I hid my head behind the entrance, as if it would make him forget I was there.In a rushed fashion, Ryder ended his conversation with Maddox and Lux and had sent them on their way.

I walk out towards him as soon as the coast was clear.

"Are we still on for dinner?" I murmured.Hopefully changing the subject would break the awkward silence.

"I don't know babes"

Babes?

He's never called me anything like that before with meaning.I couldn't help but blush and let it show through my flushed cheeks.

"I have a lot of stuff on my mind.." he continued and sits on a lunch table.

I slowly sat beside him and lay my head on his shoulder."You know I'll always be by your side right? Good terms or not?"

"I know Aerona, it's just trusting people has never been my strong suit and I don't want to let you in until I'm ready"

"I totally understand, no pressure." I grab his hand and hold it for reassurance.A little smile grew upon his face.Was he blushing too?

"Lux and Maddox told me Ariel is Alive.."

I shot my head up from off his shoulder.This wasn't possible was it? They're lying to him just to get him out of my way! ...but what if it's all in my head and Hunter just lied about her death.

No...Hunter isn't that manipulating.He obviously suffers a great amount of sorrow and guilt for Ariel's death.I haven't spoke about it to him yet but it was obviously weighing on him, you could see it in his blood shot eyes.Unless that's just the weed causing those affects?

"Do-do you believe them?" I asks nervously.

"No, but at the same time why would they lie about something like this.I mean they sat me down so professionally with empathy in their hearts.They said they had evidence to show me it was true , but that they would only show me if I cut all ties off with you.."

"R-Ryder?" My voice croaks.My whole throat grew dry I feel as if my heart sunk into my stomach.He wouldn't do this to me would he?

"And that's when I realized they were lying.They obviously wanted to get a revenge towards you through me.But you're the kindest and most badass girl I've ever met, I have no idea why they're after you."

"Trash Can Remember?" I chuckle

We both broke into laughter at the memory of Maddox falling into a Trash container.

"That's where I saw you for the first time." He smirks with piercing eyes."I couldn't stop thinking about how beautiful you were...At first I was scared to approach you because of how things went down with Ariel but you're so much different"

I never stopped to think about how many memories Ryder and I have in this small amount of time of knowing each other.He doesn't have the strength to say the 3 words to me but I know he feels them for me very deeply.Could I feel those feelings too?

All of this and Hunter is mixed in the middle of my mind.He wasn't even a subject in the conversation yet he crossed paths with thoughts of Ryder.

It's wrong to be so close with Hunter when developing a stronger relationship with Ryder.To be frank,Hunter probably followed me here from the hallway and eavesdropped on our conversation.I know that if he did he would be distraught by what was said and what was about to be said.

"Ryder I-"

"Wait," he grabs my hands and places it on his cheek."Can I just hold you in this moment and forget all the bad, I know after today I'm going to have to do some thinking about our relationship.You deserve full trust and commitment and I gotta decide if I'm ready for that.As much as I want to say those words and hear them back, I don't want any false promises."

My response was given in silence.I nodded and cupped his face closer to mine and his lips reached mine before I could even move in.He wanted to kiss me more than I did and when I tell you fireworks flew within the air , they really did.Lips locked with embracing caused butterflies to my stomach and chills through my heart.

Is this the passion I've been craving? Actual feeling ?

The rest of the night we held each other dearly.I wish I could've been snuggled under the sheets with him and feel his warmth around me, but this was the best thing we got before we had to go home.

The fact that I've even started calling Ivy a Home was weird.

Will I ever be ready to go back to my real home? Will I have a chance at a real future with Ryder?

So many questions but in that moment my head is as blank.No questions,No thoughts, just me and Ryder.