Ralph was going on and on about his daughter before my shift. Apparently, her boyfriend of 10 years went on his knees and I bet Ralph cried more than his daughter. He was nervous and excited. He was talking about her dresses, the venue and take to shopping before he hand her over to another man. He wanted to fulfil the void of her mother and give her everything she wanted. He did. 

"One more minute. I bet he will cry", Ryder said looking at Ralph running here and there. We were sat on my usual place and I learned Ryder decided to stay back, for me. I couldn't quite handle this new found closeness with him because the one time I did, it was pretty bad.

"He will", I shook my head and turned the one page I had for 10 minutes. It was Ryder's effect sitting beside and enticing. I couldn't look at him but the intense stare was burning my side.

"Will you come sit this side?", I gestured to the chair on other side of me. He gave me a vague. 

"I think you burned this side enough. Burn this equally. I even timed.", I said rolling my eyes. I could see his neck red which I assume was embarrassment. 

"No thanks, I like this side better", he smirked and leaned to kiss my cheek. God, my heart burst.

I fake gasped, "This side is offended"

He turned me towards and kissed my right cheek.

"I can always kiss it better", he winked with that cheeky smile. It felt comforting to see him smile like that. No smirking but smiling.  

"Can you come to the birthday party?"

"When?". I smiled at his answer. He didn't even hesitate.

"After finals"

"Whose?"

"Twins". I could see the hint of doubt in eyes. He didn't exactly had a friendly 'yo bro' relationship with them and I swear Luke would burst his veins if he saw Ryder but I wanted them to know him better. The side he had showed me.

"Will it be okay with them?", he sounded low

"No, they won't be okay with you but I'm inviting"

"Okay"

"Okay?", I ask in surpise

"Yeah, you will be there. So, yeah", he replied shyly

If it wasn't for Ralph peeking us from the book rack, I would've jumped on Ryder. Now I couldn't wait for the day.

***

"God, that was amazing", Luke moaned eating the first home cooked meal. After months of failed cooking skills we hired a maid. She would come for the lunch and dinner.

We all sat in the couch after becoming a foodzilla. "I really am scared of tomorrow", Luke repulsed. Supposedly, it was finance tomorrow for him, the same paper that made him half bald.

"You are gonna make it", Abby patted him.

"Really? You think so?", Luke whined for reaffirmation.

"No, I don't think so", Abby retorted smugly and Luke went about bickering with her

"I want to talk to you", Matt muttered. Actually, I was planning to talk to him. After he found Ryder had attack we never spoke about it. In fact, I've kept the 'he likes me part' from them. I had asked Ryder to delete the video and he said that it was his other number that he had used years ago and wasn't even sure that he still had it with him. I was relieved when I knew what Ryder had wasn't the full video but was scared that there was possibility of existence. Quite unbelievable but yeah I decided to.

I decided to put off the topic till we completed the semester finals. It was last day today, except Matt everyone was tensed. The eerie feel of the exam sent shivers through me. Chadd was sat next to me and Matt and Danielle were at the back.

"I almost passed out", Chadd said coming out of the exam hall. It was a boring theory paper. At one point I was writing the same answer for every question until I realized.

We all went to the nearby diner to wash out the worry of exams and celebrate on completing a year. It was feast in our table. Luke practically threw his card in air. Guy, he was desperate to finish the hell of exams.

Luke, Matt and Abby were drunk. I had to drive them home and took them one by one to the house. I laid them on the couch and took some awkward pictures to laugh about. I went to my room and took my makeup kit and sat infront of Luke. I rolled my sleeves and make my hands play. Next Matt and Abby.

Abby and Luke's face art

Laughing is good for health

I took about 100 pictures. After laughing for good five minutes, I took Abby to her room.

My morning alarm was Abby's scream. "What the hellll?"

I ran to her room and almost peed myself laughing looking at her. I. Did.Not.Wash.Her.Face.

Not only her but everyone's. A minute later Luke screamed from the living room. He was looking at Matt's face and Matt was horrified looking at Luke. Maybe I had some artistic skills.

Suddenly, all heads were towards me. Maybe they noticed me on the floor wheezing looking at them. Swear I was trying to be silent. I couldn't hold it and each time I peeked at them, I burst out again. 

***

"Come sit here", Matt pointed to his study chair. I wiped my sweaty hand on my jeans. After peeing myself and Luke promising that he would take revenge on me. oooh, I was scared. *Eye rolls*. 

"What did Ryder mean that he had an attack?". Okay, so we are diving right in.

"His girlfriend died in a car accident few years ago.", I waited for some kind of expression change but continued when I got none. "I found about when I stayed over during the date. He was calling for her."

"Anything else?", he leaned forward to put in elbows on his knees

"I asked him to delete the videos and he deleted. Also he is going to search for his old phone with that number"

"Anything else?"

"Nothing that I remember".

Matt sighed running his hands through his hair. "Em, what's happening between you two?"

It threw me off guard. He noticed. "I am not sure what what's happening between us. He said he likes me"

"You?", there was glint of disappointment in his eyes. I got it that he was a total jerk and did something unforgiveable. I gave him a second chance and I didn't expect everyone to but I wished.

"I am not sure. I am comfortable around him. I feel his sincerity but I am not sure. I feel like going in for too much and  I don't know why he is opening up to me"

"Do you trust him, Em?"

"Yes", I said looking  straight at his eyes. I had no doubt about my trust on him. I wasn't sure what my feelings were for him and also he was the last person I should trust but I did, trust him completely.

We ended our open up there. He didn't put his opinion on me, maybe that's why I was more comfortable talking about my deepest matters with him. I hoped he didn't flip if he came over.

EM after her painting session: