New Perspective

“Well that escalated quickly.” I mumbled and everyone nodded. “I don’t get why she’s being such a bitch.”

“I don’t get why he’s being such a dick. I kinda described her to him and he seemed to dig her.” Ryan said and I just gave him a weird look.

“Dig? Really? Are you trying to be a gangster or something?” Spencer said chuckling and then Jon started cracking up too. I kinda felt bad but laughed at that nonetheless.

"Hey, you guys wanna go surfing?" Ryan asked pointing over his shoulder to the water with his thumb.

“Yes, because the previous surfing trip that just happened turned out to be such a success.” Jon remarked and Ryan just shoved him. Since he was crouching down he fell right over into the sand. “Damn you, now I got sand all over me and I gotta wash it all off!” he said taking a fistful of sand and dumping it on Ryan’s head. “Yeah!” he said and then started running to the water.

“What just happened?” Ryan sat there laughing and I just shrugged.

“Your friend, your problem.”

“Well he’s your friend now too so that’s your damn problem too!” he said and I laughed. God he’s so cute! “So seriously, let’s get in the water, I love surfing.”

“Really? Does that mean that Eden lied to Brendon about never surfing.”

“No, she’s like a cat she doesn’t really like the water. She likes getting a tan, but the water bothers her. That’s why I got a spray bottle at home in case she gets out of line.”

“Oh God.”

“Yeah, now let’s go.” I said jumping up and pulling him up with me.

“Wait, Brendon was the only one with the board.” Ryan said and all I could think of is damn.

"You can borrow ours." Spencer offered and I just smiled.

“Well there you go!”

After that Spencer ran over to his car and grabbed a couple of boards. Then shouted at Ryan to help him carry the other two.

“Wait, these are my boards.” Ryan said with confusion. "You guys went in my house again didn't you?" Ryan sighed.

"Well you weren't answering your phone, or we would've asked first." Jon said finally out of the water as he joined us.

"I left my phone in the car." Ryan chuckled.

"Just shut up and grab your board before I do." I laughed as Ryan quickly picked up his surfboard. I grabbed the other one and started running to the water. I turned around and saw Ryan taking his shirt off and my jaw literally dropped to the ground, and probably got 2 feet of sand in my mouth, that's how hard my hit the ground. Of course I’m exaggerating, but if it were to happen, it would TOTALLY happen to me. Ryan just laughed at my reaction and shook his head. I bet he felt flattered too. That boy deserves some flattery.

“Are you gonna go in or are you gonna keep looking at all this good stuff?” Ryan smiled motioning at his chest.

“Shut up and let’s go!” I turned around quickly to hide my blush and ran into the water. "Come on Spence! You can do so much better than that!" I called out to him. Even though I was far away, I think I saw him roll his eyes. I just laughed and swam out to him with my board waiting for Jon and Ryan to get to us.

“So,” Spencer started “you and Ryan huh.” He smiled wiggling his eyebrows and I just pushed him off his board. “What was that for?”

“For not minding your own business.” I replied and he stuck his tongue out at me.

The next moment I know someone dove out of the water and it was Ryan. He shook his head and got on his board. Then he started doing something and I had to say something.

"Why did you do that?" I asked with a pout.

"Do what?" Ryan asked clearly confused.

"Move your hair out of your face?"

"... I couldn't see?" he asked laughing a bit.

"So? It was really cute" I smiled and he blushed. Spencer and Jon all said 'ooooooh, Ryan's blushing!', and since Jon was closest to him, Ryan slapped him and splashed Spencer.

"What was that-" they all started

"Don’t even! You know what that was for!" Ryan pointed at them. And I couldn't help but stare. Of course I thought Ryan yelling at the guys was funny, but I hate to admit it, it was kinda hot too. My trance like state was broken when I heard waves rolling in. I looked and they were still pretty far away... just enough time to make a bet.

"Hey guys. Waves are coming in... You wanna make bet?" I cocked my eyebrow.

"How so?" Jon asked propping his chin on his hand.

"Do you think I could beat you guys in surfing?" I asked, eyebrow still cocked.

"Okay. What are the wagers?" Spencer asked, highly interested.

"Well, first, who do you think will win? Me or Ryan?" I asked. Spencer pointed to me, and Jon pointed to Ryan.

"Okay. I don’t know why, but this just popped into my head. If I win, I get to drive Ryan's car." I said, remembering Ryan had a sweet car.

"And if I win, you ride shotgun" Ryan flashed me a smile.

"Well if you lose you buy me dinner" I added.

"If you lose you wash my car" Ryan added.

"Deal" I stuck out my hand smiling.

“In your bathing suit and you have to dance too.” He smirked and I pulled my hand back.

“No deal.”

“Just bathing suit?” he pouted and I sighed extending my hand again

"Deal" I said and Ryan smiled back and my hand. We paddled closer to the now coming wave, and waited a bit. When it came we got up and gave it our all.

Ryan and I were pretty far out when the wave started to close. I moved my back foot, moving the back of the board, swerving me a bit. I heard a splash and looked back quickly. The wave was closing at the back, meaning it would come to the front pretty quick. But when I looked back, I didn't see Ryan. 'did he win?' I thought. 'no, cause the guys would be cheering for him.' I shook my head and concentrated. I turned and went thru the end of the wave, and it closed behind me. I heard the guys cheering. I looked up and saw everyone. Even Ryan. 'he did win didn't he? ... Then why are they cheering for me?' I thought again. I shook my head a little and sat down, then laid on the board and paddled to where everyone was.

"What happened to you? Did you win?" I asked Ryan as I got closer to the group.

"Pffft. No. I fell as soon as I got in the wave" Ryan said.

"Seriously? I worked that hard and showed off for nothing??" I asked.

"Oh no, I saw... We all did." Ryan smirked and I just rolled my eyes and splashed him.

"Whatever. I’m driving your car... And you're buying me dinner" I smiled at Ryan and he gave me a little half smile.

“Will you still wash my car?” he asked smirking and I just splashed him “It was worth a shot.” He laughed.

“I’m kinda hungry lets go to my house and barbeque some shit. Hopefully Eden’s there by now. Everyone agreed and I drove Ryan’s car back. Which was awesome. I pretended to be one of those bad drivers and he started freaking out which was hilarious. Then I started driving normally before he got a heart attack.

I parked in the driveway and got out as soon as Spencer parked next to me. Eden’s car wasn’t there which made me wonder. I got concerned and got my phone out to call her.

“What are you doing?” Ryan asked.

“Calling Eden, her car’s not here so I’m just wondering where the hell is she.” After I was done I put my phone back in my pocket. “Straight to voicemail.”

“Well she’s missing out on some good food.” Ryan said and I nodded.

“Come on people, head inside!” I shouted unlocking the front door and letting the guys pile into the living room. “The fridge is over there filled with meat so get to work!”

“And what will you be doing?” Spencer asked.

“I’m gonna go take a shower, change, and then watch TV till you guys are done.” I said like it was obvious.

“So you’re not helping.”

“Nope.” I said popping the p.

“Meanie.” He mumbled walking away and I just rolled my eyes and started heading upstairs.

After I got all of my shit done I headed downstairs only to meet the warzone. I could smell the food so thankfully they got that done, but when I looked at the floor I cringed. Full of spitballs.

“What the hell?” I shouted and they all looked at me and hit me with them spitballs.

"Holy shit, stop doing that!" I yelled as I felt more and more spit balls hit me, then Jon and spencer ran out from behind the couches and ran to the garage. Weirdoes.

I walked into the kitchen and opened the carton of OJ and just drank from it.

"Hey, maybe I wanted some of that" someone said. I looked and saw Ryan sitting on the counter behind me.

“One, you weren't there like, 2 seconds ago when I walked in, and here." I handed him the OJ.

“You drank out of that already." Ryan said pretending to be a germaphobe. I just laughed and put the jug on the counter, and went back to the fridge to look for a snack.

“But why did you have to drink out of it already?" Ryan whined wiping the top off with a rag, and getting a glass.

“Because I didn’t feel like getting a glass and because it’s my orange juice." I said eating some cookies.

“Doesn’t Eden drink orange juice?” he asked and I shook my head.

“She’s an apple juice kind of gal.” I explained and he nodded. Then I saw him getting excited once he noticed I had cookies in my hand.

“I want some!" Ryan said as he extended his hand, waiting for me to place cookies in his hand. I rolled my eyes and gave him three. He looked at me, down at his hand, back at me, then back to the cookies in his hand and his eyebrows furrowed, then he looked back at me again.

“Only three?" he asked.

“You know you can get your own, the box is right there," I laughed as I pointed to the box over my shoulder on the counter. Ryan shrugged and bit a cookie, and poured his glass of OJ. He handed me the carton and I just opened it and drank more.

“Really?" Ryan laughed, hopping back up on the counter.

“Yea, really" I said. Then Spencer and Jon came in, whining they were hungry. I was just glad they were over their war phase for the day.

“OJ!" Jon said reaching for the carton.

“Don’t do it man, you’ll get mono.” Ryan said casually and I just glared at him as Jon basically jumped away from the carton. Then he reached for a cookie from Ryan's hand, but Ryan slapped it away.

"No" Ryan said pointing at Jon and I just laughed. Jon shook his head and reached for the box behind me. He looked at Spencer and they nodded a bit, before running towards the back door.

"Well there go our cookies," Ryan said and I rolled my eyes a bit. I reached up in the cabinet and got another box of cookies down and shook them a bit and I tossed them to Ryan as I shut the cabinet door.

“Oh. Thin mints." Ryan cooed as he opened the box and one of the sleeves of cookies.

"Jeez, pig much?" I laughed as I turned around and saw Ryan with two or three cookies in his mouth. He smiled a little bit. "Are we gonna go catch up with them or sit here?" I asked taking a couple cookies from the sleeve Ryan had opened while he was still munching on his cookies.

"Catch up with them I g- oh my god really?" Ryan asked as I drank from the OJ carton again.

“Yes really... It's almost empty anyways." I said.

“Want some?" I asked shaking the carton.

"Not really, it's just as bad as kissing," Ryan said.

"What’s so bad about kissing?" I asked as I threw the carton away and leaned my forehead against Ryan's.

"Well I didn’t mean it that way." He whispered and started leaning in, that’s when I turned away from him.

“Take me out on a date first pretty boy.” I laughed leaving him all sad and confused.

“I have to actually do that?” he pouted.

“I would hope so.” I laughed and he just smiled at me.

“I wonder where Brendon is, he hasn’t been answering me or any of the guys. It’s weird. He’s probably home all upset about Eden.” Ryan said and I just raised my eyebrow.

“But he just met her. Why would he be so hung up about her?”

“It’s probably not about her, it’s probably the fact that she didn’t give him a time of day and he’s used to girls being all over him. He’s just grumpy.” Spencer chimed in and I just nodded then turned to Ryan and slapped him on the shoulder.

“Ow?”

“You were gonna set my best friend, my sister, up with some man whore?” I shouted.

“If it helps, he’s more of a man-child?” Jon said raising his hands up in defense.

“Oh, yeah, cuz that makes him look any better.”

“But he might just be upset cuz he was looking to settle down and shit and it was he perfect opportunity and he’s probably planning something to get her on his side.” Ryan said and I just stared at him still a little mad. “Did I mention how cute you look in your outfit?” he smiled innocently.

“Awe, we’re not even in a relationship and you’re already using flattery to get on my good side.” I said in a baby voice pinching his cheek and he just swatted my hand away.

“Can we just go and eat now?” Jon whined waving his arms around clearly starving.

“Yeah, let’s do that.” I nodded and went to the gazebo.

The guys made some burgers and they were pretty dang good. We sat down and just talked for hours.

Eventually we moved to he living room because it was getting chilly out and continued our conversation. For the most part we were discussing where the hell were our best friends. As well as sharing some funny stories. A lot of funny stories actually, some of them hopefully Eden would never know I told them.

Before we knew it, it was almost midnight.

“Oh shit, that’s really late.” Ryan said looking at his phone.

“Can we just stay here, I’m confortable.” Spencer said and I just saw him laying down hugging a pillow with his eyes closed.

“No, dude come on.” Ryan laughed and then pulled him off the couch by his leg.

“That was not nice at all.”

“Whatever dude you gotta drive, come on.” Ryan said and Spencer’s eyes finally opened.

“Okay.” Was all he said before sitting back on the couch. Then I saw his and Jon’s eyes widen and they both got up. “We’ll go now, Ryan you drive, so bye Sarah, it was nice to meet you and we’ll probably come back tomorrow cuz we love it here.”

“Fine with me.” I laughed and then they walked out the door and Ryan and I were just sitting there quite awkwardly for the first time all day.

“So.” He said.

“So.” I repeated with a laugh.

“You wanna walk me out?” he asked and I nodded as we both got up and walked to the door.

“Text me once you get home so I know you’re fine.” I told him and he just gave me a wicked smile.

“Awe, are you worried about me?”

“It’s pretty late, all the drunks are on the streets.” I smiled.

“I’m a pretty good driver.” He said reassuring me then he moved his hair out of his face.

“Stop doing that.”

“Doing what?” he asked.

“Moving your hair out of your face. It’s cute and then you ruin it.” I complained.

“So I’m only cute when I’m blind?” he laughed and I just rolled my eyes.

“No, I never said that.”

“Good.” He smiled then leaned down and looked me in the eyes. “Goodnight Sarah.” He whispered closing the gap between us and gently placing his lips on mine. Even though I wanted this to happen for quite some time now the kiss still shocked me and it took me more that it should’ve been to respond. He pulled away with a frown “I’m sorry, you clearly didn’t want me to do that.”

“No I did.” I said and he looked me in the eyes, which made my heart melt.

“Then why did you-”

“I was just surprised that you wanted to kiss me.”

“Why would you be, I thought I made it pretty obvious in the kitchen earlier.” He chuckled seeming a bit nervous now.

“I’m sorry.” I said and then there was silence and neither one of us knew what to do. “You could kiss me again.” I smiled and his eyes lit up a bit before he leaned down again and kissed me. This time I responded right away and our lips started moving in sync.

When he finally pulled away he was clearly breathless.

“We should do that more.” He said and I laughed.

“After you take me out on a date.” I said poking his nose.

“Or I could just keep telling you goodnight every five minutes. I like that.”

“What’s wrong with a date?” I asked and he just shrugged.

“Nothing, I just can’t think of a place that’d be good enough to have your presence at.”

“That was cute, but you still gotta take me on a date.”

“Damn.” He laughed and I just slapped his shoulder. “I just don’t want you to keep telling me to take you on a date, I want to do that myself. So stop telling me what I already know.” He said and I just smiled with a nod.

“Alright.”

“Goodnight.” He smiled giving me another kiss and then walking to his car.

“Goodnight, Ryan.” I said mostly to myself since he was driving away.

I got back inside the house and up to my room. After changing into my pajamas I turned on my TV, turned the lights off and climbed under my blanket and got comfortable. Then my phone vibrated on my nightstand. I reached over and grabbed it before reading the text.



For the first time in a while I was able to go to sleep knowing I’d wake up to something good.