"Listen to me. Just- will you just stop for a minute?"
"I have nothing to say to you. I suggest you leave me alone before I castrate you."
"Isn't that a bit harsh?"
"I really don't think it is, Ryan. Besides what do you need all that stuff for? You've already slept with eveyrone haven't you?" I snapped coldly.
"I'm sorry. I said I was sorry already, didn't I? I really, really am."
"RYAN! This isn't something you can just apologize away. You can't just say sorry and make it better. This is it. That was your last chance."
"It was a dare, kind of. Everyone told me you were, you know," he looked around quickly, "gay."
"And you believe it just because everyone says it? Is that supposed to make me feel better? Because it really, really doesn't. It just shows me how low you are and how easily manipulated."
"No, I'm not like that! Give me one more chance, please. I'll do anything."
"Anything? Will you get on your knees and beg?"
He gave a brief smirk before lowering himself to the ground. "If that's what you want."
"No, no," I said readjusting my schoolbag strap and grabbing for his hands. "I want you to answer my question. Don't sink to your knees or profess your love or anyting. Just answer my question."
"What's your question?"
"Why are you trying to hard? Why do you want to date me?"
He grabbed my hands tightly. "I was horrible to you at the movie. That's how I'm use to acting with my dates. That's just what other girls are like. But you are different. You're unique and you have ethics, morals and values that most girls just wear like accessories whenever it suits them. Please, Kat, would you do me the great honor of datng me?"
What do you say to a boy on his knees? "Okay."
"Great," he gave me a quick, but very gentle, kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you after class."
***
"Please," said Tyler clasping his hands together. "Just this once."
"That's what you said when I bought you lunch yesterday," I sighed. "I don't have time to wait in line. I'm meeting Ryan."
"Or he's meeting you," whispered Tyler.
"Bye, Kat," said Kent.
"Stay safe!" chimed Tyler.
"Hey, gorgeous," said Ryan wrapping his arms around my waist.
"Hey," I grinned at him.
"Do you want to stay in here and eat? Or go outside to a picnic table?" Ryan asked looking down at me.
"Doesn't matter to me."
"Do you mind if we go for a walk then? I have something I really want to show you."
"I guess."
We walked across the football and soccer fields and kept walking. He led me down a path through a wooded area until we came out at a pond. He walked over to a bridge and sat down. His legs hung over the side. "Come sit," he told me.
I sat beside him.
"I really am sorry, Kat. I shouldn't have said the things I did."
I nodded and stared at the murky water. "Why did you?"
"Because I was kind of hurt, I'm not used to people saying no to me. It was selfish and low but
I needed to explain it to myself. Will you forgive me?"
I leaned my head into his shoulder. "Yea, I do."
"Good," he said then he kissed me like he was supposed to the first time.
***
"Hey, kiddo. How was school?" After the scene outside the movie theatre Noel had gone above and beyond to be nice to me. Coming home from school to homebaked cookies or my favorite foods for supper. It was starting to creep me out a little.
"Great," I said grinning. I flopped into the chair at the kitchen table, pulled out my chemistry homework and took a bit of my apple.
"Great? That sounds positive. Did you beat up that, Ryan kid?"
"No," I said grinning wider.
"Then what are you so happy about?"
"He asked me out." I looked over quickly and then away. "We're officially dating."
There was a pause while I reacted Carbon Hydride and Oxygen.
"That's great, Kat. Date some guy who has already publicly humiliated twice and barely knows you!"
"You know what, Noel?" I asked my anger rising.
"What?!?"
"You don't know me any better. Ryan at least knew me longer but you, you barely know me. So what? We've talked. You've come to pick me up from the movies? My friends' parents do that all the time and that doesn't mean they know everything about me. In fact, they probably know me better."
"What are you saying, Kat?"
"I'm saying if you have nothing nice to say, keep your mouth shut. Stay out of my business and stop feeding this dillusion that we have any relationship beyond my sister, because we don't. That's all we are, okay? You're my sister's friend and that's all you'll ever be to me. Remember your role."
"Fine." He threw on his shoes and stormed out of my house without another word.
I filled my cheeks with air and blew them out. I hated conflict.
"Where's Noel?" my sister asked coming upstairs. "He was supposed to come back with something to drink, I'm thristy."
"Uh, he just left," I said without looking up.
"Really, that's weird. Did he say anything before he left? Do you know why?"
"I think he went out to get some pop, or something."
"Hm, silly boy must not have seen the whole bottle of cream soda in here." She poured herself a full glass and took a sip. "Send him down when he comes back, okay?"
I nodded and focused on my work.
I had really made a mess with Noel but it was his fault wasn't it? Why couldn't he just let Ryan go?
