I woke up without Ryder's warmth next to me, with memories from last night playing out, us talking, our laughter. I only now realized I didn't get to ask him what my dad meant. I'll have to ask him today, if I see him.

Suddenly my phone started to ring and Maya's name spread across it as I answered.

"Hey are you awake? I'm coming over." Maya ended the call after that, I just rolled my eyes.

Maya came only five minutes after I finished getting dressed, she was now sitting on my bed.

"So you and Ryder?" she smiled which instantly made me smile.

"So you and Jacob?" I repeated as her cheeks flamed with a blush.

"No-I-who." she stammered.

"You first." I said raising an eyebrow.

Maya sighed and proceeded to tell me about her and Jacob. They aren't together but are working up to it and the party was like a date for them. After she was finished explaining I started to tell her everything between Ryder and I.

"Wow." she gaped, "Well they say forbidden love is the best." she stated raising her eyebrows.

I only blushed as I looked down. Then I remembered the shift I have later at the shop.

"But aren't you afraid your dad will find out you guys are still seeing each other?" she asked warily.

"No he won't, he can't." I said sternly.

If he did, everything would be ruined.

•••

Maya and I hung out for a while longer until we decided to go out to eat. Then she was going to hang out with me, while my shift at the shop. As we walked to the door my dad stopped me.

"Octavia could I speak to you for a second." he called out.

I looked at Maya gesturing for her to go on, in which she did.

"Yes?" I asked him.

"I hope your not upset with me still." he said unsure of what my answer will be.

I was still mad at him for sure. How does he not know how his actions would effect me, instead I just shook my head no.

"I know your only trying to do what's best for me." I could taste the lie in my words.

He smiled, "Where are you going with Maya?"

"We're going out to eat then my shift at the shop." I stated

My dad nodded, "Say hello to your mother for me."

I went out the door, towards Maya's car. We ended up getting pizza, then getting Jake. Once we made it Maya honked her horn like crazy, then Jake came running out of his house sliding in the back seat.

"I'll take that." Jake said grabbing the pizza box and eating what's left.

Maya then drove too the shop and we all got out. I wanted to see Ryder but I couldn't text him since his number was deleted.

"Daydreaming about Ryder?" Jake asked grinning while we made it in the shop.

"Oh shut it." I said already feeling the heat rise to my cheeks as I continued to go to the back room with them.

"Yeah Jake leave her alone." Maya smiled at me knowingly and sat in the bean bag chair we had in here.

"Yeah yeah." Jake mocked as he stared at Maya a little too long while sitting next to her.

•••

I checked my phone and seen the time showed '10:00pm' it had been hours since Maya dropped off Jake and went home as did I.

The shop was pretty slow today, only old people came in. I put my phone down once I heard tapping at my window, Ryder.

I quickly got up, practically running to the window, once it was open I grabbed his face kissing him. I actually kissed him. Of course we've kissed before but, this is the first time I initiated it. I never knew I could have the courage too, I just missed him.

We pulled away while he gave one last peck before backing me away slightly then coming through my window, oops. I kind of forgot he was outside the window still and not inside yet.

"Someone missed me." Ryder smirked as he looked at me, tapping my nose.

This made me blush and look down. Was I too overly excited? I felt the tips of his fingers lift my chin until our eyes met.

"I missed you too my love." he said oh so softly, my heart skipped a beat at that and my insides melted.

Then there was knocking on my door until it opened. I thought my heart was going to literally stop fully but, it only revealed Jeremy.

"Um..." he hummed.

"Jeremy-" I started surprised.

"Take my shift at the shop whenever I say too and I didn't see a thing." Jeremy stated as he covered his eyes.

I was confused about the offer because not only months ago he beat up Liam for wanting to be with me. Why wouldn't he do the same to Ryder? I'm definitely talking to him about that. I looked at Ryder, seeing him just as confused.

"I um-yeah sure." I said confusedly.

"Great." Jeremy lifted his hand from his eyes, looking at Ryder, "I'm Jeremy by the way."

"Ryder." he introduced himself unsure.

I looked between the both of them to see, Jeremy trying to figure him out. Meanwhile Ryder looked like he wanted to be approved of, by my brother. That made my heart only ache to be closer to him.

"Okay well I came up here to talk to you about something but I'll just come back later." he turned around walking out but before the door closed he peeked his head in, "Oh and Octavia will you take my morning shift tomorrow at 8 thank you." with that he shut the door.

Evil I tell you, just evil. I looked to Ryder to only see him with an amused smile on his face.

"Your brother seems nice." Ryder stated smiling, it was nice to see him smile.

"If nice is the new evil then sure he's so nice." I said sarcastically.

"You and that sarcasm." he said shaking his head with a grin then he grabbed my hand pulling me to the window, "Come on I'm taking you somewhere."

"Where?" I asked as he started making his way out the window.

"It's a surprise, now hurry up." he said eagerly.

I laughed at his eagerness and followed him out the window. Ryder was just full of surprises.