Dignified

Chapter twenty three

It had been two months since the boys started Dawson. Things seemed to be working in their favor. The jocks, after a few quarrels, had finally retreated and left them alone. There had been no sign of Estemus and there had been no fights between them. Ryan and Peyton were still just friends, but each of them knew there was more than that...

Ryan slipped his hoodie on, ruffling his hair slightly as he stretched. "I don't get people who don't like music." He muttered, pulling out his headphones. Ryan walked across the hallway, tapping on Peyton's door. He smiled, leaning against the doorframe. She had agreed to go with him to the local coffee shop and have a hot chocolate with him. Peyton opened the door slightly, just enough for her to poke her head out. "State your name and business." She said seriously, trying not to laugh.

"Ryan McKinley. I've come to kidnap Peyton Kincaid." He said, laughing. She smiled, stepping out and closing her door. "Are you ready?" She asked, adjusting her scarf. He nodded, smiling as they began to walk. "How are your classes going?" He asked, trying to resist from taking her hand in his. She shrugged. "They're okay. Kind of boring without you, though." She said, sighing slightly.

"I know what you mean." He said as they walked through the elevator.

"I hope it's not cold out." Peyton said, holding her elbows.

"If it is, I'll give you my hoodie." Ryan smiled, looking down at her.

"Aw, you're so sweet!" She said sarcastically, playfully hitting his arm. "But I know better than to fall for your tricks. You probably put a bug in it or something, the way you did in seventh grade."

Ryan laughed, leaning against the wall. "Okay, I was like, thirteen back then. I'm mature now."

"Are you sure?" She asked, laughing. "I don't think you are."

"Well, I'm more mature than Zach, that's for sure. Otherwise I'd be trying to kiss you right now."

Peyton bit her lip but took the chance. "I don't think I'd mind, actually.." She said.

Ryan raised his eyebrows. "You wouldn't mind if Zach was trying to kiss you? Well, I guess I owe him some money because he bet me that you liked him!" He joked.

"You know that's not what I meant!" She said, hitting him again.

"Then what do you mean?" Ryan asked lowly, even though he already knew the answer.

"I meant I wouldn't mind it if you kissed me." Peyton said quietly, blushing slightly. Ryan wiped his sweaty palm against his jeans, making up his mind. He grabbed Peyton's arm and pressed her back against the wall, bringing his hand up to elevator's wall. "You wouldn't?" He asked, raising his eyebrows and biting his lip. They were only about an inch or two away from each other, both of them longing for the other. "No, I wouldn't."

Ryan smirked slightly, giving a small laugh. "Neither would I." He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, suddenly becoming fearless and no longer nervous. Peyton smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck and running her hand through his hair, standing on her toes. He moved his hands down to her waist, pulling her closer into him as she kissed him back. The elevator dinged, making Ryan jump and pull back quickly as the doors opened. He leaned against the wall beside her, blushing as a familiar man entered the elevator on the 20th floor.

"Dom?" Ryan asked, scrunching up his face slightly.

"Hello Ryan." Dom said, his tone serious and very different sounding than his normal voice.

"Dom, where've you been all this time? It's been nearly two months since we saw you!"

"I've been busy." There were dark circles under Dom's eyes, his face expression tired and worn. He no longer looked playful and teasing, but rather stressed and pressured.