The Year I Met Ryan (Editing)

Chapter 2: Meeting Ryan

CHAPTER 2: MEETING RYAN

Today was the start of my new school. Also I feel as if it is important to mention that we did not move to Racoon Town, Indiana. The name of the town was called Fort Collins and it was located in Colorado. It seemed pretty normal to me.

I stared at my closet, never having realized until now the difficulty in having to choose an outfit. I decided to go with something that was sure not to call too much attention to myself. My plan was to blend in so well they thought I was just another crack in the sidewalk.

I walked into the halls of my new prison and the hallways could not be more crowded, which was good news for me. My blending mission was a go.

The bell rang just on time. My mission was turning out spectacular - well almost. As I was walking to find my first class, I saw a group of cheerleaders talking angrily amongst themselves. They turned and stared at me. They had some issues. If I wasn't trying to blend I might have karate chopped them.

"Hey loser!"

I just kept walking.

"Yoohoo I'm talking to you."

Did they really not have anything better to do with their lives than to make fun of someone.

"Should we call your mommy to come help you find your way?"

Wow could she have said that any less condescending? That was enough. I turned to her and the minute I opened my mouth to shout out some sassy remark, a tall guy grabbed her and said "Nicki cut it out." Could you talk about embarassing?

I looked at him and crossed my arms. He looked over at me and smiled at me. It seemed genuine enough but I wasn't a damsel in distress. I could have handled it on my own.

Remembering that the bell had rang, and forgetting the scene before me, I walked off to find my class. I wish I could say that it was easy but it really wasn't.

When I finally found the room, I handed my teacher my schedule so she knew I was in the right class. I slightly turned my head at the sound of a sudden, cackle or some other kind of witch sound. Oh of course! It was Nicki the cheerleader and tall guy. Great. He didn't see me but of course she did. She sat in the front, her eyes boring holes into my skull.

"You can take the seat in the back."

"Oh I'm sorry, what?" I was really hoping that my teacher knew I was nervous and not some rude teenager who doesn't pay attention when someone is talking to them.

She smiled understandingly, thank goodness. "Your seat is in the back."

I smiled back sheepishly. "Thanks."

Don't look at anyone just sit down.

I was at my seat, head down, taking out the materials I needed for class. I sensed that someone in front of me had turned around and wanted to introduce themselves. Hey, maybe I'll find my first friend. I looked up and the first thing I noticed was that he was tall boy!

Ugh tall boy. The one who saved me when I didn't need saving.

The thing was that immediately after I noticed that were his gorgeous eyes. They were a beautiful blue color. He smiled at me, probably expecting me to say something. Hm, nice smile. Cute Dimples. Dimples always reeled me in. Except the fact that he saved me. Big no-no.

"Hey I'm Ryan."

Why is he talking to me? Maybe this is why I don't make friends easily. Johnny didn't want to be my friend, but of course that probably has to do with the fact that I dumped milk in aisle five and he had to clean it up. Yeah that would make sense.

Someone cleared their throat and laughed awkwardly. "Ryan's the name."

I looked up to see this boy again. He smiled wide and stuck out his hand for a handshake. I guess I could try this whole friend thing. At least he wasn't making things awkward like I was.

"Sorry!" I suddenly exclaimed, realizing that I still hadn't said anything. "My name is Bethany. Well Beth, I prefer to be called Beth. But you can call me whatever you like!"

Yup. My awkwardness was definitely the reason I did not make friends.

"All right well hi Beth."

I smiled at him and then looked down at my schedule. I was trying to figure out if there was maybe a map that I could find that could help me figure out where all my classes were. My teacher's voice saying my name snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Next partners for this assignment will be Ryan and Bethany. Since you sit in front of her Ryan I thought it would be the easiest."

My head shot up in panic. What is she talking about. Oh gosh. See this is what happens Beth when you don't pay attention. Wait. Ryan and Bethany, partners? Really now? Mentally I gave my teacher a look, telepathically letting her know that if she was running some sort of scheme I was on to her. I shyly tapped Ryan's shoulder and asked him what our teacher was talking about. He chuckled, turned around, and whispered, "I'll explain everything later on."

"Okay." I smiled at him appreciatively. I saw him bend down and scribble something on a piece of paper. Then after a while he turned around and put his hand out. Between two of his fingers was this piece of paper.

"Take it." he whispered, and then he smiled.

I took it with a smile and said "All right?" I said hesitantly. "Thanks." He turned around again, facing the front.

Right when I was about to open it he turned back. "Oh and I go by Ryan but you can call me whatever you want to." He flashed me a smile and my lips thinned into almost a grimace.

This could really not have gotten more embrassing than it did in that moment.

Once he was facing the front again I opened the little piece of paper. This is what it said:

"Basically we're working on a project. (No really?) But I'll explain everything to you later because I don't feel like writing it all down. Here's my number so we can find each other later and I can explain. Oh and you're welcome for saving you out there."

I rolled my eyes at his note. Yeah I was welcome? I should be telling him that he is welcome for the fact that I chose not to karate chop him out there. I quickly put his number in my phone and then wrote him back a note.

I wrote: I didn't need saving. So no thank you.

I threw it over his shoulder and saw him open it. When he chuckled I knew that he had read it. Well good.

I'm glad it was obvious that I didn't need a boy trying to show off to me.