•Chapter 9•
Thank you @marissa_319 for the amazing cover!
•••
"Let's go, Layla! Kick the ball inside the goal! It's not that hard!" Coach Miller yells as Layla embarrassingly tried to kick the soccer ball into the goal. It was pretty funny how uncoordinated she was.
"I'm trying! I just got a pedicure and if I kick too hard it'll chip!" Layla yells in a whiny voice.
Everyone rolls their eyes at Layla's excuse. She'd spent about twenty minutes now trying to kick the stupid ball in the goal, which wasn't even that hard. Everyone was supposed to get a chance to show their kicking skills, and only three people had gone, so she was wasting everyone's time. Everyone knew Layla wasn't going to make the team, so I didn't know why Coach Miller decided to waste her time with her.
The final day of tryouts were next week and I was super excited to find out if I would make the team or not.
I've decided to stop worrying about Ryder and his stupid life and focus on mine. I didn't even know why I was so interested in his life. I just had so many questions, but now I'm not even gonna care about it, because I already had enough stuff on my plate.
"Okay, Layla just go sit down." Coach Miller finally gives in before Layla rolls her eyes and stomps to the bleachers. "Uh, Riley Simmons. Your turn,"
"Finally," I mumble before stepping up to the field and getting ready to impress the coach.
•••
"I'm here!" The sound of a familiar voice suddenly erupts from downstairs.
I put a bright smile on my face and throw my physics textbook on the hardwood floors of my bedroom, causing a loud thud to erupt.
I quickly jump from my bed and run down the stairs, instantly throwing myself at my Aunt Taryn. "I've missed you!" I yell, pulling myself away from her.
"You too, kiddo." She states, giving me a warm smile and using her free hand to stroke my hair. Her other hand has a suite case in it, which she puts down a few seconds later.
I take a look at Aunt Taryn, noticing that she still looks good. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a messy bun and she was wearing a black crop top, gray skinny jeans, and black combat boots.
"Aunt Taryn!" I hear Ryan's voice as he runs down the stairs and also throws himself into her arms. "Do you have presents?" He instantly asked as soon as he pulls away from her hug.
I roll my eyes and punch Ryan in the arm. "He doesn't deserve presents." I truthfully state, shaking my head in dissatisfaction.
"I do deserve presents. Mom confiscated my phone and grounded me for an entire month for not picking you up that time."
I put a satisfying smirk on my face at the sound of Ryan's punishments. That's was what he got for going to a party when he should've been picking me up.
"You guys already know I have presents." She says, adding a laugh before unzipping and digging through her suit case.
Aunt Taryn was a professional photographer. She was known all around the country for the pictures she could take, so she traveled a lot to take pictures all over the world. It was a pretty impressive job if you ask me, and she got a lot of money for it. She took pictures at people's weddings, birthday parties, and almost anything you could think of. And she got to tour the world while she was at it.
"So you guys know I just got back from Australia to take pictures for the Australian fashion magazine. So for Ryan," she begins, digging in her thick suitcase and pulling out a string bracelet with different kinds of wooden beads on it. "I got you this really cool bracelet from a truck owned by a really cool Australian guy."
"Cool," Ryan says in fascination, taking the bracelet and putting it on his left wrist. "Thanks, Aunt Taryn,"
"You're welcome. And for Riley," she begins, building my anticipation as she begins digging through her suite case. "I got you this," she says, handing me a red velvet box.
I take it from her hands and slowly open it, revealing a silver necklace with a small ruby attached to it. Ruby was my birthstone, so this necklace was already sentimental to me. It was a beautiful necklace that came from a beautiful country and was given to me by my favorite aunt.
I put a huge smile on my face and give my Aunt a tight hug. "Thank you, it's amazing."
"You're welcome," she says before letting go of me and giving both Ryan and I a warm smile of affection.
"So where are you guys' mom and dad?" Aunt Taryn asks curiously.
"Still at the ice cream shop." Ryan informs.
"Ah, how's the shop doing? I haven't been there in a while."
"It's doing good. We actually have—" I stop mid sentence when I hear a knock at the front door. I walk up to the door and open it to reveal Ryder. I roll my eyes at his presence and step to the side so he could come in.
"Riley, I gotta talk to you," Ryder says as soon as he enters the house.
Aunt Taryn examines Ryder for a few seconds, causing him to put a freaked-out look on his face. Aunt Taryn puts an impressed smirk on her face and pointed at Ryder. "Riley, is this your boyfriend?"
"Definitely not," Ryder and I say at the same time, giving each other looks of disgust. "This is Ryder Martinez."
"Wait..." Aunt Taryn trails, crossing her arms over her chest and furrowing her eyebrows. "Didn't you tell me a kid named Ryder Martinez shoved dirt in your mouth when you in the first grade?"
I slowly nod my head and point to Ryder.
Aunt Taryn laughs before shaking her head. "I'm gonna go unpack." She says before grabbing her suitecase and going upstairs along with Ryan.
I watch the both of them go up the stairs until they're out of sight before turning towards Ryder. "What do you want?" I snap, walking into my living room and collapsing onto the black leather couch.
Ryder shortly follows behind me and sinks into the couch next to me. "Um...I need you to help me do something." He mumbles.
I instantly let out am extremely long sigh of aggravation, causing Ryder to glare at me. "What do you need me to do this freaking time?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest and giving him my full attention.
Ryder rolls his eyes and sighs. "This is gonna sound really stupid, but... I need you to help me bake a cake."
I look at Ryder in a serious matter for a few seconds before suddenly busting out into a fit of laughter. Ryder gives me a blank stare as I laugh hysterically, trying to catch my breath. "Ryder Martinez baking a cake? I can't picture it."
"I don't care! I just need you help me do it, like today." Ryder says in a serious tone, letting me know that the situation wasn't a joke.
My laughter dies down and I furrow my eyebrows, shrugging my shoulders. "Why do you need a cake?" I ask curiously.
Ryder looks down at the floor then back up at me. "It's my sisters birthday tomorrow..." He trails in an embarrassing tone.
A smile slowly forms at my lips. "Aww," I say as Ryder rolls his eyes again.
"Yeah, whatever. Let's just go to my house and bake the stupid thing." He snaps, getting up from the couch and walking towards the door.
"Whatever," I mumble before following behind him. "Aunt Taryn, I'll be back!" I yell before exiting the house.
_