A/N: I know I made you guys wait for such a long time and I really am sorry! I've been really busy with school works I barely have time to write chapters. Again, my apologies!!!

This chapter is really more of a filler but next chapter would be better! I promise!!!

Happy reading! (:

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Chapter nineteen

'Ding!'

The elevator rang signalling that Ryder was already at the penthouse.

He was exhausted and all he wanted to do was lie on his bed and take a very long nap. It was already 9:30 in the evening and all the practicing he did to catch up to racing made him fatigue. Coach had him work really hard.

He plopped himself down at the couch letting out an exhausted sigh. He closed his eyes drifting off to sleep when a shrill of laughter filled his ears. He looked around but nobody seemed to be there.

It might have been his ears playing tricks on him. He must be really tired. He ignored it and closed his eyes again relaxing his body. But there it was again; giggling.

Ryder opened his eyes and tried to listen where the sound was coming from and it was coming from his kitchen. He made his way towards it and open the door.

The view that he had witness made him cringe. It was his sister, Rina, pressed up against the counter by his ex best friend, Steven. They were way to close for his liking and from his point of view, it looked like Steven was about to kiss her.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Ryder asked in a low, dangerous voice startling the two oblivious friends. They quickly parted apart letting go of each other.

"What. Are. You. Doing. Here?!" Ryder asked once again. He was sending daggers to Steven through his eyes.

"I called him and told him to come over." Rina answered trying to cover for Steven. She thought it was alright if she asked Steven to come. They are best friends anyway. She didn't know that Ryder would get mad.

"Yeah, well he can go now!" Ryder snapped. Rina grew irritated right away. He was acting like a real jerk and she didn't like it.

"His my visitor, Ryder. And he's staying." She announced causing Ryder to be more annoyed and furious.

"Well, it's my house! My house, my rules." He declared then turned his head to here Steven stood. "Now, I prefer you go home now before I make you."

Steven knew Ryder very well. He knew that he was not the person to mess with. He could take you down in a few seconds and he didn't want that. He was trying to earn their friendship again. And it wasn't going well.

Steven quickly shuffled his feet and hugged Rina which angered Ryder more. "I'll see you again." He said shooting her a sad smile.

"Promise me you'll call me tonight."

"I promise." He said before walking up to Ryder. "Don't make Andrea cry again. She doesn't deserve it." He warned him as he walked passed him leaving Ryder astonished. She had been crying?! Sh*t!

Rina was furious! She couldn't believe how immature his brother was acting. He wasn't usually like that to Steven. They used to be best friends. Share secrets, hang out, hit on her friends. But she guessed everything had changed.

"What is wrong with you?!" She spat bitterly as soon as she heard the elevator door closed.

"Didn't I tell you I don't want you hanging around that guy?" Ryder said opening the fridge to get some water. He took the water bottle and gulped the water down.

"'That guy.'" She said putting the words into quotations with her fingers. "Ryder, he's my best friend. Yours too! Why do you act like you are just two strangers to each other?!"

"Because people change, Rina! And Steven wasn't the same guy you know. His different now and you don't know who he is anymore. Please, just do us all a favour and stay away from him." He pleaded but it sounded more like a command.

"Why do I have to follow everything you say?! I'm not your slave, Ryder! I can do whatever I want and hang out with whoever I want! You don't get to tell me what to do!" She screamed as she sprinted upstairs to her room. She had enough of bossy Ryder an she just wanted to call Steven and talk to him. He always seemed to make her feel better.

~ * ~ * ~

Ryder went up to his room after his argument with his sister. He was so pissed! First, he made Andrea cry. And now, he made his sister mad. He couldn't help but think that he seemed to be having a bad day. A really bad day!

"UGH!" He groaned plopping himself down on his bed. He ran a hand through his face an took a deep breath. He fished out his phone from his pocket and dialled the number.

"Pick up, Pick up, Pick up!" He chanted as it rang. Suddenly, there was an answer from the other line.

"What's up?" The voice shrieked causing Ryder to pull the phone away from his ears.

"Well, there goes my eardrum." Ryder complained touching his ear.

"Oh, man up! Why did you call anyway?" She asked curiosity sipping through her.

"What do you know about Andrea Carson?" He asked hesitantly. If there was someone he would ask for information, it would totally be Katie. She was the gossip girl of the school and it was a good thing they were friends.

"Why do you want to know?" She asked squinting her eyes even though she knew he wouldn't be able to see her.

"Would you just tell me?!" He groaned rubbing his temple. He was really frustrated and the last thing needed was the interrogation.

"Okay, okay, keep your pants on." She teased earning another groan from Ryder.

"From what I've heard, she's a scholar. She's intelligent, quiet, shy type of girl. She's the nerd of the school and she's not really that well known. Nobody knows about her and nobody really cared. She's a loner and doesn't really interact with others. Well, except now, she has Steven." She said all in one breath. 'Wow, this girl can talk.' Ryder thought but shook his head right away as her words sipped through his head.

"Will you stop calling her a nerd?!!" He snapped defending Andrea.

"Sorry, but you did ask. I was just telling you of what I know and what I've heard about her. Don't take it personally. And why do you care anyway? Do you...." She trailed off not wanting to finish her sentence. She probably already knows the answer.

"Do I what?!" Ryder asked in annoyance as he rubbed his temples continually.

"Nothing." She hesitated.

"Just tell me!" He growled growing frustrated more and more.

"Do you, by any chance..." She said slowly. "Like Andrea?..." She questioned catching him off guard. Was it that obvious?

He didn't really know what he was feeling. He was confuse to the limit. He didn't know if she was feeling the same way he was feeling about her and he didn't want to experience love again. He didn't want to get hurt. And he don't know if he can trust anymore.

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A/N: don't forget to VOTE!