The sad story of the babysitter

Chapter sixteen - Spending time with the good boy

Lily's POV:

It's been a week since my attempt to drown myself. I know why I did it and I wish that Ryder and his friends weren't there. I didn't feel very comfortable telling him everything, but for some reason, I am glad that I did it. Ryder was supportive and understanding. To be honest I like the good boy in him. I still doubt sometimes that this might not be real and that it's some sort of game, but not that much as in the beginning. 

I was standing in front of my locker when Ryder came. He gave me a smile, which I returned. 

- For what is the smile?

- For you. - he said and gave me another one

- And with what I deserved it?

- Because you need it. 

- Will you finally tell me what do you want?

- How do you...? Never mind. I want you to free your afternoon. 

- Why? Not like it's not free already. - I laughed nervously

- I want you to go out with me today. Only as a friend. I don't want anything else from you. 

- Well, since I have nothing else to do, I will agree. What we will do?

- Wait and see. - he said and left

I hate when people say that. Why can't they just say what is it? Like it's something big or important. I took my books and went to my next class. Now I have literature. Miss Roseberry is not bad, but she likes only romance novels and that's why we have to read them as well. Every time she gives us one and on the next class, which we have with her, she asks us what do we think about the book. I am always trying to be nice, but I always can't do it. This type of book is not for me. I lost the ability to believe in love a long time ago. 

After school, I went home. Ryder said that he will text me when we have to meet. While I was waiting, I took a shower and changed. I put on jeans, with a shirt and sneakers. I checked my phone and there was a message, but not from Ryder. It was from his mom. 

Hey Lily. Can you come and watch the girls tonight?

I smile to myself and answered her. 

Sure. Just tell me when you want me to come. 

Miss Collins was quick to reply. 

At 5 pm. Your usual.

Ok, I'll be there. 

I played a song on my phone and went into the kitchen. I took an apple and sat down at one of the chairs. After ten minutes, I received a message. This time it was from him. Ryder wants me to meet him in the park with the roses. I wrote my parents a note and walked out.  

When I arrived, I saw Ryder waiting for me. I got closer and he gave me a look. 

- Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my clothes?

- No, you look nice. 

- Thanks. I am surprised that you wanted us to meet here, but if I have to be honest this is one of my favorite parks. It's so pretty here. 

- I know and that's why I told you to come here. I also got you something. - he said and gave me a rose

- Thank you so much, but you didn't have to. I won't lie that the rose it's really pretty. - I said blushing a little bit

I have to admit that this is the first time when a boy or someone at all is giving me a flower. As I have said many times, Lizzy was my only friend and I haven't received anything from anyone else. I don't think that he'll ever stop surprising me. 

- Where will we go? Also, we have to be back at your house by 5 pm. Your parents will be out tonight. 

- What do you want to do? I will do whatever you say. 

- Do you want to meet my sister?

- I'm sorry to say it but isn't she dead. 

- She is, but I always go to talk with her, when I have a problem or when I want to share something with her. 

- Ok, then. I will be happy to talk with her. 

With that, both of us went to the wooden bridge in the forest. When we arrived, Ryder looked at me and I gave him my "everything will be ok" look. I know that he might be scared that I will do it again, but I won't. We went and sat at the end of the bridge. 

- Lizzy, are you here? I want you to meet someone. 

The familiar for me breeze hit us. You have no idea how much I love this. 

- What just happened?

- This is my sister Lizzy. If you feel the breeze, this means that she is here. 

- Ok. Hi Lizzy. I don't think that we have met before. 

The breeze hit us again and I got up, taking Ryder with me. We went to the shore and saw the words, which Lizzy wrote. He looked at me confused

Hi, you must be Ryder. Finally, I have the chance to see you. 

- Lily, if this is some type of joke, you should've tried better. 

- It's not. I have nothing to do with that.

The water washed the words and soon appeared new ones. 

Lily has nothing to do with that. This is the only way, in which I can talk with her. It looks strange, but it's real. You have to believe it. 

- I'm sorry to say it, but it's weird. How this is possible? You are not a witch, right?

- No, I'm not. - I said laughing

- So... you are coming here to talk with your sister?

I have heard a lot about you. I guess that you are a good boy. 

- He really is. Look what I got. - I said pointing to the rose

It's so pretty. You are so lucky. 

- Lizzy, we are not dating. I am only his friend.

- I will agree here. 

What a shame. You would be a very cute couple. 

- Lizzy! - I said blushing again

Don't blush. What sister will I be if I don't embarrass you?

- If you were alive, I would have killed you. 

But you can't. No matter what you two are, all I want is for you to be happy. 

- I know and thanks. Ryder, are you ok? You are really quiet. 

- Yeah, I am fine. Just all of this seems unreal. 

- I know. Also, can you make me a small favor?

- Sure. What can I do for you?

- If you occasionally meet my parents, don't tell them that I still come here. They don't like when I talk about Lizzy and when I am here. 

- Don't worry, I won't tell about this to anyone. This will be our secret. 

- Thank you.

We talked with Lizzy for a while and then walked back to his house. It was almost 5 pm and probably his parents are waiting for me. All the way we were talking. Ryder was asking many questions about my sister. I see that he still can't believe how this is possible. I don't even know, but I am happy about it. There is no other way in which I can talk with her. 

Ryder opened the front door and let me walk in. Since when has he been a gentleman? In the moment I walked in, his sisters came and gave me a giant tight hug. Well, I haven't come here in a week. I won't lie that I have missed them too. 

- Lily! - both of them said in sync

- Yes, I am happy to see you too. Are you ready for our girls' night?

- Plus one boy. - Ryder added

- Won't you go outside? - miss Collins asked

- Not tonight. I want to stay here if the girls don't mind. - he said and winked me

- I don't. Girls, can we let Ryder stay here with us tonight?

- As long as he plays with us. - Lea said

- Deal. - he replied

Soon his parents left and I started to make dinner. I don't know many things to cook and that's why I will do something simple. I decide to make chicken with vegetables. Delicious and healthy. I took what I needed from the fridge and started working. 

I was about to cut the peppers when I felt a hand on top of mine. I looked up to see Ryder. 

- Do you need help? I might not know how to cook, but I can cut some peppers. - he said, which made me laugh

- Well, if you want you can cut them into little pieces. Let me show you. 

I took a pepper and slowly showed him what he has to do. I cut the other vegetables. I put some carrots, onion, and peppers, which Ryder cut for me. I was cutting a mushroom when I cut my finger. Damn it! I hate when this happens. Usually, I am careful, but not every time. I was about to wash my finger with some water when Ryder pulled me and made me sit on one of the chairs in the kitchen. He put something on a piece of cotton, then took my finger and put it on top. When the bleeding stopped, Ryder took a bandage and wrapped it around the wound. 

- There you go. Be careful the next time. - he said and went to put the first aid in its place

I didn't say anything and just looked at him. Did he really just take care of my finger? This is something so small, but he put a lot of effort into it. He came back and sat in front of me. I kept looking at him. There is something about him which I will never be able to understand. He came closer and removed a piece of my hair. I felt myself blushing again. To be honest I have never done it before. I won't lie that I like the good boy. He is nice and completely opposite to the bad one. Ryder came closer again. For some reason, I couldn't stop looking at him. He leaned in and rubbed my cheek with his thumb, which made me shiver. This is the first time when I feel like that. I don't know what is going on, but I don't want it to stop. Both of us were not more than an inch apart. We were about to kiss when we heard the girls and quickly pulled apart. Maybe the next time this can happen. 

- Is the dinner ready? - Lea asked

- After half an hour. You can go to play and when it's done I will call you. 

The girls left and I continue making the rest of the dinner. 

- Look, I am sorry about a moment ago. 

- It's ok. If you excuse me, I have dinner to make. 

How I said after half an hour the dinner was done. I called the girls and they immediately came. All of us ate dinner peacefully. No one said a single word. Later we watched two movies, but the girls fall asleep in the middle of the second one, so I had to put them in bed. Of course, Ryder helped me with that as well. For some reason, he is very nice today. I wish that he was like that every day. Let's not wish the impossible. The movie finished and he looked at me. I turned to face him and he came closer. 

- It's too early for me to go to bed. What do you want us to do? - Ryder asked me

- I don't know. We can play 20 questions. 

- Ok. You are first. 

- Why aren't you always that nice? - I chuckled

- Because I have no reason to do it, but today I had. My reason is called Lily. 

- That's interesting. It's your turn. 

- When was your first kiss?

With that, I froze in my place. I didn't expect him to ask me that. I don't know what to tell him. This will be awkward or at least for me. 

- Well... will you answer?

- When I have it, I will tell you. - I laughed nervously

- You haven't kissed anyone? - he asked surprised

- Nope. 

- I am sorry. I thought that you have done it. 

- It's ok. My turn. Do you want one day to have a real relationship?

- I don't know. Maybe, but I don't think that I can keep a girl. 

- How do you know? Have you tried?

- No, but I know myself. 

- I think that you can do it if you want. - I said and moved closer

I have no idea what I am doing, but I can't stop. I need to stop it before I end up doing something, which I will regret later. Ryder moved closer as well. We looked at each other, without saying anything. I feel like what happened before dinner is repeating. He removed a piece of my hair and slightly rubbed my cheek with his thumb, which cause me to shiver again. I swear to god, I have no idea what is going on with me. I manage to show a small smile. 

- You should smile more often. 

- I will try. 

Ryder moved closer again. We were not more than an inch apart. I closed my eyes and that's when I felt something soft on my lips. It was a kiss. My first one. I didn't think much and kissed him back. It was nice and sweet. While one of his hands was on my face, Ryder used the other one to pull me closer. I may have never kissed anyone before, but god damn it, this is amazing. I put my hands on his neck and continue kissing him. He lifted me carefully and put me on his lap. I felt how my cheeks were burning like fire, but I didn't care. 

We pulled apart when we heard the front door. This has to be his parents. I quickly got up and sat next to him. His parents came into the living room and greeted us. 

- Hey kids, how are you? - mister Collins asked

- We are fine. - Ryder answered

- Lily, are you ok? Your whole face is red. - miss Collins asked me

- Yes, I am. I just got a little hot. 

- Ok then. We'll go change. 

- And I will go home. Call me if you need anything. - I said 

- Good night Lily. - both of them said

- To you too. 

- Can I send you to the door? - Ryder asked me

- Sure, I would love that. 

Both of us walked to the door. I turned around and faced him. I didn't know what to say and only smiled. He didn't say anything as well but instead kissed my cheek. I felt that fire in my cheeks again. I need to control myself more. He looked at me and I nodded my head. 

- You don't need to hide your blush. It's cute in its own way. - he said and I smiled

- I have to go. It got late. 

- I wish that you could stay here. 

- But I can't. Good night and see you tomorrow. 

- Good night to you too. 

With that, I walked away. Today was a great day. I still can't believe that I had my first kiss and it was with no other than Ryder Collins. The boy who I hated the most. Well, back then he was still a bad boy. Now he has changed. What a kiss it was. It looked more like a make-out. I don't want to know what a make-out with him looks like. Maybe one day, I can find out, but probably it won't happen. One kiss doesn’t mean that he likes me or maybe it does. I smiled to myself and continue walking.