You Think You've Got It, Don'tcha?

After knocking again, Ryden answered the door. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you." She mouthed. By this time, Matt was already at the door.

"What do you want, Baker?" He asked. I huffed as he rested his hands on her shoulders, and she looked uncomfortable as well. Ryden looked back at him.

"He's here to get me. I've had enough of you for tonight." She said, pulling away from his hands. I stepped in front of her and she gripped my arm.

"I'm not here to fight again. Just to compromise. I want my girlfriend back." I said sternly. "She's my heart and soul and she doesn't deserve to be treated the way that you treat her. Much less to be beaten. I can have your ass in jail for this. But because you're my band mate, I won't. I'm better than that. You seriously need to get a grip, Matt. No one is ever going to want you if you keep hurting everyone you're friends with." His facial expression turned from a snicker to a frown and he sighed heavily.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." He said. "Ryden, I'm sorry.. I know I said that I wouldn't hurt you but I was trying not to.. You know that phone call I had to take when I went to the bathroom?" He asked. Ryden peeked over my shoulder and nodded.

"Yeah. A bit."

"It was that college you were trying to get into.. I filled out an application for you, yknow? Put myself down as a reference; Zack and Brian, too. I was at least trying to do something right. I know that college was one you were trying to get into so I figured why not. I'm sorry." Ryden sighed and loosened her grip.

"Thank you... But it doesn't change anything." She said with tears welling in her eyes. "You hurt me physically and emotionally and I don't think I could forgive you for that."

"I said that I was sorry. I have a short temper." He pleaded, running his hands over his face and through his hair, sighing again. "Just go." Then he turned around and closed the door slowly, locking the locks. Ryden sniffled a little and I turned around, pulling her into my arms.

"I could tell he was trying, I guess." She said. "I knew that wasn't the Matt I knew."

"That was the Matt we both didn't know." I said, rubbing her back. "Now come on, let's go home." She nodded in agreement and we left, walking slowly down the sidewalk. I slipped my arm around her waist and pulled her close. She smiled brightly.

"No more abuse." I said. "You don't have to put up with that anymore. I'm sure he gets it now."

"It didn't really bother me, honestly." She said with a shrug. I was puzzled. "If it didn't bother you, why didn't you forgive him?"

"Because there's just some things that men shouldn't do to women and that's hitting them like a man." She said. "S'not right. He knew that as well. Short tempers are not excuses." She was right. It wasn't an excuse and Matt knew that. But he must really love her I guess. If he were to beat her if she didn't go with him. But that was just me. Honestly I thought the whole thing was just wrong. He should have respected boundaries. Respected that she was mine and he blew his chance with her in Brian's basement. Honestly I was glad that she was mine instead of his. If I can’t have her then no one could, and I would fight for her, even if it meant me dying in the end.

“Yeah, you’re right.” I said in agreement. “That’s the first time I’ve ever actually seen Matt hit anyone. It’s a scary thought.”

Ryden sighed. “Very scary. I’ve known him since I don’t even remember, honestly. I’ve never seen him treat anyone as badly as he’s treated me.” As we kept walking everything turned quiet except for the cars and the street musicians that performed down the street from me. They kept playing songs on their guitars and bucket drums and it was actually really nice to listen to. As we arrived to my house, I sat down on the steps.

“It’s very nice out.” I said, checking my phone. It was 1:45 AM and I wasn’t even tired. But that didn’t keep Ryden from yawning. "Tired?" I asked. She nodded and sat down, resting her head on my shoulder. It was getting a little cool out, but I didn't mind.

"Yeah... M'sleepy." She said, yawning into my shoulder. "Let's go inside and cuddle."

"Sounds good to me, kitten." I said, getting up slowly. I helped her up and I led her inside, closing the door behind me. "Couch or bed?" I asked.

"Bed. I'm tired and I don't want to fall asleep on the couch again." She said, walking sleepily up the spiral staircase. I followed her up, walking into our bedroom and stripped down to my boxers and climbed into bed. After Ryden got on her pajama shirt, she crawled in right beside me and curled up to me, resting her hand on my chest. "My teddy bear." She mumbled.

"Your teddy bear." I said. "Now go to sleep. We've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow. Or later."

"It's not tomorrow until I wake up." She said, closing her eyes. I ran my fingers through her hair slowly until she fell asleep. As for me, I stayed up for the night, and didn't fall asleep until only a few minutes after Ryden would wake up.

Notes