Let me tell you one thing about Ryder.

He is damn fucking lucky to have such a good cook as mother.

"This is heaven!" I moan as a piece of pancake melts into my mouth.

Carla's eyes twinkle with joy, "Oh Ryder you didn't tell me you had such a great friend!"

"You're only saying that because she's complementing your cooking," Ryder rolls his eyes.

"Which you never do," she huffs.

I gasp in horror, "Seriously? How dare you Ryder! She should be on Masterchef! Shame on you Ryder for not realising this gold! Shame on you!"

I moan as I chew another piece of Carla's magic.

Shit. This is better than heaven.

And I swear Carla has tears in her eyes.

"Kiss ass," Ryder mutters lowly as he throws me a playful glare.

"I heard that jack ass," I narrow my eyes at him.

At first, I was reluctant about cursing in front of his mother. But I noticed how Carla doesn't really pay any attention to it.

Since she's probably used to it because of someone *cough* Ryder *cough* seems to be using curses as a second language.

And come on people. Be honest. Can any one of us really live one day without saying 'shit' 'ass' 'hell' or 'fuck'?

Not if you have friends like Sam.

"Thank you so much Carla!" I hug her as we're about to leave, "For the dress and the pancakes! I loved those!"

"Yes," she chuckles, "You've already said that about a hundred times."

"Come on, hurry," Ryder ushers us as he opens the front door for me to get out, "The rain has stopped for now but it might be back and it's already getting late."

I roll my eyes as I walk past him, "It's really flattering how much you want me in your house," I say sarcastically.

He rolls his eyes but doesn't reply as he tells his mom how he'll be back after walking me home.

"You know you don't have to walk me home," I say stubbornly as we walk side by side, "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

"I know you are," he glances at me, "But this neighbourhood isn't really safe you know."

I huff, "Like I said I can take care of myself! I'm no damsel in distress."

He rolls his eyes, "So what are you gonna do if a homeless guy attacks you for money or creep wants a good time, huh?"

I don't even hesitate for one moment, "Easy. I kick them in the balls and run for my life."

He burst out in laughter, "That's the answer to everything. Kick the balls."

I grin, "A man's greatest weakness."

"And also strength, don't forget that," he winks at me suggestively.

"Eww," I laugh as I slap his arm, "That's disgusting."

"Hey!" He defends himself, "You were the one that brought up the balls first!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!" I argue childishly, knowing full well it was me that brought it up first.

"Did too- you know what?" Ryder sighs exasperated, "I'm just going to be the bigger person and not indulge in a childish argument with you."

I glare at him but don't say anything.

Since he is obviously right.

I'm just talking about meaningless things so I don't have to think about how sweet it is that he's walking me home.

Not that I need it mind you! Girls are completely capable of taking care of themselves!

And how my heart is pounding since we're walking so close.

How I can feel the warmth radiating of his body.

How I loved how his eyes twinkled as he ate Carla's pancakes but chose not to say anything. I don't think he's very good at expressing his feelings.

"You've gone quiet," he points out.

"Huh? Oh sorry, I was just thinking," I chuckle nervously.

He raises an eyebrow, "About?"

You.

"Oh look we're here!" I hasten my steps as my house comes into my view.

"Hey wait up!" Ryder hurries to catch up with my full speed sprinting.

I slow down as I reach our street.

"So that's your home?" Ryder's eyes widen as he takes in my house, "Dude."

"What?" I ask him as I continue to walk.

His eyes are still wide as he takes in the scene, "You're fucking filthy rich aren't you?"

I roll my eyes at his overstatement. Sure, my house is larger than his but it's not like we're Bill Gates. It's a two story house with a slightly larger than normal front yard. We have a small fountain on one side of the house and there is a swimming pool in the backyard.

Okay, so I'm not that poor. Get over it.

"You're overreacting," I comment as I push open the front gates which only reached my torso, "If you think I'm rich, you should see Alexis' house. Its at least ten times larger than mine."

His eyes widen even more, "Seriously?"

I roll my eyes at him again, "Shut up Miss Drama."

His awed eyes tell me he isn't really paying any attention to me.

I shuffle on my feet awkwardly.

Well, say thanks!

I already did!

Then slam the door on his face!

That's rude!

You're talking to yourself while he's standing right there? That's even more rude!

I shrug. Point taken.

"Hey, Ryder?" I say hesitantly folding my hands behind my back. I tend to do that when I'm nervous.

He finally tears his eyes away from the roof. Great, I'm even less interesting than my roof.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for everything," I say softly, "I know we haven't known each other long but still, you're a great friend."

And an eye candy. Thanks for that by the way.

He smiles. "It's no problem Allie."

I smile and turn away. But remembering something I whiz back around. "And uh Ryder?"

He looks over his shoulder. "What?"

"Why do you always call me Allie?" I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. "Every one else always calls me Lisa. So, why don't you?"

He smirks. "Well that's simple. Because I don't want to be everyone else to you."

Then he walks away leaving behind a slack jawed me as if the things he said, the things only his words are doing to me, doesn't even have one single effect on him.

Which it probably doesn't.

But to me?

Shit, I'm so screwed.

------------------------

"Lisa!" I jump in shock as a frantic Sam comes rushing towards me.

I furrow my eyebrows in concern. "What happened Sam? Are you okay?"

"You HAVE to help me my dearest, loveliest friend!" She says while shaking my shoulders violently.

"Sam! Sam! Stop!" I try to push her away as I become dizzy.

She frantically looks around her as if Jack The Ripper is going to pop out any second. "You have to hide me! He's everywhere!"

"Who's everywhere?" I ask in confusion. "And stop shaking me!"

"Mason!" She whispers. "He's not leaving my side for even one second!"

As if on cue we hear a chuckle from rught beside us. "Well it is your dad's orders."

She freezes. "Bring me a packet of skittles when you come to visit me in my grave, will you?"

Then she dashes to the other side like a mad woman. Which I don't doubt she is.

Mason leisurely follows behind her. She looks back and yells, "I don't need a fucking body guard!"

He shrugs. "Again, your dad's orders."

What the hell?

I shrug cluelessly as I begin to trudge towards the cafeteria. Not my business, and definitely not safe to pry.

Chloe is home sick with a fever and Alexis is skipping school. And since Sam is too busy playing tag with Mason I doubt she'd be inclined to join me in lunch.

Oh well.

I hand the lunch lady her money and pick up my tray which consists of some fries, a burger and a can of orange juice.

I look around and see Lily waving at me. Though she's a stuck up snobby brat to some people she is nice enough to me. She's a cheerleader and is sitting with a few other cheerleaders and some jocks. I recognize some of them as I walk closer.

"Hey Lisa!" Lily stands up to hug me. I awkwardly hug her back trying to balance the tray in one hand. It's not easy, may I add. "Hey Lily, how's it going?"

"Great!" She says enthusiastically and pats me on the back with so much force, I almost topple forwards. "Sit with us, will you?"

I look around the table to see most of her peer smiling at me - quite suspiciously - and the others flat out ignoring my presence

I shrug. So it's the cheerleaders' table this time.

I plop down on an empty chair beside her and pick up my juice.

"So Lisa," Lily smiles giving me an amicable flash of her teeth. "I hear you're friends with Alexis. Could you perhaps ask her to give my dance routine a second chance?"

Oh, here's it. The reason for her friendliness. I was wondering when she'd bring that up.

I smile at her. "Yeah, sure."

"Lisa?" A guy, Kyle I think, asks me from across the table, "Remember me? We met in biology."

I grin at him, "Yes of course. You were such a help in my assignment!"

He suddenly looks nervous, "And um...I was thinking of uh..."

Is this it? Could someone really ask me out?

"If you could introduce me to your friend Sam? She's so cool but not really welcoming, you know?" He chuckles looking at me expectantly.

My grin doesn't waver as I say. "Sure, no problem. After all, what else am I good for if not matchmaking?"

The table bursts in laughter at my 'joke' and I join them, throwing my head back in laughter.

"And Lisa?" I look away from him to Kevin.

"Yes?"

He bites his lips, "Um..Leah's very nice to you isn't she?"

I raise an eyebrow at him, "Why? Thinking for asking her out?"

He grins sheepishly. "Guilty."

"Don't worry!" I grin at him. "I'll put in a good word for you."

Lunch passes by in a blur of requests and thankful smiles. All through it, I keep a wide grin plastered onto my face. Occasionally laughing and joking around. The people who were ignoring me at first soon began to warm up to me too.

And through it all, never did once my grin waver. Never did once I scowled. Never did once I yelled.

Never did once I showed my true expressions.

Not even when Annie, captain of our swimming team, asks me in horror, "Are you going to eat all that?"

I look down at my tray. A burger, a half eaten plate of fries and juice.

"Um, yes?" I ask her in confusion.

She shakes her head at me. "But that's so much fat!"

I glance at her food. An apple juice.

And that's messed up.

I smile at her. "Thank you so much for worrying but I like what I eat, and I don't want to change it."

Lily laughs nudging my shoulder, "That's why she's so fat!"

I grin as the whole table bursts out in laughter.

That joke was so lame that it was funny.

People are insensitive. People don't care about your feelings as long as they get a laugh. But even so, even if there's at least one person out there that'd stand up to you in these situations, even if there's at least one person who'd realize that you don't always smile in these situations, even if there's at least one person out there who'd rather laugh with you than at you, we can go on.

I wonder when I'd find my one person.

I love my friends. All of them. Sam, Chloe, Alexis, Leah, Max, Patrick and some more you haven't yet met.

But they're not my one person. That one person who wouldn't mind seeing your deepest insecurities, your weakest side and your darkest secrets.

That one person who would know you better than you do yourself.

That one person who would just be there for me.

Just one would be enough.