Hiding My Life (On Hold)

Chapter Six

Clary's POV

"Angel? Do you hate me?" Ryder asked and I looked up at him, shaking my head as I tried to process the news of him having met my father and that he wants to meet me.

"Never, Ry. I could never hate you. No matter what you do, I'll never hate you. You're my best friend." He smiled.

"So, what do you think about meeting him?" He asked and I shrugged, clipping on my bra.

"I don't know. I think, maybe I should just get it out of the way and do it. Probably soon, so that I don't chicken out, I mean, meeting your dad for the first time, that's big, right?" He nodded.

"It is. But, you shouldn't do it if you don't want to." I nodded.

"I want to. I want to meet him." I pulled on my black jeans and my gray Coca-Cola t-shirt. "Should I wear something with more color? I mean, I'm meeting my dad. What if he doesn't like it?" He smiled and kissed my shoulder.

"Angel, you look beautiful as always. If he doesn't like it, he can leave. Don't hide the real you around him, 'cause then you're not really meeting him as you. Be you, angel." I nodded.

"I'm nervous, Ry. I've never been this nervous in my life. Nothing has ever been as important as this and I'm worried he won't like me. I'm not this person, Ryder. I've never cared if someone liked me or not." I whined and he hugged me, letting me bury my face in his chest.

"Angel, calm down. Like I said, if he doesn't like who you are, he can just go fuck himself, now can't he?" I laughed and looked up at him. "There's my angel. Stay happy, okay? I like you that way."

"Okay. Drop me off at school?" He nodded.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" I shook my head.

"Don't think so." He sighed, handing me his phone.

"Your dad. Call him and set up a time to meet him." I took a deep breath and pressed call, putting the phone to my ear.

"Hello?" He answered.

"Um, hi. This is Clary." It sounded like he took in a deep breath and let it out.

"Clary. Did you think about maybe meeting me?"

"Yeah. Are you busy this afternoon around one?"

"I'm not. Where would you like to meet?"

"Well, that'd be my lunch break at school, so could you meet me there?"

"Of course. Where at?"

"Um, bleachers by the football field?"

"Works for me. So, uh, I'll see you later today."

"Yeah. Bye." I hung up the phone and handed it back to Ryder as I smiled. "I just talked to my dad." He nodded.

"You did. How did it feel?"

"I'll let you know when I figure that out. So, school?" He nodded and grabbed my bag for me and I stole his black jacket off of the couch and followed him out to the new black and red sports bike. He got on first and put on his helmet and I did the same, getting on behind him and holding my bag in front of me.

The bike roared to life and I giggled, holding onto Ryder. "Ready, angel?" He asked.

"Ready." I squealed and held on tight as we sped off to school.

After the exhilarating ride, we stopped outside the school and all eyes were on us and the bike. I hopped off the bike and attached my helmet to the back of it. "Call if you need me. Have a good day. Love you."