Back to You

Playing Easy to Get

The San Diego searing sun had set in, the wind was blowing a nice breeze into the trees, and it was finally the day of the homecoming car wash, and for me...I was fully prepared for it.

So far, things were off to a calm and cool start as a lot of onlookers passed, and students were lining up waiting for the big event to kick off. I could easily notice too from other members of the cheer team, it was definitely hyping everyone up with school spirit.

But in my situation—after the wild concept me and my Dad had transpired out, I was hung up on the only two things that had captured my attention more than anything.

One, I seriously hated myself for not doing a simple task of putting things away. Two, I desperately needed to figure out a way to make Ryder fall for me sooner than planned.

Therefore, I made it my mission today to do exactly that.

No exceptions, no rules, no excuses. It was now or never and I couldn't live with never.

"Gee Faith. I don't remember you being interested in joining the cheer team since we've been friends." Jasmine said from behind me jokingly, finally arriving.

Spinning around just as I was finished laying out a few refreshments and snacks of Faygo flavored sodas and ice cream push pops in the Rec center's parking lot, I shyly smiled at her with my head slightly positioned down.

"Okay so...I can explain," I uttered.

She laughed checking out my outfit from head to toe, pausing her Hit Clips music and removing the headphones. "No need! Look at you girl!"

I timidly giggled and nodded. I did promise to do whatever it took.

What better way to do so than being a good sport by showing up in a baby blue two-piece floral bikini I bought, with a pair of light-washed denim shorts, and my hair flowing in the breeze?

I needed to get Ryder more attracted to me in a way for crying out loud.

Now I didn't need to hear a lecture on how looks don't always mean attraction and falling in love with someone. But heck in my case, it sure would help a lot. I had to utilize all the help I could get my hands on.

"You don't think it's too much, right?" I asked timidly.

She smirked shaking her head. "Too much?! I'd never thought I see anything like it. I love! Looks like my influence is finally rubbing off on you. I'm so proud!" She professed clapping and fake tearing up, as I laughed rolling my eyes playfully. This wasn't going to be an often thing but just for a moment, I did feel pretty confident and fun in it. "Sorry I'm a bit late though, Andrew was just finishing tutoring me." She finished grinning sheepishly with him in thought. "I must ask, however, what made miss good girl go bad for a day?" She wondered, writing the first few customers down on the signup sheet.

"Well, maybe I figured since it's a nice day and I'm feeling good, why not?" I tried to cover.

Knowingly, she grinned nodding. "Uh-huh. Are you sure it's not maybe because of a certain someone who's maybe now ogling you, like he wants you to check out his engine a lot closer along with his very dirty car?" Jasmine inquired, smiling smugly glancing over my shoulders.

My eyes widened as I spun all of my body to where her vision was. "What?!" And just like that, her eyes were correct. Well, mostly.

Ryder did show up and was moments away from pulling into the parking area with the same car I became all too familiar with from the beginning. But this time, he was gazing at me with dare I say...excitement? Yet analyzing his vehicle, it was certainly the worst one I saw on the lot while I could hear Jasmine laughing teasingly. "That's what I thought..." She muttered.