A Reason (A Reason, Season, Lifetime Series) by CL Champlain

either. I guess we really do just fit. My first day of school here, do you remember me that day?”
    I have to think about it, but I do remember. “You came in to the lunch room with Danny and Curt. You made the wrestling team your first day of school because of something you did in gym class. They were treating you like a Greek God or something. I was a little pissed that I was being ignored by my best friend because of some sweaty mat rat. You were like the new shiny toy. I remember you kept looking at me, and I felt like you were almost rubbing it in that you had all of the attention or something. I tried talking to Danny a few times, but it was like I wasn’t even there. It pissed me off, so I left. I went to the bathroom and then the library early since I had study hall next period anyway. Turned out you were there in that study hall too, and I really didn’t want to like you. You just got so much attention wherever you went, you were like a walking billboard of looks, talent, and don’t even get me started on your fans.”
    Ryan laughs. “I don’t have fans, smart ass. Let me tell you how I remember that day. Danny had told me how he was best friends with the hottest girl in school. That he was thinking about asking you out since you had finally dumped some other guy that you didn’t even really like from some other school. He said at games, guys from other schools constantly chased you and asked you out. He talked about you non-stop. I walk in to the cafeteria, and see this tiny little thing that is so adorable, so freaking hot, all I could think was ‘I want her.’ I kept looking at you to see if you were single or not, to try to hear you talk, anything. Suddenly you reach for Danny, he kind of brushed you aside, but when you weren’t looking at him he nodded his head towards you and winked at me. My heart thudded. The girl I saw and knew I wanted, with no real explanation other than I just felt this instant connection. That girl was with my new best friend. Then you left, and all I could think was that maybe you would tell him no. Then I walk into next period study hall, and there you were. I had all of these nosy people talking to me, and all I wanted was to hear your voice, or have you look at me. He asked you out not long after that. He saw the way I looked at you, and he got territorial. You said yes to him, and my heart dropped at my feet. It was crazy, I didn’t even know you! Then as time went on, and we did hang out together, I saw how amazing you are. How you are so nice to everyone no matter what, yet if someone bullies someone that can’t defend themselves, you are all over them. You fight for the underdog, you are the underdog, the runt of the litter, but you don’t quit. I watch you all the time. When I found out what happened, I was done letting you suffer. I had to help, and to hell with the bro code. I will protect you, I will help you. I’ll be your best friend, your protector and hopefully your boyfriend. This isn’t about wanting to have sex with the cutest and shortest girl in the school, this is just about someone I really feel a connection with, and I just want to be with you. I will be myself, no games, no teenage bullshit. You’ll get the real me because I want all of the real you.”
    Holy shit, how am I supposed to even respond to that? Jumping on his lap for some amazing kisses came to mind first. “I will always be honest, it’s just who I am. I hated you at first, because things changed. I said yes to Danny because he is my best friend and I didn’t want to hurt him, but I didn’t ever feel that way towards him. I think he knew it. I’m a loyal friend and I just didn’t want to hurt him. I really hope he’s not hurt too bad now. I have felt such a strong attraction to you, when you look at me I can barely form a sentence, but it’s more than because you’re really yummy.” Ryan snickers and I laugh and roll my eyes.
    “You are this big deal wrestler, you’re