Fightin Like Hell For You ; ryden

Chapter Three

Brendon's POV

Ryan took me upstairs and into a room right off the top of the stairs. His room. He closed the door behind us and I immediately saw a Blink- 182 poster taped to the door. There were other posters hung around the room. All of which I liked. "Dude you've got some great taste in music." I'm beginning to think that Ryan and I becoming friends is very very likely. "Yeah? Thanks, I don't get out much so without music I would be so bored all the time." I wonder why he doesn't get out much. He seems like someone that could have tons of friends. Maybe it's too soon to ask though. I settle for a "yeah, I get that," instead. Ryan gestures to the bed, "you wanna sit? There's not much space but I think we can manage." I nod and we both sit on the bed. We're close enough to knock knees if we wanted but not too close to be uncomfortable. I'm oddly more comfortable in Ryan's presence than his mother's. "So, what's up with your mom? Like why didn't she want me to come in originally?" I see him frown a little, and he lets out a small sigh. "It's kind of personal but I guess it's only fair to let you in on some of it. She, uh, has.. issues.. I guess. She doesn't really like new people. She gets freaked out over little things. That's why I don't really ever leave, I have to take care of her. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if half the people in this town didn't even know we existed." Wow, okay, I did not expect that. That's kinda wild. "I think that's really nice. Not that people don't know you guys are here but that you care enough about your mom to basically give up your life for her." He gives me a small smile and lets out a breath through his nose. Not a laugh exactly but almost like a noise of appreciation. "Yeah, I care a lot about her." 

We spent a while just sitting in his room talking about random things. I told him a little about me. For some reason over the few hours I spent talking to him I felt like I could trust him. I told him about my ADHD because uh it's kinda hard to miss the fact I'm a hyperactive freak and he was okay with it. He's the only person I've met, other than my mom, that doesn't think I'm a freak because of a condition I can't control. I'm starting to have high hopes about an actual friendship with this kid. I really hope this isn't just like a one time thing because I'm being neighborly. 

Ryan looks at me quickly and then looks away shyly. "So uh, it's getting kind of late and I feel like it's too soon to ask you to stay over so how would you like to come back over tomorrow?" I feel myself smile wide and I shake my head vigorously. "Yeah, I would like that a lot. I could come after school? Do you go to Palo Verde? That's where I go. If you go there maybe we could walk back together. Sorry I'm rambling, whoops didn't mean to do that." Ugh why do I have to ramble every time I get excited about something? And why am I getting so excited over coming back to Ryan's house?  I hear Ryan let out a small laugh and an even smaller "You're cute." I don't think I was supposed to hear it because he immediately starts talking afterwards. "Yeah you can come over after school. I don't go to your school though. I take online courses because of my mom." "Oh, okay. I'll see you after school then." He stands up from the bed and starts to leave the room. He turns back around and smiles at me, "I'll walk you out." I get up and follow him to the front door. He opens it and as I walk out he grabs my arm. I turn around and am pulled into a hug. A small "bye, Brendon," is whispered in my ear. I whisper, "bye, Ryan," back into his. With that we let go and I make my way home. 

The five minutes it takes me to get home is filled with thoughts of Ryan. I can't wipe the grin off my face. I don't know if it's the idea of having a real friend or if something stronger lingers in my heart but there's something about Ryan that just fills me with joy. I've gotta tell my mom about this. 

I walk into the house and it's dark. It is about 9pm so that's to be expected. Hopefully my mom is still up. I walk down the hall to her room. I knock on the door. "Mom? Are you still up?" I hear the bed creak and she opens her door. She puts her fingers to her lips. My father is probably sleeping. "Let's go to the kitchen," she whispers. I nod and off we go. We both sit at the bar. My mom is looking at me expectantly. "So? How'd it go? You were there for a while. Did you make a friend?" I look down and blush. Fuck, I shouldn't be blushing like this. I barely know the guy. "Yeah, it was really great. There's a boy there. His name is Ryan. He's around my age. Maybe older. He wants me to go back over after school tomorrow. He's really sweet mom. I think I might like him. But I don't know because we just met and I barely know him." My mom looks at me with loving eyes and a proud smile. "That's really great, Bren. I'm glad you're finally making friends. As for your little crush - just give it time. Get to know him. Don't jump right into things but keep your heart open." I look down and blush again. God damn this stupid fucking blushing. "Thanks mom, I love you." "I love you too Beebs. Now go get some sleep. Gotta get that beauty sleep for your mans." With that she gives me a wink and a swift kiss on the forehead before she makes her way back to her room.

I lie in bed with thoughts of Ryan. I really can't wait for tomorrow. Hopefully school will go by fast, I know it won't though. I just hope that things with Ryan will work out. Even if we just stay friends. I close my eyes and doze off with thoughts of the lanky, honey eyed boy that lives down the street. 

~ Wow two updates in one day. Are y'all enjoying the story? It's going kind of slow I know but I promise with more updates it'll get faster. ~