Rock Me Softly

Ambushed After Awkwardness

To say breakfast was awkward would be an understatement.

"Do I even want to know why Ryder was murdering Preston with his eyes this morning? I mean, more than usual?" Noah asked, turning onto my school's street.

My cheeks heated as I answered, "Not really. By the way, can you pick up a new shower knob on your way home from school today?"

A confused expression colored his face but being the person he is, he just nodded and pulled into an empty parking spot in front of the school.

And suddenly the car was instantly surrounded with paparazzi and students of the school. My eyes widened and Noah cursed when bright camera flashes reflected off the windshield.

"Noah, what are-." I was interrupted by questions muffled by the car windows.

"Callie! How did you meet Ryder?"

"Are you dating Noah?"

"Are you friends with Alex, Zach, and Preston too?"

"Did Ryder fight to defend your honor?"

I raised my hand up to shield my eyes when a flash of a camera made me flinch away from the passenger side where people were starting to crowd more and more. Lady Gaga's song Paparazzi loudly went on repeat in my head.

"I think you're skipping school today, Callie." Noah muttered, right before he put his car in reversed, honked the horn, and made people scatter out of the way as he peeled out of the school.

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"What do you mean the press was there?" Ryder growled.

Noah had drove us straight home much to my disagreement. I had wanted him to take me to go visit my mom since I was ran out of my own school, but he promised he would take me later.

"When Callie and I pulled in, we was surrounded, man! Your video is freaking everywhere!" Noah started to pace around the kitchen and continued, "You just had to fight that kid didn't you?"

Ryder put his hands behind his head, "He deserved it." I rolled my eyes and he glanced at me.

We haven't really talked much since I sort of held his hand in a jail cell. And the effect it had on both of us was nearly laughable.

We tensed, my hands turned sweaty and his clenched, and our eyes narrowed on one another.

"That's not the point, Ryder! Callie couldn't even go to school today because of your stalkers, because of your fight. Do you have any idea what this could mean? Callie's residency here could be discovered!"

"I know I fucked up! My suspension has been upped, and my manager is pissed-."

"Then fix this. Please, man. Before it gets out of hand because we both know it will of you don't fix it now."

When Noah's plea was met with silence, he snorted, "I was stupid to believe you would actually give a shit and help control the situation. Come on, Callie and I'll take you to the-."

"I'm ready." I interrupted, earning a curious glance from Ryder.

"Where are you guys heading?"

Noah waved his hand dismissively and gestured for me to lead the way to the front door. We made it ten steps before the Rock Star said, "I can take her, wherever it is she needs to go. We have to go to work later anyways."

I bit my lip in irritation at the mention of working with Ryder, as Noah sarcastically replied, "No it's okay, you've helped enough."

He caught up with us and blocked us from opening the door, "No really, I could take Callie to wherever and you could go to school, I know you're late already." He smirked at Noah's frown.

"Thanks for the concern but we're fine."

I nearly smiled in triumph before Ryder spoke again and crushed any hope of hiding my secret a day longer. It shocked me how the much the subject had changed in a matter of a few minutes.

"I'll fix this. All of it, the video, the press... even Callie's risk of being kicked out." Ryder grumbled.

I froze.

"I can walk."

"No." The two boys answered simultaneously.

Noah look at me with pleading eyes and whispered under his breath, "I know you don't want anyone to know, Callie. But it's either this or taking a chance on you being evicted."

Evicted. We all knew I was familiar with that word.

I met Ryder's sparkling eyes with my own slanted ones. I silently cursed Alex, Zach, and Preston for having class because I could use their comforting presence as I faced the devil.

"Fine."

The devil grinned wickedly as my stomach dropped with the sinking feeling that I had just sold my soul to him.

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"So... where are we going?"

I ignored Ryder and continued starring out the window, blowing my breath on the glass and using my finger to draw.

He sighed, "Just tell me where to drive so we can get this over with."

When I still ignored him as I continued to draw, he reached over and grabbed my hand with a firm yet soft grip, "Damn it, Callie-."

His words cut off when he took in the writing on the window.

RYDER BLACK IS A WIENER

He snarled, "How lovely."

With a condescending smirk I yanked my hand out of his hold and muttered, "The hospital. Take me to the hospital."