The Year I Met Ryan (Editing)

Chapter 5: Really?

CHAPTER 5: REALLY?

This morning when I woke up, my parents were glued to the television. They acted more like kids than I did, but what they were watching had caught my attention. It was something about a serial killer, they believed that he could be murdering people in Colorado, so all residents needed to be aware of it.

That is why it was in the back of my mind as I walked through the halls of my still new school.

It was a Wednesday and it had been a week since school started for me. That meant that it had been practically a week already since the last time I really spoke to Ryan. 

You don't make friendships by just talking about projects. That is how you make acquaintences, and he was the only person that had really talked to me, so at that moment I was a little desperate for a friend.

He was always around Nicki though, and I had told myself that I wouldn't get in the middle of that. Maybe it was time for me to start looking for a new friend. I could always rent a friend online.

I chuckled at myself once again.

As I was walking to my first period minding my own business, someone grabbed my arm. Um excuse me?!  I turned around to face the person who had so nicely approached me. Oh it was Ryan. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Mind if I walk you to class?"

I shrugged. "Not at all. But won't Nicki?"

He looked at me with this strange look on his face. His features scrunched up as if he was confused.

"How about let's not worry about her."

"Yeah, sure." I said more as a question since I was a little confused. "I guess you can walk me to class then," I told him hesitantly, looking around for Nicki.

It was quiet for a really long time and I was preparing myself for someone to jump out and attack me. If only I could ask someone what was going on with Ryan and Nicki. She seemed to act like they were a couple but he didn't. The only problem was that I didn't know anyone.

Well that wasn't the only problem, but I also just really needed to see if it was okay if I was friends with him or if it would bring unwanted drama into my life.

My mom of course had been no help. She was always urging me to talk to guys. She said a friendship is the first step. Only problem was that I apparently dropped milk when I tried to talk to guys. Life advice for me: Never talk to boys in a supermarket.

Ryan finally broke the silence and my thoughts.

"Hey so I know our project is due in a month but I was wondering if you wanted to get a headstart on it. I don't know how often I'll be able to work on it so the sooner we start the better the chance that we actually finish it."

"Sure. Sounds like a plan." I smiled at him just in case my response came out all phony.

"Okay. We can do it at my house."

A million images from television shows started popping into my head. Without meaning for it to happen, my face started getting all scrunched up. I didn't want to go to his house just with us two. I didn't know him that well, and for all I knew he could be a serial killer and was planning to kill me at his house. I shuddered at the thought. I guess he noticed all my, oh so subtle, signs of nervousness because before I had the chance to say anything he spoke up.

"Woah sorry! My mom is going to be there too so there's nothing to worry about!" He flashed me a really big  dorky smile.

I smiled back and chuckled. "Sorry about that. It's just getting murdered wasn't exactly on my to do list," I tried to keep my smile real but it was faltering. What if I had offended him and he really was a murderer so he decided to kill me.

He suddenly burst out laughing. "I wouldn't kill anyone. Were you really serious?"

I mentally died. "Of course not." I smiled at him.

"You have a really nice smile," he told me as if realizing it at that moment.

His eyes widened as if his brain had told him not to say it but his mouth had other plans. I smiled with my teeth showing, unsure of what to say.

"Thank you," I told him finally.

"Sorry," he said, pointing at me.

I chuckled. "You know it's not a crime to compliment someone."

"So if I said you were beautiful it would be okay?" 

I chuckled nervously. "Uh,"

He showed signs of embarassment and scratched the back of his head. "Let's go to class you ugly girl."

This caused me to start busting up in laughter as we walked to Mrs. Demassi's class. It wasn't the greatest save. I probably should have told him thanks but I wasn't the best at receiving compliments. The whole way to class Ryan was silent and I was trying hard not to laugh. 

We got to class and sat down with Ryan ignoring me.

"Ryan!" I whispered. He didn't turn around. I know you hear me! I whispered his name louder. He turned his head around and with a sweet smile he replied, "Yes?"

"You're ignoring me."

He laughed. "Of course I'm not."

I shrugged. "Yeah whatever. I'll take the ugly compliment if it makes you feel any better."

Ryan laughed quietly again. "Beth either one is fine. Although I prefer for you to take the compliment I meant."

He turned back around because Mrs. Demassi cleared her throat and gave us a look that told us to be quiet. She raised an eyebrow at me and smiled, then quickly turned away.  Oh man. I really hope she doesn't think that there is something going on between us because there isn't.

 I turned my head slightly to my left and I saw that Nicki was staring me down with this angry look on her face. I looked down in a hurry. She was complicating my friendship. I felt my phone vibrate.

I pulled it out and I saw a text from Ryan. But he was sitting right in front of me? Oh yeah, the teacher was talking. I unlocked my phone to read the text.

Ryan: So my house today after school?:)

Me: Oh um yeah sure. But here's the thing. I know it's going to be lame but I think my parents would feel more comfortable about letting me go if they met you and your mom. And since that's not happening, maybe we  could find someplace else to do it? Some place private with a lot of witnesses.

My parents had this really weird thing where they were afraid of letting me go anywhere alone. I remember them once talking to each other and them saying that "she" could kidnap me if I wasn't out in public or if I was with someone they didn't really know.

They were weird but I stuck to their rules.

Ryan: Hmm I see your dilemma. At my house where my mom is going to be, there won't be any witnesses when I kill you like you think. Okay change of plans. You and your family are invited to eat dinner at my place today. Okay? Okay. I won't take no for an answer.

Me: Um what? No.

Ryan. See you at 6:30 :) I'll text you my address right now!

I let out a sigh of annoyance. I just heard him chuckly softly. So I guess we were going to eat dinner with Ryan. At his house. My parents. Meeting his parents. Oh boy.

 I just hoped they didn't have milk at his house.