We are just roommates

Chapter 4

The next few days were fun even though this period of the year was about exams and stressing about our future, but Ryker and his friends made sure we had a lot of fun and less stress. Since the day when he saw me with Jade, he had been hanging out with me a lot and he had already introduced me to his friends too. They were really cool and nice, all of them played in the basketball team and they were all very tall. Myra joined us sometimes too, but they didn’t really like her, as they said. I don’t know why though.

“What are your plans for next week when school is over?” Ryker asked when we sat down by their table in the cafeteria. We were early, so not so many people were here yet.

“Actually, I am moving to New York this weekend. I will start to work on Monday as a waitress full time till school starts and I will continue working there part time if they allow me next to school.” I told him about my plans and he listened to me like I was telling a secret.

“Really? That’s cool. You really planned everything out.” He said with a laugh and I nodded my head with a chuckle. I looked up from my plate to see Jade walking into the cafeteria with Kevin by her side. I turned my head back to Ryker before they saw me looking. “What is it?” Ryker asked when he noticed my mood changing.

“Nothing.” I told him with a smile. “What are your plans?” I asked him to change the subject.

“You know, I will be honest with you…” he started nervously, and I looked at him in confusion. Why was he nervous all of a sudden?

I saw Jade and Kevin sitting down by the table behind Ryker. Jade tried to protest but Kevin was already sitting and looking at us. I turned my head away and focused on Ryker like they were not even there.

“I wanted to know your plans first to make my own.” He said, and I waited for him to continue. “Since we go to the same city, maybe even to the same school, I thought… do you want to go together?” He asked nervously without even looking at me.

“Okay.” I told him simply with a shrug and he looked at me with wide eyes.

“Really?” He asked adorably and I let out a chuckle at his expression.

“Yeah, really. Do you have a place to stay already? I would invite you to stay where I would stay but I just rent a room from an old lady till I could move into my dorm room.” I told him.

“I will live with a friend anyway and I don’t think it will be a problem if I go there two months earlier.” He said with a smile.

“Cool, I am so glad I don’t need to go alone, a new city and everything, thanks for coming with me.” I told him with a grateful smile and he smiled back at me.

“Thank you for letting me come with you.” He said with a broad grin and we ate our food while making small talk till the rest of the group arrived, but I didn’t miss noticing Kevin’s eyes on us the whole time. 'What was his deal and why was he watching us angrily?' Oh… of course, I forgot they were enemies with Ryker. Funny huh? The captain of the football team and the captain of the basketball team were enemies. What a cliche. I didn’t exactly know what was behind it though. I will ask Ryker about it one day.

After lunch, we said goodbye to each other and I headed to my next class, but suddenly someone grabbed my arm and dragged me into the janitors' closet with a hand on my mouth. It scared me like hell because the person was very strong. I was sure it was not a girl.

“Sssss, I won’t hurt you, I just want to talk.” He whispered and I stopped struggling because his voice was familiar. He took his hand away from my mouth while I turned to face him.

“What the hell?” I asked him furiously. “Couldn’t you talk to me like every normal person? Why did you drag me in here? I was terrified.” I told him with a hand on my chest and he let out a chuckle that caused my heart to skip a beat. This was the first time I heard him laughing.

“Sorry but I didn’t want Jade on your back.” He said, and I nodded my head in understanding.

“So, what was that urgent, Kevin? You have never talked to me before, so this is important I guess.” I told him and I don’t even know where I got the courage to even talk to him. I guess I was progressing or just because I didn’t have feelings for him anymore, at least not that strong.

“Hmm.” He started while he scratched the back of his neck. “As you know, Ryker and I … we don't get along anymore and I find it strange that he is suddenly interested in you.” He said and I took a step back in disbelief.

“So you are saying he is talking to me only because of you? Because he wants to make you angry?” I asked him.

“Exactly.” He said, but his expression changed as soon as he saw mine.

“Ouch.” I told him sarcastically.

“I mean…” he started nervously, but I cut him off.

“What you are saying makes no sense actually, because one…. why would you care who I am talking to and two… why didn’t he start to talk to Jade then?” I asked him and he looked away without knowing the answer to my questions. “Anyway, why are you telling me this? Even if he thinks that it could make you angry, what we both know isn't true, he will see that eventually and his plan will fail. By the way, if it's true what you are saying, then why does he want to spend the summer holiday with me?” I asked him and he looked confused and surprised at the same time.

“I don’t know, but you will see that I am right when he dumps you. I warned you.” He said, he looked a bit annoyed and hurried out of the closet, leaving me in confusion. ‘What just happened?’ This whole situation made no sense, maybe I should ask Ryker and be straightforward about it. We were not even a couple, for crying out loud, we were just friends.

*

“Hey Ryker.” I called out his name after school when I saw him in the parking lot.

“Kylie, I was waiting for you.” He said with a smile.

“Actually I wanted to talk to you.” I told him nervously, I didn’t know how I should bring this up, we were not dating or anything.

“Okay, and I wanted to invite you to eat something. Let’s go and we can talk in the meantime.” He said with a smile and I agreed.

“Alright, I am starving.” I told him and he chuckled.

“Let’s go then.” He said and we sat in his car. “I wanted to talk to you too.” He said nervously.

“Okay, but let’s eat first.”

“Alright, I am starving too.” He pulled up in front of Mc Donald’s and we walked in and sat down after ordering our food.

“I will just tell you what I want till we wait because I can’t eat when I am this nervous, so here it goes. Would you… come on a date with me?” He asked nervously and I must admit he was very adorable.

“Before answering, I want to ask you something too.” I told him and he gulped and nodded his head. “Why do you want to go on a date with me? I am a nobody, a plain Jane. Does your reason have anything to do with Kevin and your rivalry?” I asked him and he looked at me in confusion.

“Why would this have anything to do with him? I just started to like you when I saw you arguing with Jade. I don’t care if it was about him or not. I just thought damn … she is smart, she can defend herself and she is pretty too. I know you have or had a crush on him, but it’s his loss.” He said and I smiled at him.

“Yes.” I told him and took a bite from my hamburger, which had just arrived at our table.

“Yes, what?” He asked and I let out a chuckle.

“Yes, I will go on a date with you.” I told him and he had a broad grin on his face now.

“Cool.” He said happily and we ate our food and talked about school, exams and about New York. I couldn’t believe he asked me out because he thought I was cool and pretty. I really needed to do something about my looks now that I had someone to look pretty for.

When we finished eating, he headed home, while I decided to go shopping since I had two more hours till curfew. I already got my money from the orphanage since I will move in a few days. I bought a few pairs of contact lenses, some make-up and a hair straightener. I didn’t want to change too much about my looks, just a little bit. I bought a few jeans and tops too, along with a dress for my date with Ryker.

I liked him, he was sweet and we could talk about everything and anything without getting bored of each other. I know I didn’t know him well enough, but we have time to get to know each other.

*

***

*

The next morning, I was excited about going to school. I woke up early to straighten my hair. I let it down and I used some brown eyeshadow and mascara, which made my blue-grey eyes glow. I was wearing one of my new jeans and a tanktop with my sandals.

When I finished, I looked into the mirror and actually, I looked good. I took my backpack and headed to school with a smile on my face.

When I got there, I felt like everyone was looking at me. I didn’t pay too much attention to them when I spotted Ryker and his friends by the entrance. I headed towards them with a smile and patted his shoulder. He looked at me twice before he actually recognised me.

“K… Kylie? Is that really you?” He asked and I chuckled at his expression.

“Damn Kylie, you look good.” One of his friends said and I felt my cheeks heating up. 'Why was it so hot here?'

“Hi everyone.” I waved at them shyly and Ryder was still starting at me with wide eyes. Then he got hold of my hand and pulled me away from his friends gently.

“I knew that you were pretty even without trying, but now…. Wow… You look hot as hell.” He said honestly and I let out a laugh.

“Thanks, I guess. Actually, I just changed my glasses for contact lenses and used some makeup.” I told him and he caressed my cheeks with his thumb.

“You are beautiful.” He said and I smiled at him.

“Kylie?” I looked to my left to see Myra with a shocked expression on her face. “You are s*xy as hell.” She screamed and now a lot of people were looking at us. “I thought Ryker was flirting with another girl for a moment there.” She said with a chuckle.

“Ssss… lower your voice already.” I told her, but it was too late, everybody was whispering about me. I spotted Jade and Kevin in the crowd and Jade tried to drag Kevin away while he was just staring at me with wide open eyes, without blinking. I guess I was really ugly with my glasses on, but Ryker liked me, even like that, which made my heart flutter.

“Actually, I agree with Myra on this one, you are really s*xy.” Ryker whispered into my ear and I shivered while goosebumps covered my body.

“Let’s go to class.” I told them and we walked into the school with the rest of the students.

“Let’s have that date today.” Ryker said when we reached my classroom and I looked at him while he continued. “I wanted to wait till we are in New York, but seeing you, I am worried someone will ask you out before I get the chance.” He said with an adorable pout.

“Don’t worry about that, I already agreed to go out with you, I won’t change my mind just because of some horny teenagers who didn’t even notice me with my glasses on.” I told him and he smiled at me.

“I didn’t even know where you were till now.” He said jokingly and pressed a kiss onto my cheek, which made me blush.