Chapter Twelve:

Heart of a Maiden In Love

"The best love is the one that makes you a better person, without changing you into someone other than yourself."

Maya Granger

Everything was dark.

And that was because I had my face buried in my hands, as I curled myself into a ball in the passenger seat of Ryder's truck, wallowing in embarrassment. The scene where I oh-so-boldly kissed Ryder kept on replaying in my head, and I wanted nothing more than to disappear.

I know I said I wouldn't mind, but doing it in front of his friends, high on jealousy, and in the spur of the moment made me think twice.

From now on, I wouldn't mind, as long as we don't have an audience.

Ryder's all-to-familiar chuckle reached my ears, and I glared at him through my fingers. "Shut it, O'Connel!" I grumbled at him, which only made him chuckle harder.

"Love you, Maya." He said.

I didn't reply, instead, I attempted to sink further into the leather seat. The urge to reply to him was strong, but I managed to keep it, and resorted to retreating into my mind.

My thoughts brought me back to Byron and his gang. Ever since piecing together why Byron had a grudge against Ryder, a question had been nagging at me. So, I asked, finally uncovering my face. "Hey Ryder, I was wondering; why were you mad at Byron when you guys met at the mall? I mean, from what I've heard, he didn't really do anything bad..."

I don't know what kind of answer to expect, however, what I got was definitely not what I had in mind.

I watched in amusement as Ryder glared at the road in fron of him, and jutted out his lower lip in a pout. "Because shortly after I left the gang, Byron decided it was a good idea to get revenge on me. He scratched Lola's sides, and slashed all four of her tires!"

"Lola?"

Ryder grinned at me, and patted the truck's dashboard. "Yep, this is Lola!"

My eyes widened in shock, as I stared at the man, no, boy in front of me in bewilderment. "You were ready to murder Byron because of the damage he did to your truck?" I asked incredulously because of how childish he was being, and because he never told me he named his truck.

He nodded.

"How old were y'all when this happened?" I asked.

"I was turning sixteen, Byron was fourteen."

"Fourteen?!" Byron was two years my junior, and I would've never guessed it. He just looked and acted so mature!

"Quite hard to believe, huh?" Ryder chuckled. "But, now that I got back at him, finally, my anger has been sated."

"So, you didn't beat him up because he kidnapped me?" I raised a brow, trying to stop mysef from smiling when his eyes widened in panic.

I bit my lip to contain my laughter as I watched him trip over his words. "Maya, th-that is not what I meant! Of course I beat him up because he kidnapped you, even though I know he wouldn't hurt you. But you know, I also thought, why not get revenge while I'm at it. It was just killing two birds with one stone!"

I couldn't take it anymore. Ryder was rambling. Ryder O'Connel, a smooth-talking, bad boy was rambling! I laughed, hard and loud, stopping the bad boy from talking. I clutched at my stomach, and bent over, laughing hysterically. I was pretty sure I looked and sounded like a maniac, but I couldn't care less. I was both relieving stress, and simply enjoying seeing Ryder all nervous and panicky. You can't blame me, I had a long day.

"Are you done?" Ryder asked dryly as I started calming down.

I held up a finger, still giggling, signalling him to give me a second. After a minute or so, I finally got over my laughing spree, clearing my throat as I sat upright in my seat.

"I needed that." I said, letting out a breath.

Ryder stopped at a red light, and looked over to me with a look full of love, and it made my heart skip a beat. He slowly took one hand off the steering wheel, and reached for mine. Automatically, our fingers laced together, and I found myself smiling at how perfectly our hands fit.

The rest of the ride home was spent in comfortable silence, with the exception of the radio playing quietly in the background.

By the time Ryder pulled up into my driveway, the sun was beginning to set. We were still holding hands, and for a few seconds, we remained there, in his car, hands interlocked, both lost in our own thoughts.

Then, Ryder spoke.

"Maya," he began, making me turn towards him. His midnight orbs were already on me. "I know this is all going a little too fast for you, and is scaring you, but...I would really love to take you out on a date tomorrow."

I stared in shock at him. Though his words came out fluently with no hitches or hesitations, I could see the nervousness and fear in his eyes. My heart swelled when I realized Ryder was stepping out of his comfort zone, for me. He was right though, it did seem like it was going too fast. We've only known each other for over a month, and the feelings he suddenly inflicted upon me did scare the living nerd out of me, however, I knew I was in too deep already, and I didn't mind.

A slow smile made its way to my lips, and it seemed to calm some of Ryder's nerves. "Okay," I answered softly.

"What?" He asked, eyes widening as if not quite believing his ears.

I giggled, then repeated my answer a little louder. "Okay. I'll go on that date with you."

Ryder was suddenly smiling like a kid on Christmas morning, and it made me smile along. I was then wrapped in his arms, though rather awkwardly with the limited amout of space in the truck. "Thank you!" He said, his breath fanning my neck. "Thank you, so much, Maya."

He pulled back, and I smiled at him. "I'll pick you up at nine tomorrow. We're gonna have a long day ahead of us, so dress comfortably."

"You already have it all planned out, haven't you?" I asked in mock suspicion, as I playfully narrowed my eyes at him.

"Not all of it," he answered cheekily, before quickly placing a short kiss on my cheek, which instantly made me blush. He chuckled. "Go on, Maya. I have our date to finish planning. Though, I wouldn't mind it if you stayed here a little bit more longer, we also have tons we could do in here."

At his suggestive words that was followed by a wink, I scowled at him despite the growing blush on my face, before scrambling out of his truck, his chuckle following after me. As I shut the door close, I simply stood in the driveway, and watched Ryder back out, and leave. I waved when he honked.

My heart started skipping a beat when I let it all sink in. I was going on a date with Ryder O'Connel.

I smiled like an idiot, and started skipping towards the front door of my house, thinking, Thank God it's Saturday tomorrow.

I would hate to miss a day of school.

***

When I came down the next morning, mom was on the house phone, dressed casually in a pair of black, skinny jeans, and a pink blouse, her back to me.

"Just take it easy on her today," she said into the phone. "She's a maiden in love."

I narrowed my eyes at her, wondering who the, "Maiden In Love" was, before passing by her and walked straight into the kitchen. Mom followed after me, no longer on the phone. Instead, she was beaming at me proudly. I gave her a confused look, bitting into an apple I got from the fruit basket in the middle of the kitchen table.

Mom continued smiling, and it was creeping me out.

"Mom?" I asked cautiously, raising a brow.

The next thing I knew, she had engulfed me in a hug, her arms wrapped tightly around my body, trapping my arms at my sides as she swayed from side to side.

"My baby is all grown up!" She squealed directly into my ear, making me flinch. "She's going on a date! Oh my God!"

I pulled my head back to look at her. "Date? How did you know?" I asked. Then it clicked. "That was Ryder on the phone, wasn't it?"

"Bingo!"

"Maya's going on a date?" Nick asked, coming into the kitchen, dressed in a pair of ripped blue jeans, and a dark-green V-neck. "With who?"

"Ryder O'Connel of course," mom answered, finally letting me go, but still holding me at arms length.

"Ryder?" Nick looked to me with wide eyes. "The guy you said you didn't like? That Ryder?"

Mom nodded enthisiatically at my brother, answering for me. "Yes, that Ryder. I wouldn't let her go if it was anyone else. Anyways," she looked back to me, a glint in her eyes that I didn't like one bit. "Hurry up and eat breakfast. After that, I shall help you with getting ready for your date!"

I didn't like the sound of that one bit.

***

After mom had finished with me, I was exhausted. My hair had been straightened, then curled into soft waves, mom had put on a layer of make up on my face, keeping the look as natural as possible, and I was fit into a flowy, spaghetti strap, white dress that came above my knees.

I didn't feel comfortable at all, so after a good ten minute argument with mom, I was allowed to change into a knee-length, navy blue and white striped dress shirt with a thin, camo green bomber jacket. I felt much better after that. Especially after slipping on the new pair of white Converse I've been hiding.

It looked good, actually.

And, we got done just in time.

I had just finished tying my shoelaces when the doorbell rang. I heard Nick holler, saying he got the door. I quickly grabbed the black stachel bag I transfered my stuff into, and rushed down into the living room where I heard my family and Ryder conversing.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw my date.

He was wearing a pair of dark jeans, a white V-neck, topped with a black blazer and some black Vans. His hair was combed up in a side-quiff, a different look from his usual just-got-out-of-bed style. And it all made him look hotter than he already was, if that's even possible.

Ryder smiled as soon as he saw me, his eyes looking me up and down with innocent approval, as if he thought I was really beautiful. And by the way he was eyeing me, I actually felt beautiful.

I managed a small smile back as he approached me, my family watching in the background with matching grins as I focused on the midnight blue orbs that looked strsight into mine, making me swallow.

"You look amazing," Ryder said, as he stopped about half a foot away from me, taking my hands into his, before bringing it up to his lips, placing a kiss on my fingertips. I felt a shiver run down my spine, and he grinned, as if he knew what kind of affects he had on me. "Simply beautiful."

I blushed at his words, and then blushed harder when we heard dad clear his throat, reminding me that we had an audience.

"I think you two should get going now," dad said with a smirk.

Mom nodded, then started pushing us towards the door. "Yes you should," she said, "You have a long day ahead of you, so off you both go!"

Dad and Nick followed us until the porch where mom stopped at, and watched us as we made our way over to Ryder's truck. Mom wiped her fake tears just as Ryder opened the door for me and started waving. Dad had his arm around mom and was waving as well, while Nick just stood there with a wide grin.

It was a...unique sight.

I waved back before getting in, and was quickly followed by Ryder who waved as well. Then, the next thing I knew, we were off.

"Why did it feel like my parents just married me off to you?" I asked Ryder, watching the houses we passed by.

"I wouldn't mind that," he replied.

My eyes widened at his words, making me look at him, but his eyes were on the road, a smile on his face.

Strangely enough, I was able to see myself married to Ryder.

Wow. The things your feelings can make you do and think.

***

P.S. unedited