A Cinderella story - Chapter 12: Chapter 12

"ME AND RYDER WE'RE.. WE'RE TOGETHER" ANITA TOLD BOTH ADAM AND ALEXIS IN THE SCHOOL PARKING lot and thankfully the windows were shut as they both screamed, very loudly
"Are you serious!"
"Don't lie to us!"
"We are" anita nodded with a smile on her face. "After our date last night we spoke and yeah.. it just happened" they all got out of the car
"We're so happy for you!" Adam said bringing anita into a hug and Alexis joined in
"So how did it happen?"
"He dropped me off at my door after our date and he just asked me" alexis went to open her mouth but instead stopped as she looked past Anita
"He's walking right over here" she didn't get a chance to reply as ryder in fact did walk over to them
"Hey guys, I'm just gonna steal Anita if that's all right?" Nodding Ryder steered her away and into the building
"So.. how about helping me finish of my melody during free period?"
"Hm, I guess I might be bored enough to help you" giggling softly ryder playfully nudged her and put his arm over her shoulder
"You was helping me out the other day and the song seemed so much better than in my head, maybe it's just you though" trying to hide her blush anita looked away from him, and he noticed putting a smile on his face until he saw Anita's own smile fade
He followed her gaze and saw students in the hallway, looking at them. Not all of them just outright staring but they would give a few glances
He held anita tighter against him
"Hey, forget them" he said and she nodded as they continued walking until they got to their first lesson
"I'll see you in third period, okay?"
"Okay" not wanting to do too much to make anita uncomfortable ryder just did something small and kissed her forehead. She smiled at the contact as he pulled away and she turned into her classroom as he walked away
"Heard you two made it official" Reece and Caleb said stopping anita in her tracks. She turned to them both confued
"You guys are in this class? Since when?"
"Since forever. Here, sit with us" looking at the pair questionably she took a seat between the two boys
"I still don't believe you two are in this class"
"Get used to it. Cause we're not going anywhere"
"Yay" anita mumbled sarcastically, but the boys didn't miss the smile on her face
"Yeah yeah" caleb replied leaning over to shake her hair. She swatted his hands away as she tried to save her hair but he successfully got to it and messed it up
Reece: "Looking good" she turned to him, a playful glare on her face that made him laugh with her hair sticking out and she got to straightening it back up
—
"come in, I've been so exited for this all day" ryder said as they both started their free period. They made their way to the auditorium and went inside
"So we're just starting where we left of the other day?" Anita questioned and ryder nodded as he set up the microphones. He grabbed 2 chairs and the pair of them sat on each, a mic in hand
"Just from the top okay"
Ryder: 'It's become so hard
For me to be surprised
That you're bringing back the real me
No judgment in your eyes
Anita: 'It's the way you make me feel
There's finally something real
Words are hard to find
But I'm gon' get it right this time'
Both: 'Just come and take my hand
Take away my fear, keeping me strong enough"
"Wait" anita said stopping ryder. He looked to her confused
"Did you say keeping me strong enough?"
"Uh yeah"
"I think you might have to change that" Chuckling ryder nodded and handed her his sheet of paper
"What do you want to change it to?"
"Nothing drastic" she said as she crossed out a word
"Just 'make me strong enough"
"Okay.. I like that. Good call" she handed him back the sheet and continued
'So can I dance with you?
It's how I speak the truth
It's just classic when we met
Now you made me new' ryder moved over to anita and held his hands out and she immediately shook her head
"I don't dance"
"Hmh, sure you dont" he took her hands and spun her around into his arms
"You don't dance my ass" he muttered
"Can you keep up with me?" He questioned
"Probably not"
"It was rhetorical. I know you can"
[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]
( the others aren't there and neither is the glass. They can see and touch each other)
They ended their dance their hands touching and he smiled nodding his head
"I knew you could keep up"
"So, are you competing in my show?" Ryder asked anita who shrugged
"I don't think so"
"What?" He said, his eyes widening
"Yeah, i don't know " she shrugged. Ryder moved from beside her and sat in front of her, taking her hands in either of his
"What- why? You're a great dancer, a fucking amazing singer. Everyone will love you out there" she shrugged and turned away from his gaze but to not avoid him ryder grabbed her waist and sat her on his lap
"What anita? Tell me" he whispered
"I get stage fright" she mumbled hoping he wouldn't hear, but he did
"What about the ball-"
"I had a mask on. No one knew it was me"
"But they loved it anyways. You were amazing out there, every second"
"You think so?"
"I was watching, stunned at you. You're one of the best singers I've ever heard" Anita looked down at ryder with a deft expression
"You can do it with me if it helps"
"Okay" she said nodding
"I'll do it, with you" smiling triumphantly ryder sat up a little straighter and connected his lips to Anita's who smiled and returned it. His hands moved behind her waist as hers went around his neck
"stop corrupting him!" They heard a shout and broke apart to see cleo, destiny and Amanda walking up to them. Anita went to get up but ryder kept his hand on her not allowing her to
"So it's true" cleo said
"You two are together"
"I-" anita stuttered
"You- you what?" Amanda mimicked and she just sighed
"Ryder? How could you be with this low life? Not even her family loves her"
"Amanda-"
"You didn't even give me a chance"
"Amanda. I never thought of us as anything romantic. I just don't have feelings for you. But I have them for Anita"
"Your gonna make me sick" she sneered
"Give it a rest Amanda. Stop putting down other people. Maybe if you stop doing that then you might find someone that's right for you, but that's not me" Amanda let out a huff before she walked out leaving the twins there
"We are so telling mom about this" destiny stated and cleo nodded before they both turned on their heel and followed after their friend and that's when Anita finally turned back to ryder
"I have to go after them" anita whispered shocked which made him confused
"What why?"
"Ryder. If they tell prism. She can take everything from me. She's the mayor, she has connections. I can't let them"
"Go" he urged and she nodded kissing his lips quickly before getting up off his lap and rushing off
—
TWO DAYS LATER ANITA SAT WITH HER AND RYDERS FRIEND AT THEIR NOW USUAL LUNCH TABLE. BUT SHE WASNT quite able to listen to what they were saying as she was sleep, her head rested on Ryders shoulder
"Hey anita" alexis called her, watching as the girl slowly opened her eyes
"how much sleep did you get last night?"
"I don't know. 2 or 3 hours. The twins have been working me hard" when anita chased after the girls after her they caught her and ryder she had begged them not to tell their mom. And she agreed, as long as she did everything for them
"They're evil" Adam said to her and she nodded wiping her eyes
"All of this so you can go to college? Have you gotten your letter from them yet?"
"Not yet. I'm hoping they'll be one when I get home tonight. But it could take a week or 2" the others turned back into another conversation whilst ryder talked to anita
"Which school did you apply to?"
"A few arts one. But my main one is Manhattan academy of performing arts"
"Are you for real?" He said, his mouth slung open in shock
"That's the one I applied to"
"No way" she whispered and he smiled nodding
"Are you waiting back from them too?"
"Yeah. I was going to check my mail again tonight too"
"I'm nervous- but exited- I have a good feeling"
"Me too"