Chapter 40
1048words
"We looked for you and called when it was time to go," Jesse adds "And yet you guys still left without me,"
"What you left first!" Omar argues "I didn't leave I was taken." "What?" They all ask confused "What do you mean?"
"I was shitfaced and Shia took me to his house," Ryder explains
"Who the fuck is that?" Omar asks as they start heading towards the entrance "Wears all black always drawing," Ryder gives a vague description
"Oh that emo kid!" Jesse nods figuring out who it is
"I don't think he's emo, and anyway he helped me after you losers abandoned me basically leaving me to die. Thanks for that you guys are amazing," he leaves them turning down a different hall.
No Ryder isn't mad at his friends because he doesn't expect any less, knowing them they were probably just as fucked up as he was, the difference is they can actually hold their liquor. Try as he might Ryder will never be able to hold down alcohol, but he keeps trying.
Heading up to the third floor before his first period, Ryder walks into the art classroom, he's never been in here before and wasn't sure what to expect, but all the art seemed about right. Scanning a nearby wall there are different kinds of drawings hung up signed by who drew them. Stopping when he sees a particular one that has a similar tone to the drawings he saw in Shia's room, Ryder looks down and reads the boy's name at the bottom of the paper. He was recognizing Shia's art without even trying now
"Can I help you?" A voice says causing Ryder to turn to find the art teacher standing behind him "Sorry" he quickly apologizes for snooping, "um I'm looking for one of your students, Shia Yorkton,
how do I find him?"
"Oh I'm not familiar with Shia's schedule," she says but then adds, "he is here fourth period though if you want to come back then."
"Ok" Ryder nods, "thanks."
"Sure," Mrs. Davenport smiles him out the door.
Ryder doesn't know if he should be relieved that Shia wasn't there, why'd he even go look for him? It's not like he had anything to say to him. Maybe he just wanted to see Shia again, is that so wrong?
Walking to class Ryder tries to stop thinking about the boy and actually focus on school. That didn't really work because here he is before fourth period waiting by the art room,
contemplating if he should leave or not. He's not sure what he'd even say to Shia... thanks again for
bringing me a complete stranger to your home— is your mom ok? She didn't look like she was breathing— would you want to hang out? I always know what's going on I can find us a party to go to together—
Realizing how ridiculous all of those approaches sound, Ryder shakes his head turning to leave when he stops right in front of Shia.
Walking to his class bag on his shoulder and portfolio in hand, the last person Shia expected to see outside his class was standing there waiting. "Hey," he greets Ryder
"Hi" Ryder replies still trying to come up with a good enough excuse as to why he's there, "I'm just-" "You're looking for these right?" Ryder watches as Shia pulls a pair of sunglasses from his hair and
hand it over, "you forgot them at my house. I went looking for you to give them back but—"
"You were looking for me?" Ryder cuts him off asking
Shia nods his eyes staring right in Ryder's, smiling he answers "yeah this morning but I wasn't too sure where to look, so I just ended up going around in circles."
"Oh well thanks for..." he signals to his sunglasses
"No problem," expecting that to be it Shia is curious as to why Ryder was still standing there. "Was there something else?"
"Yeah um..." Ryder looked down at his hand holding the glasses, "I don't know if you heard about—" "Frankie's bonfire tomorrow night?" Shia finishes for him then smiles "we go to the same school, I'm
sure we have the same information."
"Right... are you going?"
Shia shrugs "I wasn't planning on it, but if that was an invitation then I'd have to think about it" "What? am I not worth a yes?"
Shia couldn't help the chuckle that question caused, "you didn't even ask"
"Oh, I'm sorry I thought we were assuming I did. Would you want to go with me?" Shia liked the soft look on the boy's face, Ryder's hazel eyes were maybe Shia's favorite thing to look at
"I would" he happily answers, "but I'm not a cheap date so prepare to wine and dine me." Ryder grins "you seem like a keg and chips kind of guy."
"Woah Ryder I said wine and dine, not fly me to Paris for authentic baguettes. Beer and chips?"
Ryder has always stifled his laughter or even the hint of anything bringing him any kind of joy, but Shia's funny retorts were making hard. So he laughed and it's obvious that's
what Shia wanted, "you're rich aren't you?"
"Oh yeah" Ryder nods with a chuckle, "I'm swimming in it."
"Good because—" as he's about to speak Shia is interrupted by his teacher "Shia come on we're waiting for you," she stands outside her door waiting
Looking at his teacher then back at Ryder Shia says, "well guess I'll see you tomorrow then, Uncle
Pennybags," making Ryder snort trying to hold in his laugh in front of Mrs. Davenport.
Once they disappear inside the class Ryder is left alone in the hall wondering what just happened, how come that conversation felt so natural? It was only their second time talking and Shia spoke to him like someone he knew worlds before.
Would you believe things weren't going as perfect as the boys anticipated, they were so excited and for Shia and Ryder not much got them excited, but the thought they'd get to see each other did, they couldn't wait.
So what went wrong?
