Another Tomorrow

Chapter 8

Eight

                I helped Mrs. Jameson carry the groceries into her house, hoping that Ryder would be okay with me going mini-golfing with his family. Sometimes I was very confused about our friendship. Ryder was either being a great friend who was concerned about my safety, or he was annoyed that I was spending time with his family. I had no idea why he acted like this though, hence the confusion.

                “I’m back! And look who I brought with me!” Mrs. Jameson called through the house. Jenna and Quinn immediately ran into the kitchen and greeted me excitedly.

                “Elyse!” they cheered.

                “Elyse?” Ryder repeated in a confused tone. It wasn’t until his eyes landed on me that he understood why his sisters were cheering my name.

                “Surprise,” I greeted somewhat weakly.

                “What are you doing here?”

                “I invited her to go mini-golfing with us,” his mom interjected.

                “Why?” he asked dubiously.

                “I can leave—“

                “No, don’t be silly!” his mom interrupted. “Ryder, don’t be so rude,” she added, glaring at her eldest son.

                “We don’t want you to leave!” Jenna exclaimed, tugging on my hand. I smiled and crouched down, so I could look her and Quinn in their eyes.

                “Alright, I guess I can go. Only because you two are so adorable.” They both grinned, obviously happy with that statement.

                “Okay, everyone head out. Ryder, why don’t you and Elyse take your car while your father and I take the van.”

                “Mom, can I go with Ryder?” Dylan asked.

                “Sure,” she replied hurriedly, leading Jenna and Quinn out the door.

                Eventually I was sitting in the passenger seat of Ryder’s car, while Dylan continuously asked me random questions. Due to the fact that he was a fourteen year old boy, most of the questions had to do with high school girls.

                “Do you think high school girls would go out with me?” he asked. This was at least the twentieth question regarding this subject. For some reason, I still liked talking with Dylan though.

                I laughed. “Sure, Dylan. I’m sure you’ll catch someone’s eye.”

                “What makes you say that?” he wondered.

                I shrugged. “You’re easy to talk to, you can make people laugh, and you’re good looking.” As soon as I said that, I regretted it after seeing the look on Dylan’s face.

                “Really?” he said in a hopeful tone.

                “I can see how that kind of sounded like I was hitting on you, but I swear I wasn’t. I meant other girls would think that,” I explained, watching his reaction.

                He seemed to understand and nodded. “Right. Wouldn’t want to steal my brother’s girl anyway,” he smirked.

                I gaped at him for a moment, while Ryder managed to clear things up immediately. “She’s not my girl, dumbass,” he stated.