Chapter 8: CHAPTER EIGHT

River's bike skidded to a stop, he locked eyes with the girl, and his heart sank. It was Reyna, the last person he wanted to see.

River's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in frustration. "How much torture do I have to face because of you?" he muttered, his voice barely audible over the pounding rain.

Reyna's gaze met River's, her eyes flashing with a mix of surprise and annoyance. She stood tall, her clothes clinging to her body, her hair plastered to her face.

"Why can't you just leave me alone?" River demanded, his voice rising. "Why do you keep showing up in my life?"

Reyna's expression turned icy. "I'm not trying to ruin your life, River," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm just trying to survive."

River's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing out here in the rain?" he asked, his tone accusatory.

Reyna shrugged. "I needed to get some supplies."

River's gaze lingered on her face. "You couldn't look where you were going?" he asked, his tone critical.

Reyna's eyes flashed with anger. "Maybe you should look where you're going on that bike of yours."

River's expression turned cold. "What's it to you?" he snapped.

Reyna's gaze lingered on the bike. "I just wonder how a broke, born-to-struggle scholarship student like you can afford a bike like that."

River's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. "Mind your own business," he growled.

They continued to exchange heated words, the rain intensified, drumming against the pavement. River's bike, still recovering from the near-miss, wobbled precariously as he struggled to maintain his balance.

Finally, River managed to steady his bike and began to pedal away. Reyna, still drenched and shivering, watched him go before continuing on her own path.

But River didn't get far. He turned his bike around and pedaled back to where Reyna stood, her eyes fixed on the ground. "Get in," he said gruffly, gesturing to the bike.

Reyna hesitated, clearly unsure if she should trust River. But River's expression remained unyielding. "It's not like I actually want you to," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But just stop bragging and get in. It's not like you're going to get a better offer."

Reyna's eyes flashed with anger, but she seemed to realize that River was right. She was drenched and shivering, and the bike was her only hope for getting home faster. She hesitated for a moment longer before swinging her leg over the bike and settling into the back seat.

River asked her for directions to her home, and Reyna provided them in a stiff, formal tone. As they rode through the rain-soaked streets, River's voice cut through the drumming of the raindrops. "Hold on," he said, his voice low and rough.

And with that, the bike surged forward, speeding through the rain-soaked streets like a dark, metallic bullet.

As they pulled up to Reyna's house, River told her, "You can get down now."

Reyna slid off the bike, her eyes fixed on the house. "Oh, this is where you live," River said, his voice neutral.

Reyna turned to him, a hint of defiance in her eyes. "It's not like it's not better than yours," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "But thank you anyway."

River's lips curled into a smirk. "Showing off again," he said, his voice low and rough.

With that, he turned the bike around and sped off into the night, leaving Reyna standing alone in the rain.

The next day, Reyna walked into school, her eyes scanning the hallway for Becky. Reyna hastened down the hallway, her eyes frantically scanning the crowded corridor for a glimpse of Becky's familiar smile.

She spotted her friend beside her locker and was rushing over to meet her, but before she could spot her friend, disaster struck. She collided with a cluster of girls, including the notorious Britney, Bria, and Billie, who were known for their ruthless tactics.

Reyna's eyes widened in horror as she realized she had accidentally bumped into Billie, causing her to drop the fragile item she was holding. It shattered into a hundred pieces on the cold, hard floor, and Billie let out a blood-curdling scream as she clutched her injured foot.

Reyna's face contorted in anguish as she desperately apologized. "I'm so, so sorry! I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, but before she could finish, Britney's hand shot out like a venomous snake, delivering a vicious slap that sent Rainer's head spinning.

  The air was electric with tension as the crowd of students swarmed around the chaotic scene. Faces etched with concern and curiosity, they watched in rapt attention. Amidst the throng, Ryder stood apart, his wealth and status affording him a clear view of the proceedings. A sly smirk spread across his face as he watched the drama unfold.

Far off to the side, Becky stood alone, her piercing green eyes locked on Reyna. Her slender frame trembled, but she made no move to intervene, her apathy a stark contrast to the turmoil unfolding before her.

Ryder's gaze flickered to Becky as he noticed Reyna's gaze on her, his smirk deepening, but he said nothing. Becky's gaze remained fixed on Reyna, her expression unreadable.

Reyna's anger ignited, her eyes blazing with fury as she sprang to her feet. "You're just going to stand there and watch?" she thought within her mind. "You're not even going to try to help?" She kept on staring at herself and Becky. 

Britney sneered, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "Oh, Reyna's so jinxed," she taunted. "You are really a b!tch"

Reyna's face twisted with rage, she lunged forward, intent on retaliating against Britney. But River swiftly intervened, his hand closing around Reyna's wrist like a vice.

"Reyna, no," he said, his voice calm and soothing. "Don't let her get to you so easily"

With a firm yet gentle tug, River dragged Reyna away from the fray, defusing the tense situation. As they stumbled backward, Reyna's eyes blazed with fury, her chest heaving with exertion.

"Let me go," she spat, trying to wriggle free from River's grasp.

But River held firm, his grip unyielding. "Not until you calm down," he said, his voice firm but gentle.

As they stood there, locked in a silent struggle, the crowd around them began to expand, their curiosity not yet satisfied. Ryder's smirk never wavered, while Becky's expression turned from apathy to a mixture of guilt and regret, her eyes fixed on Reyna.

Reyna shouted "Let me go!", River remained silent, his grip on her wrist unyielding. "I'm not going to calm down!" Reyna spat, her eyes blazing with fury.

Just then, Ryder strode over to them, his presence commanding attention. The crowd's gaze shifted to him, their curiosity piqued.

Other students watched in shock as the scene unfolded. Bria and Britney converged on Reyna, their faces twisted with anger.

Ryder reached out and removed River's hand from Reyna's wrist. "Why are you trying to take the guilty away from the court?" Ryder sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.

River's face darkened, his accent thickening as he responded, "I don't think you're invited here to judge, Mr. Plantimum King Ryder."

Ryder's smirk never wavered. "I don't need an invitation to speak my mind," he retorted.

Bria and Britney began to insult Reyna, their words cutting deep. "You're just a nobody," Bria sneered. "You're poor, you're ugly, and you dare injure a B girl and just wanna apologize."

Britney chimed in, her voice dripping with malice. "Yeah, and pretty sure your mom was a loser too for getting you into this world in her damn womb."

Reyna's anger boiled over at the mention of her mother. Her eyes flashing with fury, she slapped Britney across the face.

"You dare to mention my mother?" Reyna spat, her voice venomous. "Let this be a warning to all of you: never mention my mother again. I injured her, fine, but it was just an harmless mistake which I am sure you also make even with your wealth and stuff."

The crowd watched in stunned silence as Reyna's words hung in the air. Ryder's smirk faltered, and Bria and Britney took a step back, their faces pale.

Meanwhile, other students had carried Billie to the school nurse's office, concerned about her well-being.

Just then, the school principal appeared at the scene, her expression stern. "What's going on here?" she demanded.

Reyna's eyes locked onto the principal, her expression defiant. "I think some people wanna break the rules now and forget their status, Principal," Ryder drawled, his smirk returning.

The principal's eyes narrowed. "I don't think so, Mr. Ryder," she said. "Reyna, come with me. We need to talk."

Reyna followed behind and then Becky walked away from the scene. River couldn't understand what amount of braveness Reyna was having enough to challenge the KINGS AND QUEENS who run OAKWOODS ACADEMY and for a moment he wish she could stop all this as she wasn't financially stable for this war she is calling around.

Principal Akira Justin, a petite woman with curly brown hair and warm, hazel eyes, led Reyna into her office. The room was cozy, with cream-colored walls adorned with inspirational quotes and a large, mahogany desk that seemed to gleam in the soft light.

"Please, have a seat, Reyna," Principal Justin said, her voice firm but kind.

Reyna sat down, her eyes fixed on the principal.

"So, tell me, what happened out there?" Principal Justin asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

But before Reyna could respond, the principal continued, "I know you're a good student, Reyna. You're passing all your classes, and you're even excelling in a few. But I also know that you've been having some... difficulties lately."

Reyna felt a surge of frustration. What did the principal know about her difficulties?

Principal Justin leaned forward, her eyes locked on Reyna's. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to suspend you for three days, Reyna."

Reyna's eyes widened in outrage. "But I didn't do anything wrong!" she protested.

Principal Justin held up a hand, her expression stern. "I'm afraid the evidence says otherwise, Reyna. You were involved in a physical altercation, and you slapped another student."

Reyna felt a surge of anger. That wasn't fair!

"But, Principal Akira, they hit me first!" Reyna protested, her voice rising in indignation. "They cursed me, started the trouble. I was just defending myself."

Principal Justin's expression remained stern, but a hint of surprise flickered in her eyes. "I wasn't aware of that, Reyna. But regardless of who started the fight, you still broke school rules by engaging in physical violence. I'm afraid the suspension stands."

Reyna felt a surge of frustration. It wasn't fair that she was being punished for defending herself. She opened her mouth to protest further, but Principal Justin held up a hand, silencing her.

Principal Justin handed Reyna a few papers. "Here's your suspension notice, Reyna. You'll need to leave the school immediately and return next Monday."

Reyna took the papers, her heart burning with resentment. This wasn't fair. She hadn't done anything wrong.