Today is finally the day — the day Ryder and I have been practicing for since the day we starting working on our project.

It was finally time to present it and take home the best grade possible.

Before we had to leave for school, Ryder and I sat on his bed and reviewed our flash cards one last time.

We dressed professionally for this; I wore a pencil skirt with a black blazer and a nice top while Ryder wore a bussiness suit. We had to wear something professional because this presentation is supposed to train us for what's yet to come in our life.

"Are you ready?" I asked Ryder.

"Hell no." He didn't even look up at me because he was so busy scanning his flash cards.

I sighed, anxiety taking place in my chest. "Yeah, me neither."

I got up and walked over to his bedroom mirror to fix my bun. "I'm scared too, but with you by my side I know we will do great."

"Mhm," Ryder mumbled in return. He was still scanning his flash cards. In fact I don't think he even heard me.

I looked at him with a straight face but of course he didn't notice.

A loud knock on the door caught Ryder's attention.

"May I come in?" Ryder's mom asked from outside his bedroom.

"Yeah," Ryder responded.

The door creaked open and his mother walked inside.

"It's time to leave or else you're going to be late," she told us.

"Oh shit, it's time to go?!" Ryder looked confused.

Lisa had a shocked and mad expression on her face. "Ryder, language!"

He looked embarrassed and scratched the back of his neck, his brown hair falling in his face when he did so. "Oh...shoot, it's time to go?"

His mom looked pleased. "That's more like it."

I giggled but returned calm when I realized Lisa was right and we actually had to hurry.

"I can read the flash cards to you while you drive, Ry, but we need to go right now," I told him and he nodded and stood up.

Lisa cupped Ryder's face in her hands. "Look at my baby boy, all grown up! I remember when you were just learning to walk and how you ran around the house naked when you were a baby and-''

"Mom!" Ryder turned his head away from her hands. "Don't say that!" His cheeks turned a bright red.

I laughed loudly at his face.

Quickly, Ryder grabbed my hand and pulled me out of his room. "Come on lets go."

We walked downstairs hand and hand until we got to his Porsche.

Long story short: I couldn't really focus on reading the flash cards out loud to Ryder because the whole ride his hand was resting on my thigh. It made me feel flustered and I knew he could tell because he had this cocky smirk on his face the whole ride.

I wanted to punch him for making me feel this way but I also wanted to kiss him, so I couldn't really understand what I was feeling.

Then again, I never can tell.

When we got to school, kids from our grade were already outside practicing for their presentations. Some people actually dressed up even nicer than Ryder and I did, if that's even possible.

The reason all the twelth graders were waiting outside was because we weren't presenting to our classmates, we were presenting to a variety of teachers from our school and other schools, and you have to wait to be called on so that's why.

"Autumn!" I heard someone call my name.

I turned around and smiled at the person who called me. "Grace!" Her partnered followed her and smiled at Ryder and I. We smiled back.

"You guys ready to present?" she asked us.

Ryder and I looked at eachother in worry. "Nope," we both said at the same time.

"Jinx! You owe me a soda," Ryder exclaimed.

"Ryder, shush," I nudged the side of his arm and he smiled.

"Oh that's too bad you guys are nervous, I'm super excited!" Grace said to us.

I lifted my eyebrow at her excitement. What is this girl on to make her so jumpy at a time like this???

"I wish you both good luck," she said and hugged me.

"Good luck to you guys as well," I said back to her when we were done hugging.

Out of no where, a teacher came out of one of the classrooms and called Grace and her partners name.

"See you guys after I present, ok?"

I nodded at her and gave her a thumbs up. "You got this, Grace!"

We high-fived and then she ran off and into the classroom.

When she walked away, Ryder draped his arm around my shoulder. "We should probably go over the flash car-''

Someone tall accidentally bumped into me, pushing my body into Ryder's rock-hard chest.

"Ow," I mumbled.

Ryder turned to face the person who bumped into me and glared, "hey, you better-''

Ryder's face went pale when his eyes locked with Derek's.

Derek brushed his black coat. "Hey, Autumn, sorry I really didn't mean to do that."

I awkwardly smiled at him. "I-It's okay."

He smiled back but his eyes kept flickering to Ryder.

"Good luck with your presentation," he said to me.

"Thanks. Good luck to you as well," I replied and he nodded in return.

Derek began to walk away, but Ryder stopped him.

"Hey, Derek," Ryder called out.

He turned around. "Yeah?"

"Thanks."

I opened my mouth in shock. Did Ryder just thank Derek? For what?!?! What's going on?

"For...?" Derek looked as confused as me.

"For telling Autumn the truth about what happened the night of prom. I appreciate it, man. Don't know why you of all people would tell her the truth, but I really appreciate it."

I looked down at the pavement to avoid Derek's cold stare. He told me not to tell Ryder...oops.

Derek looked embarrassed. "You told him, huh." It was a rhetorical question.

"Uh...yeah, yeah I did. Sorry."

"Don't worry about it, I guess." And with that said, he walked off.

"Wow," I blinked with shock. "I thought he would at least punch you for saying thank you to him."

Ryder laughed and kissed my cheek. "Yup, I thought he would do that too."

"Ryder Becker and Autumn Cross, it's your turn," a teacher called on us.

"Good luck kiss?" He puckered his lips and closed his eyes.

I rolled my eyes but giggled anyways. "For you, yes." I kissed him and followed him to the classroom.

No matter what, I know Ryder and I will do fantastic. I can feel it; I know he can too because of the little squeeze he did when he held my hand.

I believe we will do great because like I said before, with him by my side, I know we can accomplish anything.