Patch Our Hearts

Chapter 1

Carina's P.O.V.

"Carina!" I turned to see my best friend Ryder run out of our school, trying to catch up with me. Giggling as he tripped on the sidewalk, I gave him a high five when he finally caught up to me.

"Hey," he asked in his British accent, "what are you doing tonight?"

I smiled, "Pretty much the usual." This would consist of Netflix and snuggles with my kitten and ice cream that surely wouldn't help tone my body.

It was a cool fall day in October, leaves falling and the sun shining. I looked over at Ryder who was lost in his thoughts, staring at the ground. His eyes were trying to take in all the beauty that lie before him. Ryder was one of those boys that girls long to know, one that appreciates the beauty that surrounds him. He knows the beauty isn't made just for him, and that it owes him absolutely nothing. He cherished the beauty.

I turned back to the path ahead of us, it's a twisty turning dirt road we used for a shortcut home. Ryder and I are best friends, we've known each other forever. He was like my brother, we have a love-hate relationship. He was one of those over-protective friends, which complicated things when it came to me having boyfriends. Not that many ever tried to work with him, which just proved they weren't in it for me. Ryder said it was my beauty, but I wasn't sure why he wasn't as memorized by it as was other beautiful things in this world.

"Is that Shane keeping his hands to himself?" Ryder asked looking at me with those eyes that sparkled every time we were together. Maybe the sparkle was the hint of beauty I saw in him.

"Shawn," I corrected him, smiling and rolling my eyes at him. "And yes he is. Why do you care so much?" I secretly knew the answer, but hearing it out of Ryder's mouth sent my heart jumping through my chest.

He shrugged, focusing his attention on the path that lie below us, "Just don't want to see you get hurt over some dickhead."

I laughed, "I trust him, I know he won't do that to me."

"That's what you said last time," he chuckled, and I made a face at him.

"There was no last time!" I trotted up the steps to my house, Ryder following along. I unlocked the door, and we both threw our bags into the kitchen as Ryder headed for the kitchen. Most days when I didn't have extra-curricular activities and Ryder wasn't in detention after school, we'd come to my house and party for a few hours, not even bothering to get our homework done. 

Shawn hated that fact that Ryder was so close to me, but there was nothing Shawn could do about it. I had explained over and over again that we were just friends, but it didn't seem to be getting far into his head. Boys and their possessiveness. 

"Did you get more Nutella?" he asked as I went upstairs to change into some sweats.

"You're such a white girl," I yelled back running up the stairs. Ryder mumbled some choice words and I decided not to bring up the whole Shawn problem with Ryder.

I threw on some sweats, and a t-shirt, putting my hair a high bun. I knew Ryder wouldn't care, he's seen me in even worst outfits. Self confidence was key, even when I dressed like shit. Running down the steps, I turned the corner to see Ryder sitting on the couch, the jar of Nutella open and two spoons sitting inside, half sticking out. Ryder turned his head and noticed me, his eyes trailing up and down my body as he was momentarily stunned.

I jumped down onto the couch, ignoring Ryder's looks. I smiled at him for being so considerate and grabbing me a spoon to share.

"What?" I asked, unable to keep my thoughts in control. His looks weren't the ones from earlier on the path.

He smirked, laughing to himself like I should know. "That's the shirt I got you for Christmas."

I looked down at the tattered gray Fall Out Boy concert tee, "So? It's comfortable."

"That's my favorite shirt on you," he stated simply, his eyes still glued to the television. Maybe beauty only came in small chunks.