Okay, I would've updated sooner, but my computer wouldn't connect so I'd like to dedicate this chapter to my brothers for fixing my computer for me, so you can all read!!!! (No, they don't have wattpad--I'm the only writer in my family besides my two cousins)

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Ryder drove for hours before we reached a bunch of trees. He stopped along a dirt road and made me get out of the truck. We walked and walked until a glistening lake appeared. It seemed peaceful--like a good place to just relax. Ryder and I sat down by the lake and I put my head on his arm. I watched the sun make the lake sparkle.

I felt the warmth of his hand touch the bare part of my arm, that made us inseperable. He kissed my head and left his head on mine. How could I have not known? Ryder was perfect. Sure, he would lose his temper when he got drunk--which I didn't like at all and would have to talk to him later about the drinking--he was still a good person. I could feel in my heart that Ryder was the one. Now all there was, was the parent's approval.

Dad never knew about Ryder, because he trained sorcerers and sorceresses all the time. And I'd mentioned him as part of my story to Mom, but she didn't know much about him. I couldn't imagine what their reactions might be. But it wasn't like I had to tell them, right? I mean, they didn't know about Nathan and Darnellel--when we first got together anyway.

I wasn't even sure why I was stressing over this right now. In this moment, I was with Ryder. Not my parents. Yet, my mind wandered off to "Blessing Land" and made me anxious. My dating Ryder wasn't secret. If they wanted to know, I'd tell them. But I wasn't going to call them and say, "I'm dating Ryder." I breathed, and made myself focus on the pretty lake, and I reminded myself that Ryder was sitting right next to me.

"You okay?" Ryder broke the silence.

"Yeah," I said.

"You seem distant," he said, trying to look in my eyes.

I kept them on the lake. "The scenery is just eye-hooking."

I hadn't lied.

"I love coming here," he said.

"I can see why," I chuckled.

"I remember when I found it. It was a few years ago. I had just realized that I was a human, and decided to just look around this place--see what it was like. Pretty soon, I got lost in the walk and didn't stop. And when I saw this lake from the corner of my eye, I made sure it hadn't been 'claimed' or anything. Now, it's mine. It says so just right over there," he pointed to our right and there was a sign that said: TRESSPASS AND YOU GET HURT.

"Harsh," I chuckled.

"I don't want anyone unwelcome entering," he said.

I sighed, laying in Ryder's lap. I looked up at him and he played with my hair. "I like playing with your hair."

"I can tell," I laughed.

He just stared into my eyes. I smiled and played with his shirt. I'd always wondered what he looked like shirtless. But that was with every attractive guy I saw. Nathan never took his shirt off in front of me, neither had Darnellel or Mason. I had a feeling, though, that I'd be able to see Ryder's chest. Maybe, maybe not. He just laughed at me.

"What?" I looked up at him.

"You're so silly," he shook his head, kissing me.

I wrapped my arms around his neck as he hovered over me. I'd never given too much thought to how I'd lose my virginity. But losing it to someone I love, seems like the best way. As Ryder showed his first sign he was ready, I had doubts yell in my head:

What if he breaks your heart like Darnellel and Mason? Then you'll regret giving everything to him! Stop now so you know for sure! Stop it now! I mean it! Now!

I breathed and barely got out his name. "Ryder."

He stopped and looked at me. "Yeah?"

What was I going to say? How was I going to explain everything to him?

"I think we should wait," I sat up.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

I nodded, tugging my hair behind my ears. "I just... I... Ugh, I don't know how to say this...."

"You don't want me," he stated.

"No, of course I want you," I assured him. "I just wanna make sure...you want me."

He looked utterly lost.

"I've been screwed over by two other guys, Ryder," I said. "And I thought they both really loved me."

Realization struck across his face. "Oh. I get it now. You're afraid I'll wound up wanting someone else."

"I just wanna make sure--"

"Kate," he took my hand. "You have nothing to be afraid of. I'm not going anywhere, and I only want you."

I smiled and kissed him. "Thank you."

"Wanna go?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me. Just as long as I'm with you."

He helped me up, took my hand, and we walked back to his truck.

*****

Ryder drove all over town. We never stopped, we just drove. He filled his gas up once and kept driving around. My phone went off in my pocket and I looked at it. Mom was calling me. I answered it and sighed. "Hello?"

"Where are you? It's dark outside," she urged.

"I'm out with Ryder," I said.

"Anabelle's boyfriend?" she asked.

"Not anymore," I said.

"What?" she asked.

"Look, Mom, I'll be home later. I'll explain it then," I said and hung up.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

I nodded. "Mom's just... I dunno."

"Want me to take you home?" he asked.

I thought about that for a minute. If he dropped me off, I'd just have to explain stuff to my mom. If he came home with me, and stayed for a bit, we could tell the story of how we got together shorter than my explaination would be. If we stayed out all night long, that'd just create more drama. So I went with option two. I looked at him and nodded. When we arrived at my house, I made Ryder come in, too.

"Mom, I'm home," I called.

"About time!" she came into view and stopped in her tracks when she saw Ryder.

"Mom, this is Ryder. Ryder, this is my mom," I said.

"It's nice to meet you," he shook her hand.

"You too," she said awkwardly.

"Ryder and I are together," I said, taking his hand and lifting them up to Mom.

"I kinda got that vibe," she nodded.

"What vibe?" Dad said walking in.

My jaw damn near hit the floor! Why was Dad--? Then I remembered the conversation I'd walked out on.

Mom called my name, so I ran downstairs and she was holding Dad's hand.

"What's going on?" I laughed.

"I'm moving in," Dad smiled.

"Moving in where?" I asked.

"With us," Mom nodded.

"The house isn't that big," I said.

"Kate, your dad and I can share a room," Mom said.

"No, I know," I nodded. "But don't you think it'll be...crowded?"

"We'll manage," Mom assured me.

"But what about you training all of the sorcerers and sorceresses?" I looked at Dad.

He shrugged. "I'm thinking about retiring."

"Dad, you can't. Who else will train them?" I asked.

Mom and Dad looked at each other and back at me. "You."

"Me? Wha--? Are you insane?"

"Kate, you're very good at sorcery," Dad placed his hands lightly on my shoulders. "You'd be the perfect teacher."

"I'm a Regular," I reminded him. "I can't just--"

"You're not anymore," he said.

I huffed. "How do you guys think?! Honestly! You guys expect girls to make big decisions when they're still so young!"

"No, it's not like that--" Dad said.

"No," I cut him off.

Then I walked out.

He had moved in.

He didn't lie.

He must've retired.

Which meant....

I had to take over his position.

I didn't want to! I didn't want to seriously teach people how to use their powers, when I barely knew anything! I huffed silently and crossed my arms. "You're here."

"Who's this?" Dad looked at Ryder.

"Why?" I asked.

"I'm Kate's dad," he continued to ignore me.

"Dad!" I yelled.

He looked at me and sighed. "Yes, Kate?"

"Did you really retire?" I asked.

He nodded.

"I can't believe you! Do you really expect me to run a mansion full of sorcerers and sorceresses alone?!" I yelled.

"Kate, you have so much potential--"

"That I haven't even discovered yet! I mean, really! I won't do it!" I folded my arms.

"We're not discussing this right now," he glared at me.

"Yes, we are," I growled.

"Whoa, Kate," Ryder touched my shoulder.

I ignored him. "Why would you do this?"

"Because I think you'd be great at it," he said.

"Yeah. You think that. I, however, don't. Do you not care about me at all? Do you not care what I want? I never ask for anything. And the one thing I say I don't wanna do, you force on me!"

"Kate, please try to understand--"

"What?! What do you want me to understand?! The fact that you're lazy and tired, so you want me to pick up the slack?" I snapped.

"Quit interrupting me," he growled. "Listen. I'm not lazy. I'm exhausted. I've been saying the same things my entire life to every sorcerer and sorceress. I need to finally just kick back and enjoy my wife. Your life has just begun. You can help and train so many people. That's part of learning, Kate."

I controlled my breathing and shook my head. "I can't believe you."

Mom and Dad left the room and I looked at Ryder.

"I'm sorry... For all the yelling," I looked down.

"It's fine. I just don't want you to end up resenting your parents. Mine didn't like me. Yours love you. Don't let a fight come between you," he said.

I looked in his eyes and I could tell he wanted to cry. I hugged him and rubbed his back. I loved him so much... Why would his parents dump him here, not caring what would happen to him? I looked up at him and he kissed me lightly. He was perfect. But there was still some things we needed to discuss.

"Ryder," I said.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you," I said.

"What is it?" he took my hands.

"I want you to quit drinking," I looked square in his eyes.

"I have," he assured me.

"I want proof," I said. "Because you're scary when you're drunk."

He reached in his pocket and pulled out a little medal thingie. "This is from my AA meeting. They gave it to me last month--indicating I have been sober for a full six months."

I smiled. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you," he smiled and kissed me more intensely.

I looked in his eyes and I held up one finger. I took some paper and a pen and wrote:

Be back soon. Don't wait up. ;)

We then left and he drove to a tailgate.