Hello lovelies, somehow managed to update both my on-going stories this weekend before my classes double this week(!)…Hope you enjoy this chapter…things are starting to get a tiny bit fluffy…
Ryder tapped his fingers nervously on his English desk, as he and Marley, along with the rest of the class, waited for Miss Holliday to give back their marked tests; he had been waiting for this moment for over 2 excruciatingly long weeks since Marley and he had made their deal. In that time, he had studied non-stop, not stopping to talk to Katie once, and, almost a week earlier, done said test. He had also had the disappointing news that the Sadie Hawkins dance was going to be postponed until just before the Christmas break- with it only being October now he would have a long wait to see if Marley asked him to it- although, he considered, that would mean more time to make sure that she would.
He wasn't entirely sure how this test had turned out; perhaps thanks to Marley's tutoring, and the extra classes he had started since his dyslexia diagnosis, it hadn't been anywhere near as atrocious as the last one, in fact, he thought it might have been ok, but he didn't want to tempt fate, considering what was riding on it; not just another 1% of his English grade but also a date with Marley.
It's not a date Ryder! He thought to himself, but he hoped that it could be a vital stepping stone towards such a goal. Miss Holliday arrived at their table, and handed Marley her test.
"Good job," she added, but Marley frowned. Ryder glanced over and snorted with laughter. An A minus. Marley was upset about an A minus.
"Marley, if you're unhappy with that mark I will definitely swap with you!" he laughed. She smiled weakly. Ryder faltered, realising it was his turn.
"Much better, Ryder. Keep this up please," Miss Holliday said enthusiastically, but Ryder held out celebrating until she placed his result in front of him.
He had got his B. He was only a couple of marks over a B minus but that was irrelevant. He had got his B.
"Yeah!" He shouted and punched the air, louder than he intended, causing half the class to turn their heads and stare. He glanced to his right, and saw that half-hearted Marley's smile had grown into a sincere grin.
"Well done Ryder." She said quietly. "I'm proud of you." She added, wrinkling her nose adorably.
"Are you sure, cos it's lower than an A minus and apparently that's not good enough," he joked, before Marley giggled and poked him in the arm. "I hope you're remembering our deal," he added.
"Oh I'm remembering," she replied.
"Tonight?" He asked, hopefully.
"Tonight? It's Thursday Ryder…why not tomorrow?"
"Can't do tomorrow." He shrugged. "But I can't wait until Saturday either, so…" Marley blushed slightly.
"Okay…I mean I'll have to convince my Mom to drop me off wherever we go, but…okay." She smiled, sitting back in her chair and folding her arms.
"Good. You'd better get ready for some breadsticks," He responded, sitting back and crossing his own arms, playfully mimicking her.
"Breadsticks?" She asked, looking somewhat put out. "I thought we agreed on dinner!" She scrunched up her face, indicating her displeasure. Ryder laughed loudly.
"Breadstix." He replied. "It's the name of the restaurant. The only decent place to eat in Lima, newbie."
"Oh 'newbie'…that's what you're calling me now is it?" She asked, grinning.
"Well it's that or 'singing dancing dork' so, take your pick," he replied. Marley laughed, and was just about to respond, when the pair were interrupted.
"Mr Lynn and Miss Rose, if you could save your flirting for after class that would be great, the lesson has started," Miss Holliday shouted loudly from the front of the room, but with a smirk, (she always took great delight in spotting potential student hook ups and embarrassing them whenever possible), and the rest of the class burst into raucous laughter, save for a few jealous girls who stared down this quiet new girl who was apparently involved with their crush. Ryder smirked ever so slightly, but stopped when he noticed Marley look down and inhale heavily, her cheeks turning bright red.
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"Marls…I'm just not happy about you dating that boy." Millie said softly, the worry etched in her face, as she watched her daughter straighten her hair in anticipation for her meal out with Ryder.
"It's not a date!" Marley replied pointedly. "Ryder is my friend, Mom. Nothing more. You don't have to worry." She finished off the last strand of hair then went over to her, taking both her hands and looking at her earnestly, before continuing her defence of Ryder. "It's not a date, but even if it was –which it isn't- you wouldn't have to worry…he's not like Dad…" she finished, wincing slightly at the mention of him. Millie smiled weakly.
"I know he's not, darling. I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I know, Mom. You'll still drive me to Breadstix, won't you? I don't want to have to call Ryder and ask him to drive his rich boy car over to Lima Heights Adjacent…"
"I will, honey. As long as you promise me it doesn't turn into a date!" She smiled, but her demand was firm.
"I promise." Marley sighed.
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Millie obligingly dropped Marley off at Breadstix just before seven, and Marley got out the car immediately, seeing that Ryder was there already, leaning on his 4x4 and looking gorgeous in dark jeans, a white t-shirt and a leather jacket, which did him much more justice than the Letterman style he wore to school.
Stop it Marley, this is not a date and you are going to get over this crush… she thought to herself, knowing that that was going to be a lot easier said than done.
He looked up and spotted her, and grinned. She half-skipped over to him, hoping her rather low cut dress wasn't too much.
"Whoa...you look amazing…" he said, clearly ogling. "Shall we, m'lady?" He joshed, putting on a funny voice, pulling himself together and holding out his arm for her to hold. She raised an eyebrow.
"Oh…right, I get it. Not a date." He said awkwardly, putting his hands in his pockets to emphasize that he would keep his hands to himself. She smiled, and followed him into the restaurant.
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"So, why did you move to a dump like Lima, anyway?" Ryder asked Marley, as they were finishing off their three course meal.
"Oh…um…we just wanted a change…" Marley said in a guarded manner, looking down.
"Why?" Ryder persisted, determined to solve every mystery this girl threw at him. She sighed.
"Um…well, my parents split up." She said quickly.
"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that," he replied, looking her deeply in her eyes, but raising an eyebrow, implying the desire for an explanation, which did not go missed by the brunette.
"I'd actually…rather not talk about it," she said quietly, with a weak smile. Ryder took the hint.
"That's ok. Sorry, it's none of my business, I-"
"It's fine, Ryder." She interrupted, after finishing her cheesecake. "That meal was amazing." She announced, handily changing the subject. "I now understand why you make such a fuss about this place."
"Told you!" Ryder exclaimed triumphantly, after waving for the waiter to bring the bill. The waiter returned shortly after, and Ryder gave him his card, and started to put in his pin number.
"Wait, Ryder let me give you some money-" said Marley, fumbling for her purse.
"No, I insist. A gentleman always pays." He smirked.
"But this isn't a date," she reminded him.
"I know. But this is my treat. For the coolest girl I know, even if she's just my friend." He smiled. Marley pursed her lips, preventing them from stretching into a grin.
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After chatting some more, the pair decided they should probably get going. As they walked out the restaurant and into the parking lot, Ryder spoke.
"Are you sure you don't need me to give you a ride home?" Ryder asked.
"Oh, thanks but it's okay, my Mom's picking me up. In fact, there she is," she replied, noticing her Mother sat in her car and, after having made eye contact with her, pointing at her watch, having obviously been waiting quite some time.
"Okay, so I guess- oh wait, I almost forgot." He started. "The reason I couldn't do this tomorrow is because one of the guys on the football team is having a house party tomorrow night…do you wanna come?" He asked.
"Oh…um…do you think he'd mind you inviting me?" She asked naively.
"You haven't been to a high school party before have you?" Ryder laughed, and Marley innocently shook her head.
"Marley, like the entire grade will be there, it's cool. So…you in?"
"Well…I guess I have to experience at least one high school party before I graduate…" she answered, smiling. Ryder grinned.
"Awesome!" He replied, rewarding her with a trademark double thumbs up. "I'll give you the address at school tomorrow, yeah?"
"Sure!" She affirmed, enthusiastically, before her Mom beeped her car horn. "Oh- I'd better go! Bye Ryder. And thanks for the meal…it was lovely." She smiled.
"You're welcome," he replied, before Millie beeped again. "Bye!" he said hurriedly, and before she could skip off to her Mom's car, pulled her in for a hug. They pulled away, and she looked at him with wide, shocked eyes, smiling slightly.
"Good night," She whispered.
"G'night Marls." He replied, and watched her bounce over to a frowning Millie Rose before strolling contentedly to his car.
Remember Ryder, he thought. It wasn't a date…
Eek! So, what do you think's gonna happen at the party? Did you enjoy this chapter or do you think I can improve anywhere? Let me know below, only takes a few seconds :)
To my lovely reviewers:
Ember411: Woop love me some ryley feels- so I hope you enjoyed this!
Guest: Ahh! You're one of my fave followers, despite not knowing who you are- so mysterious! :p So glad you like the story!
Savannaramirez35: hehehe-fun fact, Marley's feelings on Ryder's 'view' are basically mine on Blake's :p I loved your new chapter! It's hard, but I'm finding the time- so here is your update :)
TeaAndGlee: Hooray, I hope you enjoyed this one too! Here was some more :p
eXtraOrdinaryGirl04: Hehehe, Ryder took your advice! I agree, Millie needs to get on board the ryley ship!
Thanks again- your reviews mean the world to me,
Lauren xxx