Wolfswood (Currently being re-worked)

Part 12

"So, is Izzy short for anything?" Ryder asked, breaking the silence that had fallen over the car since leaving the school parking lot. My mind had been racing as soon as I sat in the car, I mentally yelled at myself. Maybe I did have a death wish, what was this town doing to me to make me think it was okay to get into random strangers' cars.

"Um yeah short for Isabella, my mum had a thing for Isabella Rossellini." I answered, bringing my attention back to Ryder and the conversation.

Ryder was quite handsome, his features sharp and dark. He looked mysterious, the stereotypical bad boy. It was hard to believe that he was my age, so far, all the boys I had seen in this town seemed to look more mature than any boys from my home back in Australia. If the boys back home looked like this maybe I would not have been such an introvert.

My eyes continued to study his features as he drove, taking in every part of his face. My eyes catching the earrings lining his ears. A smile stretched across Ryder's face and I cursed under my breath realising I had been staring for longer than I originally intended.

"Want a picture? Not to brag but I kind of pride myself on my selfie game."

A loud laugh escaped my lips.

"I don't doubt it." I said honestly, thankful that we pulled into his driveway and I had an out of this conversation. His laugh making my brain fuzzy. I could feel his stare, his eyes looking me over just as I was doing not even minutes ago.

"Well, thanks for the lift." I said a little too enthusiastically, opening the door and scrambling out of the car as fast as I could, not fast enough to hear Ryder whisper the word lift to himself quizzically, obviously not used to that term being used in this situation.

I did not stay to explain to him, just moved across both of our front yards and into my house as fast as I could. I swung my bag onto the couch, my body not far behind it. My body draping of the couch, one leg hanging off the side.

Maybe I was going crazy, maybe everything that had happened since moving was all a fever dream and I would wake up back in Australia, stress and incredibly attractive boy free, I thought to myself. Emotions overtaking my body at the memories from the past few days, never had I met a person who made me experience nearly every emotion possible as Asher had. Anger, from seeing him with the red head. Sadness, from looking into his eye after I pushed him away and currently above all else, lust. An uncontrollable urge to jump into his arms and have my way with him and him me every time I saw him, my thought being flooded with his face despite my best efforts to stop them. My cheeks heating up, my clothes seeming to become tighter.

"Did you run home? You look a little flushed." Mum's voice asked from above me as I looked up and her face came into view.

"Mum please, me? Run home? It's like you don't even know me." I said faking exasperation.

"Anyway, guess what?" Mum asked, moving around the couch and sitting next to me, my head coming down and resting on her shoulder.

"You're lame and I'm not?" My smile was smug as I looked over at her.

"Everyone knows that's a lie and also not what I wanted you to guess."

"Okay, I give in." I asked genuinely interested this time. No smugness or sarcasm in my voice.

"I got the job, a good job. Aged Care like back in Australia."

"Mumma that amazing! I'm so proud of you!" I said, throwing my arms around her and hugging her close.

"Wait! Celebrations can wait, care to explain why you are home so early?"

I winced, hoping that her news would take away from the fact that I was in fact home at least 45 minutes than I should have been.

"I um got a lift home, from our new neighbour."

"Are you crazy? You got a lift home with some random middle-aged man!"

"NO! He is my age and he just started at school today. Give me some credit please Vera, you know my age cut off for getting into people's cars is 30." I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes at her. Sinking further into the seat trying to slink away from her angry stare.

"Hmm well even though I would have liked some notice and at least met this fulla I guess it's fine. At least you didn't die."

I nodded my head in agreement, knowing that I had disappointed her killed me and I kept all further comments to myself to avoid any more confrontation.

"Was he cute?" Mum asked nudging my arm, drawing my attention back to her face, sending me a wink.

"Ew no, men are disgusting! Death to all men!" I shouted jokingly, giggling at mum's smile.

"Extremely." I said finally, lowering my voice and bowing my head and sighing.

"This wouldn't happen to be the same boy whom you were sharing a moment with the other day?"

My eyes widened, completely forgetting that mum was one of the nosiest people alive and she would have noticed Asher out the front the other day.

"Um actually, that was a different person."

"Ohhh you little hussy." Mum said playfully, swatting my shoulder and laughing at her statement.

"Wait, so you got into his car too?" Mum asked, raising her eyebrow in question.

"Maybe... Yes."

"Well, if all that's happening in these cars are driving, I guess I can live with it. I mean no judgement but its only your first week, at least keep car sex until week 3." Mum said, hugging me close and laughing once more.

"Right, only sex on a bed until 3 weeks of knowing them, got it!" I said, pretending to make a mental note. I loved her, more than anything else in the whole world. Not only was she my mum but my best friend, no one knew me as well as she did. For the first time in 18 years, I was keeping things from her, because for the first time in all these years I don't think even she would have the answers.

"I was invited to a party tomorrow night, can I go?"

"Are there going to be beds there? If so, then yes."

I let out a loud laugh as I picked up my discarded bag and slung it around my shoulder, making my way to the stairs.

"Thanks, you're the best!" I yelled behind me as I made my way up the stairs to my bedroom and closed my door. Basking in the solitude of my room.