{Wednesday 5 July}

~ Charlie's POV ~

Ryder isn't at school today. My tutor teacher said he is sick, but I don't believe that. I was starting to worry about him which is weird because I know nothing about him and yet I feel a strong connection to him. 

There's something about him, something weird like a secret he's keeping and I'm going to find out what it is, even if it kills me. As I leave English, I decide that during my study period next period, I would go do some snooping at the office and see what I can find out about Ryder. 

I go to the lockers and drop off my Performing arts technology and English stuff and grab out my stats stuff as I have study and then stats next. I find Eden and we make our way over to our spot. We talk until the bell rings then I drop Eden off at her stats class before making my way to the office. 

"Good morning Mrs. Adley, Good morning Mrs. Everly," I say smiling as I walk into the office. 

"Good morning dear" Mrs. Everly replies back. Our office staff were such sweet old ladies and both family friends of mums. 

"What can we do for you this morning darling," Mrs. Adley asks beaming. 

"Well, I have a free period this period and I was wondering whether you needed any help here in the office?" I say smiling. 

"Oh Charlie, you're such a gem. We could absolutely use the help" Mrs. Adley replies smiling. I nod and smile as I make my way behind the office counter and dump my bag by the cupboards. 

"What would you like me to do?" I ask politely. 

"Could you please take these absence notes down to the student files room and sort them into the correct student files for us please?" Mrs. Everly asks as she hands me a pile of absence notes. 

"Of course," I say beaming, taking the notes from her. Score! What better opportunity to snoop on Ryder than to look through his file. 

"When you're finished, just come back and see us" she adds before shooing me down the hall with a grin on my face. 

"Will do" I say back as I walk down the hall to the student files room. I open the door and turn the light and put the notes down on the desk. I make my way through the pile until I get to about half way before I decide to take a break and look for Ryder's file. 

I look under the 'J' section for Jacobs and my eyes instantly find his file. I hesitate before pulling out his file. I open it and am shocked by what I find. There is only his enrolment form and a couple old report cards in his file. 

I study his report cards and notice that he has perfect grades before turning my attention to his enrolment form. I skim over it but then notice something unusual. His only guardian is his cousin, some guy named Cole Mckenzie. 

"Where are his parents?" I mutter under my breath. Apart from that, there is nothing else unusual about his file so I close it and put it back in the correct section. 

I get back to work and continue to think about Ryder and where his parents might be and before I know it, I've finished the pile. I sigh and head back out to the office. 

I continue to help Mrs. Adley and Mrs. Everly with little jobs for the rest of the period and when the bell goes, I say goodbye and head to stats class.

The rest of the day breezes by and before I know it I'm back in my apron at 'Coffee Cup'. I start to feel slightly cold and my anxiety starts to kick in. 

I'm nervous that Ace will show up, except it doesn't feel like Ace. It feels like I'm being watched by someone new. I continue on working for another half an hour when something in the air changes and I start to burn up. I look up from the milk steamer to find Ryder and some guy walking into the coffee shop. 

"Fuck!" I hiss, my attention flying back to the coffee machine as I realise that I've just burnt myself on the milk steamer. I put the milk jug down on the towel and walk to the sink to run my hand under cold water. 

I hear Ryder's voice behind me and the butterflies kick in really bad. I turn around and walk over to the counter as Ryder and the guy finish their conversation. 

"Angel," he says smiling, nodding in acknowledgment. 

"You need to stop calling me that," I say with a small smile. 

"Not going to happen Angel," Ryder says grinning. I glare at him but then look out the window when a cold shiver rushes down my spine. 

I don't see anything so I turn my attention back to Ryder and the guy. I notice them give each other a look before looking back at me. 

"What can I get you?" I ask politely, with a small smile. Ryder and the guy look at the menu board above my head before looking back at me. 

"Can I please get a double shot espresso and a piece of the carrot cake?" Ryder asks. 

"Of course," I say as I write down his order before looking up at the guy next to Ryder. 

"What can I get you sir?" I ask. He laughs and extends his hand towards me. 

"The name's Cole," he says grinning as I shake his hand. Wow, so this is Ryder's cousin. 

"Charlie," I say smiling. 

"Oh, I know who you are. Ryder's told me all about you" he says winking at me. I blush and smile back at him and notice Ryder glare at him. I laugh and turn my attention back to Cole. 

"What can I get you Cole?" I ask grinning. 

"I'll take a long black and a chocolate muffin please" he replies smiling. I nod and collect their payment before setting off to work. Occasionally I glance over at Ryder and every time I do, the butterflies intensify. 

Fuck. Do I have feelings for him? How can that be? I hardly know him. I continue to make their coffees, without burning myself this time. I grab their food before bringing it all over to them. 

"Here you are," I say quietly as I set their food and drink in front of them. They thank me and I go to leave but Ryder grabs my hand. 

"Are you okay Charlie?" he asks. I nod and rub my forearm. 

"Yeah, just a little cold I guess" I reply. He nods and smiles at me. 

"The real question is, are you okay? You haven't been to school in two days and I was umm, I mean, well Eden and I were umm we were getting worried about you?" I stutter, the blush returning to my face. He laughs and grins at me. 

"Does someone miss me?" he says smirking. 

"N-n-no!" I stutter, slightly embarrassed. Way to go Charlie. I mentally facepalm myself and look back at Ryder. 

"Our tutor teacher said you were sick but I find that hard to believe," I say, looking him over, the butterflies raging in my stomach. 

"Yeah I'm okay, and no I'm not sick, I just had some stuff to take care of but hopefully I should be back at school tomorrow," he says, his smile disappearing. I nod and give him a small smile. 

"Well, I'll leave you guys to it. Enjoy and I'll maybe see you tomorrow Ryder" I say smiling before walking away. I go and tidy up some tables and then go into the break room to grab my glasses so I can change the specials board as it is closing time soon. 

I walk back out and glance at Ryder and Cole. Ryder looks over at me and we make eye contact. I feel the heat rising to my cheeks and quickly break our gaze and walk over to the board. I concentrate on what I'm doing but stop when I hear them get up. 

"Thank you for your service" Cole says smiling. 

"That's okay. It was nice meeting you, maybe I'll see you again soon" I reply. 

"I'm sure you will," he says chuckling. I smile back and then smile Ryder. 

"I'll see you soon Angel," he says while flashing his beautiful smile, cause me to blush hard. Geez Charlie, pull yourself together. I nod and smile back at him. I watch as they walk out but Ryder stops and turns back to look at me. 

"I know I only met you on Monday, but I think you should wear your glasses more often Angel. You look beautiful in them" he says with a warm smile. I blush hard and smile at him. 

"Okay" I manage to squeak. He laughs and then leaves with Cole. I watch as they get into their car and drive off. I smile to myself as I go back to writing the specials board. 

"Looks like somebody's got a crush" Mrs Shelby says, having suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I jump and hold my chest. 

"Geezz Mrs Shelby, you scared me" I say, catching my breath. She laughs and rubs my back. 

"I'm sorry hun" she says giggling. 

"It's okay" I reply back smiling. 

"But it does look like you have a crush on that boy" she says grinning. 

"Mm, something like that" I say quietly, the blush returning to my cheeks yet again. She grins and tells me that I'm free to go once I've finished the specials board. I nod and get back to work and soon I'm done.

I grab my stuff and say goodbye to Mrs Shelby before heading to my truck. The cold returns and I shiver and put my cardigan on. I head to Eden's house and pick up Adette before heading home. 

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Hey Guys,

I hope you enjoyed that chapter! I really enjoyed writing it so I hope you enjoy reading it just as much!! Please comment and let me know what you think!!

Thanks,

-Allamy14 xx