Chapter 17.1: Bite! Bite! Bite!

Before leaving, Jake took the little painting from the inside pocket of his hoodie and stuffed it in Ryder's hands. "Th-the present I promised you."

His heart was beating fast, almost as if it was trying to leap out of his ribcage. His hands were sweating, his voice cracked and his face was flushed red. Jake was so nervous, that he thought he would die. That little painting held his feelings in every brush stroke. He had painted it while realizing his feelings about his cute Ry and now giving it to her it felt as if he was screaming "I love you" on her face. As if the painting would betray him and snitch on him.

The thought alone terrified him.

But then he remembered what happened a few minutes ago. How close they were, how he almost lost control and kissed her... then he remembered how Ryder didn't seem to feel uncomfortable about it. She didn't try to back away, not even for a second. And her reaction when he asked her about how she felt about him...

Suddenly, he didn't feel just te