Riley's POV
The final class of the day dragged on like torture, made worse by Jace's presence just two seats away from me. He had positioned himself closer than usual, his eyes boring into me with an intensity that made my skin crawl. I kept my gaze fixed on the blackboard, but I could feel his stare like a physical weight pressing down on my shoulders.
A folded piece of paper landed on my desk with a soft thud. My stomach dropped. These little games never ended well for me. If I ignored it, word would get back to the right people, and I would pay for my defiance later. Not from Jace directly, but through the network of cruelty that seemed to follow me everywhere.
With trembling fingers, I unfolded the note. The message was simple but loaded with implication: So... You and Mason?
I glanced over at Jace, who wore a smug grin that stretched across his face like he had just won some twisted lottery. He gestured for me to respond, his eyes gleaming with malicious anticipation. What was I supposed to write back? That his friend had been stalking me all day? That there was no me and Mason, just whatever sick game they were all playing?
The questions swirled in my mind like a hurricane. Had Mason not filled them in on his latest harassment campaign? Was he operating alone, or was this all part of some elaborate setup designed to drive me to the edge of sanity? The uncertainty was eating me alive.
I crumpled the note into a tight ball and tossed it into the nearest trash can. Let them deal with the consequences. I was tired of dancing to their tune.
When the final bell rang, relief flooded through me like cold water. I bolted from my seat and raced toward the door, with Zoey close behind. We burst into laughter as we walked toward the bike racks, the afternoon sun warming our faces. Zoey had a perfectly good car sitting in the parking lot, but she preferred her bike. She claimed the cool morning air helped wake her up, though I suspected she just enjoyed the freedom of it.
Our laughter died in our throats when we spotted Mason leaning against the bike rack like he owned the place. My heart sank into my stomach. What fresh hell was this?
The sight of him standing there, casual as you please, confirmed every paranoid thought I had been harboring. Something was definitely brewing, and I was the target.
Every instinct screamed at me to abandon my bike and walk home. So that is exactly what I decided to do. I hugged Zoey goodbye and took a sharp left, starting the long journey home on foot. Maybe if I ignored him hard enough, he would finally get the message.
Heavy footsteps pounded the pavement behind me. I considered running, but Mason was built like an athlete. I would just exhaust myself before he inevitably caught up.
"Slow down! I just want to talk!" Mason shouted from behind me.
I slowed my pace slightly and spun around, continuing to walk backward while facing him. "What do you want to talk about, Mase? You have known me your entire life and barely acknowledged my existence until everyone suddenly remembered I was human. We do not exactly have a lot of catching up to do."
My voice carried more venom than I intended, but I was past caring. That is when I noticed he was wheeling my bike alongside him. Great. Now I would need to buy a new lock too.
I stopped walking and stared at him, confusion etched across my face. He looked down with what appeared to be genuine shyness, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I did not want you to have to walk all the way home," he said quietly, moving closer with each word.
When he looked back up, that familiar smirk had returned. "So Mase is staying?" he asked with a low chuckle.
Despite everything, I found myself laughing. The nickname had slipped out naturally, and somehow it fit. I grabbed my bike and started walking beside it, still wary but curious despite myself.
"So is my bike going to fall apart when I get on it?" I asked, only half joking.
A flash of something darker passed through his eyes before being replaced by that gentle smile again. "No. Your bike is fine. I know you will probably never trust me, but I am honestly not here to hurt you."
We walked in uncomfortable silence, the only sounds being our footsteps and the soft whir of my bike wheels. Finally, the tension became unbearable.
"Okay, let us say I believe this is not some elaborate plan to destroy me. What is it then? Why are you suddenly interested in talking to me?" The words tumbled out before I could stop them.
Mason looked down, that shy expression returning. "Well, I just want to get to know you, Riles. I do not understand why, if I am being honest, but I really would like to get to know you better."
They were really laying it on thick this time. Whatever they had planned must be spectacular. But since I could not seem to shake him, maybe playing along was my best option. At least I would see it coming when the trap finally sprung.
"Okay, what do you want to know?" I asked, resigned to my fate.
His face lit up like Christmas morning. "Oh, um, okay. Well, what is your favorite thing to do?"
Memories of childhood adventures with Caleb flashed through my mind. Days spent slaying imaginary dragons in creek beds and following mysterious tunnels across town. But those days were ancient history now.
"I do not do much outside of school. I enjoy going to movies with Zoey. Sometimes when we are the only ones in the theater, we make up our own dialogue for the characters," I answered, glancing at him sideways.
He laughed, apparently charmed by the image. "Do you like going to parties?"
I gave him a look that clearly conveyed how stupid that question was.
"Right," he said quickly. "Well, Caleb is having a party this weekend. You should come. Broaden your horizons before you figure out what you want to do with your life."
There it was. The trap was finally revealing itself. Get me to a party where they could humiliate me in front of a crowd. At least at school, the torture was contained to familiar territory.
"Sorry, I cannot this weekend. I have plans," I said quickly.
He nodded without pressing. "Maybe next time then."
We had reached my house, and he stopped at the end of my driveway, seeming to wrestle with some internal debate.
"Okay, well, bye," I said, rushing toward safety.
His hand caught my arm, stopping me in my tracks. "Can I get your number?" he asked, that shy smile returning.
I must have looked terrified because he quickly backpedaled. "Nothing creepy, I promise. Just want to be able to text my new friend."
New friend? Was that what I was supposed to believe? I gave him my number anyway. If I refused, he would just find another way to get it. He smiled and waved goodbye before jogging across the street to Caleb's house.
I collapsed onto my bed, emotionally drained from the day's events. My phone buzzed immediately.
We have a lot to discuss! -Zoey
Indeed! -Me
I will be over in ten! -Zoey
I sighed and dragged myself to the kitchen to gather snacks. This conversation was going to require serious fuel.