Fly Free

Chapter 10 | Ryder

"That's... really sweet," Zoe said slowly. Then she smiled, and swerved her pegasus so the wing brushed the wing of his.

"Hop on," she said.

"Excuse me?" Ryder exclaimed. Sure, five seconds ago he was complaining about Zoe banishing him to his own pegasus (his good friend Dire), but the idea of him wrapping his arms around her or her wrapping her arms around him made him want to jump clear off his own pegasus.

"You were complaining about having your own pegasus, so hop on!" Zoe explained doing a barrel roll to add some flair.

"Ah but Dire would be lonely!"

"Are you scared?" Zoe taunted grinning at him, "here I'll even let you drive!"

"As tempting as that may be, Cruz-"

"Wassup guyyyyyyyyyys?" Vyctor said popping in between Zoe and Ryder with Lya sitting behind him an annoyed look plastered on her face.

"Hey, Vy..." Zoe said awkwardly.

"Sup bro," Ryder said trying to hide his annoyance.

To his great surprise and glee, Zoe said tightly, "Um Vy I need to talk to Ryder... it's important. I'll catch up with you later m'kay?"

Vyctor seemed to be forcing a smile, but little, naïve, wonderful Zoe couldn't seem to tell. "Cya later then, Zo," he said as his pegasus backflipped, so he ended up behind the two of them.

"So, Cruz, whatcha need me for?" To Ryder's great surprise, Zoe didn't deny or protest the 'need me for' part of his little line. She just looked like she wished she could argue, but left it as it was.

"A lot of things," she admitted looking away.

A lot of things? I'm not exactly what you would call responsible, so what would she need me to do? A thought crossed his mind, no. Cmon man. You're better than this! Anyways you've told millions of people Gabrielle would be your girlfriend the second you turn sixteen and Mom and Dad allow you to date. You can't let everyone down! It's basically written in the books. Zoe- she's got her own... problems. Vyctor and Bradon immediately crossed his mind, but he threw on a smile and said, "whatever you need, Cruz,"

Zoe looked at him. He never really had taken credit for how much of a warrior she looked like when she had fire hair and wings. Nor how her eyes sparkled in the light. Or how beautiful she looked with her fire hair dancing behind her- dude. Not the goal here! However, he also noticed that the fire in her hair dimmed as she looked at him... almost like it was reflecting her mood.

"I'm scared," she said desperately. All the other times Zoe had mentioned being scared it was hard for her to say, but when she said it now- it was like she was asking for help... naturally. Not being afraid to say how she felt... like she was comfortable. Ah!! Zoe don't play with me!

"We all are," Ryder said trying to take hold of the moment to gain more of Zoe's trust. To let her know he liked the fact that she was trusting him with this precious information. To let her know that it was more than welcome.

"You are? No. No! Then you shouldn't be coming! You can't... I don't want to... not for me-"

"Zoe, don't be like this. We all care for you... a lot. And I understand Bradon feels the same, but he wants to help in a way he knows he will be useful. We all know he's not skilled with a sword- or anything really. He's got the fighting skilled of a bunny..." he added trying to loosen up the atmosphere. Knowing that's what Zoe always needed. Someone to be there to make serious situations less serious, but always address the problem. He knew Zoe like the back of his hand. She sometimes confused him, but he also didn't always stare at his hand for the whole day, so he didn't know every single line of his hand. He took a deep breath and added, "and I want you to know that I'm here if you ever need to talk. Always... even at 3am in the morning."