Ocean Eyes

New Friends, Same Feelings

"Ryder Kane, you have got to be kidding me."

Ryder hell in a giggle as Paul slumped forward, his forehead hitting the desk with a loud thump. He was in utter disbelief, completely unable to fathom it.

That she hadn't ever watched Ace Ventura.

"I don't see what the big deal is." She shrugged casually, looking up to the front of the room to make sure Mrs. Harple was busy.

"It's a cinematic masterpiece." Paul sat back up, shaking his head at her.

"It's about a pet detective." She commented drily. Her eyes met his and she held in a chuckle as his left eye twitched in aggravation.

"How can you even-"

"Mr. Lahote!" At the sound of their teachers voice, Ryder's grin grew even further. "I'm teaching here. It wouldn't kill you to pay attention."

"Right, sorry." Paul clearly wasn't sorry at all but Mrs Harple accepted it. With one last stern look she turned back to the board, prattling on about rhetorical strategies. Paul turned to glare at Ryder.

She smiled innocently, taking notes diligently. "You should probably look at the board and not me. I doubt staring at my face will teach you about juxtapositions."

"Catastrophically beautiful." Paul described her with a smile. It was true- every time he looked at her, he was swept completely off his feet. It messed with his functions, but he didn't mind. He could look at Ryder forever. "You're teaching me examples."

"You-" Ryder shook her head, moving her hair to cover the blush on her cheeks. Trying desperately to hide her amusement, she purses her lips. "You are a piece of work, Lahote."

"Sit with me at lunch?" His question caught her off guard and she looked over at him in surprise.

"Paul, I sit with you everyday."

"Well, yeah." Paul blushed. They'd been sitting together for the past two or three weeks, tucked away in their own private corner. "I meant sit with my friends."

Ryder hesitated, glancing over towards the back of the room where Paul's friends were sitting. Jared and Kim were leaning into one another, completely ignoring Mrs Harple and the rest of the class. A feeling of nervousness washed over her and Ryder found herself dreading meeting them.

"I-"

"Please?" Paul begged. He loved spending time with Ryder but he wanted her to finally meet his friends. His pack was his family, not Joe. He wanted her to meet the people that were important to him. "I know you don't really want to but I promise they're nice. They've been wanting to meet you for a while-"

"Mr. Lahote!" Paul froze in his spot. Mrs Harples voice was much louder now, and he realized that she was right in front of him. With a casual and forced smile, he turned to face her.

"Yes, Mrs Harple?"

"Shut it!" The class erupted in laughter as Mrs Harple glared at him spitefully and moved back to the front of the room. Paul groaned, falling down on to the table with a thud. Not only had he gotten in trouble, but he was sure he had pushed Ryder too far. He had been going slow with her but it killed him not to touch or kiss her. Paul wanted Ryder to be comfortable and not scare her away, yet he wanted more. He was selfish.