Ryder

~6~

Ryder~

"Dude why is this so fucking hard." I mumble under my breath but loud enough so Andrew could hear.

"All genius inventions take time, you know that. I mean do you think Einstein got the lightbulb right on his first try?"

"No-

"Exactly!"

"No because Einstein didn't invent the lightbulb, Edison did." I say laughing in my head a bit, he went to Stanford obviously he knows that but I always need to jump on his mistakes whenever I can because he hardly makes any, but he knows that.

"Uh- du- ummmm same difference." That makes no sense but okay.

"Anywaysssss, you wanna take a break for a bit? I know we're gonna hit the club later but maybe we should do something else that's fun right now. I mean we have 3 months." I need to get out of here. I mean yeah I'm stoked to be helping with this but I didn't think we were gonna start today, I wanted just a day of rest before we started.

"Y'know what thats actually a really good idea. Sofia has a volleyball tournament going on right now and she told me she's in the AM pool so they should be playing right now. I mean only if you want to go-"

"Yes let's go." I say practically running out the door. He lost my attention when he mentioned Sofia. So we grab everything we need and head out.

Wow. She's amazing. The way she moves so swiftly on the court almost knowing what's gonna happen before it happens. It's incredible. Not to mention the tight spandex that make her ass look incredible, and the tight jerseys they had to wear. It made me jealous just looking around thinking about all the guys in here able to look at her while she looks like that.

Holy crap! What a great save she just made, off the freaking net that's insane! She finally looks over at me and Andrew and realizes we're here. I continue clapping for her and give her a little smirk. Then she continues playing. This is amazing, she's so good! Sure maybe I'm a bit biased because of.. stuff. But still anyone could see how well she reads the court. My thoughts are lost when Andrew gives me a nudge in the side of my ribs.

"Wow, I never knew you were so into volleyball... or is it maybe a person and not just the sport you're into?" He says with a wink. Man if he knew.. he'd definitely kill me, but still I played it off.

"Haha, nah man they're too young, the games just interesting." Well Sofia catches all my interest.

"Mmm okay."

"Wow the games close.." I say look at the 14-13 score on the wall.

"Yeah and Sofia has no good option right now, the other team is prepared for any set.." Shit how's she gonna do this, I know the basics about volleyball because my mom played and wanted me to play but I tried it in high school and it didn't peak my interest.

Swish... thump thump thump.

Holy crap. That girls amazing.

Andrew starts to run over to her while I follow behind him. I see Sofias teammates start to swarm around her. Then I see her fall, while she falls, I catch a glimpse of her eye then run over to her even faster as her eyes close.

A tall blond girl is the first to help her up. Andrew sprints over and helps with her other side.

"Quick we have to get her to the hospital Jack!" I hear the blond girl yell.

"You guys have back to back games! Wait who's that guys?" The coach says, pointing to Andrew.

"That's Sof's brother." The blond states. Sof, that's a cute nickname.

"Okay well let him take her and we can visit her after our games okay? I know you want to go now, trust me we're all worried about her, me included, but we can't forfeit this tournament."

"Okay okay." The blond girl says.

"Ryder, help please." Andrew says trying to grab stuff from his pocket. I grab Sofia and start to carry her out the gym. I can feel the gaze of the girls on me, I thought they were on Sofia at first until I heard one of the girls mumble about how lucky Sofia is. I hate how inappropriate their responses at this time.

Andrew and I make our way to the car quickly and head to the hospital. Sofias buckled in in the back seat while Andrew goes as fast as possible while still being safe.

- At the hospital -

"Shit man I'm so sorry to ask this but do you mind staying here with Sofia for now? I have a super important work thing and I really need to tend to it. I totally understand if you-

"Chill Andrew it's fine. It's completely okay I know you're worried about her but she's gonna be fine, I promise. Now go!"

"Great thanks so much dude, I owe you one." I really hope Sofias okay, I'm sure she is she just fainted but what if it turned into something more serious.. I don't want that to be the case for her. Soon after the volleyball team arrives.

"Hey! What's your name?" The blond girl from earlier asks pointing at me.

"Ryder."

"Okay... um Ryder. Is Sof okay!?"

"I don't know I haven't gotten to see her yet and I don't know if she's up."

"Shit. Thanks Ryder." I hear some mumbles containing my name but I choose to ignore them. I see a nurse enter her room for a bit, I attempt to listen to them but the girls are so loud I can't hear. Eventually the nurse comes out and finally calls me in.

I practically sprint to the door.

"Sofia! You're awake! We were worried sick. What happened? Are you alright? Sorry Andrew couldn't be hear he had to leave for work. Wh-

"Hey Sir." The nurse says. I try to listen but I can't help but notice Sofia hasn't looked over at me once.

"Sorry what did you say?" I ask the nurse shaking myself out of my thoughts.

"I said it would be best not to ask her much right now, I'll explain everything." Oh.

"Oh okay."

"This is a sensitive topic so please do not judge her in any way, shape, or form please."

"Of course not."

"Well Sofia fainted from not eating enough. She has been diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia and we're not sure when it started. Sofia would prefer not to say as well and we're aren't going to force her but from what it says on her files it's been going on for quite a while."

I stare at Sofia in utter disbelief and shock. I feel terrible for her. Why would she feel the need to do that? She's perfect. Sure, I may have just met her but from what Andrew has told me about her it feels like I've known her my whole life, but from all he's told me I never would have expected this. I don't think he would have either.

"How long is quite awhile?"

"About 6 months." Wow. Half a year.

"Oh please don't tell Andrew." I hear Sofia barely say from the bed still staring out the window.

"Sofi-

"Please," her voice cracks "I'm begging you." She looks up at me and I can't say no. "He wouldn't understand."

"I-

"Sir. If you can help this girl without telling Andrew, please do. It would be very beneficial if she could feel as comfortable as possible while trying to get through this rough patch."

I pause for a minute. Thinking about my answer, I want to keep her safe but the best way for that might be to tell her brother. On the other hand, if she wants to get through this she needs to be comfortable.

"Okay." I sigh. "I won't tell him." Her eyes shimmer in the light and open wider then before.

"Thank you. Really." She smiles. That smile is the sunshine on a rainy day.