Lana POV:

A few days went by and I didn't see much of Ryder.

Cole on the other hand, had spent those days with me. I hadn't eaten alone since that day he caught me singing. I learned that he also enjoys singing and plays the piano.

Cole was very intelligent. He was majoring in law and had a year of school left before he went on to law school.

We sat under that same tree as always, with my guitar in my hand as I aimlessly played a quiet melody as we talked.

"So Ms. Reyes, who is your favorite band?" Cole asked me. "Journey. My father raised me on classic rock. He played it all the time when he would pick me up and take me to school. The first time I heard the band I was about ten I think? As soon as Faithfully started to play, I got lost in it." I said smiling.

"I love the song myself. Music seems to be a passion for you. Why not study it?" He asked.

"It's a hobby. My mother was a psychologist and she amazed me how she was able to help people." I replied.

"Was?" Cole asked. I bit my lip before answering. "She died in a car accident about five years ago." I replied. "Shit. I'm sorry to hear that." He said.

"Hey, sissy. New guy." Sarah said. "He has a name." I said, playfully rolling my eyes.

She laughed. "I'm just teasing." She said sitting next to me. "I've had a stressful day. Sing to me." Sarah demanded.

I laughed at that. "Is that all I'm good for?" I asked. "Please? It makes me feel better." Sarah replied.

I love my sister. She's always supported my singing and always wanted me to sing to her.

"Fine. What do you want to hear?" I asked.

"Stairway to Heaven." Sarah replied happily.

I began to strum my guitar effortlessly.

"There's a lady who's sure

All that glitters is gold

And she's buying a stairway to heaven." I began.

I noticed that Sarah was leaned back against the tree with her eyes closed and a light smile on her face.

"When she gets there she knows

If the stores are all closed

With a word she can get what she came for.

Oh, she's buying a stairway to heaven.

There's a sign on the wall

But she wants to be sure

Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings."

I was cut short when we heard the bell ring.

One more class and I'm out of here.

Ryder POV:

I couldn't stop thinking about what Lana had said earlier that morning. Had I really upset her that much? She really wants nothing more to do with me? I never meant to hurt her.

I didn't know how harsh my words had been until she repeated them for Sarah. I had to apologise and pray to whoever the hell, that she forgave me.

"Ryder, are you listening?" Samuel asked. "Yeah, sorry boss. A lot on my mind." I replied.

"Have you and Lana hung out at all since you've been back?" He asked. "She hasn't said a word to me since the day I got back." I replied.

Samuel sighed and shook his head. "I don't know what's going on with her right now."

'I'm sure you don't. You never did.' I thought to myself. "It's fine, Sam. A lot happens in three years. It's gonna take some getting used to for all of us." I told him.

"Yeah.." He said quietly. He took a deep breath before continuing filling me in on what I'd missed.

After the meeting I found Lana in the kitchen.

"Hey." I said quietly. "He speaks." Lana said coldly. Is she kidding? "You haven't been exactly friendly to me either, Lana." I replied.

She turned and glared at me. "Well, I wonder why. Could it be the fact that I tried making everything perfect for your homecoming and you just brush it off like it was nothing? The first thing you said to me was that I look different. No hi, no how have you been. Nothing! Fuck you Ryder Lee Donovan." She laughed coldly.

"You're not the man you used to be. I understand that being in the joint changed you but you could at least have said hi to your best fucking friend! You could have thanked me for wanting you to have a happy homecoming. But what did you do? Walked away from me. So fuck outta here." She said slamming her shoulder against mine as she walked away from me.

I one hundred percent deserved all of that. Fuck. And since when does she say 'fuck'?

"So that's why she's upset." Sam said behind me. "You heard?" I asked. "Hard not to. What's wrong with you, Ryder? Do you have any idea how excited she was to have you home?" Sam asked.

"No..." I said quietly. "Make this right. I don't like it when my girls are upset." Samuel said before walking away.