• I fell down back onto the boards away from the gaping hole Ryder had just fell in. “Ryder!” I yelled feeling panicky. I crawled on all fours to the hole. Relief filled me as Ryder groaned and looked up at me. “Are you okay?” I asked. He laughed and nodded sitting up. He wasn’t to far down but it looked like a room under the stage. He frowned and stood up. Dust fell onto his hair and shirt. He rubbed his back. He walked a ways in so I couldn’t see him. “Ryder! What are you doing?!” I demanded.

    “Wow….hey, find a lamp and matches. There should be some up there,” Ryder called from down in the hole. “You’re going to want to see this!” I frowned but stood up. I found a lantern and a box of matches with only 3 in. I lit the lantern and went back over to the hole.

    “Okay!” I said and Ryder came back to where the light shown. The floor under him was a pretty gold. He was grinning.

    “Hand me the light, then I’ll help you down.

    “Down?” I asked my eyes big. “I don’t—“

    “Oh stop being a baby Trinity!” My mouth fell. No one ever said that to me. He then smiled. “Come on, you’ll like it.”

    I gave him a weary frown but bent down and he took the lantern. He instructed me to easily let myself down and that if I fell, he would catch me. I did however and we both went down onto the broken boards. Ryder gave a grunt.

    “You wanted me to come down.” I muttered then glanced back up. “How are we going to get back out?”

    Ryder shrugged behind me. His breath tickled my ears and I felt him lean forward to smell my hair and neck. I looked back around at him and smiled. His eyes were dreamy and hazed. “What was it you wanted to show me?” I asked quietly. He shook it off and got up, pulling me with him. He grabbed the light that was easily sitting on the gold floor. He picked it up and thrust it in the air that filtered with dust. It smelled musty and of old perfume.

    “That’s what I thought…” Ryder muttered. As he let the light spill over the room I saw what it was. It was a dressing room. There was a beautiful old Victorian vanity and a chair to match it. Things sat on the vanity. A jewelry box, brushes, old make up and pretty perfume bottles. Empty racks gathered around the room, telling you there were a lot of clothes and costumes. But none were there.

    “Wow,” was my only words. Ryder nodded. Ryder walked toward the pretty vanity and I followed. “There so old,” I said as Ryder picked up a brush. The bristles were coming out.

    “Yeah, I wonder how old,” Ryder thought. I looked at the big jewelry box and leaned over. I opened it up. It had rows and rows of rings and necklaces and brooches and hair pins. Ryder leaned closer in awe. They were all so beautiful. One necklace caught my attention immediately . It had a pale blue stone connected to a pretty silver design of. The chain looked so fragile! I couldn’t resist. I picked it up carefully and Ryder and I both stared it.

    “Its so beautiful,” I said with amazement. Ryder took it from. “Hey! What are—“ He went behind me and hung it around my neck. It felt cold on my bare chest. He clasped it then brushed my hair back. He came back around and I smiled at him.

    “It also looks beautiful on you. I’m sure whoever owned this wouldn’t mind if you took a necklace,” Ryder said quietly. I bit my lip happily blushing. This day couldn’t get any better.

    We found a door leading out from under the stage and we wound up sitting side by side kissing. Ryder had his hand on my cheek, mine on his waist. I nipped his bottom lip and his would suck on my top one. His hand on my cheek grew tighter as the passion between us heated. I was breathless. His kisses were making me in a haze, making me forget where I was, who I was. It was wonderful!

    Suddenly I was on my back my hair splayed across the dusty floor, Ryder above me. His hands found my shoulders then down my arms, then to my waist where he moved his fingers in circles that made me moan in my throat. My stomach was burning with each kiss, building up something that I didn’t know what. His kisses slid down from my lips to my chin, my jaw then down to my neck. A moan escaped my mouth and I felt embarrassed about it. Ryder slipped out his tongue and tasted the hollow at my throat. I grabbed his hair loving the feeling I felt in the pit of my stomach. What was that?! It felt….oh wow! Ryder trailed back and gave me a rough kiss. I rubbed my hands down his back. Up and down wanting to give him something. He groaned in his throat. “Trinity,” he whispered hoarsly. I pulled his lips back down to me.

    “Mmm, don’t stop kissing me,” I said urgently. I wanted what ever was supposed to happen. How would it happen?

    “Uhh…Trinity, no. We can’t,” Ryder barely got out. He pulled back completely leaving me staring up at him with a frown. I’m sure my cheeks were flushed, my lips swollen.

    “Why?” I demanded. He rubbed his head closing his eyes.

    “Because for one thing, we’re in a old theater and two: We don’t even know what we’re doing.” I stared dumbfounded.

    “You mean you never…” I trailed off, my cheeks flaming again. He shook his head.

    “No. Only making out.” I was surprised. It showed. He frowned at me.

    “You thought I did? Do I look like that kind of type?” he almost looked insulted. I sat up.

    “No! Its just everyone in school talk about it and are doing it…I just expected you did too,” I said quietly.

    “No, not all of the kids are school are doing it. There’s a lot of us seniors who don’t.” I nodded.

    “I’m sorry,” I said a minute later. He shrugged and smiled lightly at me.

    “It’s fine. I think we both got a little carried away. We actually need to go,” Ryder said looking up at the sun coming through the roof. I frowned.

    “Why?” I asked confused. He gave me a lopsided grin.

    “I’m taking you back to my house to meet my family.” The only thought that ran through my mind was. What if they don’t like me?