Decoding You *Watty Awards 2012*

Chapter 18

I was at my locker when Harper comes up, "So..."

I look at her with a frown, "So?"

She sighs, "You like him don't you?"

I frown, "What are you talking about?"

She looks at me sternly, "Rory I'm not stupid. You're falling for him. It's so obvious. Maybe not to Audrey but it is to me."

I shake my head, "I'm doing this for Audrey."

"You didn't say no."

I look at her, "Do I really need too?"

She nods, "Yes, or you need to tell her how you feel."

I gulp, "I can't. She'd be heartbroken. It's easier to just end things after spring break."

"Or before the Senior Bash," she says.

I nod, "Well yeah, around then, maybe the night before. I'm not sure yet."

She leans against the locker beside mine, "Rory maybe you should end things before break."

I shake my head, "No. I really need him to come to that party. I hate being around Tony. Plus I don't want things all weird for the dunk tank."

She nods, "That's true."

I sigh, "Look I'm going to the library during study hall. I'm going to ask anyone I see some random questions. Just to get them talking. Then I'll write it all down. Can you do the same?"

She nods, "Sure."

It's study hall when I'm sitting in study hall writing about my latest date with Ryder. The sunrise had been so romantic. I'm thankful when two girls who I've known since sophmore year come over.

"Oh Rory I saw your new cover photo on facebook. It's soo cute. You and Ryder are such a cute couple."

I smile, "Thanks. He's so sweet. The picture is from a date he planned."

They sit down and the blonde says, "So what was the date?"

I smile at the thought, "Well he picked me up from work Friday night so he could wake me up in the morning by staying over. So we went to bed early and then he woke me up and took me to the fields by Kissing Point and we watched the sunrise. We just sat there for an hour talking about everything. It was so romantic and sweet. Then we went for an early breakfast to iHop. The rest of the morning we just layed in bed and watched movies."

The brunette says, "Aww that's so cute! I didn't know he could be so romantic. You're so lucky."

I nod, "Haven't you had any boyfriends do anything romantic?"

It starts them off on a speel. They go on and on about guys they've dated and the things they have done, and the things they should have done. Plus all the things they wish they would do.

I'm caught off guard when the blonde asks, "What do you love most about Ryder?"

I set my pencil down and bite my lip, "I think it's how when I look up at him he's already looking at me expectingly. Or how he'll watch disney movies with me all night instead of going out to party. But I love how he plans really cute dates for us too. And I love how good he is to his little sisters. I think that says a lot about a person. How well they take care of the people they love the most. It shows me what kind of person he is. He's a really good guy."

She smiles, "You love him don't you."

My mouth goes dry, "Love is a strong word, we've only been dating for a few weeks. But I guess it's like this: every moment we've spent together we've gotten to know eachother a little better. We've gotten too see the personal things, and when you see those little things the mystery goes away. But you've seen something deeper so you connect with them on a personal level. They become a part of you. I may not love him yet, but I suppose I could."