Chapter 147 Late

Chapter 147 Late
Ryder's POV

"And that's all to see and learn, kids!" My grin widened as I stared at the bunch of kids who all say on the floor.

"Okay, let's start going!" Their coach said, gathering them around.

A group of kids from the primary basketball academy were sent to our school on an excursion and also to meet their idol - me, of course.

It was really a warm meet and greet. They were so easy to teach and very quick to assimilate things.

They had reached the door when one of the boys ran to meet me. The teacher yelled at him to come back but he was really determined.

"Senior Ryder?"

I held him, crouching down to his level. "Hi, Ethan,"

"I just wanted to tell you that I really really admire you and that you inspire me a lot. I wish to be like you and would make you proud so you could take me under your wing. I heard adults can do that if you're really a good player." The boy said softly, melting my heart.

Ruffling his hair, I smiled. "I'll be on a lookout for you then, Champ."

"Thank you so much!" He wrapped his arms around me, then ran off, waving at me.

Ethan.

I was definitely going to check in on him later in the future. Not every child could pull up what he just did. He had the mind of a leader - one ready to take chances.

After they had left, I brought of my phone from my pocket, dialing Uriel's number.

It wasn't reachable.

Frowning slightly, I texted her to call me. I stood there waiting for her reply because she was usually quick to send one back...but it never came.

I guess she was learning. And paying good attention to it.

Smiling, I stared at her phone on her contact icon for long. My girl was so so pretty, it made my heart swell with joy.

"I should go pay her a visit in her class," I muttered to myself, nodding in agreement as I made my way out of the basketball court.

I hadn't even closed the door to the basketball court when my eyes landed on the black shoe first and then slowly dragged up the body of this stranger, my eyes growing wide as it met the familiar, unexpected face.

"Lance," my tone was hard.

"Ryder Connell," Lance had a cocky smirk on his lips. "Mind if we have a chat?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I've been here for a while. I've been around, watching my little princess, Uriel." Lance sounded really psychotic, his pathetic voice almost making my eardrums bleed.

"What the fuck do you mean by that?" I sneered, stalking closer. "If you touch my girl..."

"You mean, our girl?"

Lance scoffed, pushing the door open as he strolled back into the basketball court. "Hmmm... So this is your space huh?"

"Lance!"

"Chill bro, I'm just checking it out." He said casually.

"I don't even know why I'm bothering myself with you. When you're done you can crawl back into the hole you came out from but don't you ever get closed to Uriel. It's not even a threat," I stared pointedly at him, my nose flaring.

I had turned on my heels when his words sliced through my chest.

"Uriel hasn't been honest to you about us."

My body froze, my back still turned on him.

His voice drew closer. "You see, they say what stays in a place ends in a place. But for how long?"

My hand clenched into a tight fist. Lance placed his hand on my shoulder, turning to meet my face.

"You better watch what you're about to say to me Lance," I said through gritted teeth, glaring daggers at him. He didn't seem unfazed one bit.

"Don't worry, I have evidence backing it up. Oh, and a little favor to ask of you," Lance smirked

I swatted his hands off my shoulder. "Get the fuck outta my face, bastard,"

"Not until I tell you how sweet your girl felt when my cock was buried deep inside her during the summer break," Lance said effortlessly, like he was reading me my horoscope.

I launched forward, gripping him by his shirt. "Don't fucking mess with me, Lance. I'm warning you,"

My chest boiled with rage. My ears burning red.

"She needed a distraction. You know how Uriel is always looking for a distraction from feeling she can't comprehend." He smirked, looking straight into my eyes. "She begged me to fuck her, Ry -"

My fist collided with his jaw, throwing him back. A wicked laugh erupted from his lips. He stood up, shinning his bloodied teeth at me.

"Now there's the monster I know hides inside of you," he pointed at me. "The fucking monster she can't see!"

"You're just pissed that she chose me. I know my girl enough to know that she wouldn't fuck an imbecile like you," I spat, eyeing him up and down.

"She will like me! She'll like me eventually but you have to be out of the picture." Lance face turned into a scowl, his nose flaring.

"I'm giving you the last chance to get out of here and never come back because I wouldn't hesitate to strangle the living hell out of you if you say one more provocative word to me." My tone was warning. Final.

He scoffed. "No, I'm giving you one last chance to make a decision. You or Uriel,"

My eyebrow creased.

"You get the chance to see Uriel but you'd never ever talk to her... Or else, I'll post this video of us all over the school," he raised his phone up, the sound of adults moaning echoing in the court.

"Delete that shit right now, Lance." I swung my hand in the air, trying to get him phone but he moved back, shaking his head.

"Stay away from Uriel or watch her burn to the ground, Ryder."

"She fucking loved you like a brother and this is how you want to pay her back?" I yelled.

"Shut up! I was there before you fucking came. I've always been there but yet she couldn't see me." Tears rolled down Lance's cheek, pain evident in his voice.

"Lance -"

My phone rang in my pocket, cutting me off. Groaning, I pulled it out.

Not now, Bia.

So I hung up.

"Lance, you cannot post that video. Uriel doesn't deserve this and you fucking know it. She's too fragile for this drama," I took slow steps closer.

"Then break up with her. Tell her I'm the best option. Make her fucking love me!" He screamed.

My phone rang again. Annoyed, I picked the call, about to yell at Bia to give me some fucking time when she spoke first.

"Ryder! Ryder, please you have to save Uriel. I'm so sorry."

My body froze. "U...Uriel? How? What happened to her?!"

Lance inched closer, curiosity in his eyes.

"Uriel was poisoned. Please hurry up, I don't think -"

"Fuck!" I turned on my heels, racing down the hallways. Lance yelled after me to tell him what was going on. My jaws were locked, I couldn't utter a single word to any fucking person. Especially not to him.

When I entered my car, I pushed on the pedal, breaking the lawfully regulated speed limit, not giving two shit about the fucking law. Something wet dragged down my cheek.

My eyes blurred with my tears. My heart was beating fast in my chest, like it was going to explode in any minute.

Once I got to the dorm, I packed my car anyhow, rushing up to meet her. Her door wasn't locked but it was closed. I pushed it, my eyes finding her instantly - laying lifeless on the ground, foam in her mouth.

"Uriel!" My voice was very loud, I heard footsteps shuttling down to the dorm.

Holding her to my chest, I carried her up, rushing out of the dorm and into my car. Shelly met me just in time, her eyes growing wide open.

"Call the police." I told her, driving her off without explaining much.

My mouth was dry. My chest burned from crying too much.

"Baby please don't do this to me," I begged, looking to where she was laid at the backseat. She was turning pale. "Please!"