Chapter three: Lunch break
RILEY'S POV
The bell rang for lunch break, and I quickly packed my things, stuffing them into my bag. The moment I stepped out of the classroom, a hand grabbed mine and dragged me aside.
"Sup, girl. How was your first day—even though it's not practically over yet?" Harleen blabbered.
"It was okay, I guess," I replied. "Except for the introduction part."
"Yeah, been there. So, wanna grab some food or what?"
She didn't even wait for my answer before dragging me along, pushing past a few students on our way.
When we entered the cafeteria, my mouth dropped open in amazement.
It was huge—painted white as snow. Black seats were arranged in neat circles around blue tables, giving the place a clean, elegant look. At the side, the cafeteria lady focused on her work while students chatted, laughed, and ate.
"I know, right?" Harleen said, clearly reading my thoughts. "The cafeteria still amazes me, and I've been in this school for almost four years."
"Let's go."
She pulled me toward a corner and began scanning the room like she was looking for something.
"What are you searching for?" I asked.
"I'm not searching for a something," she said. "I'm searching for a someone."
Just then, a girl walked over and hugged Harleen before turning to me.
She wore a blue maxi denim skirt and a blue off-shoulder top paired with black pumps. Her sapphire-blue eyes stood out against her light makeup, and her ombré hair fell loosely over her shoulders. She was beautiful—and she definitely looked rich.
"Who's this… chick?" she asked, scanning me from head to toe.
Oh goodness. I hope she's not another Darla.
"Amber, meet my new friend Riley. Riley, meet my old friend Amber."
"Gasp!"
"Harleen Kataleen Kyle," Amber said dramatically, glaring at her. "What did you just say? Old friend?"
"I'm—I'm so sorry," Harleen laughed. "Fresh friend."
Amber rolled her eyes, then smiled.
"Our story is actually very unique. On my first day here, I fell and embarrassed myself badly—just like you did today. I helped her up, and we've been best friends ever since."
"Isn't that how I—"
"How you met me? Yeah," Harleen cut in. "Told you our story is unique."
We moved to a table a little farther away and took our seats.
"So," Amber said casually, "what companies does your father own?"
I stared at her, confused. "Sorry… what?"
"You'll get used to it," Harleen whispered.
"I heard that," Amber said, fake glaring.
"Anyway, I saw him near the girls' restroom earlier." Harleen said to amber.
"Who's h?" I asked, glancing between them.
Amber looked at me with an unreadable expression, making me suddenly self-conscious. After a moment, she turned to Harleen.
"Alright, alright. I'll tell her."
Harleen motioned for me to lean closer.
"Closer… closer…"
I did, curious.
"A little bit more—"
Amber smacked her on the head. "Don't act like it's such a big secret."
Harleen rubbed her head dramatically.
"So, he is her cousin" she pointed to amber before continuing "someone who holds a little bit of a high place in this school. No one really knows how it happened—it just did."
Amber nodded. "Ever since he transferred here, things changed. People stopped crossing lines."
"He doesn't cause trouble," Harleen added. "Trouble just avoids him."
"And trust me," Amber said calmly, "you don't want to be on his bad side. Not because he's violent tho."
Harleen scooted closer, lowering her voice. "He's really handsome too. Side warning—don't stare too long if you see him you'll get trapped...."she laughed.
"What's his name?" I asked.
"Xander," she whispered.
"What—Xander?" I hadn't realized I'd said it out loud.
"So you know him?" Amber asked.
I looked away, not wanting to answer, it not like we're in talking term.
That was when I saw him.
Xander walked into the cafeteria with four other guys trailing behind him. One of them spotted us and suddenly shouted, loud enough for the entire room to hear—
"Babe!"
The cafeteria went quiet.
Amber facepalmed, smiling as a light blush crept onto her cheeks. The guy walked over and pecked her lips.
"Sup, babe. I see you guys got a new friend." He turned to me. "I'm Connor—this model's boyfriend."
"I'm Riley," I said, hesitating before shaking his hand.
"That's Max, Ben, Jaden and Xander" he introduced the other guys including Xander who was standing a bit farther looking annoyed at Connor.
They were all dressed casually, each with their own distinct style. That's when it clicked, this school didn't have a dress code.
"See you later, I'm done here" I said suddenly, standing up too fast as I suddenly tripped forward.
Embarrassment here I come.
I closed my eyes, bracing for the fall—but it never came.
When I opened them, Xander was holding me.
His hands rested firmly on my waist, steady and warm. His hair fell slightly on his forehead and eyes, and a rich, sweet scent—like scented candles mixed with expensive perfume—surrounded him.
Gasps echoed around us.
That's when I return to reality.
"S-sorry," I stuttered, quickly pulling away and rushing out of the cafeteria.
Heat burned my cheeks as I felt dozens of eyes on me.
"Bye, love!" Harleen shouted after me.
The bell rang, and I hurried to my next class.
When I entered, half the students turned to stare at me with curious gazes.
I took a seat at the back, shrinking under their looks.
"Alright, class," the teacher said. "Open to page 56."
Throughout the lesson, a girl kept sending me strange looks every few minutes. By the time the bell rang, I was already tense.
As I stepped out of the classroom, someone slammed me against the wall.
"Hey newbie."
It was the girl.
She wore heavy makeup—too heavy—making it look like a makeup truck had an accident on her face with a tight dress that didn't quite suit her at all.
"Um..hi?," I answered. Her grip on my shoulder tightened, hurting.
"I'm Bianca," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes and looked extremely fake. "But you can call me Bia." Or maybe b**ch.
"No thanks but you're hurting me."
She laughed softly. "Listen, I didn't want to befriend someone as pathetic as you. You can't even take a little pain."
"This is a warning," she continued coldly. "Don't mess with me. End whatever is going with you and my boyfriend today" looks like a very possessive girlfriend.
"Is there a problem here?" A voice interrupted before I could open my mouth.
Xander's voice.
Bianca immediately let go, straightened her dress, and put on a fake smile.
"No, baby. I was just introducing myself to newbie here."
I didn't wait. I walk away to my next class. Fast.
I'm brave initially but I'm the opposite in reality.
That evening, after finishing my homework, I lay on my bed thinking about everything—my new friends, Bianca… and Xander.
Harleen and Amber didn't seem bad. Bianca was the complete opposite.
And Xander?
I didn't know what to think.
I sighed, yawning softly.
Today had been long.
______
"Dear, wake up. It's time for dinner."
I stirred at my mom's voice and slowly made my way downstairs. Dinner was already on the table, and my stomach growled loudly.
"Someone's hungry," my dad chuckled.
"Yeah, I guess."
"So, how was your first day?" Mom asked.
"Good," I said, shoving more food into my mouth.
Later, I curled up in bed and put on Frozen, my best Disney movie plus it's my comfort movie too.
Halfway through, sleep pulled me under.
And for the first time since morning, everything went quiet.
Thanks for reading💞