“We are going to be so late. I’ve never been late before,” I told him as we hurried down the corridor toward our homeroom, our feet pounding on the beige tiles. Honestly, what were the chances we would all get the same homeroom? I just hoped that I had no other classes with them.
“Better late than never. Come on. Run!” he said, pulling my hand harder. I stumbled along after him, laughing at nothing. I think my nerves had finally got the best of me. I was losing my mind. Ryder pulled me through a door and quickly came to a stop, which I was not expecting. I ran straight into his back, making him chuckle and me laugh even more.
I only stopped laughing because I heard someone clear their throat. We had just burst into a class full of students who were now staring at us. I squeezed the hand Ryder currently had wrapped around my own and reached up to grab his arm with my free hand for support. Eeeek! Everyone was looking and whispering.
“Mister Jones!” the teacher called out in a stern voice. I pressed closer to Ryder. “Is there a reason why you and Miss Mitchell are late and causing such a disruption?” He knew who I was straight away, even with new hair and sunglasses covering my face. The entire classroom turned to look at us. So that was Ryder’s big entrance—gaining everyone’s attention. No more hiding I guess.
“Ah, sorry, sir. Couldn’t keep my hands off my girl. I mean, look at her.” Smug bastard. He dragged me out from behind his back and threw his arm around my neck, pulling me close and pressing a kiss to the side of my head. There were a few murmurs of “hot” and “damn” and other stuff I couldn’t make out. I could feel my cheeks getting warm, and I wanted nothing more than to press myself into Ryder’s back again and hide. I thought I would die from embarrassment.
“Well, in future, I’d appreciate it if you could keep your hands to yourselves during school hours. Sit down, now!” Mr. Davis pointed to an empty table.
I clutched at the front of Ryder’s short-sleeved plaid shirt, which, by the way, had never looked better on anyone, especially when paired with his skinny jeans. When I looked up at him, too afraid to look at anyone else, I was expecting him to lead us over to the table Mr. Davis had told us to sit at, but instead, he directed us to a table directly in front of them.
I didn’t want to see anyone’s reactions, and I knew they were still staring, so I began fidgeting and focusing on the buttons of his shirt, not looking at anyone. A boy was sitting there already, but with one look from Ryder, he switched tables.
I reluctantly took a seat next to Ryder, who immediately threw his arm back around my neck and pulled me close so he could whisper in my ear.
“Don’t look so damn nervous. Relax. Hold my hand and let the fun begin,” he said quietly so no one could hear. I was a little worried about his idea of fun, but still I reached up to his hand hanging over my shoulder dangerously close to my chest and interlaced our fingers.
Ryder started absentmindedly tracing patterns on my leg with his other hand while the teacher called the attendance roll. I focused on the movements of his fingers so I could block out the whispers surrounding us. We were certainly going to be the most popular subject for the day.
I could feel Chace and Christina’s glares from behind us almost burning a hole into our backs.
The bell rang, and Ryder jumped out of his seat. Everyone seemed to be watching and waiting to see what he or we would do next.
“Come on, B. I’ll walk you to class. It’s on my way.” He smirked and held out his hand for me to take. I heard someone behind me gasp and someone else curse as I tried not to cringe at my nickname. It was them.
The morning passed slowly and uncomfortably. I felt like the main attraction at a zoo. Everyone was staring and pointing and coming up to me, harassing me. At least the focus was mainly on Ryder and me and not about them. I tried to be polite and tried not to let the nasty comments get to me, but it was hard. I didn’t want to explain any of my actions to anyone, nor did I think I had to.
Unfortunately, the only class I had with Ryder was homeroom. Fortunately, it was also the only class I had with them. Every time I’d see either Chace or Christina in the hall, they’d glare at me like I’d done something terrible. Chace didn’t look like his usual smiling self, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was because I was fake dating Ryder. He looked like he had just eaten something sour. Christina, on the other hand, didn’t seem to have a care in the world except when someone would approach me and question me about what was going on with Ryder. That was when she glared daggers at me, at us, which was a lot. Christina always had to be the centre of attention. But today, it was all about me and Ryder.
It seemed that becoming Ryder Jones’ girlfriend instantly made me famous, hated, and desired all at once. I couldn’t take three steps down the hall without someone stopping me.
“So is it true? You’re Ryder’s girlfriend?”
“How did you meet?”
“How did you score Ryder Jones?”
“Oh my God! I’m so jealous.”
“What’s with the makeover?”
“You look hot. Wanna go out?”
“You should dump him and date me instead.”
“Damn, you must be great in bed for Ryder to settle down.”
“It won’t last.”
“He’ll get bored and dump you soon.”
“Ryder doesn’t date.”
“Chace is pissed that you moved on so quickly with Ryder.”
Yeah, I liked that last comment the most.
I was grateful when the bell rang for lunch. I hoped I could escape the madness for a little while, but that was shattered when I walked into the cafeteria and heard the dreaded call. Not that I was dreading hearing him calling out to me, but it was more what he called out.
“Hey, B! Over here,” Ryder shouted over the noise of everyone talking and laughing. Trying not to let it show how much it bothered me and trying to ignore the fact that the entire cafeteria fell silent when he called out to me, I made my way over to where he was standing in line for food. An undeniably beautiful smile stretched across his face. I could almost see his eyes light up as I approached. Almost. He was that good at faking this relationship. And I was just awkward.
As soon as I reached him, he gripped my waist with one hand and the back of my neck with the other. Tangling his fingers in my hair, he pulled my face close, our lips almost touching.
“Everyone is watching,” I whispered as my breathing began to shallow out and pick up the pace again. I was aware people were standing too close to be considered comfortable. It was making me nervous, and I had the sudden urge to throw up again.
“I know. Let’s give them something to watch.” He grinned, pulling my body against his. I didn’t want to. I wanted to crawl into a dark hole and not come out. But I was dating Ryder, after all, and he did have somewhat of a reputation, so I reached up and threaded my fingers through his thick curly hair.
“Your hair’s getting long,” I said, trying to distract myself from the thoughts of being the centre of attention and gain control of my increasing panic. I never received as much attention when I was with Chace.
“I know. I’ll shave it soon.”
He couldn’t shave it. I liked his curls.
“No, don’t. I kinda li…” I began to say, but he cut me off by pressing a finger to my lips. His eyes flickered somewhere above my head, and I knew immediately that he had seen them.
“Shut up and kiss me already, B,” he said, closing the minuscule distance between us. The moment our lips met, all thoughts and worries were forgotten, and all I could focus on was Ryder’s mouth on mine. I barely noticed when the cafeteria erupted into catcalls, whistles, and some crude remarks. Ryder pulled back after a minute and pressed his forehead to mine.
“Well, that was fun. I think I’m going to like having a girlfriend.” He bit that lip ring of his, and I began to wish I could too.
“You wanna keep moving? Some of us are here to eat, not suck face.” I flinched at the venom in the voice coming from behind me. Ryder automatically put his arm around me and placed himself between me and the angry voice.
“Calm down, Chace. The line’s not moving far,” Ryder said over his shoulder, protectively tightening his arm around me. I knew it was just for show. Staking his claim. Marking his spot or whatever, but I was grateful I had his support.
“I don’t want to see you two going at it in the lunch line. Ruins my appetite,” Chace spat back. The whole cafeteria was watching again.
It was like a reality TV show around the school, and I just wanted to cry. Chace being so close hurt. My chest was constricting, and I couldn’t breathe properly. All I could do was replay the image of him and Christina kissing that day. I bit my lip to stop it from trembling. I wouldn’t cry. Not in front of him. I just wished the line would move faster so I could escape. Maybe I could skip the rest of the day. I was sure my mother wouldn’t mind.
“Then get lost somewhere else.” Ryder’s arm dropped to my waist, and he began rubbing gentle circles on my hip to relax me, whispering in my ear. “It’s okay. Breathe.”
“You gonna let him speak to me like that, B?”
I tensed when I realised Chace was talking to me. I slowly turned to see Christina joining our little unfriendly interaction, wrapping her arms around Chace’s waist. Why not just stab me in the back and twist the knife while you’re at it?
“He can speak to you however he damn well pleases. Don’t call me B. You know I don’t like it.” I tried to sound firm like my heart wasn’t breaking all over again as I looked into his clear blue eyes, but my voice gave me away, quivering slightly at the end. I couldn’t believe I was speaking to Chace, the main reason for my hurt and heartbreak.
“Why not? Ryder called you B.” Christina challenged me, her lips pursed together, making her look like a duck. I was aware of people moving closer again, trying to listen to our conversation. I wished they’d all get a life. I didn’t need this many people to witness my breakdown. At this rate, I knew it would happen soon.
I focused on Ryder and only him. His warm hands on my hips, his body pressed against my side, the light kiss he placed just below my ear. I started to relax again. How did he do that to me? Calm me down with a simple touch?
I took a deep breath and tried not to think too hard about what I was about to say. It would make Chace even madder and, I hoped, a little jealous. It was completely out of character for me, but I guess that was the point of reinventing myself and moving on.
“Yeah, but coming from those lips…” I reached up and dragged my thumb across Ryder’s bottom lip. “Everything sounds good coming from this mouth,” I said, staring at Ryder’s mouth as it curved into a smirk. I couldn’t look at anyone else or I’d begin to freak out again. I couldn’t believe I’d said it.
“Damn, B,” Ryder breathed before crashing his lips to mine, immediately tightening his grip on my waist. “I’m not hungry anymore. Let’s get out of here,” he mumbled into my mouth. I found myself nodding in agreement, happy to get away from them.
Ryder grabbed my hand and started leading me away when Chace stopped him. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” he asked, gripping Ryder’s arm so tight it was sure to leave bruises.
“Taking my girl away from here. Back off.” Ryder glared down at Chace’s hand on his arm. Christina tried to get Chace’s attention but failed miserably, and I was just left standing there staring between my fake boyfriend and my ex-boyfriend, wondering who would throw the first punch. My money was on Ryder if Chace didn’t let him go soon.
“Chace, baby, let them go. It’s not worth it. Why do you care anyway?” Christina pleaded with him, but he ignored her. I couldn’t help but feel a little smug that he was brushing her off. Ryder was right. Chace was jealous. And it made me smile.
“You’re not leaving with him.” Chace turned to me, dropping Ryder’s arm. “Come on, B. You’re smarter than that,” he said, reaching out to me instantly. I stepped back. I didn’t want him touching me. Before I could respond, Ryder had moved in front of me. His shoulders were hunched, and his back was tense. If he screwed his hands any tighter into fists, he would draw blood. I could feel the tension in the room. Everyone was watching with bated breath.
“Get lost, Chace. Don’t you dare touch her. She told you not to call her that. She’s my girlfriend, not yours, and we’re leaving.” Ryder glared at Chace, tilting his head to the side as if he were challenging him.
“You had your chance, and you screwed it up for…that.” Ryder looked at Christina, whose mouth fell open at his insult. He smiled before giving them a little wave and dragging me out the door before they could say anything else. The way he claimed me as his girlfriend made my stomach twirl. Even if it was for show, I liked hearing it.
Glancing over my shoulder as we walked through the door, I saw Christina waving her arms around with her mouth moving a hundred miles an hour. I could guarantee she was chewing Chace out for not standing up for her. Chace was trying to calm her down, but he seemed to be making things worse. It was impossible to reason with Christina when she was furious.
I started laughing, a real honest laugh—not like the crazy, nervous laugh from that morning—and it felt good. I felt lighter. I couldn’t believe that had happened. My life was a mess.
“Did you see his reaction? I thought he was gonna blow a gasket. And that comment you made about my lips, that was seriously sexy. You could see the steam coming out of the jerk’s ears.” Ryder laughed as we got into his car. I laughed with him until I eventually broke down in tears. I’d held it in for as long as I could.
That light, happy feeling faded as quickly as it came. I felt as though my chest had been ripped open. I thought I could face him, but I really couldn’t, and now I was even more confused. I couldn’t understand why Chace cared so much about me being with Ryder. If he cared about me, he wouldn’t have dumped me for Christina. But if he did care, did he finally realise what he’d lost? Did he still love me? And then there was Ryder and the way he managed to make me calm down with a single touch. I didn’t get it. I didn’t get anything. It was too much to deal with. Too confusing. I tried to stop the tears, but it was useless.
“Ah, crap. Bailey, are you okay? You did great in there. Don’t cry. Don’t let him get to you, all right?” Ryder cringed at my tears but reached across and grabbed my hand to comfort me.
“Bailey. Hey, come here?” Ryder was suddenly dragging me out of the car and into his arms. I hadn’t even realised we’d left the school or pulled over on the side of the road. He held me and gently rubbed his hands up and down my back until the tears slowed and I could breathe again. I was left wondering for the millionth time that day how he could manage to have that effect on me.