Something had changed.

Yesterday, as they sat next to one another, unable to look, and unable to look away, something bestween them had changed. It did something - to both of them - it seemed. Ryder wasn't his usual cocky self and she wasn't quite as assertive. The friendly banter between the two of them had changed into a distinct awkward silence, that neither of them were comfortable with.

How can you look at someone numerous times, thinking you know what you saw, and then suddenly you feel like you have no idea, what you are looking at - after all?

Skylar had him all figured out.

Rebellious; pretty boy; outlaw. Nothing too appealing? Like a younger version of her dad? Love wasn't even in her mindset after all. Love was such a big word...attraction, wasn't part of her vocabulary either. She had been terminally ill for so long, she never even pondered the possibility of falling in love, or being attracted to someone.

How could she?

And Ryder? He was so disassociated with his own feelings, he had no idea what love felt like? Attraction, he knew all too well. He had no problem being with a girl for one night, and waving bye bye the next morning. It was much easier that way...no strings, no demands. None of them expected him to stick around, and that suited him just fine.

But Skylar, she was still there, she had to be...he had to be. That was the deal. He hadn't been around a girl for this long, like ever! He never stayed long enough to take a closer look at the person in front of him. What's the point? But he was stuck here, and he had to look at Skylar. He had to look at her, and he liked what he saw. She wasn't anything like the girls he would usually hang out with.

"What do you feel like doing today?" Ryder asked her, as he sat down next to her bed. As she was still in it, he wondered, if she wasn't feeling too well this particular day.

"I'm not sure" she said, and sat up. She kept looking out the window as if she couldn't or wouldn't face him?

"Are you feeling okay?" He asked, and she immediately caught on to the fact, that this was the first time, he actually seemed to care about her, for real. Something in his voice gave him away. He sounded concerned.

"I'm fine" she said, and finally looked straight at him. For some reason he didn't expect her to. Her brown eyes made him insecure. She was the kind of person, who seemed like she could see right into your soul, and it made him nervous.

"I have an idea" he said.

"But we have to go outside. Are you up for that?"

She nodded.

The nurses had come accustomed to the two of them going off now and then, and apparently Dave had given his written consent, and so it was fairly easy to venture off. Following the precautions, and they were on their way.

"Where are we going this time?" She asked him, as she sat next to him on the passengers seat.

"Wait and see" he said. They drove clear across the city, until they ventured into a suburb she had never been to before.

"Where are we?" She asked him, no longer feeling worried where Ryder would take her, she grew to trust him.

"We are visiting a friend of mine" he answered her, and his demeanor compelled her not to ask any more questions.

He parked the car in front of a garage, the door was closed, but he got out, and as he knocked on the metal door, it went up almost immediately.

A young guy immerged from the darkness inside, and shook Ryder's hand, followed by a brief hug. Ryder waved at her, signalling for her to get out of the car, and so she did.

She lingered for a while, as she started walking towards the garage, she heard the music. She felt a slight shiver as she went inside, and saw a group of guys playing in front of her. Ryder fell back onto an old couch by the side wall, and she sat down next to him.

"This is some of my friends, they have a band, they are really good, don't you think? They sent in a demo tape, just a few weeks ago. I think they'll actually make it!" His foot was stomping to the beat.

She leaned back...taking in the music, it was really good. She was amazed...they didn't look at all, like she imagined Ryder's friends would look? They looked like College guys. They didn't look like thugs or tough guys at all. Although, as she looked at Ryder just now...he didn't look like a thug either.

"How do you know these guys? She asked him, still surprised.

"We went to the same High School. The lead singer is one of my closest friends.

She nodded.

After about 10 minutes they stopped playing, and Ryder got up to greet every single one, like he had greeted the guy outside.

The guy from outside came over, and extended his hand to her.

"I'm Charlie, nice to meet you Skylar" he said, smiling at her with an honest sincerity, instantly making her feel welcome. He had this sweet demeanor, and for some reason she loved the fact that he was Ryder's best friend. You can tell a lot about someone from the company they keep. Skylar wondered if he would race cars too?

"Do you want something to drink?" Charlie asked, and made his way towards a small fridge on the opposite side of the room.

"A soda, thanks" Skylar said, and wondered if all they had was beer?

"Sure...A Coke?" Charlie asked her, and as she nodded, he threw the can gently in her direction, Ryder was on his feet, quickly catching the can, before it reached her hand, which she had stretched out by mere reflex.

"Dude!" Ryder laughed, and Charlie held up his hands.

"Sorry..." he said, and smiled with an apologetic gesture, holding up both hands.

Skylar found herself laughing, an honest laugh.

"Don't worry about it" she smiled back at him, and he threw another can at Ryder, and he immediately opened it, and took a big sip.

"You guys know each other from High School?" She asked, directed at Charlie.

He nodded.

"Yeah...we go way back, I've known this guy since he was 7" Charlie said, and smiled at Ryder. It was clear the two guys were close. Somehow that made her like Ryder even more, she wasn't sure why. Charlie seemed like a nice guy.

"You guys sound great!" Skylar said truthfully.

"Thanks" Charlie was smiling.

"I am sure you'll make it, Ryder told me about the demo tape" she continued.

"I hope so. It's the only thing I want to do with my life. I have to. I don't plan to make use of my College degree. I'm never going to get stuck behind some desk, crunching numbers like my dad " Charlie said shaking his head, as to confirm his worst childhood fears.

"You'll make it bro" Ryder said. He had faith in Charlie. Even Skylar could tell, she was surprised. He had a College degree, but Ryder didn't? Did he?

"You don't have a College degree, do you?" Skylar asked Ryder quietly.

"I sure do." He said.

For some reason that was music to her ears.