Lyriel walked through the school gates, her eyes scanning the crowded hallway for a familiar face. She spotted Echo, her best friend since freshman year, leaning against his locker, sipping on a coffee.
"Hey, girl!" Echo called out, his bright blue eyes sparkling with amusement. "How's it going?"
Lyriel rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "It's going good. Just trying to survive another day of school."
Echo chuckled. "I feel you. So, what's new? You were MIA yesterday after school. Everything okay?"
"I got into a bit of a situation," Lyriel said, her voice low.
Echo's expression turned serious. "What kind of situation?"
Lyriel took a deep breath. "I'll tell you at lunch, okay? It's a long story."
Carl nodded. "Alright, but you're not getting out of this that easily. I'll be expecting all the juicy details at lunch."
"Sure" Lyriel said smiling "Most times I wonder why your parents named you Echo"
"Well there heard an Echo saying, you shall name your child Echo, creepy right" Echo said laughing and Lyriel joined him in the laughter
Lyriel and Echo walked down the crowded hallway, chatting about their weekend plans. As they turned a corner, they nearly collided with a tall, brooding figure - Ryder, the notorious bad boy of Ravenswood High.
Ryder's piercing blue eyes locked onto Lyriel, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here."
Lyriel's instincts told her to be wary. Ryder was her cousin's boyfriend, and she knew he was trouble. But there was something about him that drew her in, despite her better judgment.
"Ryder," Lyriel said coolly, trying to brush past him.
But Ryder was relentless. He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "You know, Lyriel, you're looking particularly beautiful today."
Lyriel raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, wow. I'm so flattered. Too bad you're already taken."
Ryder chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You're feisty, I like that."
Echo, who had been watching the exchange with growing unease, stepped forward. "Ryder, leave her alone. You're with her cousin, remember?"
Ryder's smile never wavered. "Oh, I remember. But that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a beautiful woman when I see one."
Lyriel's eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin. "Appreciate me from afar, Ryder. I'm not interested."
Ryder's eyes flashed with surprise, but he quickly recovered. "We'll see about that," he said, his voice low and husky, before turning and walking away.
Lyriel watched him go, a shiver running down her spine. She knew she had to be careful around Ryder. He was a predator, and she didn't want to become his next prey.
Lyriel walked down the hallway on her way to the cafeteria, lost in thought, when she heard a shrill voice behind her.
"Well, well, well. Look who's trying to steal my man."
Lyriel turned to see her cousin, Ava, storming towards her, her face twisted in anger.
"Ava, what's wrong?" Lyriel asked, already knowing the answer.
Ava's eyes flashed with rage. "I saw you flirting with Ryder. You think you can just take him away from me?"
Lyriel sighed, rolling her eyes. "Ava, I wasn't flirting with him. He was just being his usual, annoying self."
But Ava wasn't having it. She raised her hand, ready to slap Lyriel, but Lyriel was too quick. She caught Ava's wrist, holding it in place.
"Don't even think about it," Lyriel warned, her eyes flashing with anger.
Ava struggled to break free, but Lyriel's grip was too strong.
"Listen, Ava," Lyriel said, her voice cold. "I'm not interested in Ryder. He's your trash, not mine. And even if I was interested, which I'm not, he's clearly not worth my time."
Ava's face turned red with rage, but Lyriel just laughed.
"You're so predictable, Ava. You always think the world revolves around you. Newsflash: it doesn't."
Lyriel released Ava's wrist, and Ava stumbled backward, looking shocked and angry.
"Just leave me alone, Ava," Lyriel said, turning to walk away.
Ava's voice echoed down the hallway. "This isn't over, Lyriel!"
Lyriel just smiled to herself. She knew Ava would never learn.
Lyriel and Echo sat down at their favorite table in the cafeteria, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of lunchtime.
"Okay, spill," Echo said, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What happened yesterday after school? You just disappeared."
Lyriel took a deep breath, launching into the story of her encounter with Ryder and the subsequent confrontation with Ava.
Echo listened attentively, his expression growing more and more incredulous.
"Wow, Lyriel, you're like a magnet for drama," Echo said, shaking his head.
Lyriel laughed. "I know, right? It's like I'm a trouble magnet."
The two friends chatted for a while longer, discussing everything from school gossip to their plans for the future.
"Speaking of which," Echo said, "have you thought any more about which university you're going to attend?"
Lyriel nodded. "Yeah, I've been looking into a few different options. I'm thinking about staying close to home, maybe attending State University."
Echo nodded thoughtfully. "That's a great choice. I, on the other hand, will be fleeing the state."
Lyriel's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Where are you going?"
Echo grinned mischievously. "I got accepted into a university on the other side of the country. I'm talking beaches, sunshine, and a whole new adventure."
Lyriel's face fell, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of her best friend leaving.
"Whoa, that's a big move," Lyriel said, trying to sound supportive. "I'm going to miss you so much."
Echo reached out, putting a hand on Lyriel's arm.
"I'll miss you too, Lyriel. But we'll stay in touch, no matter what. And who knows, maybe you'll come visit me and we can soak up some sunshine together."
Lyriel smiled, feeling a little better.
By the way, I have some news of my own," Echo said, a sly grin spreading across his face.
Lyriel raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Echo leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've got a new boyfriend."
Lyriel's eyes widened in surprise. "What? That's amazing! Tell me everything."
Echo laughed, launching into the story of how he met his new boyfriend, Brandon.