Unbreakable

Chapter 3

"I'll take the steak smothered in Gouda cheese as usual." Joel ordered as we sat in Clementine

The waiter nodded, then turned to me, "And you?"

"Just the turkey pesto sandwich with extra pesto and for dessert I'll take the banana cream pie." I told him

"Gotcha." He said before shutting his notepad, "Your drinks will be out shortly."

I smiled, "Thank you."

He left and I flipped through the pages of my book before someone rudely snatched it from my hands. "Hey!" I protested.

My brother gave me a look, "This is the first dinner all year that I'm attending and you wanna sit here and ignore me?"

"Sorry." I apologized, "Can I at least have it back now?"

"Sure." He grinned, handing it back to me. I slipped it back into my bag.

I looked around and stopped when I saw someone wave at me. I squinted, they were sorta blurry.

They stopped waving and gestured to me to come over there. Huh. I stood up and walked over. It was Ryder and what looked to be his family.

"Hey Stella." He greeted me

"Hi Ryder." I returned the greeting, "Fancy seeing you here."

"Yeah we decided to check this place out." He explained, "By the way mom, dad this is Stella she's a good friend. Stella, this is my parents and my little brother Ty."

"Nice to meet you all." I said shaking their hands

Ty looked at me in wonder, "You're really pretty." He told me

"Aw thanks." I said

"That's one thing we can agree on little bro." Ryder commented making me blush

"I'm here with my brother Joel and my parents. Why don't you all join us?"

"Oh we couldn't impose." Ryder's mother relied

"Trust me we could use the company." I said, "Come, I'll introduce you."

They followed me to the table and sat down with us. Ryder took a seat next to me as I introduced everyone. After I introduced them I left to use the bathroom, Ryder's mom came along too.

As I washed my hands, Ryder's mom came up next to me to wash hers. She turned to me, "You know even though you and Ryder just met he speaks highly of you."

"Really?" I asked in disbelief

She nodded, "He seems to like you."

I gave a nod, "I see. Well thanks for letting me know Mrs-"

"Please call me Jill."

"Okay...Jill."

We headed back to the table and took our seat. Ryder bumped my shoulder with his, I bumped him back with a smile. Our orders finally came and we dug in. By the time dessert came I was so stuffed I knew I wasn't going to have room, so I decided to take dessert home.

As I walked outside while my parents and my brother were still inside, Ryder stopped me, "It's a nice night, why don't we take a walk and talk, just you and me? I'll drive you home."

"Um sure why not, let me tell my brother first." I told him

"Okay." He nodded

I went to find my brother who I found still in the restaurant fitting with a waitress. I interrupted them, "Hey Joel, can you tell mom and dad I'll be home later. I'm gonna hang out with Ryder. And can you take my dessert home, thanks." I said giving him my to go box

"Yeah yeah okay." He waved me away

I headed back outside to find Ryder and found him leaning against his car. "Ready?" He questioned offering his arm

"Yeah." I answered taking his arm

"So this dance thing, do you wanna be my date or just go as friends?" He asked me

"Um...."

"What?"

"I can't go as your date because I have a boyfriend."

"Oh...ohh. How come you didn't tell me earlier?"

"I was afraid you would stop liking me."

"Look Stella, I like you. I like you a lot. Actually you should have told me before I suggested that we attend the dance together."

"Does it really matter?"

"Yeah it does. I can't take a girl who has a boyfriend already to a dance. It would be wrong. And anyway you boyfriend wouldn't like-" he stopped suddenly and studied my face, "Turn your head?"

I turned my head, "What is it?" I asked, "Is there something on me?" I freaked out thinking there was a bug on my face

His eyes darkened, "Answer honestly, did someone hit you?"

"Ryder-"

"Just answer the question Stella." He said

"Yes someone hit me but it was an accident swear!" I answered

"Was it that boyfriend of yours?"

"Y-yes." I cried tears spilling down my face

His expression softened, "Come here." He told me bringing me into a hug

I cried in his arms not caring that I was smearing my makeup for the second time today. We stood there for a minute before he broke apart. "Listen, it's gonna be okay. I'll handle it."

I hiccupped, "What are you going to do?"

"Don't worry about it. What's your boyfriend's name? "

"Carter Phillips." I looked down and sighed heavily

He lifted my chin slowly forcing me to look at him, "I will make sure he never hurts you again I promise."

I gave him a small convincing smile, "Thank you Ryder."

He then did something that surprised me, he leaned in and kissed my forehead. I was taken back because Carter never did that as much as I wanted him to.

"Sorry." He apologized quickly

"It's okay." I blushed

"Let's get you home."

The ride home was silent besides the music playing at low volume on the radio. I gave him directions to my house and we soon pulled into my driveway.

"Thank you." I thanked him about to get out

I felt a hand on my shoulder, "Wait one more thing, let me give you my number."

"Okay." We exchanged phones and put in our numbers, "I'll see you tomorrow."

He gave a nod, "See you tomorrow'." I got out, "Oh and Stella?"

"Yes?

"Be careful please."

I didn't know what he meant by that, but I nodded, "I will."

I walked into my house, my heart pounding. I leaned against the door catching my breath. My mother looked at me, "You okay?"

"Yeah I am."