Chapter Two

Lana POV:

When I went downstairs for breakfast, I saw Ryder at the table talking to Dad.

"Morning, honey." Dad said when I entered.

"Hey, dad." I replied quietly. "Are you okay?" He asked. "Didn't sleep well." I said avoiding Ryder the best I could.

I silently grabbed a plate, putting eggs and bacon on it before sitting across from the two men.

"How are your classes Lan?" He asked me. "I have a final at noon today." I replied. "You'll do just fine, honey. You always do." Dad said, giving me an encouraging smile.

My father was proud of my sister and I for getting into college with a full ride.

Sarah majored in biology while I was majoring in psychology.

"You're in college?" Ryder asked. "Yep." I replied, still not looking at him.

"Are you sure you're okay, Lana?" Dad asked again. "Yeah." I said before washing my plate. "I'm gonna hit the shower." I continued, walking back upstairs.

I didn't want to speak to Ryder right now after the way he acted when he saw me. It was as if I was a complete stranger to him. I get that he went through a lot in prison but he didn't have to pretend he barely knew me.

I walked back to my bedroom and found Sarah sitting on my bed.

"Hey, sis." She said. "Hey." I replied as I got my clothes together.

"Are you still upset about Ryder?" She asked. "Can you blame me?" I replied. "No.. No, not really." She said. "I just don't get it, Sarah. He's never been so cold toward me. I was so excited to see him." I told my sister.

Ryder POV:

I walked upstairs to talk to Lana when I heard her talking to her sister on the other side.

"It's like he's forgotten me, completely. I wanted everything to be perfect when he came home and he couldn't have cared less." I heard her say.

I started to feel a little guilty for the way I acted toward her. I didn't know I had upset her so much.

"He just got out of prison, Lan. I know you're upset but prison can take a toll on people." Sarah replied.

"I know." Lana sighed. "Give him some time. He'll come around." Sarah told her sister.

"The first thing he said to me was that I looked different. No hey, no nothing." Lana replied.

"Did he at least thank you for the damn pizza he loves so much?" Sarah asked.

"Half assed, yeah. He didn't give a shit. I always hated making that shit but I did it for him and he blew me the fuck off!" She was getting angry.

"I know he was in prison but I wanted to make sure it was perfect and the son of a bitch couldn't care less. Fuck him. He's not the friend that I once knew so it's time to forget about him and our friendship and focus on class." Lana continued. Ouch...

"Speaking of... It's time to go." Sarah replied. I hurried back downstairs before they caught me eavesdropping.

Lana POV:

"We're going to class, dad. Love you." I said when Sarah and I walked back to the kitchen.

"We're having a welcome home party for Ryder tonight. You coming?" Dad asked. "Doubt it." I replied.

I saw Ryder's face fall slightly.

"Really? Why?" Dad asked me. "More important shit to do than party with your biker buddies, dad." I replied, coldly.

"Lana Hope Reyes, do not speak to me that way. He's your friend too." Dad said warningly.

"He was my friend, dad. I don't know him like I used to. You guys have fun though." I said walking out the door as Sarah followed.

"That was a little harsh, don't you think?" Sarah asked. "I'm petty. You know this." I replied quietly.

"You know, Ryder looked really hurt." Sarah told me. "So?" I asked as I pulled out a cigarette before lighting it.

"Dad would kill you if he caught you smoking." Sarah told me.

"I've been smoking for ten years. He doesn't pay enough attention to us to notice." I replied. Sarah only sighed. "True." She replied.

I sat in the corner of my lecture hall, glancing at the clock on the wall every few minutes, just wanting to go home and listen to my music. It's been a shit day and I'm tired from the lack of sleep I had the night before.

When lunch came around, I sat under the same tree I did every day and played my guitar.

"Well, mama told me...

When I was young.

Said sit beside me, my only son.

And listen closely.. to what I say.

And if you do this, it'll help you some sunny day."

"You have a beautiful voice." I heard from beside me.

A tall blonde man with sleeve tattoos stood, smiling at me.

I blushed and looked down. "Thank you." I replied.

"I'm Cole." He said holding his hand out.

I smiled shaking it. "Lana." I replied.

"You from around here?" Cole asked as he sat across from me. "Born and raised." I said making him smile.

"So a true southern girl." He replied. "Yeah." I told him. "This is my first day here and I literally know nobody. I was wondering if you could show me around." He told me.

I smiled softly at him. "Of course."

Next chapter