Friendzoned

Chapter 11

Ryder

The face she gave me was pretty funny. As I walked away, I winked just to make it worse for her. As soon as I got to the football field I started worrying that she wouldn’t follow me. What if she doesn’t? Then what? I have been thinking about her a lot lately and I want to talk to her about what happened to us in fifth grade. I want things to go back to how they were. I miss her being my friend. Plus, I made sure I put on the bracelet she gave me. It has been sitting in the corner of my room for three years. In mid thought I heard someone’s footsteps behind me. I better not be getting in trouble for being out here. When I turned around to explain myself, I found myself staring straight into Rae’s eyes. God, she is so sexy in that dress. That pissed look on her face is actually pretty hot. Why does this girl hate me so much?

“What do you want Ryder?” She asked. Crap! Kind of just got lost in thought just by looking at her.

“Well um I uh wanted to talk.” I stuttered out. Shit. I haven’t stuttered since our fifth grade incident.

“I am listening.” She said still pissed. I wasn’t sure how to put this. It’s not something I do every day. 

“What happened to us in fifth grade Rae? It was a stupid little kiss. I didn’t think it would tear us apart. You didn’t even let me explain myself.” I said.

“I was a little girl. I had never kissed anyone before, so I freaked out. I didn’t think it would tear us apart either. After it happened, you started being a big player and just started kissing a bunch of girls. It made me feel like I didn’t even mean anything to you.” She said. She sounded like she was about to cry.

“I had never kissed anyone before that either Rae.” I stated. I was starting to get nervous. She didn’t say anything. She just looked down. I need to figure out a way to show her I still want to be friends.

“God Rae. You look beautiful in that dress.” I probably shouldn’t have said that but It’s all I have been thinking about since she walked into the gym doors.

“Oh, shut up Ryder. I’m not another one of those girls who will just fawn all over you whenever you compliment them. I see right through those tricks.” She said angrily. I didn’t mean to make her upset. I was just being honest. I know she is nothing like those other girls. She has always been different to me. She was looking down again. I stepped closer to her and lifted up her chin with my finger. She looked me right in the eyes. I could just melt in her bright blue eyes. Why is she making me feel this way?

“Hey, I didn’t mean to make you mad, Rae. I was being honest.” She just stared into my eyes. I don’t know why, but for some reason, I kissed her. It was honestly the best kiss I have ever had. We both closed our eyes and the next thing I knew, our lips were touching. I wrapped my arms around her so she wouldn’t run away again. I just wanted to stay in this moment forever. I didn’t want to push it any farther though, in case she didn’t want to. Then, I felt her tongue follow the lining of my lips. I parted my lips to let her in. Our tongues moved together circling each other. She let out a really sexy sigh when the kiss got even more intense. I could live like this for the rest of my life and be totally fine with not being with another girl.

She pulled away and looked down to the ground. She was blushing. It made her look so cute.

“Ryder, this shouldn’t have happened. I just broke up with my boyfriend and I can’t jump into a relationship that I know will end with me getting a broken heart. You’re a player, and I am not asking you to change or anything, but I can’t be with someone like that.” She explained still looking at the ground. I can’t blow my chance now.

“Friends?” I asked. She looked up confused. “What about just friends? I promise I won’t make any more moves.” I waited for her to reply.

“Where is this coming from?” She asked. Shoot, I was hoping she wouldn’t bring that up. Truthfully, I didn’t know where it was coming from myself. I see her all the time in the halls, at lunch, and in History and I have never thought about her once until this year. Now every time I see her, it makes me miss her more. I am definitely not used to missing a girl like this.

“I miss my best friend.” I finally answer. She is staring at me like I am crazy. “What?”

“Best friend? Really Ryder? We haven’t talked since 5th grade!” she said.

“Well, I don’t know about you, but you were my best friend. I used to tell you everything.” Saying that made me realize how much I actually miss her. When she didn’t say anything, I stepped in.

“I miss you.” I waited. Still nothing. “I miss how we used to hang out every second outside of school. I miss our sleepovers where you would tell me about all of your problems. But mostly, I just miss being able to talk to you every day.” I looked down because I have always hated when guys would spill all of their feelings to a girl. I was being that guy right now and I couldn’t stand it. I could punch myself in the face right now for acting like such a girl.

“I… miss you too.” She hesitated. I looked back up to hear the rest of what she had to say. “You don’t think I miss the only friend I had? I feel like half of me left when we stopped talking. It killed me. I wanted to be friends again, but every time I saw you, you were kissing a different girl. You changed after that kiss and I didn’t want to be friends with someone like that.” She said.

“Well, how do you feel about being friends with me now?” I asked. She looked down at my shoes once again and then she slowly looked up until she was looking me straight into the eyes.

“I… I’m not sure…” she paused. “But if it means there is a chance the old Ryder will come back, then it’s definitely worth a shot.” She smiled that beautiful smile. I smiled back. She was one complicated girl for just being friends. Before she could say anything else, I pulled her into a tight hug.