Chapter 6

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I'm basically glued to Ryder when we stop in front of a lake. I look around confused about why we would come here.

"You going to get off?" He asks sounding bored.

" Oh yeah. Yeah sorry" I say as I use his shoulder to push on while I climb off. He kicks the stand down and lifts his leg over. Then bends and opens a little compartment and pulls out his camera. "Oh? Are you taking pictures of the scenery?" I question, because this is a very beautiful place. The bright blue water with the trees hanging over it slightly, casting shadows across the lake.

" I'm taking pictures of you" he says as he holds up the camera and taking a picture of my shocked face.

" You what?" I ask looking everywhere but his face.

" I didn't stutter" he smirks at me. " Follow" he says as he raises his hand into the air gesturing me to follow as he walks down the small hill leading to the wooden pathway by the lake.

I quickly follow behind me. " Ryder. You are not taking pictures of me."

" Why not?" He questions as he turns around to face me.

"Because there is no reason to!" I retort back.

He looks amused as he lifts his camera in the air and snaps another of me.

" Ryder!" I yell as he takes off running. I roll my eyes as I start after him. " You're going to delete those!" I yell as I chase him down the wooden path.

" Nope. Never." He yells as he turns his head to look at me. I can see a full on grin and I smile slightly. He looks good when he smiles.

Before I can continue swooning over him I feel a sharp pain in my ankle as I slide off the wooden path and I scrap the side as I plunge into the water. I immediately start to panic and thrash around. I can not swim. I picture myself floating to the bottom and I start to scream and throw my hands out trying to find anything to grab onto. Then I feel two strong arms wrap around my waist and I'm being pulled out of the water.

I fall on to whoever grabbed me and breath heavily as I keep my arms tightly wrapped around their neck.

"Shhh it's ok don't worry I got you" they whisper into my ear as they run their hand up and down my back. That's when I realize the person holding me is Ryder. I tense slightly but don't move. Not wanting to because I feel safe with him holding me.

" Are you ok?" He asks as I lean my head up to look at him. " I didn't know you couldn't swim.." He trails off.

"I'm ok, just shaken up a little" I give him a half smile. I see something flicker in his eyes, but before I can figure out what it is, it is gone. Just as quickly as I saw it. " Thank you" I sigh.

" Oh it was nothing" he smiles at me. A real genuine smile. I think my heart melts. But then it's like he remembers that I'm basically lying on top of him with him holding me tightly to his chest. He shoves me off of him and stands while he clears his throat. " Maybe I should get you home. We have had enough excitement for one day." He says he is walks off toward the motorcycle.

I stand and follow him, keeping my head hung low. I can't believe I embarrassed myself like this. He obviously Dosent want to be around me anymore. But who does? What weirdo Dosent know how to swim at the age of 19.

" You going to get on?" He snaps me out of my daze.

I nod and climb on. Not saying a word as I slip the Helmet over my now wet head. He looks at me a second before he starts the bike and drives toward my dorm.
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By the time we get back to campus I feel like an ice box. Falling into a lake then riding on a motorcycle home in only a t-shirt is not a good idea. My teeth are chattering as I climb off the bike and wrap my arms around myself to try and regain a little warmth.

" T-thanks for the ride home" I say to Ryder as I bite my lip trying to calm the chattering.

" No problem. But maybe you should get up there and take a warm shower?" He looks at me. Concern written all over the this face.

" I will. Thanx" I smile as I turn and start to walk away.

" See you soon addi!" He yells as he starts to drive away.

I stop in my tracks. Did he just call me addi? I question. No one calls me that. Only my dad, and I find it odd that he calls me that. It is just some silly childhood nickname. I shake my head as I start to walk again. Once I'm in the elevator I start to think of how the day went. First I fall into the lake and then he calls me addi. I get a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. I kind of like the way he called me addi. Maybe it isn't so bad. I smile to myself.

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