You Belong With Me (A Sequel to "What Once Was")

9 just friends

Originally, I had not planned on going to the homecoming dance, but Lacey convinced me last minute. However, I'm pretty sure she will just end up ditching me for Braxton. Although, I don't really mind because I'm happy for them.

So, we climbed out of my car and made our way over to the gym. Our heels clicking against the pavement came to a stop when we got to the door so we could have our tickets checked.

"Have fun, girls," said Mr. D'Cruz after he handed us our wristbands.

We gave him small smiles and then entered the dance which was already packed. No surprise considering we had shown up late.

Music was blasting and lights were flashing.  A huge mosh pit was formed and just about everyone was in it. Just like last year.

"Will you be able to get a ride home with Braxton if I decide not to stay?" I asked Lacey as we scanned the dance for someone we knew, well Braxton actually.

She nodded. "Yep. Just let me know the plan."

As we danced, I could not help but notice Ryder. He was not with Ella, who I had seen multiple times already. It was rather strange that they were not together.

He actually ended up dancing over to Braxton, Lacey, and me.

"Where's your girl?" Braxton shouted from over the music.

Ryder shrugged and glanced at me with no emotion present in his face. "I think she left. There's supposed to be a party and you know how she is."

Lacey scrunched up her nose and turned to me. "I think she's cheating on him."

"Lacey, shh," I hissed. "Ryder is right there."

"It was just an observation. It wouldn't hurt him to know anyways," she replied.

"Know what?" asked Braxton and Ryder at the same time.

I glanced at Lacey and raised my eyebrows. "Have fun with this one. I'm out."

Ryder sighed. "You know what, me too. Tell Ella I left in the small chance she isn't fucked up at the party," he said.

I began to back away from the three of them, but Ryder soon caught up to me, which I was hoping he would.

"I was not expecting to see you here tonight," he said as we stepped outside where it was rather chilly.

"Lace convinced me at the last minute," I responded.

He nodded and we remained silent until we reached my car. I climbed inside but stopped when I noticed that Ryder's Jeep was not in the parking lot.

"Where's your car?" I asked.

"We took a limo. I was just going to call my mom."

I glanced down and nodded, and went to close the car door, but three words were spilling out of my mouth without my control.

"Want a ride?"

He seemed hesitant before shaking his head. "I can't, it's not fair to Ella."

"How so? She's drunk at a party. She left you here. How is that fair to you?" I questioned.

"Because you're my ex," he responded.

"That doesn't have to mean anything. We can still be friends."

He glanced around before saying, "alright, thank you, Sloane."

Ryder climbed into the passenger seat beside me and I backed out of my parking spot. We sat in silence for a good few minutes which was sort of awkward. Although, he did break it when he asked about college.

"So have you applied anywhere yet?" he asked.

"Uh, Davis, USC, and UCLA. A few other places out of state, too," I said. "How about you?"

"I'm not sure where I'll go. Anywhere that gives me a scholarship pretty much," he responded.

"Good luck with all that," I said as I turned on to his driveway. The silence formed once more, but was also put to a rest when I stopped the car.

I was expecting him to get out but he didn't. Not right away at least.

"Thanks for the ride..."

"No biggie," I responded as I went to look at him.

My breath hitched as our eyes met because we were face-to-face. His look was soft yet it made me go weak — why did our love have to be forbidden?

It felt like we were both leaning in, as if we were about to do something we shouldn't, but our moment was broken when we heard a dog bark loudly.

Ryder cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair. "Thanks once again... also, you looked gorgeous tonight."

And before I could say anything more, he was out of the car and herding Beau, his dog, back inside.

-

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-

"That looked like Ainsley's car!" my mom exclaimed the second I stepped foot into the house.

"Because it was," I mumbled as I walked over to where she sat on the couch, watching a movie.

A small smile showed on her face. "Are you two back together?"

I rolled my eyes. "No! That's over with. Besides, I'm with Ella."

I know she doesn't like Ella, and hasn't for the last month or so. She has this crazy assumption that Ella is cheating on me, but I try to not assume the worst... even if it may be true.

"But don't you remember how happy you were with Ainsley?" she asked. "Anytime I see you come home after hanging out with Ella, you don't look nearly as happy... not like just now."

"I'm not happy," I said.

"Your big smile when you walked into the door disagrees with you."

"Mom, stop trying to push Ainsley and I back together because it is not going to happen. I'm with Ella and Ainsley is not interested in me anymore."

She looked at me with a look that seemed like she knew more than what she was giving off. It was strange. "Ryder, I really think you should end things with Ella. She's not genuine."

I felt slightly offended.

Why would my own mom say that?

"Not genuine?" I hissed. "You should have seen the way she looked at me the first time we met. If she was with me only for the football title, then I would know, but the way she looked at me, Mom. It was as if she fell in love right there," I said.

My mom sighed. "Ry, I just want what is good for you. If you feel that way, I will approve of the relationship, but please keep what I said in mind."

I glared at her and started to back out of the living room. "No need."

Honestly, I don't know why I suddenly felt the need to jump to Ella's defense. People tell me all the time that she is no good for me. Maybe we were just going through a rough patch because I guess I do really love her.