The sun had set on her drive over, and so she rolled up the driveway in the urban twilight that enveloped cities and downs everywhere when the street lamps, porch lights, and other modern necessities came to life. Her own car had lights that did it on their own, so she had not even really noticed it, until she got out.
She had been to the house before, but normally just parked on the street. But Casey had told her to just roll down the driveway, and pull around behind the garage that was a separate structure from the actual house. Apparently Ryan's' room was now his mothers office.
There was a small door at the back of the garage, and she had been up there once, sophomore year. She had been dating Brad at the time, and Ryan had offered the spot for a secluded make out session. Now she ascended them slowly, not really sure what awaited her at the top.
For one, she noted, he had gotten some new furniture. A couch took up the center of the room, with a table along one wall, along with two chairs. His old desk sat opposite on the other wall. A small entertainment center held his TV, and assorted electronic gadgets that went with it. She saw that the door to the bathroom was closed, but the one to what was probably now his bedroom was open. The stove in the corner was on, with two pots bubbling. He had always been natural cook, and apparently that held.
Walking into the room, she dropped onto the couch, admiring the form of the woman on screen. She sucked a mean dick. Tilting her head to the side, she tried to imitate some of the movements, while listening to him wash his hands. Did that girl dislocate her jaw, or how did she do that?
"What are you doing here?" True to form, Ryan was without a shirt, which often seemed to be his natural state, no matter where he was. His faded jeans hung low on hips that seemed oddly low on his body, and she noticed that his six pack had gone from 100% shred to taking on a more human form. He still looked damn good, long brown hair in a pony tail, pierced nipple, large hands and all.
"Well, I wanted to come by and see how things were now that you decided you were done." Standing, she walked over and gave him a hug, which he returned half heartedly.
"Why would you do that? Your boy toy does not approve, I am sure." Pushing her aside gently, he walked over to the stove, and checked his dinner. Indicating it with his head, she considered, and then accepted the invitation without saying a word. They had been friends long enough for that.
"I can do things without him, you know that."
"Not here lately, you can't." He liked to needle her, and it showed in the glint in his eyes.
"Anyways, can you tell me why you decided to drop out of school a cool four months short of graduation?"
"I didn't fell like putting up with it anymore." He shrugged, and tossed some kind of spice into one of the pots. "I'm sure you heard what happened."
"Several versions. One of them has you sleeping with you Mrs. Bachter."
"Does that one include Mr. Ayers falling down the stairs after he tried to beat me up?"
"No, that particular incident is much more commonly found in the one that involves you selling X in the art bathroom."
He laughed, letting her draw her own conclusions as to what had actually happened. "So I guess that Casey told you what happened over here, since you came straight up. I saw your car pull in."
"Yeah. She thought I would be more successful in telling you to come back to school."
"Why would I do that?"
"You know, that little diploma makes a big difference in life."
He shrugged. "I have a plan. I'll be ok, and this is only temporary." He waved around. "By the time you walk across the stage, I'll be in south Florida, perfecting my chosen craft."
"So you got accepted?"
"And offered substantial financial aid." He placed two plates on the table, and she sat across from him. As always, his food was great. Her mother would understand once she told her that Ryan had offered. He had come over to their place multiple times and cooked for them.
"So where is boy toy tonight?"
"If you really need to know, we broke up."
"What? How come?"
"Because. None of your business."
"What do you mean, none of my business? How long have we been friends?"
"Don't use that shit with me. You dropped out of school without telling anybody anything."
"Touché." He smiled at her, finishing his plate. "So, you want to have sex then?"
"What?"
"At Prom you told me you would have sex with me if you were not with douche bag. Well, now you aren't, so I'm asking again."
"No!" She glared at him, and almost threw her fork, but stopped herself. "Some friend you are. How about support?"
Physics. The last of seven periods. And while they had not covered it in the class, she was convinced that the fifty minutes of this period somehow stretched out more and more everyday, the closer graduation got. Today was no different. She felt like she had been in the hot stuffy room for hours, but her watch told her that she had twenty five more minutes to go. A groan rolled of her lips.
"Have you talked to Ryan?" Casey was not disturbed by these things, mainly because it gave her endless opportunities for gossip.
