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.