Forth step

Ryder’s decision ignited not a fight, but a full raging war… between me and his patience, his iron clad nerves. 

Three days and twenty-three episode of "Chandralekha"  had passed since Ryder had officially become my caregiver and I’ve tried to annoy, bully, even to constipate him into resigning. Every method had been unsuccessful. But I didn’t give up because no matter how patient Ryder was, I was tenfold more determined to get rid of him.

"How does she still talk with a bullet in her head?" Said man broke me out of my thoughts, rolling his eyes in frustration at the actress on the screen. 

"Well, she is a thot, the AIDS is melting the iron away." I responded casually, shrugging my shoulders when Ryder turned to glare at me, a look of disbelief plastered on his face. I could feel him boiling next to me and a hopeful smile broke out on my face. Indian series were loooong and pretty frustrating. Fifty percent of the scenes were shot in slow motion and each time characters stared at each other I could feel Ryder burn holes on the side of my head, more than surely holding back from strangling me.

And just as I assumed, it didn’t last long before Ryder huffed in frustration and paused the 24^th episode of “Chandralekha” with a huff.

“Can we watch something else, please?”

“No. I promised to not give you too much trouble if you watch movies with me.”

“Yes, Carter, movies, not 1000 episode of people gasping in slow motion!”

“1424.”

Ryder closed his mouth with a frown. “What?”

“There are 1424 episodes, not 1000.” I responded, watching his face contort in horror.

“I am not paid enough for this.” He shook his head, standing up. “I am taking a break, you can keep watching.”

“But you promised to watch it with me!”

“And I will. After I smoke a cigarette.”

         I wanted to protest, but then a great idea bloomed in my mind. So I nodded solemnly, starting to follow Ryder.

"You going somewhere?" Ryder asked with a risen brow and I simply shrugged my shoulders.

"I am gonna take a leak while you are gone."

"Oh..." the boy smirked with a sexy disclosure of his canine. "I thought you wanted a smoke too."

"I am saving my lungs for a pair of new legs, or a new IPhone, thank you! Now go and be careful not to choke on some fag!"

Ryder rolled his eyes, leaving the room whilst dressing his jacket. And instead of going to the bathroom like I said, I silently followed him, waiting until he exited the house before making my way to the window next to the door. I slid the curtain aside, watching the football player lean against one of the porch' pillars, lighting up a cigarette.

Oh, how I will make you regret your existence, Ryder! I didn't change so many caregivers for nothing. I thought, rubbing my hands evilly.

Still keeping my eyes glued to the window, I stretched my arm to the handle and caught the key between my thumb and the length of my index. Then I swiftly locked the door, leaning back in my wheelchair to wait for Ryder's "return".

Meanwhile, my eyes wondered on the boy's built form, making me lean my chin in the heel of my palm and watch him curiously. His chocolate skin looked lighter in the rays of the retreating sun. He was tall and well built and the way he sucked on his cigarette seemed rather sensual, giving him a roughness which didn't work too well with the ginger features of his face. Despite being tactless and cold, his wide eyes and long lashes, his full lips and small pointy nose made him look rather cute. He almost reminded me of-

"Carter, did you lock the door?"

I snapped back to the reality, looking out the window at a fuming Ryder. I didn't realize he finished smoking and was now knocking at the door. He seemed pretty annoyed too.

"Don't be an a**! Open the door and let me in before your parents come back from work!"

I rolled my eyes, looking at the clock to see there were still forty minutes until my fathers will arrive. Then I knocked on the glass in front of me, making Ryder's attention turn to the window.

"What are you planing, Carter? This ain't funny!"

I blinked at Ryder with innocent eyes, signaling him I couldn't hear what he said.

"I know you can hear me. Stop this crap and let me inside! You are not gaining anything by doing this."

I looked at the darkening clouds and then at the thrill of the leaves, letting a wide smirk bloom on my face. It should be really cold outside. And what if it starts raining? It would be such a misfortune if Ryder got soaked and caught a cold.

Looking back at Ryder, I shook my head and pretended I couldn’t hear him.

"Go and open the door!" Ryder continued to pester me and I quirked a brow when he started pointing to himself and then and the door. This gave me an idea.

If I let you in, are you gonna suck my toes? I voiced in my mind, pointing at me and then at the door, making Ryder nod angrily. This made me snicker.

Are you gonna lick my armpits too? I pointed again at myself and Ryder rolled his eyes before nodding.

Are you gonna take it up your arse everyday until you'll have to take my place into the wheelchair?! I screamed mentally, swinging my finger vigorously to the door.

Already fed up with my pointing, Ryder threw his hands in the air and screamed an exasperated "Yes!" which could be heard even by the neighbors.

I laughed out loud, clenching my hands around my stomach. Then I threw my head backwards and wiped the tears threatening to flood my cheeks in joy.

"You are so dumb and gullible, Ryder." I let out another husky laughter, leaning my hands over the windowsill, and looking up at the boy. Surprisingly, he wasn't there anymore.

"Ryder?" I asked, looking left and right on the porch and further on the street. The football player was nowhere to be seen, the only noise outside being made completely by the wind.

Then I remembered... my pa left the back door open when he did the laundry this morning.

"Oh, fuck me!"

I moved my wheelchair in a hurry down the hall, entering the kitchen where the glass covered door hung open. At the same time Ryder made his way on the pathway in the back yard, rushing his steps between dad's vegetables when he saw me.

"Only wait to put my hand on you, Carter!"

"And what, are you gonna give me a handjob?" I panted with a snicker, hollering enthusiastically when I reached the door first. I slammed it closed and turned the key in the lock, making funny faces at a pissed off Ryder.

"Open.The.Door." Ryder spat angrily, supporting his hands on the wall and taking a hovering position above me from the other side of the glass.

"Make me!" I smirked sassily, sticking out my tongue.

Ryder groaned, backing away and ruffling his hair in distress. Then he threw his head backwards, stopping on the spot and widening his eyes when he saw something at the second floor.

"Oh no! Oh no no no no! Don't you even think about it, Ryder! You're too heavy to climb up there." I warned, assuming the window of my old room was open.The boy didn't listen to me though, taking his jacket off and folding the sleeves of his shirt up instead. 

"Ryder? Don't be stupid, the roof of the garage is too abrupt, you're gonna slip and fall." I pressed my head on the door, watching Ryder place his hands on the edge of the roof and start lifting himself with an inhuman force. And the irony of the destiny made that a lightning stroke the sky on that exact moment and it began raining, making everything a lot slippery.

       "Are you fucking kidding me?!" I cursed with a sigh, opening the door and moving out in the rain. Ryder was now advancing slowly to the window, his body and clothes becoming soaked.

      "I've opened the door! Please come inside, Ryder!"

But of course Ryder decided to ignore me.

I began biting my nails in worry, regretting ever thinking about this plan. I should have let the boy smoke his cigarette in peace and then make him sit on a pin or something. Now he might fall and get seriously hurt... snap his neck and die. And as if the situation wasn't bad enough, a car parked in front of the house, announcing my fathers' arrival.

      "F**k my life!" I hit the handle of my wheelchair in anger, letting out a loud gasp when Ryder almost slipped and slid a few centimeters backwards. Fortunately, he was able to catch the window frame in time and pull himself on the sill. He then disappeared inside the house, closing the window with a loud thud behind him.

       I made my way back in the kitchen, moving to the stairs leading to the second floor .A few moments later Ryder walked in front of me, his nostrils flaming and water dropping down his furious face.

       "You are dead!" He pointed a finger threateningly, making me gulp and give him a sheepish smile.

Smile which died once a loud voice rang from behind me.

       "Depends on what he did this time"