It's You 18+

Four

"Move." I tell the girls with a sigh.

I spy Danielle, she smirks over at me, walking over. Great, just what I need. More catty bitchy comments..

"Sure you don't want in on this Izzy?" She says my name like it's a dirty word.

"Not if you paid me." I give her a sarcastic grin and move off.

"Meow, ladies." Ryder chuckles behind me and I hear the girls giggle.

I roll my eyes. He loves this shit, he can deny it all he wants.

*****

At lunch a girl comes up to me and tries to be my friend. It's so awkward on her behalf as she's trying so hard, I can see right through her.

"You're here for Will and Ryder right?" Sarah asks bluntly and the girl gives us an awkward, timid smile.

"Just go, leave..." I mutter waving a hand at her.

She scurries off to her friends, I see her talk about us, made obvious by her table of friends looking over to us. This is just weird.

"It's so messed up. I hear the pot is over £1,000 for each now." I mutter.

Sarah doesn't reply, I look to her, she's looking over my shoulder, smiling in a daydream.

"Sare?"

"Ryders coming." she sits up straighter. I see her preening.

I'm struggling to stop myself permanently rolling my eyes today. It's one of those days for sure. I'm exasperated by the dramatics.

I wait for him to get here.

"Hey ladies, how's your day going?" He sits down next to me and I don't look at him. I don't need to see a cocky smile for all this attention he's loving, like Will.

"I like what you're wearing today Iz, you look good." He compliments me in a casual voice, just like usual, but his words aren't usual.

Yeah, he'll compliment me, but not in front of Sarah, or anyone else really.

Actually, just nice Ryder does that in my bedroom. He does that quite a bit come to think of it.

I look up to Sarah who's eyes are bugging out at me.

I turn to him, he's looking me over with a polite smile.

"Ok, what is it you want Ry?" I throw my fork down and wait for his favour.

I can guess what it'll be.

"Nothing? I just... thought I'd check in with you?" He makes it sound like he's a little offended.

"Uh huh. Ok, right." I not sure I'm buy it, narrowing my eyes at him suspiciously.

"Where's Will?" Sarah asks politely and he looks her over in thought.

I wonder if it's her he likes?

Nah, why would he think of Will kissing her if that's the case?

"I dunno to be honest." He sits up straighter and leans towards me more.

"Think about what I asked Iz?" He asks quietly. I have, I think it's stupid.

"Why don't you just ask this mystery girl you like so much? I don't know if you've notice but every girl in here wants to kiss you."

He blinks at me a few times then a smirk grows. That's typical Ryder smirk.

"Is that including you too Bella?" He asks in a cocky tone.

"No, can't say it is I'm afraid. Why not ask another girl who can help you out." I shrug and he looks to my hands as I pick up my drink.

"See you later ladies" he stands and walks off

"Well, that was weird." Sarah whispers and I nod.

"He wants you to kiss him? For the bet?"

"Uh huh."

"And you won't do it?" She asks with a frown.

"Nope."

"Why?! You mad?" Shes doing her wide eyes at me again and I just huff.

What if it leads to changing what we have? The unspoken agreement that he shares my bed with me. A simple, yet complex arrangement we came onto when I needed him the most. It's just happened to stay that way for years.

How can I tell this to Sarah? She's unaware that we cuddle every night. That I can't sleep without Ryder, he can't sleep without me either. It would sound absolutely insane.

To pull me from my thoughts, a voice I detest.

"Ladies, you do know neither of you are in on this bet don't you? So why don't you leave Ryder alone." Danielles squeak voice makes me shudder.

"Danielle, I don't know why you keep pestering me, but seriously, leave the hell alone." I'm not in the mood for her crap.

Her pink cardigan arms come into my sight as she leans down in the table.

"I don't know why you try with him, Isobel sweetie, you're like his little sister." She says it with fake sympathy, it's frustrating.

Can't she even understand what she HERSELF is insinuating? If I'm in on the bet, it's like saying I'm betting one of my own brothers will kiss me? Is she that thick?

"Yes you idiot. Now leave." I mutter through my teeth and her smile widens. Damn, I let her see she's annoying me.

"Well, I'm glad we've cleared that up. You won't be trying to kiss your brothers, they pity you but don't like you that way... you sure I can't just take your money to make it interesting?" She smiles.

"Hold on, you think I'd still give you money to enter this pathetic competition?"

She smiles blankly at me. Does she have a brain? Where was she that day you gave them out, God?

"And, even more hilariously, you think you'll win? You think Ryder or Will will kiss you Danielle?" I can't get it through to her how stupid she is.

She nods with that fake innocent smile.

"Dumb." I laugh and Sarah smirks at me.

"She is isn't she." Sarah giggles and we both laugh as Danielle rolls her eyes and storms off.

"I just can't understand the logic." I sigh.

*****

That night my mums finally home from work, she tends to work away more than she's home. It's ok, me and Will don't mind, she loves her job so it makes us happy.

She's a world class surgeon. We know she takes pride in her stressful job. We could never ask her to change that for us. We're proud of her.

Me, Will and mum go out for dinner then come home and hang out together.

It's nice, strange but nice.

Strange as Will is lost in thought most the time, nice as it's not that often we do things just the three of us.

That night Ryder comes in my room, strips off and climbs in, like always.

"You asleep Bella?" He asks.

I don't reply, I'm close to falling to sleep. Just can't finally take that last step of giving in until he's here. It's normal. Annoying, but normal for me.

"Goodnight baby girl." he kisses my head and snuggles into me more.

It feels like I'm finally comfortable.

I snuggle in, finally able to give in to sleep.

___________

Spot the edits?

This story means so much to me <3

L x