Never the Same

Fourteen

Recap:

I sigh and walk towards the door trying to find a familiar face. Right then when I look up the stairs, I see the Ryder Johnson pulling his shirt down followed by Hailee the Hoe trying to fix her dress. I swear if I didn't know what heartbreak was before I definitely know now. Me and Ryder make eye contact and he freezes and I storm off into the pouring rain.

I find myself walking around the park, I walk inside and sit on a bench. I'm soaking and depressed, I take this time to think about my life decisions. Option one: get a scholarship to UCLA and move to Cali, find a cute boy and marry him. Option two: let Ryder ruin my life and play with my heart. Option three: die from pneumonia.

I look at option one. I would get a scholarship for cheer or volleyball, I would graduate with a degree to be a writer, I would get an apartment near the beach. One day I would go down to the beach for a party and meet the boy of my dreams. We'd get married and have cute kids.

I look at option two. Let Ryder play with my heart and be okay with that.

I look at option three. I just look down, I need to change like right now. As if on cue, Ryder shows up in front of me. I just glare at him with my death stare.

"Go away. I'm tired of you. No phone calls, no promises, no bet, no nothing. Were nothing, we weren't anything. I was just doing the bet, I played every kiss, every picture, every cuddle. Everything was just a joke to me. And it's pretty pathetic that you didn't catch on. And I want you out of my life. It's hard enough with you out of it. I was about to crack and tell you. That's why I was looking for you. But you ruined that for yourself. Before you say anything, I wasn't crying because of you. I was crying because Shawn violated me and I wanted to go but I didn't have a ride and I came here to think," I say bitterly and add a cruel laugh at the end.

"Just let me get you out of the rain," he said, his voice was soft. I just do my cruel laugh and hop off the bench.

"Go play hero somewhere else. I'll call someone and ask for a ride. I could call Shawn. I'm sure he's drunk though. Maybe... Your mom?" I raise my eyebrow and go through my contacts.

"Don't Aspen." His eyes go hard as he glares at me.

"Hello, Ms. Johnson? Yes it's Aspen, I'm here in the pouring rain and your sons trying to be a hero but I don't want him in my life, he needs to grow up and learn he's being played. He should just go back to the party and fuck Hailee the Hoe again." I say everything bitterly as I hold the cold phone to my ear.

"Cut the games out. You're jealous, you weren't playing me. We both know that." He grabs a hold of my wrist and brings it back to my side.

"But we both know this is all a game to you." I gulp down. I feel the tears sting my eyes.

"That's the point of a bet." He just laughs.

"You're gonna regret this Ryder." I walk away, he doesn't follow me and I'm glad. I find myself at a familiar house. I knock on the wood door to find a shirtless Carlos in front of me.

"Couldn't stay away from me babe," Carlos asks and I just push the door open.

"I need your help," I say walking into the living room.

"Let me get you a change of clothes, my moms over at your house and Ryder's at a Halloween party." I gulp and nod him away. He returns with a plain black v-neck and basketball shorts.

"Turn around." I demand and he goes into the kitchen. I quickly change and notice this is Ryder's shirt, I gulp and Carlos hands me a glass of water.

"What do you need help with?" He sits down and pats the seat next to him, I'm shaking as I take a sip of water.

"Revenge." He just smiles his devil smile and leans back, cracking his knuckles.

"What kind?" I entertain him it looks like.

"Well it's like me and your brother had a thing then at the party he fucked some hoe." I sigh at the end and he just nods.

"I got the perfect plan!"

"That would be?" Well I'm a curious person.

"Well my moms looking for a babysitter, from 9AM to 5PM. You take the job, wear one of those half shirts with the booty shorts, and look real hot, that won't be hard for you. But then when your taking care of Daniel you'll see Ryder, ignore him. Ignore everything he does. Then around 4, invite some boy over to get Ryder jealous. The end. He'll come running back to you and it's up to you then." He just smiles his brilliant smile and I have to admit. His plan was genius.

"Okay, I'll do it." I grab my phone and text Shawn.

To Shawn:

I need your help tomorrow xx

-Aspen.

"Boy coming over. Check," I say and show him the text.

"Now you need to go to your house and ask for the job," Carlos said.