Real Love Or, Fake Love?

Chapter3

Julie

The next day I wake up to a text from Ryder saying he is on the way to get me. Last night was a lot of fun. All we did was watch a movie and ate some burgers. I’m over the moon happy he is my boyfriend. I know it might take him a little longer to feel that way about me. I just wish I knew why he asked me in the first place. I grab my school bag and go sit on the porch to wait for Ryder to get here. Ten minutes later he pulls up to my house. I walk to his car and het in the passenger seat. As soon as I get in the car he starts talking.

“Hey Baby!” Ryder says in a very happy voice.

I replied. “Hey! How was the rest of you night?”

“It was okay. My parents kept asking me why I was smiling so much.”

“OH, what did you say Ryder?”

“Well Julie I told them my new girlfriend makes me very happy.”

My heart jumped a few beats. I cant believe Ryder is mine and he is happy about it even though I’m not popular. He is very charming. I can feel my checks heating.

“AWW Ryder you make me happy to!”

We talk some more, then he tells me his parents want to meet me tomorrow night. They want me over for dinner. I don’t know why but that just made me very nervous. What if they don’t like me? I cant be as bad as Joe. they should like me if they liked her. I’m nothing like her but I can be fun to. Maybe ill bake a cake or pie or something else don’t know yet. Would have to find out what they like. Can go the safe rout and do a cherry or apple pie with a twist. I could even see if once I can cook for them I love to cook and bake. It would be a pleasure for me.

Before I know it we are at school. I thought so much I didn’t really pay attention to where I was. Me and Ryder get out of the car at the same time. Ryder walks over to me and pulls me into a hug. I lean into him and in this moment I never want him to let me go. I look up to him and he leans in and kisses me. I kiss him back. It’s a needy kiss. We pull away from each other and walk to go in the school holding hands. He is so much taller than me and his hands are way bigger than mine.

Everyone is watching us and it makes me feel weird. I know it’s a shock but you don’t have to just stare. I shouldn’t care cause I have the most popular guy in school. He’s the guy all the girls want and I have him. When we make it to my locker Meg, Ruby, and Mike are already there waiting for me. When we reach the locker Ryder tells my friends hey. They all say hi back to him at the same time.

We finally let go of each others hands cause he has to go to his locker to before class starts. We don’t have any classes together till reading. Then lunch and art after that. Ryder turns to me kisses me on the cheek and says bye. I tell him bye as well. When he is gone my friends have a lot to say. Its hard to keep up.

“What the hell?” Ruby asked.

Meg says. “You guys are so cute!”

“ I still think you should be careful.” Mike tells me.

Why cant they be happy for me? I guess the only one that is would be Ruby. The other two needs t figure out what their problem is.

“Is Meg the only one that’s happy for me? What is you twos problem with me being with Ryder? Thank you Meg for being happy for me.”

The other two just look at me like I said something wrong to them. I’m not done saying what I need to say.

“Why are you guys trying to make me not trust Ryder.? Are you trying to ruin things for us before it even starts?”

They still don’t have a answer for me. Its kind of pissing me off. They have no reason to judge Ryder. They don’t even know him. They should trust me though since they are supposed to be my best friends. Finally mike says something.

“Hang on I’m not trying to ruin anything. Im just telling you to be careful. I don’t know why but I feel like something is going to happen that will hurt you. I don’t think I should have to hold back what I have to say cause you don’t like it.”

“Thank you for being honest with me. If I get hurt though that’s on me not you. All I’m saying is keep it to yourself.”

With that we leave to go to class. I don’t want to be mean to my friends over a boy but they don’t even seem like they are happy for me. What did I do for them to be like this? When they all had boyfriends I was happy for them. Even if I didn’t like the person I kept it to myself. Maybe I should have said something but I thought them being happy was the better outcome. I guess I was just being way to nice.

Class is really boring today. Maybe its just me. I cant really pay attention to the teacher. I want to be in Ryders arms. I want him next to me. I want to know if he is thinking of me right now the way I am him. Maybe I don’t mean that much to him but we are only in high school. What do we know about true love. I know books and movies make it seem like it’s the most natural thing there ever was. Some books make it seem like work. Some make it seem like girls fall in love with the guy cause they don’t have a choice. I read a lot of romance of all kinds. I read recently “Where Waves Break.” It was about a single father who fell in love with his sons nanny. They was having s*x but with no strings. Then they fell for each other. Broke up and got back together.

I also like the CEO romance books as well. I just like to read. Not really anything else to do. I’m always home alone. I hang with my friends when they can come over. Their parents don’t like that I’m always home by myself. I’m in math class and I don’t really pay attention to how to do the work but I can see it and know how to do it. The teacher gives me harder work on the side cause I get done with the work we have fairly quickly. He thinks that I should be put in an advanced math class. I don’t want to though.

With that the bell rings, I walk to the teachers desk and get the extra work. I walk out and go to my locker. All I can think about is one more class then I get to see my man. I’m surprised to see my friends at my locker. I figured they would have just stayed away after what happened. I get to my locker and they all pile on me to give me a hug and say they are sorry. I smile. I don’t know if I want to forgive them yet. Mike looks past my shoulder and tells me not to look now cause Joe was on her way over.

Joe comes up and says. “Julie, how are my sloppy seconds?” she looks me up and dawn then asks me a question. “Is that Ryders jacket your wearing?”

I hate how many times I have had to defend myself today over the fact that I’m with Ryder. That doesn't stop me from saying….. “ Joe, you know what maybe if you wasn’t such a b***h you would still be with Ryder. OH and yes this is his jacket. Now remind me how many times has he given you his jacket. I don’t think I ever seen you wearing one.”

Joe is pissed. You can see it in the way she is looking at me. She want to kill me. All she says is I don’t know why they broke up. I don’t but I really don’t care and I tell her that. And then walk to my next class. My friends are overly happy that I told Joe off. I feel kind of bad but don’t let it get to me. She got what she deserved. Maybe she should think about changing and it wouldn’t have happened. I’m in class for maybe twenty minutes the I get called to the office. I grab my bag and head to the office. I get hugged from behind. I turn and see Ryder. He has a huge smile on his face.

I asked him what he was doing and his answer was simply that he missed me. He also told me he heard about me a Joe. He looks happy. I tell him we need to get back to class. We both let go of each other. He goes one direction and I go the other. We will see each other next class. I thought he would ask me what I said to Joe. He didn’t seem to concerned. Ryder is my first boyfriend and I cant say I’m mad with how its going so far.

I get back to class. There is only five more minutes left. I got stopped by another teacher.

Class is over. I have music class next with Meg. I go to my locker and no one is there. That’s weird. Meg isn’t even there. We always walk to music class together. I just gather my supplies and go to Ryders locker. When I get there I see that Joe is trying to touch him. I walk over there. As I get there I cant help but say something to her.

“What the hell are you doing Joe?”

She better hope she doesn’t say anything stupid. I’m over her s**t today. She needs to the hint and move one.

“Claiming what’s mine.” Joe says with such confidence.

It makes me sick that she still thinks that Ryder is hers. It makes me wonder if he would leave me for her. They do have a history. How do I compete with that?

“Oh well then im sorry to have to tell you that Ryder isn’t yours. He is mine.”

I said that s**t like a boss. She cant rattle me.

“Before you keep going on, Hey baby.”

Ryder looked right at me when he said that. Joe couldn’t say anything. I just wish I didn’t have to deal with her.

“Hey Babe.” I say back to Ryder. He looks at me with small smirk on his face. I don’t know why but that small smirk made me want to jump on him and kiss him forever. Joe ruins the moment when she opens her mouth to say what she had to get off her chest.

“Well isn’t this sweet the loser and the popular guy?”

I’m on the verge of dropping her ass. Maybe then she will leave me a lone. She seems like she will tell on me. I wont touch her Ill touch my man instead. So I take his hand in mine. He laces our hands together.

Ryder jumps in and says. “ Stop it Joe you need t move on. I have. Julie makes me more happy then I ever was with you and we have been together for only two days.”

I also jump in with saying something. “ Babe, before you continue I want to say something.” He looks at me but I don’t say anything I just lean into him and kiss him. There is so much passion and need in this kiss. Ryder is my lifeline at this point. Joe is way more pissed off now that I did this. She needs to learn her place and not to touch my man.

I’m only twenty-five minutes late to class. I’m going to be in so mu trouble but that means that Ryder and Joe will be to. We will have a after school. She really got to me today. I walk into class and Mr. Green says, “thank you for finally coming to class.” I look at her and say I was sorry. I have to see her after class is over. I know what she will say. My music skills is better than anyone in here. I don’t know why I’m getting into trouble. I go to sit in my seat next to Meg. I know she is looking at me with a weird look on her face. I’m never late to class. I know she will have something to say.

Meg taps me on my shoulder and it takes me a little while to respond to it. When I turn to look at her she has a look of concern. Then she asks.

“What happened to you? I went to your locker and you wasn’t there.”

I respond with a weird look on my face cause I know she wasn’t there. She had to walk passed me when I went to Ryders locker to get to my locker and even to this class. So why is she lying to me?

“What didn’t happen is the question.? And you didn’t go to my locker I went there first before going to Ryder’s locker and you was nowhere around there. Why are you lying to me?”

She is thinking really hard about what she is about to say. That or she is just taking forever to reply.

“Julie, I went to you locker. I even left you a not in your locker. I didn’t see you at Ryders locker. I did see Joe there.” Meg responds but is mad with her response. What am I doing?

I don’t even know what to say to this. I’m being a horrible person.

“Meg, I’m so very sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I do but I shouldn’t take it out on you and I’m sorry. Joe was at Ryders locker. She told me she is trying to mark what’s hers. So I lost it and told her off and then made out with Ryder right in front of her. I’m not this person but I think I have to be just to be happy.” I say all this while holding back tears.

“Julie I don’t think this is worth everything that’s going on. You just started dating and already have to defend your relationship. You also have to deal with Joe. Do you think its really worth all this?”

I don’t think I could have asked myself that? It’s a good point though is it worth everything I’m going through right now? I have to really think about this. I take a good part of twenty or more minutes and I way the pros and cons in my head. I have decided that it is…….. worth it.

“Yes, it is worth it.” I tell Meg with all the confidence that it is worth it. I will be pissed in the end it wasn’t.

With that we stopped talking and started to pay attention to the teacher. We went over stuff we did last year. I guess you could say it was kind of boring. I get new students have to be taught to. At least there is only ten minutes left of class. Next class is Reading. It will be so much fun ill have Ryder and Ruby there but also Joe. She has it out for me now. The only thing she kept telling me was that I am stupid. I wonder why? Maybe she knows something I don’t know. You know its bad when I think she is right.

The bell rings and I get out of the classroom without talking to the teacher. Finally got to my locker to get the book we are reading. I already finished it. Mrs. Bell will have another book for me. I told her last week I would be done with the book and that I would need to start a new one. Ill have to take my test on this book but that wont take me very long. I always read four more books than everyone else. Reading and History are my favorite classes. Today though History class was boring. I always get to Mrs. Bells class early to talk about the book and to get a head start on my test over the book and to get the new book ill be reading. She wont give me the test till class starts. I really wish I could take it before class started.

Mrs. Green looks up from her desk with a smile on her face. “Hello Julie.”

“Hey Mrs. Green.” I’m always so happy when talking to her.

“Julie you wont be able to take your test on the book till class starts.”

“I know. I’m just wanting to talk about the book and see what one I’m getting next.”

“The next book would be “The Outsiders” but I know you read that already. Your next book will be Bridgerton. Have you read it yet?”

I don’t think I have read that book. I have heard about it. I know that a lot of people like the show more then the book.

“Mrs. Green I have no read it yet.”

She says good and hands me to book from her bag. This must be one of her personal books. That’s good cause I wont ruin it and I’m glad that she trust me enough to take her book. I go and sit down in my seat. Class started like two minutes later. Mrs. Green sets the test paper on my desk. I start to take the test. I look up from the paper and see my friend and boyfriend come in at the same time. They are talking. The scene has me happy cause maybe they will warm to each other. I keep looking and the b***h comes in right after them. She is giving me one hell of a look. Ryder looks at me.

Ryder takes his seat in front of me. He turns around and puts a folded piece of paper on my desk. I’m thinking a note. Its sweet but he doesn’t have to write them. I look at him and tell him “ill read it when I’m done with my test.” I’m almost done the questions are easy. When I get done with the test I place it on Mrs. Greens desk. I then return to my seat. I look through the new book. I know I will either like it or just say I did. I pick up Ryders note and read it.

“Baby……

I’m sorry that Joe is making it hard to be happy with me. She wont ever stop. I’m so glad you stood up for yourself. Its very sexy watching you defend yourself. As much as I love kissing you please remember we are at school. I don’t want you getting in trouble. You’re the only person who has ever made me this happy. Oh and yeah don’t forget about dinner ate my house tomorrow.

Yours always, Ryder”

Ryder’s note made me smile. I need to talk to him about it though. We need to talk about a few things. So when we go to lunch I will talk to him. The rest of reading class went by slow. When everyone including the teacher was reading the same book I was reading my new book. I will say I like it so far. About to be on chapter two. The class is over before I know it. I stop reading then on chapter six. I’m going to zoom through this book.

The bell rings and Ryder comes behind me and wraps his arms around me. He then whispers in my ear.

“I couldn’t wait to touch you anymore.”

I can feel my face turn really red. How did this turn into something like this so fast? He is so sweet.

“Is that so? This go to get lunch. We have a few things to talk about.”

He seems scared about what I said. Maybe he thinks its going to be bad or something. Ill let him think that. Ill tell him everything when we get food and sit. We stop at his locker then at mine. We just don’t want to take our books. We have art after lunch anyways. I get pizza today. Usually I only eat salads. Today I wanted to change it up. Besides school pizza with ketchup is good. We sit and I know Ryder is still nervous about our talk. I should say something. Before I can he does.

“Babe will you please talk to me?”

“Okay, first thing is that you don’t have to be scared. This conversation isn’t anything bad Second your note was cute but you don’t have to say sorry for the witch. I know she wont stop. She wants you I’m not going to stop fighting for this relationship. She will give up eventually.”

“Julie I was scared that you was going to break up with me cause of her. O know it’s a lot to have to put up with.”

I look at him and pull him close to me and kiss him. He has to know by now how I feel about him. If he doesn’t then he is stupid. We pull away and he looks at me and smiles. Then he asked me a random question.

“What was you doing when I walked into reading class?”

I look at him confused for a minute then I knew what he was talking about. “ Oh I was taking the test on the book you guys are reading in class.”

“Already? Julie we just got the book a week or two ago.”

“Yes, I read fast. I love to read. I’m always four books ahead of everyone in class.”

“I never knew that.”

“I know I’m a nerd.”

“Yeah a sexy nerd. Who is also my nerd.”

I look away from Ryder and see Joe looking at me she is laughing. I ignore her, I don’t have the time to play her games. She is doing the most cause Ryder is with me and not her. You would think she would give up at some point. I tap Ryder on the arm to tell him I cant wait for diner with his parents tomorrow. He smiles at me and tells me art class is next.

After this week we have two weeks out for break and I cant wait. I work most of it but I don’t care. Im just glad to not have to deal with the drama from school.in art class we had to draw anything for class. I drew me, Mike, Meg, and Ruby as cartoon characters. It turned out great. Ryder drew a dog. It was so amazing. He can really draw. He looks at me though and asked me a weird question.

“Julie, is there anything your not good at?”

There’s a lot I’m bad at. Like I cant make new friends. I cant just have fun. “Yes.” We stop the conversation.