They both just stared at me.

Once again my stupid mouth has made an appearance.

No backing down now I guess.

So holding my chin up, I clear my throat.

"Like I said, I wanted to hear the mosquitoes sing."

"What?" Ryder asks bewildered not believing what he's hearing.

Well, I wouldn't have either if I wasn't the one talking.

"What? A girl can't hear a song without being judged?" I glare at him in an attempt to cover up my embarrassment.

"Let me get this clear," he slowly asks as if registering the words in his brain, "You are here, at midnight, in a different town, to hear the mosquitoes?" he glances at Alexis as if she'll offer him a reasonable explanation.

Alexis doesn't even hesitate for one second as she points towards me, "She made me do it!"

Oh, you sneaky bitch!

"Sure, that explains it all," he says sarcastically as his eyes return to me. He stares at me for a few moment before his lips slowly begin to quirk upwards.

"God," he chuckles, "You're so weird."

My heart thuds painfully as I register the melodious sound of his laughter. I like it so much better than his growl.

And knowing I caused that laugh, makes my heart go into overdrive.

I shrug, "What can I say? It's a natural talent."

"Uh..." Its then I remember Andrew's here too, "You were actually here listening to mosquitoes?"

"I wanted to see which one sang the best so I could take it as a pet," I blurt out.

Silence.

"Huh," he looks at me with disbelief written across his face, "That story's so unbelievable that I actually might believe it."

Alexis clears her throat getting our attention, "So...we should get home? It's getting late."

I don't back down from throwing her a glare for her betrayal.

I thought we were supposed to be stalker buddies! What happened to our code of not ranting each other out? Huh?

Granted we didn't have a code but still!

She mouths me an 'Oops?'

Seriously? Oops?

"We'll take you home," Ryder interjects.

I snap my head towards him, "What?"

He shrugs like its no big deal, "We'll take you home. Since you know? It's midnight and it's not safe."

I opened my mouth to argue that we are no damsels in distress and can obviously take care of ourselves but he beat me to it by rolling his eyes, "I know what you're going to say but please shut up and listen for one moment?"

His pleading green eyes compel me to nod.

He sighs, "Thank you. And seriously its not safe. This neighbourhood is really dangerous."

Really? I didn't notice at all.

The things I saw here claw at my mind. But I don't know if I should ask him or not.

What was it?

Who were they?

What did the girl, Celia, mean?

But most of all, who is he?

I contemplate it for a minute but decide to leave it for now. It wasn't the right place or timing.

Besides, did he even consider me close enough to tell me?

Alexis' eyebrows shoot up, "Really? We aren't exactly two blocks away."

"Yes," I support her, "We don't want to inconvenience you-"

Ryder scoffs turning to Andrew, "Listen to them. In which world did it ever inconvenience a guy to take two hot girls home?"

Did he just...?

No.

Nope, obviously he was talking about Alexis.

Or I need to get my hearing checked.

I know! Why don't you get your HEAD checked, you dense little girl?

I was about to decline the offer again when Alexis intervenes, "Okay, done."

"What?" I give her a look that clearly said 'All it took for you to agree was calling you hot?'

She shrugs and walks towards them, "I don't want to walk home at 11 am. You're welcome to if you want."

I open and close my mouth like a fish. I can't fucking believe I ever was friends with this traitor.

Ryder looks at me expectantly. Realizing that there's no real logic to stay here in the middle of the night, I sigh and reluctantly nod.

"Okay."

Ryder offers me a slight smile. I notice he's still a little tense but is trying not show it. He motions for us to follow him and we do. This time we don't go through dark shady alleys that remind me of the 21 jump street. But by wide open roads passing the main entrance of the park.

Obviously they think we don't know and they're still good.

Well done, Lisa! I mentally pat myself on the back.

Ryder stuffs both of his hands in his pocket, "So..."

I glance at him, "So?"

"Care to explain what you were really doing here?" he raises an eyebrow at me.

Shit. I knew it was too good to be true.

I shrug, "I told you. Hearing mosquitoes."

God, it gets more ridiculous every time I say it.

"Really?"

"Yup, totally, completely, absolutely."

I throw a pleading look at Alexis who is walking behind us with Andrew. But of course the traitor just shrugs and goes back to arguing with him about how skittles make her fat.

Ryder rolls his eyes at me and looks ahead. Shortly, we reach the street lamp we first saw them under. I notice there are two bikes parked by the road. So they must have gotten here by them and went to meet those guys secretly on foot.

"We're going on a bike?!" I squeal excitedly as I run over to them, "I always wanted to ride one! Sam always says its really cool! But I never had the chance!"

I turn back to face Ryder, "I can drive right? Right? Right? Right? Right?"

He stares at me blankly, "Unless you have a license, no."

"What?" my jaw falls down, "You can't do that!"

"Of course I can," he smirks, "My bike, my rules."

Huffing I take the helmet he has hold out to me and suddenly freeze.

There are only two bikes here.

And there are four of us.

Do your math.

My eyes widen as I think of riding with him.

Seriously?!

Bitch, don't seem so excited!

But I'm your sub conscience!

I don't care if you're the queen of England! Ryder doesn't like us!

But-

Shutting my thoughts off, I hold my head up high. I'm not some pathetic good girl who's going to blush like a madwoman only at the thought of riding with her crush! Its totally not a big deal. I can handle it.

Taking the helmet he has held out to me, I nod confidently, "Sure. Let's go."

Ryder looks at me slightly amused, "Are you sure you can handle riding a bike with me?"

Why do I feel like he had emphasized more the 'Me' part?

Oh fuck, he couldn't have figured it out; could he?

Could he?

"Of course I can!" I pretend to be offended, "I'm always hearing from Sam how great riding a bike is! I've always wanted to ride one. I will never be afraid."

A strange emotion flickers in his eyes. I can't be sure because it fades away as soon as its there.
But...was it annoyance?

Why is he annoyed?

He was the one who offered to take us home, wasn't he?

He kicks off the bike as the same time Andrew does too. The sounds of two monstrous engines drown his muttering.

Which I'm pretty sure sounded like 'I wasn't fucking asking that!'

My heart hammers inside my chest.

As a girl who loves romance novels more than she loves ice cream (I mean, who doesn't like ice cream?) I'm not oblivious. I obviously know the signs a guy throws if he likes a girl. And I obviously know how he reacts if the girl doesn't take the hint.

But...

All of those girls are so beautiful. They have a body people would kill for. They have a character so vibrant and deep that it compliments them even more perfectly. I mean be honest, would you really watch a movie seriously if the actress didn't look like Angelina Jolie or Emma Watson?

If the actress didn't look perfect?

But I'm not them.

So it's stupid to get my hopes up.

He's probably annoyed because of the earlier park incident.

Are you retarded? You honestly don't understand what's happening?

Fuck off.

Without delaying anymore, I take the helmet and strap it on.

Putting one hand in his shoulder to keep my balance, I swing my other leg over the seat and sit just like Sam had taught me.

Ryder stiffens at the contact but doesn't say anything. I gulp.

I can handle it.

*******

I can't handle it.

The warmth radiating of Ryder's body as I hold onto him makes my insides turn into jelly. I don't hold onto him tightly in fear that I might do something I'll regret. Since our proximity is so close, it kicked away all of my rational thoughts right from the start. We had lost Andrew and Alexis both a while ago since her house was completely in the other part of the town.

The rich part.

"Hey!" Ryder shouts over the sound of the engine and cold wind whipping pass us.

"What?" I yell at him trying to hold onto him not so tight but also trying to keep myself from becoming a street pancake.

"Hold onto me tighter, will you?"

"W-what?" my voice shakes. I'm not sure if it's from the cold night air or from the warmth spreading inside my chest.

I can hear his smirk, "Why so nervous Allie? You're just holding onto me to keep yourself falling, aren't you? Nothing to be nervous about."

What?

What?

Just what is he implying?

You know damn well what is it he's implying!

Nope. No way. Not happening.

I take a deep breath and pretend to be confident, "I'm not nervous! I was just admiring the stars!"

"That makes no fucking sense," he chuckles.

I roll my eyes at his back, "I never make sense. So why are you still talking to me?"

He shrugs, "Cause you're funny?"

The smile that has been on my face since I got on with him falters slightly, "Oh?"

See? That's what I am to everyone.

A funny person to give them a laugh.

A joker for them to forget after the party.

"And not only that," his voice suddenly becomes quiet, "You're also incredibly kind hearted. You care for your friends so much. You always treat people with respect and love no matter if he's a stranger or bitch to you. You're also incredibly strong. Because you hide your pains from all of your friends in case they get hurt. But I can see it in your eyes you know. I have always been excellent at reading people."

I can't breathe.

I literary can't breathe. Someone give me a CPR please.

Hopefully a mouth to mouth from you know who.

You're not helping!

I clear my throat shakily, "Oh. Uh. Thanks. I guess. I think. Probably. Maybe."

He laughs. You know the full blown belly laugh that in no way can be faked? Yes, that's the one he's laughing right now.

I feel his shaking form through my hands which are tightly clutching his shoulders. I feel his amusement. I feel his happiness. I feel the tension that had been accompanying his body slowly leave.

And I feel sparks.

No.

Oh, shit no.

Oh fuck no.

Don't heart, please no. You're only going to get hurt, do you understand? Please no.

"We're here," he says kicking off the engine.

I lick my dried lips and unstrap my helmet. Swinging my body over, I land gracefully.

"You know I'm surprised," Ryder gives me a impressed look, "I thought you were going to throw some girly fit about getting on the bike. But you managed it wonderfully."

I wink at him, "All hail Sam. Expert of all things bad."

He chuckles.

"So," I trail off, "I guess I should go to my doom aka my parents now. Thanks so much for the ride."

Suddenly Ryder's smile vanishes, "Wait. I need to ask you something."

"Huh?" I look at him confused.

Ryder sighs and looks at me, "Allie..."

Fuck, that name.

"Yes?" my voice comes out steadier than I feel.

"You heard it all today, didn't you?"

Oh shit. I knew it was way too stupid, even for me, to be believable.

His face is emotionless. I can't read a thing from his voice. It's completely unfair how he can understand me so much but I can't read a thing from his expressions.

I gulp and look down at my feet.
"Are you upset with me?" I feel so ashamed that I can't even look at him. God, what the hell did I do? I invaded someone's privacy! I interfered with their lives!

You're saying it like it's your first time, Ms. Matchmaker.

I hate that fucking voice.

He stays silent for a moment, "You probably want to know what was that all about, don't you?"

I finally pick up my courage and look at him, "I won't lie and say I don't. But Ryder I won't ever want to inconvenience you. Its yours secret to keep and yours secret to tell. If you don't want to tell me that's fine. If you need time then its fine. I may not understand what has happened in your past but I know one thing."

I look in his eyes directly. Their mesmerizing blue colour captivates me, holding me a prisoner.

"You can't let your past dictate your future. You need to let it go."

As I whisper those words, I notice both of our faces has moved extremely closer. I can feel his warm breath fanning my cheeks while his eyes stare at me in wonder.

"When did you become so amazing?" he whispers out.

I smile at him slightly, "I'm not only the chubby girl who's only good for making people laugh."

His eyes flicker to my lips and up to my eyes once again, "I know. That's why I..."

"You...?"

My throat feels dry as if I hadn't drink a drop of water in weeks. My heart is beating so fast its almost painful.

At this moment all of my insecurities, all of my self-pity and issues of low self-esteem seem so petty. So irrelevant.

Is it so bad that I'm falling for him?

Is it bad that for the first time in history there's maybe a story where the bad boy isn't with the good girl but rather her best friend?

His lips are so close. If I just lean a little bit more...

Suddenly he pulls away as if burnt, "Fuck! What am I doing?"

I stand there shocked, "Ryder?"

He doesn't seem to hear me and runs a hand through his hair frustratingly, "What the fuck is wrong with me? I can't! I fucking can't!"

Tears brim into my eyes, I hold them back.

No, I won't cry. I'm a strong and independent girl. I won't cry!

He hurriedly starts the engine mumbling things like 'I'll destroy her!' 'I can't!' 'Fuck it! I shouldn't have!'

I try one last time to reach him. I slowly raise my hand to touch his shoulder, "Ryder? Are you oka-"

He cuts me off by throwing me the coldest look I've
ever seen on his face, "Never talk to me again. Stay out of my way. I never want to see you."

My hand freezes in midair.

He quickly averts his eyes as if afraid to look at me. Without saying a word, he starts the bike and makes a U-turn heading out of my block.

And possibly my life.

How I wish it was one of those stories I read on Wattpad. Then I could always just take a look at his POV and see what was really going through his head.

His bloody complicated and bipolar head.

Oh, how I wish.

A/N

*scoffs* she can wish all she wants but she ain't getting it.

Thank you so much for reading everyone! Hope you enjoyed this! If so, don't forget to vote and comment!

- Zarin