie does need to get on board the Ryley train! I am deffo continuing my dear :)
Merci also to followers/favouriters!
Lauren xxx