It's Always 2 VS 1: A LeLi Fanfiction

Chapter 9

"That was to shut you up. And because I wanted to. And because I've heard rumours."

"What rumours?"

"That's for me to know, and you to not worry about." She smiled at me, a mischievous hint in her smile. I just stared at her, my arms still tightly wrapped around her back. Her smile slowly started to fade. I was about to question why when I realised there was water dripping onto my shirt. She pulled me closer, resting the side of her head on my chest and rubbing my back. "I'm sorry Ryder. I shouldn't have said those things to you. I was just mad."

"No no, it was my fault. I shouldn't have pranked you. Halton convinced me. He said that since we were friends, you wouldn't get mad at me. And I trusted him. I just want you to know that I immediately regretted it. The last thing I wanted was for you to be mad at me."

"I'm still sorry. For making you walk, for yelling at you, for everything." I stayed silent, not knowing how to continue. Her smile started to return as she leaned in, gently kissing right beside my lips, teasing me.

"Why are you still helping me?"

"In the beginning it was because I was being forced to or my grades would suffer, but now, it just feels right. I like hanging out with you." She smiled at me, resting her chin on my chest.

"I'm getting hungry."

"Good. Let's go out for food." She giggled, oh how I missed hearing that. She walked with my out to her car, so close that are hands kept bumping into mine. I wanted to just hold it, I don't know why, but I wanted to. No, I didn't just want to, I need to. I need her, because without her it's a living hell. Why though? She's just another girl. We picked up our food and brought it back to the house. "Are you gonna be okay for home economics tomorrow?" I looked at her with confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"Tomorrow Mr.Maxwell is giving us a test over child care." I flung my head back and let out a long breath.

"No, I'm gonna fail so badly. I can't even take care of my brother, how am I supposed to pass a test about it?"

"Just tell him about Noel. I'm sure he'll understand."

"But I'll be kicked out of my house."

"You can live with us, but this can't be unknown."

"Lena hates me though, and she'll hate you for letting me live with you."

"No she won't. She'll understand. You still haven't told her about your parents."

"Okay, I know, I'll tell him. Can you come with me please." She smiled sympathetically at me and grabbed my hand.

"Anything you need, I'll be there." She smiles, following me up to my room. We walk into my room and both lay on my bed in the dark, staring at the ceiling, red light from the sunset barely making the fan visible.

"Lisa?"

"Mhmm?"

"Why are you so nice to me? After all I've done, after everything I've put you through since we stopped hanging out. I've made your life hell, yet you still help me and you still care. How come?" She turned her head to face me as I turn to look at her.

"Well, to be honest, I don't know. There's just something about you that makes it impossible to hate you. As much as I want to, and trust me, I want to hate you so much, I can't. I don't know if it's you, or me, or everyone else, but I can't. For some reason, I want you to be happy and well. I hate seeing you go trough all of this, more than I want to hate you. It kills me. But to answer the question, I don't know." I stared at her for a second, feeling warm and nervous.

"Well, I don't hate you either. Trust me, I want to as well, but I can't. Maybe it's your eyes, or how soft your voice is, or the colour of your hair, maybe it's your undeniably amazing personality. I don't know, but I just love that about you. You look amazing, you sound amazing, and you are amazing. You're just plain and simple amazing."

"It would be kinda funny if we were confessing our love to each other. Like in those corny romantic movies. You know, where two people are laying next to one another, just talking, and they somehow end up kissing or together."

"Yeah, that'd be funny. But weird. You're so different than me, we're basically polar opposites. It would be too weird."

"Yeah, agreed." She laughed, moving her hand to her stomach. "But hey, they say opposites do attract."

"Yeah, you aren't wrong. They do say that." I smiled, trying to convince myself she was right.

"You know I liked you when we were younger, right?"

"Oh please, that was so obvious." I laughed. To be quite honest, I never knew, I just wanted to mess with her.

"Seriously?!"

"Oh yeah, everyone knew."

"Oh god I must've looked so awkward." She laughed, covering her face with her hands.

"Yep, but no more awkward than you already looked."

"Shut up Ryder."

"You wanna know the crazy part?"

"What?"

"I liked you too."

"And you never told me?!"

"Nah, did you even notice how much of a nerd I was back then? I mean, a pocket protector? Seriously!" I yelled as she laughed. "You wanna know the even crazier thing?"

"Spill it." She smiled as I turned to face her and smiled widely.

"Lisa Mantler, I love you. I love you right here and now. I can't believe it took me this long to realise it, but I love you. I hate seeing you upset more than anything. I hate it when I make you angry. I hate it when we don't talk. And I hate being away from you." I stared at her as she got a dopey smile.

"Ryder Miles Conrad, the even crazier thing is, I love you too. I don't know why I fall for guys like you, but I do." She leaned in, quickly kissing the side of my lips. "And I want you to know, I'm always here for you, and I will always be here for you. No matter how angry I am at you, I will never let you be lost. I will never let you be broken and tossed around. I will never let you stand alone and fight by yourself. I will never let you forget who you are."

"I'm telling you here and now Lisa, you aren't to be touched by anyone. If they even try to say something about you, they will die on spot. No questions asked. Jamie, he's dead meat. I don't know what happened to him, I don't know where he is, but he's dead to me. Got it? Anybody says anything even remotely negative about you, they are dead. You hear me?"

"Loud and clear." She smiled, grabbing my face between her small hands and crashing her lips onto mine. I take my chance and sweep her hands away, moving mine to her cheeks, feeling her jawline with my fingers. I deepened the kiss as she pushed herself up against me, running her fingers through my hair. I pulled back slowly, trying to keep the minty taste for as long as possible. I put my mouth close to her ear.

"You are mine, and I am yours. Any guy tries anything, call me, because he's a dead son of a bitch." I let out a low growl in her ear, smiling when I feel her shiver and nod. This is what I'm worried about. I'm too dominant to date. I take control and end up hurting everyone. I guess, I guess I'm willing to take that chance. I've never had this feeling before, but if she's willing to risk it with me, I'm willing to rush it for her.