Saving Ryder

Ryder

I decided to go home today after a week of being gone. I figured I needed to face my problems head on instead of running from them. After four hours of driving I arrive back at the house. I get out the car, take one look at the house, and walk in. "Shaleigh." I yell. I get no response. I see a note sitting on the counter, so I open it and read it.
"Dear Ryder,
If you're reading this right now, then you've noticed I'm not here. It's your house, and by no means did I mean to push you out of it. I'm so sorry I broke your heart. I did not intend to. I'm just scared, Ryder. You've seen what has happened to me in just three months. I need to protect myself, and by being in a relationship it'll just let my guard down. I know I keep hurting you, and I am so sorry. There's obviously some things you aren't ready to tell me, and I'm not fully ready to tell you about my past. Until we are both ready we can't be in a relationship. I will be staying at my dorm at school if you need me for any reason.
Love Always,
Shaleigh"
I made her think I didn't want her anymore. What the fuck is wrong with me? I hit the kitchen counter and break into a sprint to my car. I run down stairs skipping every other step. I get in my car barely remembering to shut the car door. I'm at her dorm and knocking on the door in ten minutes. I haven't even had time to think about what I'm going to say when she opens the door.
"Ryder?" She asks like she's shocked.
I don't say anything. I just wrap my arms around her and pull her into my embrace. It takes her a minute, but her arms finally wrap around my neck.
"Where were you?" She whispers.
"Vegas." I replied.
"Why?" She asks.
"I needed to clear my head. I didn't want you to think I wanted you gone. I just needed time to clear my head." I repeat.
"I think it's best if you and I live in two separate places Ryder. I still want to see you and all, but maybe it'll be better this way." She says.
"We can try it out, but I feel like you won't want to see me." I say sadly.
"Just tell me a time and place, and I'll be there Ryder. I won't let you down again." She says.
"Tomorrow at five in the afternoon I have an MMA match at the MMA studio downtown. Can I expect to see you there?" I ask.
"I will be there. Do you want to come in?" She invites.
I slide past her, and go sit on the bed in her room. "This place is small." I say.
"I know, but at least I'm the only on living here." She says sitting beside me.
"I'm sorry I ran out on you. I should've stayed here with you and worked it out. I just don't know how to cope with my emotions." I say.
"Neither do I, Ryder, but we're never going to figure it out running from each other." She says, and sadly she's right.
"So you do have feelings for me?" I ask hopefully.
"Of course I do, Ryder, but it's not our time." She states, and it's heartbreaking.
"How do you know if it's our time or not if you don't give us a chance?" I ask.
"Ryder, I just got out of a relationship where both tried to kill me and you. I'm not ready." She says.
After that the conversation was over. She turned on the television and Vampire Diaries was on. I know how much she loved this show, so I watched it with her. I have to admit Caroline and Elena are beautiful as I don't know what. She's a Damon and Klaus fan though. I've realized every time we watch this show together she drools over them. At some point during the show we both ended up passing out because the next morning I wake up with her arms wrapped around me, and her head on my chest. She's so beautiful when she sleeps. Her hair is everywhere, her breathing is slow, and her face looks at peace.
It's Saturday, and my match is in five hours. I'm actually more nervous now that she's going to be there watching me.
"Good morning, Ryder." She said sleepily.
"Good morning, Shaleigh." I say.
'"Shouldn't you be preparing for your match tonight?" She says.
"You could be my warm-up." I say grinning.
"Real cute, Ryder." She says hitting me with a pillow.
"What do you have planned today?"
"I know I'm going to your match, other than that, nothing." She says.
"Get up, and get ready." I demand.
"Why?" She questions.
"We are going out for lunch, and then back to my house to change and get ready for the match."
She gets up, and within thirty minutes she's ready to go. She's wearing tight ass jeans that make her figure look even better, and she's wearing a plaid blue button up shirt that looks amazing on her. I take her to this really fancy restaurant right out of town called "Vapor." The inside of it has water falls, and they cook your food in front of you. This is exactly how I wanted to spend the day, with her.