Chapter 46 Red Riding Hood
Uriel's POV
All he did, he did for ...
Me?
I had been processing everything I heard two days ago.
It all made sense.
Sometimes, anger blinds you from seeing things the way they are.
All these while, I was mad at Ryder for exposing my secret that I don't exactly remember telling him, but I was under intoxication and he was there, so...
I guess I told him.
What I didn't know was that he did it to protect me.
To keep my good name.
To stop Chase's lies from spreading.
Awww.
Not only that...
"Hey, Uriel." Finch approached me by my locker, shaking nervously.
"What do you want?" I frowned at him. Though we hadn't addressed what he tried to do to me, I still managed to listen.
I wanted to know if I had to deal with this one too.
"Look, I'm sorry for last time. I knew you were drunk and tried to take advantage of you." He admitted, looking behind me frantically.
I narrowed my eyes to the direction he was constantly looking at but found no one.
"Who put you up to this?" I folded my arms, my tone serious.
"Please don't press charges. I'll never ever do that to anyone, ever again. I have learnt my lesson." His hand went up to his face, tracing the light purple bruise.
Yeahhh.
Rumors had it that he was badly beaten by a group of boys for doing something they didn't like.
Except I just found out that the 'group of boys' was Ryder.
The 'something they didn't like' was trying to assault me.
That boy was just... Oddly sweet.
"You didn't answer my question." I raised my eyebrow.
"He didn't ask me to reveal that. Please just accept my apology. I'll do anything you want. Don't sue me. I can't lose that NBA scholarship." He begged.
Chase's case had put everyone on their toes. He was tested and was guilty of taking drugs. The videos of blackmail were found in his system and he was currently negotiating terms in jail.
He was legal anyway.
He deserved it.
Emma should be next.
She may have been able to escape not being dragged but I was not ready for her yet.
Somehow, I still had soft spot for my... my sister.
"It's Ryder, isn't it?" I smiled. He nodded slowly. "I won't tell him, don't worry. We're not friends and I'm going to forget that day happened." I told him sternly.
"Thank you!" He bowed his head down, walking away. He still limped as he walked.
I held my book to my chest, smiling softly.
You don't care about me indeed.
Shutting my locker closed, I hurriedly ran to my class for the morning, humming in joy.
My head was chill now. I could happily study for exams for the first half of the semester. That would really determine my CGPA and college application.
"These are your test sheets." The teacher said, dropping mine on my desk. "Impressive, Uriel. Keep it up and you might just hit it."
B+
It was honestly a good one, considering I got D last two weeks in the same subject.
I tell you, the state of mind while doing things, is very important.
"You really don't look like your grade, Ryder."
My body froze, hearing his name. My heart began to thump fast.
When did he enter?
How do I face him?
So I turned around, wanting to see his score and praise him too. But then, he snatched his paper away, frowning at me.
"What did I tell you about minding your business, Kennedy?" He raised his eyebrow
"I just wanted to see?" I shrugged
He stared at me for a while, his eyes slowly drinking me in. Heat crawled up my skin.
"I was serious when I told you to stay away from me, Kennedy." He leaned forward, making my breath hitch, "I'm not your knight in a shinning armor. I'm the bad wolf in red riding hood."
I opened my mouth to tell him how I could be his red riding hood, but was cut off.
Thank God.
"Mind if we join the little discussion, Ryder and Uriel?" The teacher yelled, making my cheek burn.
I turned away from him abruptly, still feeling the heat from his body. My tongue darted over my dry lips, my legs bobbing up and down.
Be his red riding hood?
Really!
I paid so much attention to the sound of his breath and hum of his throat while he either sang while the teacher lectured or replied to her.
God, he was so sexy.
Ahem!
Uriel?
You need to stop.
Ryder is not like your dream book men.
He's just plain dark and toxic.
Well, not exactly.
Okay, Shut up.
"See you guys in my next class." The teacher said, leaving us to ourselves.
Smiling, hoping to have a conversation, I turned to meet his hard glare.
What did I do?
"Uhhh... I was thinking we could -"
"No." He plugged his earpod in his ears, shutting me out.
Folding my arms, I blocked his path. "It'll be brief. It's just -"
He placed his finger on my lips, leaning down until his face was close to mine, his eyes staring deep into mine.
"Sometimes, take the hint." His fingers brushed my lips slightly as he pulled away.
I stood there, my body burning from inside. My stomach bubbled with butterfly.
"But I just want to thank you." I whispered to myself, turning around only to find Lance smiling up at me.
"Hi Uri. I was thinking we could spend some time in the library, you know, our usual spot?"
My eyes darted to the door where Ryder had just left.
Sighing weakly, I nodded. "Sure, why not."
"Yes!" Lance cheered, lacing his hands with mine, tight. He moved closer until our shoulders were brushing against each others.
"You know I miss you so much. You don't even come to the house to finish all my ice cream and fries. Your weird combination." Lance chuckled.
I pouted, "I've just been so occupied. I'm trying to get my grades up and ..."
"Ryder." He growled lowly.
"Huh?" My brain suddenly stopped functioning at the mention of his name.
"Mhm-hmm. You like him, don't you?" Lance asked softly, glancing at me.
I pfft-ed, scrunching my face in disgust. "Nahhhh. We're just..."
Friends?
He didn't see me as such.
"Acquaintances. I don't like him and whatever he does, doesn't affect me one bit." It felt like I was telling it to myself to make it more believable, to myself.
"That's what I thought. He's not good for you at all." Lance smiled, rubbing the pad of his thumb on my hand.
"Kennedy? My office." Principal said from the door.
Oh.
What was it this time?
"I'll be back. You can go ahead." I told Lance, walking back to the door we had just passed.
"I'll wait here for you." Lance blushed.
Okay?
I nodded, walking inside. I pinched on my nails as I sat down, wondering what this must be about.
"Hope you're working on your grades? Once it's good this semester, you can apply for a scholarship. I know a few great ones." He smiled.
"Thank you, Sir." I said, returning the smile.
He sighed, leaning back, "Ryder has dropped you as he tutor." He broke the news.
Huh?
My eyebrow arched up in confusion. That would really mess with my grades.
Oh my goodness.
"Though he left you a remark." He pushed a file to me. I picked it up a little too fast.
Ryder was unpredictable.
"Uriel is a great teacher. She's brilliant and knowledgeable. Her teaching skills are just what every student needs to soar higher. My reason for dropping her is personal but I have been able to achieve my desired grade and understanding of the subject. I'm giving her a 5 star."
My heart flipped, tears almost brewing.
I didn't know if it was because he was dropping me or because he could say such sweet things.
"I'm not sure he'll want me to read this." I chuckled softly.
"I just don't want you to feel like you're the problem." The principal took back the file. "So... good luck."
"T... thanks." I stood up, cold enveloping me as I walked out.
"You good?"
No.
Ryder doesn't want me.
"Kennedy." Ryder called, making me halt. "I don't need you as my tutor. You're incompetent and unstable. Also, I forgot to give you stars."
I folded my arms, smiling widely, "is that so, Connell?"