Ryder looks down at the manila envelope resting idly in his hand with a confused look on his face. After a few minute, Ryder looks up at me, and raises his eyebrow. “Should I open it?”

I nod quickly, “Yeah, open it.”

Ryder flips the envelope over in his hand and then unlatches the little silver clipping on it. He reaches in it and then pulls out a thin stack a paper. He puts the envelope down on the table, and I watch curiously as his brown eyes scan across the paper slowly, reading the papers carefully.

Basically what it means to be served when a process server serves legal documents for their clients. I’m assuming that the guy who delivered the papers is a process server. If you get served from a process server, it usually means you are most likely being called to court. Accepting these documents is a binding contract and once you accept them, you must show up to court or else they will put out a warrant for your arrest, and if and when they catch you, they’ll take you to jail.

Ryder puts one of the papers down, and then scans over the second one. After a few seconds - twenty approximately - Ryder puts the papers back together and slides them in the envelope. He puts his hand in his brown hair, messing it up.

          “Damn.” He mutters.

          “What does it say?”

          “I’ve gotta go to court,” Ryder says, shaking his head.

          “How come?”

          “DWI,” He answers. Driving while intoxicated. “Apparently if I hadn’t gotten in the accident and a police would have pulled me over, I would have been arrested for it.”

          “So when do you have to go to court?”

          “Tomorrow.”

          “Tomorrow?”

He nods, “Tomorrow.”

          “They won’t take you to jail, I’m sure of it.” I say, more for myself than him.

Ryder sighs, “Hell, I hope not.”

          “Come on, let’s go.” I say, standing up.

          “Don’t you wanna finish?”

I shake my head, “No, it’s okay. I’m full.”

          “Okay,” Ryder says, standing up as well. He pulls his wallet out of his suit pocket and opens it. He takes out two twenties and puts them along with the bill on the table. I look down at it, $34.24.

          “You want 17.12 of that back?” I ask him, “I have some money on me.”

He cocks his head to the side, “Why would I want 17.12?”

          “It’s half of 34.24.”

Ryder nods, and chuckles, “No, it’s okay. I’m your boyfriend, I’ll pay for the dinner. I don’t mind.”

          “You’re sure?”

          “Of course,” He says, grabbing my hand as we walk out of the restaurant.

Either being a lifeguard pays more than I thought or Ryder has a second job, because he always seems to have money on him. And he never even goes to work. That’s the crazy thing. Like I actually go to work, and I don’t even have as much money as he appears to. I guess his job just pays more than my minimum wage one does. Speaking of which, I should call Helen and tell her that I’ll be back now that Ryder’s okay-ish.

Ryder opens the door for me, and then closes it behind me. He goes around to the driver’s side, and gets in. He starts the car, and then pulls off, heading towards the highway. I turn the radio on, keeping it at a low volume. As he’s driving down the highway, I look over at him and see that he’s tightly clenching the steering wheel, his knuckles almost completely white, which stands out against his California tanned skin.

          “Ryder?”

          “Yeah?” He replies, looking over at me, forcing a smile. I’ve known him all of my life, he should know that I can detect a fake smile from him.

          “It’s gonna be okay, don’t freak out about it. Okay?”

He nods, “You’re right.” He inhales and then exhales calmly. “I’m good.”

          “You’re good?”

          “I’m good.” He reassures me.

          “Good, just don’t think about it. I love you, okay? And nothing bad is gonna happen tomorrow at court.”

Ryder nods again, “Okay. I love you too.”

Not long after that, we arrive back at the house in Vernon. Ryder parks the car in the driveway and we both get out. We walk up to the door and Ryder unlocks the door. The two of us go in and then he closes it behind us. Pulling the manila envelope out of his pocket, and says, “My mom’s the district attorney, she may be able to pull some strings down at the courthouse.”

          “You think so?” I wonder.

I never knew Sarah was the D.A. Come to think of it, I don’t even know what Uncle Ricky does. I’m so unobservant. If I were observant, I’d have come to terms with how weird it is that I’m going out with the son of the man I call ‘Uncle Ricky’. Maybe I’ll just call him Ricky from now on. Yeah, I’ll do that. Well actually, I’ll probably forget.

Ryder nods, “Yeah, I’m gonna talk to her.” He wraps his arm around me, kissing the top of my head. “I’ll be up in a while, okay?”

I nod, “Alright, I’ll just go shower or something.”

Ryder walks off towards his parent’s room and I head up the stairs. I go into my room, and kick off my shoes, sitting on the bed. I am exhausted. Like I feel like ever since Ryder was admitted to the hospital, I haven’t been getting an adequate amount of sleep. But now that he’s out, I’m seriously just gonna be lazy all day tomorrow and lay in bed.

I reach back, and pull the zipper down of my dress, letting it fall to the floor. I step out of it and then pick it up, throwing it leisurely across the back of my desk chair. I go over to my drawer, and pull out a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. I don’t know how it ended up in here in my room, but the green shirt belongs to Ryder.

I leave my room, going to the bathroom, shutting the door tightly behind me. I pull my undergarments off and then jump into the shower. I turn the water on, and take a quick shower, staying in for about twenty minutes. Then I wash my hair, just to pass the time by. When I get out, I dry myself off with the large, white, fluffy towel and then get dressed.

Going back into my room, I put my dirty stuff into my hamper, and then plop down on my bed. It’s cold, and that’s probably because I haven’t slept in it in so long. Well when Ryder and I broke up, and then we came back to California, I slept in my bed for about two days before the accident occurred and I started sleeping at the hospital.

I must start to doze off, because a few minutes later, I feel myself opening my eyes as I feel the opposite side of my bed going down. I open my eyes and see Ryder sitting there on the side of my bed. “Sleeping in here tonight?”

I nod, “I’m too tired to move. Are you gonna stay with me?”

          “Do you want me to?”

          “Duh,” I say, smiling.

Ryder stands up, pulling his suit jacket off, along with the pants. He loosens the tie, then tugs it and the shirt button up shirt off. He leaves them on the floor and then climbs in under the cover next to me. I turn on my side, curling up next to him. It’s not just because we’re in a relationship either. I mean, whenever I sleep at home in Dallas in the bed, I’ll always curl up with the nearest thing. This is usually a pillow or a bear or something of the sort. I just like being able to hold something or someone close to me.

          “What’d Sarah say?”

Ryder sighs, “Well, she doesn’t think I’ll go jail. Said when she goes to work tomorrow she’ll find out who the prosecutor for my case is and then she’ll talk to them.”

          “Good,” I say. “I wanna go with you.”

          “To court?”

I nod, “Yeah.”

          “Yeah? Well you can come, but the hearing is at 10:30, you know how stubborn you are in the morning.”

          “This is true,” I say, debating my head. “Okay, wake me up at 9:00. If I don’t want to wake up, then do whatever you have to do to make me wake up. Okay?”

          “Got it.” He says, smiling devilishly.

          “I think I’m gonna regret telling you to do that in the morning.”

          “Well if you get on up, then you won’t. But we both know that you won’t get on up because you’re so lazy.”

          “Am not. I just don’t like to do things that involve lots of moving.” I defend.

He chuckles, “Right, because that isn’t the exact definition of laziness.”

          “Glad you see things my way.” I say sarcastically.

Ryder chuckles again before leaning over and pecking me on my lips. “Do you know why I love you?”

          “Can’t say that I do. What, are you gonna be all romantic and tell me?” I ask him, the room faintly dark, but not really because the moonlight is streaming in.

          “Nope. Not romantic, just blunt. I love you because….you’re incredible.”

I smile into the darkness, though I’m sure Ryder can still see it since it isn’t pitch black dark. “Well, you’re incredible too.”

          “So I’ve been told.”

          “Oh really?”

          “Really. Just now. By you.”

          “You’re so…” I pause, looking for the right word. “I don’t know. Different.”

          “Is different good?” He wonders.

          “In your case, yes.” I tell him truthfully as my leg brushes up against his.

          “Alright, alright, let’s get some sleep.” Ryder Says, pulling me closer to him, and wrapping his arm around me.

          “Goodnight Ryder,” I reply, snuggling up to him.

          “Goodnight Mickey,” He retorts a second later, kissing my forehead.

----------------------

The following morning I hear Ryder calling my name, but I lazily roll over in the bed. “Mick, come on. Wake up.” He says, probing my arm.

          “I don’t wanna.”

          “If you don’t wake up, I’m gonna be forced to take disciplinary action.”

          “I’m shaking in my nonexistent boots.” I say sarcastically, pulling the cover over my face.

Ryder chuckles, “No but seriously. Come on, it’s 9:12.”

          “Okay, okay. I’m getting up.” I say, not moving.

I suddenly feel myself being snatched up from the bed, and spun around in ditzy circles. I open my eyes and look up to see that Ryder is the culprit who picked me up out of my bed and is now spinning me around the room. I clench onto his shirt, putting one arm around his neck.

          “Okay, okay! I’m woke, please stop.” I plead.

          “You know,” Ryder begins, “I was gonna be horrible and pour water on you like I did that one time, but I figured that wouldn’t make you too happy.” He says as he comes to a slow stop, letting me down to the floor.

          “You figured right.” I tell him, yawning. “What time did you say it is?”

          “9:15 now.”

          “Nervous?”

Ryder nods, fidgeting with the tie he’s wearing. It’s blue, unlike the red one he wore last night on our date. I put my hands on it, straightening it and retying it.

          “Don’t be nervous, you’re not going to jail.”

          “But there’s a chance I may be.”

          “But I doubt it.”

He sighs, “Well, maybe you’re right. I’ll go downstairs and you can get dressed.”

I nod, and Ryder turns around, walking out of my room. Ryder may try to mask his feelings, but he sucks at it. He doesn’t have a poker face. Or maybe he does and I can just read through it. Ryder’s so obviously worried about what the outcome of the court hearing is gonna be. I’ll admit, I’m a bit nervous too, I mean Ryder can’t go to jail. He’s too pretty! Haha, no but seriously.

I go into the bathroom, brushing my teeth and then washing my face. I go back into my room, and pull my closet open searching for something that would be considerate ‘court appropriate’. I settle on a black pencil skirt and a white button down shirt. I get dressed, and then pull out a black dressy type jacket from my closet, pulling it on over the shirt. I grab my hair brush, and yank it through my hair, releasing the knots. I find in my closet a pair of black heels; apparently I brought two pair here to California. I put them on, relieved to remember that I’ve worn these before, and they are therefore already broken in. ‘Cause breaking them in is a bitch.

I pick my cell phone up, sliding it in the pocket of my jacket, and leave my room, turning the light off on the way. I go downstairs, and find the living room empty of Ryder. My stomach growls and I walk into the kitchen. I find Ryder sitting at the table with his parents talking to them attentively. They don’t seem to notice me though, because they’re so engrossed in their conversation.

I go to the ‘fridge and pull it open, looking for something quick and easy to make. I peek at the microwave and see that it’s 9:32. I close the refrigerator and look into the freezer. I see a box of hot pockets, and I take one out, closing the box. I put it in the microwave, and toss the paper away. I push the two minute button, and walk over to the table where Sarah, Ricky, and Ryder are now just finished talking.

          “Good morning McKenna.” Sarah says as Ricky says, “Morning Mick.”

          “Good morning,” I reply to both of them, sitting in the chair by Ryder.

          “You look good,” Ryder tells me, turning his head to me and kissing the side of my head.

He tries to kiss my lips, but I hit his step lightly on his foot with my own under the table, “Your parents are watching,” I mutter lowly.

          “Well, it’s 9:30, let’s head out.” Ricky says, standing up.

We all go outside, getting into Sarah car. I slide my seatbelt on, looking over at Ryder. “So if not jail, then what are your other options?”

Ryder sighs, “Well, I don’t know. The chances of me going to jail are pretty high. But if that doesn’t happen, my mom says I’ll probably be put on probation for a few months.”

I nod, “Well that doesn’t seem too bad.”

          “Nah, not too bad. It’s not gonna look good on my record, but whatever.”

          “Or, maybe you’ll get off lucky and they’ll just let you go.”

          “I really doubt it, but maybe.” He says, looking out of the window.

Ten minutes later, we arrive at the court. Sarah parks the car and the four of us get out, walking to the front doors. Once we walk in, we’re approached by the security guards who tell us to put all of our metal items on us into a bucket. We all walk through the security checker and then they give us our stuff back. I turn my cell phone off, and follow Ryder as he walks towards the board. On the board is where the names of people due in court and which courtroom they’re due in. I see O’Connor, R the third one from the top, and it says Courtroom 4 - Judge Michaels.

          “Judge Michaels is a tough one, but you’ve got a great lawyer.” Sarah says.

          “Mom, he sentenced the last guy to life in prison. No parole.”

Ricky sighs, “Yeah, because he murdered a person. You didn’t hurt anyone, aside from yourself that is.”

          “Right, so who’s my lawyer?”

          “That’d be me,” A man says from behind us. We all turn around and I see a man who looks to be about twenty-five, maybe thirty years old. He looks eager, and he’s holding a briefcase in his hand. “Vance Thompson at your service.” The man says, shaking all of our hands excitedly.

          “Where did you find this guy, mom?” Ryder asks his mother quietly.

          “He’s fresh out of law school, just got a job at L.A.’s top law firm.”

          “You mean, this is his first case?” Ryder requests of his mom, incredulously.

The guy named Vance jumps in, “It is my first case, sir, but I can assure you that I will do you justice. You will leave this court today a free man. I promise you that.”

          “Alright,” Ryder says, sighing. “Then let’s do this.”

Thirty minutes later, court is adjourned. Turns out, Vance actually is a pretty damn good attorney. The judge came in with the mindset to put Ryder in jail for thirty days, no bail and suspend his license for two months. Vance started using all these big words that I didn’t understand and started talking about how Ryder is an ‘upstanding member of society’ and some more stuff like that. After twenty minutes of Mr. Thompson’s sophisticated talking, Judge Michaels lessened the severity of the consequences.

Ryder’s license has been suspended for the thirty days, and he has to pay $1500 for damage to the highway. Considering what the judge tried to do earlier, I think that’s a pretty nice exchange. We’ve just walked out of the courtroom and Sarah, Ricky, and Vance are all talking to each other. Ryder thanked him profusely, and told him that he owed him his life. Overdramatic? Just a bit.  

          “Hey,” Sarah says, walking over to us. “You two can get out of here if you want. Ricky and I are gonna stay for a minute, I have a new case I have to get working on.” She hands him the keys to her car.

          “Okay, great,” Ryder says, “Thanks for hiring him, mom.”

          “You’re welcome honey; let this be a lesson to you.” She says.

Ryder nods, “Right. See you guys later.”

          “I’m so glad you’re not going to jail.” I tell Ryder, as we exit the courthouse.

          “You can say that again.” He says.

I hold my hand out, waiting as we approach the car. “What?”

          “The keys,” I say, “You don’t have a license anymore, remember?”

          “I do have a license, it’s just suspended.” He corrects me.

          “Oh whatever, you still can’t drive.” I tell him, taking the keys from him and unlocking the doors.

We get in and I adjust the seats. I pull on my seatbelt and then start the car. I pull out of the lot, and into the street.

          “Hey,” Ryder says, “There’s somewhere I wanna take you.”

          “Where might that be?”

          “I would tell you, but you know, since I can’t drive and what not…”

I look over at him, rolling my eyes, “Come on, tell me.”

          “Nope,” Ryder says, shaking his head. “No can do.”

          “If I let you drive,” I say, letting my feet off of the gas a bit. “Will you tell me?”

          “Absolutely.” Ryder says, nodding.

          “You’re so spoiled.” I reply, pulling into the nearby gas station.

I get out, leaving the keys in the ignition. I walk over to the passenger side and Ryder gets out, going to the driver’s side. I guess if he doesn’t drive erratically or anything, he won’t get pulled over by the cops and they won’t know he doesn’t have a license. Kinda like when I turned fourteen three years ago. I went and got my learner’s permit from the DMV, and you know how when you get your LP you’re not supposed to drive unless someone with a license is in the vehicle with you? Yeah, I drove around with friends all the time; hardly ever did anyone in there have their license. I had my LP, we figured that was close enough, and I never got pulled over, and we never got found out.

So I get in the passenger seat, pulling my seatbelt on and look over at Ryder as he pulls back onto the main road. “So where do you wanna take me?” I wonder, curiously.

          “Shriner’s.” He says, looking in the rearview mirror.

I gape at him, “You’re gonna take me to Shriner’s?”

          “Do you want to go?”       

          “I’ve been asking you to take me there since before we even started dating.”

          “Well, now I’m gonna take you. That is if you still wanna go.”

          “Yes, of course I want to!” I say, happily.

          “Then we can go.”

          “Right now?”

          “Sure, I’ve got nothing better to do.” He says, shrugging nonchalantly.

          “I love you so much,” I tell him, smiling.

          “As you should,” He says, teasingly. “No, but seriously. I love you too.”

Author's Note: 3,470 words. Ahhh, that's a lotta words. Sooo, do y'all like this chapter? I didn't do the courtroom scene, because I didn't wanna mess it up or something. So yeah, hopefully that was good enough. :D Like I said, this story is almost over. Estimating, I'd have to say that there are two chapters and an epilogue left. Don't forget to vote and comment. :') <3