This is Life without you (Katie&Ryder)

[Katie Matlin]

She had found herself lost now after break up with Drew all she wanted to do was cry she couldn't be in school like this. Katie sat on the front stairs with her face cuffed in her hands. Why was high school full of so much drama? She was hurt now more then she had been in her four years of high school. Katie listened to the footsteps and when she heard Drew voice she looked up at him wiping her tears. Was she going to be okay? Yes, she'd make herself okay because that's all she knew how to do. Katie looked into his eyes. "Am I going to be alright, I don't know the answer to that right now, but eventually I'll be fine. Because I'm a strong person and I've been through harder things." Katie said a bit cold, she could feel herself getting numb, feel herself growing colder toward him someone she never thought she'd treat badly but he deserved it after all. She needed to know one thing so she'd ask. "Are you happy? With her, without me..." If he said yes, she'd happily let him be happy with Bianca, because though selfish at times she did have a heart for him and even though she was hurt, and a tad bit broken she'd find happiness elsewhere.

[/font]

[adam]

He nodded and got to his feet parting ways with Drew and going to Bianca's car, he tapped on the window of the passenger side and she unlocked the door for him. he slid into the passenger seat and sighed looking at her."Hey beautiful, you alright?"

[/color] he asked smoothly as he looked her over and then he reached over brushing his fingertips along her eye. "Christ looks about as bad as my eye looked the other night, bet that hurt..." he said. Bianca pulled her face away and she turned the music on her radio up a little bit before glancing at Adam,"Am I alright? Yeah I guess so, not much really, this black eye is nothing compared to some of the other things I've gone through before, but thanks for asking,"[/color] she said over the music. She could see the worry and concern crossing Adam's face and she reached over and ruffled his hair,"I'll be alright... don't worry"[/color] she assured him again as she got out of the car now and Adam followed her. She locked her car doors and she walked over to the basketball court, in sight of the stairs. She glanced over at Drew and Katie before grabbing a basketball and tossing it to Adam beginning to play a game of Horse with him.[/center]

[Drew Torres]

Drew looked into Katie's eyes he could feel the tension she was giving off as he looked down at his feet. He knew Katie was a strong girl, she didn't have to prove that to him. When she asked him was he happy he looked over at her. "Do I look happy?" Drew said with all seriousness, he really wasn't sure to the answer of that. At times he knew he wanted Bianca but he knew at times he wanted Katie so he was indecisive. "Katie, I'm lost because I caught in the middle of something I can't begin to comprehend. I love you, I love her and either way someone it going to get hurt and I'm sorry we had s*x the other day and you have to feel used. I just don't know what I want anymore." Drew admitted, he saw Ryder fight probably just for Katie, because he hurt her when she shouldn't have been broken like that. Drew chewed the inside of his cheek, they would both need healing her more then him but he wanted Katie happy, and he needed to stop being selfish. "You seemed happy yesterday before I screwed everything up, does he make you happy?" He needed to know, because otherwise he wouldn't let her be broken alone, he'd wait to more on just let things die down and when Katie was happy he'd allow himself to be.

[Katie Matlin]

When Drew began to speak she listened and pushed her hair behind her ears. She understood his past with Bianca, she understood that he loved her as well, but this conversation was getting her a bit emotional. But she wouldn't make the same mistake in asking for feelings and flipping about the answers. When Drew asked did Ryder make her happy she smiled a little, and then let it fade. "He does, but I screwed that one up last night." Katie said looking over at Drew. How was she admitting this to her exboyfriend was beyond her but it was true Ryder did make her happy. Katie thought about the conversation with Ryder and how she lashed out on him, but to be honest she also saw him stick up for her, so he couldn't have been that mad. "I was having fun, and I felt special and important to someone different and not many people can boost my ego when I'm really down but he did. Nor can they boost it more then I do myself." Katie said, she thought for a moment before she said something stupid and bit her bottom lip. "But I wouldn't hurt him like that, I can't just rebound, I'm not like that...I'm not y..." Katie said standing up she couldn't finish that sentance, she tossed her hair into a messy bun and looked down at Drew. "I have to go." Katie said, she was talking too much to her Ex about feelings for another guy and she wouldn't hurt Drew like that. No matter how much he deserved it. Katie walked up the stairs looking back at him one more time before opening the front doors to the school. She walked the hallway a bit broken, feeling alone. The normal Katie would walk with confidence but this one walked with her head down. She couldn't handle class right now either so she just walked to the gym and sat down, just looking at the volleyball net.

[/font]

[adam]

Adam threw the ball to Bianca who was quick to catch it and he walked over to her pointing over at a now lonely Drew,"Looks kind of miserable...what do we do?"

[/color] he asked. Bianca looked over at Drew for a moment and she dropped the ball to the ground and grabbed Adam's hand walking over to Drew and she let go of Adam's hand and stepped infront of Drew,"Hey... come here..."[/color] she said softly. She wasn't doing this because she loved him, she wasn't doing this because in a round about way she felt like she won this battle, she was doing this because she was worried about him, because she cared even just as a friend if that was what he would want right now. She pulled him into her arms and she held him close for a moment,"I got you Drew,"[/color] she whispered reassurringly to him, part of her had the thought to go and grab Katie by the hair and beat her face in, but she knew it was pointless.

Ryder was beating on the punching bag in the workout room, getting his anger out, but he heard someone enter the gym and he walked out of the workout room and looked upon Katie. He sighed as he walked over and sat down beside her,"Wanna talk about it?"[/color] he asked raising an eyebrow and offering her a light smile.[/center]

[Drew Torres]

Drew found himself lost and he palmed his own face and something inside of him made him want to cry as well but he wouldn't. Because crying was weak. Drew listened to the footsteps grow closer and he looked up and found himself in Bianca's arms. He didn't know what else to say but he wrapped his arms around her. He couldn't believe Katie had told him what she did feel for Ryder but he did ask. Drew sucked his teeth and just took in Bianca's scent for a moment before he pulled away and looked up at her. "Lets get you to class, you can't be skipping so much." Drew said getting to his feet, he walked up the stairs and looked over his shoulder at Adam. "You too." Drew said walking into the school building, he felt like the biggest loser right now but he didn't want to talk about it, he just wanted to forget. When Bianca caught up he chewed the inside of his cheek. "Can we drink tonight, I don't want to remember what she just told me?" He asked knowing Bianca wouldn't mind. He walked her to her locker, and then he went to his own. "We have Algebra 2 now." He said knowing what classes they had together. Drew walked with Bianca putting his arm around her, feeling quite shitty. But class was class. When he arrived he slipped into the door and sat down looking out the window, zoned out.

[Katie Matlin]

Katie smiled when Ryder joined her and she shook her head No. "To be honest I don't want to think about it, I told him what I felt because he asked, I don't think he liked my answer though." Katie said giving Ryder a wink referencing last night. She bit her bottom lip and rested her head on his shoulder she was feeling a bit more confident now feeling stronger. "You know what they say, you'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have? I'm starting to believe that." Katie said with a smile then she thought about last night and looked down for a moment. "Sorry about last night, was totally out of line wont happen again." She said holding up her pinky as she brought it to his giving him a pinky promise with a smile. "I feel like it's going to be a good rest of the year, Class president, volleyball, and then prom queen." She said with a smile scrunching her nose a bit. This was more like her, cheery confident and flirty. "You know that's if I go to prom, I'd hate to go without a handsome date." Katie said looking into his eyes with a bright smile. Everything was going to be okay and for now she believe that.

[/font]

[Bianca DeSousa]

She felt him hold her and she gently rubbed his back and when he slowly let go and took her hand she followed him. She got her things out of her locker and went to his with him before they parted ways with Adam. When they walked into class she sat beside him,"Are you going to stay the night tonight then? Since we're drinking?"

[/color] she asked him figuring that would be their safest bet since the last time they drank didn't go so well. she texted Brandon quickly letting him know this time that Drew would be over after school so that if he chose to come home it wouldn't surprise him this time. she opened her notebook and scribbled a letter to him passing it to his desk,"Love you <3" simple, it read that and she meant it as she looked at him and smiled before giving her attention back to the teacher, things would be ok. She reached over and gently placed her hand on his knee so he could hold it if need be.

Ryder listened to her and he reached over and took one of her hands in his as he thought for a moment,"Katie, will you be my prom date, though its far from now, we can promise to be dates with one another no matter what happens?"[/color] he asked, it felt like the best thing for him to do right now. He intertwined his fingers with her and rubbed his thumb over the top of her hand as he smiled abit to himself,"You kept my jacket right?" he asked and when she verified she had he grinned,"Good cus your gonna need it if your going to be my girlfriend,"[/color] he said as he looked down at her hoping she understood where he was going with this. He didn't care any more, he knew he wasn't a rebound, he would be someone to actually love and take care of her.[/center]

[Drew Torres]

Drew nodded and smiled. "Yeah, I guess I can stay you know since I'm so good at leaving and not getting into trouble with my mother." Drew said, he bit his bottom lip and glanced at the board taking out his notebook and he started to copy down the notes. Drew looked over and took the piece of paper from Bianca and read it looking at her with a smile. Then he grabbed his pen and wrote 'love you too' handing her back the note. Drew left her hand on his knee and he smiled reaching down taking her hand in his holding it. He felt a little guilty about everything but he'd let it die down before asking Bianca anything, he promised himself he'd make sure Katie was happy before he was. Drew stared to do his assignment and when he was finished the bell rang and he looked at Bianca. "See you after school meet me by your car." Drew said before getting up and kissing her cheek. He walked to his next class dreading the fact he was alone now.

[Katie Matlin]

Katie nodded, she'd love to go to prom with Ryder, senior prom was something special in a girls life and why not go with her new crush? "Of course, I'll be your date no matter what Ry." She said something inside her made her think about Drew and how horrible everything would go with Ryder if she was queen and Drew was king and they had to share a dance but she pushed away her thoughts. Katie looked down at their hands and him rubbing her's soothed her and she couldn't help but to smile. When he asked about his jacket she nodded once again. "Of course I have it." She said and before she knew it he was talking about her being his girlfriend. Pink touched her cheeks, she loved the way he talked to her so smoothly. Then she thought for a moment. "Are you trying to ask me out, looking like this?" She said, her eyes were bloodshot from crying, and her hair was a mess in a bun. Katie reached over and took his chin in her hand and lifted it so her eyes would meet his. "Your sure that's what you want, because I'd love to be if that makes you happy but forewarning. I'm not sure where I stand with Drew. I mean we broke up yes, but I can't guarantee his actions or if he is going to just let me go out with someone." Katie admitted, Drew was unpredictable at times but she was sure of one thing she had enough of being hurt by Drew Torres she just needed to know what Ryder would think about her statement before making things official with him. She didn't want to be called a hoe either because she just got out of a relationship. Katie knew how fast news traveled she was the class president. She also didn't want Ryder to get hurt in anyway possible. She'd protect his feelings, because he'd do the same for her.

[/font]

[Bianca DeSousa]

She felt him take her hand and when he slipped her the note back she smiled and stuck it in her pocket. The whole class period she kept hold of his hand to ensure he was alright, to make him aware he wasn't alone. When the bell rang she got to her feet and she smiled when he kissed her cheek,"Yeah by my car Drew, see you soon,"

[/color] she said as she watched him leave and she headed to her next class. Part of her was a jumbled mess of thoughts about what Brandon had said earlier about the situation but the other part of her was set on making sure Drew was going to be ok and someday make him happy.

He listened to her words and he took them in. Was he worried about the repercussions of drew Torres? No he really wasn't, if Drew was really going to do something about the situation, Ryder would make sure Katie was not hurt in the process, simple as that. He looked down and ruffled his hair,"Yeah thats me asking you out...I wanna be with you Katie,"[/color] he said, he had made up his mind and there would be plenty of disappointed girls seeing Ryder off the market, and some shocked people at that, but it was all worth it, worth it just to see her smile again, to see her happy. He touched her cheek and looked into her eyes with a smile,"And don't talk about my girlfriend like that...your gorgeous no matter how you look,"[/color] he whispered.[/center]

[Drew Torres]

Drew made his way through classes, he was acting a bit sluggish, he was lost without Bianca now, lost on his overall thoughts and actions. Drew listened to the lunch bell and made his way to the cafeteria, he grabbed a salad with some ranch dressing. Something was up with his apatite. He walked by the table of cheerleaders and watched all the looks he got looking down at his own feet. It was Allie all over again. Drew walked to a table where he saw Adam, and he sat down mixing his salad with dressing and he took a couple bites hearing people say his name in passing. Drew looked over at Adam and then put his fork down ruffling his hair. "What am I going to do, I can't listen to this shit again?" He said a bit annoyed he couldn't eat, he couldn't think he just listened looking down at his food. He wasn't perfect even if people thought he had his life all cut out that way. It wasn't true no matter how much Bianca thought he was he wasn't. Why was he caring about what people were saying, because he was a fan of his own reputation half the time. Drew chewed the inside of his cheek pushing his food away from him. He slowly stood up walking out of the cafeteria and he walked to the gym hearing Katie's voice with Ryder's and he listened just standing in the door frame in shock. He made sure his presence was unseen for now though.

[Katie Matlin]

She listened to his words and looked down for a moment. She wasn't quite sure if she was moving too quickly but she'd give love another try. "Yeah Ry I'll be your girlfriend." She said leaning against him now. Katie felt his hand on her cheek and when he spoke she smiled she liked the sound of that, his girlfriend. Suddenly she felt okay for the first time since last night, she felt like she was able to be loved and committed to. Katie smiled looking up at him and she slid her hand back into his biting her bottom lip. "So now I get to kiss you and not feel guilty." She said reaching up tracing his bottom lip with her finger tip. She heard footsteps and she looked over seeing Drew and she narrowed her eyes. He had some nerve standing there like that, ease dropping on her conversation. He looked like he just saw a ghost, somewhat broken even and she looked down now letting her hair fall into her face.

[/font]

[ryder]

He looked at her and he smiled at her words and the way she seemed to be feeling better and when she touched his lips he smiled,"Yes yes you can Katie Matlin, you can kiss me without guilt,"[/color] he assured. But at her change in expression he followed her gaze and he looked at Drew,"You going to start something? or are you going to let her be and be happy for once?"[/color] he asked defensively as he squeezed Katie's hand abit that was in his. He let go of her hand though now and got to his feet and walked right over to Drew,"You can hit me if you want, or try and tell her she can't do this, but the thing is, she isn't with you anymore and obviously for reasons Drew, she deserves to be someone's first not their second,"[/color] he said as he kept about two foot distance between himself and Drew, if he needed to fight, he would, but he was simply trying to get it through this boy's head that the game was over.

[Drew Torres]

Drew listened for a bit and when Katie looked over at him he just blankly stared. He felt his eye twitched when Ryder spoke to him and he watched him walk over and his eyes fell to the floor. Katie sure did know how to pick em, the cheaters and the assholes he smiled at his thought and although he wanted to crack this kid he didn't. He simply walked around him and over to Katie looking down at her. "You move fast I'll give you that but him.. really?" Drew chewed the inside of his cheek, he couldn't say much but he did turn around and walk up to Ryder and he looked him up and down. "Your right, she shouldn't be my second choice, and she never was nor would have been because I don't put girls on a pedestal like that not anymore but you can have my sloppy seconds Romeo." Drew said looking back at Katie, he hoped that one stung her like the comment she told him earlier that he thought about all day. He debated if he wanted to leave but he'd let this one pan out. "You know Katie, I didn't think you were into women beaters." Drew said sucking his teeth, now he was being rude, and if Ryder wanted to fight he'd have no problem fighting fuck his PTSD he wasn't in the mood to be taunted more then he was already.