Chapter 27 Proposals
Uriel's POV
"I think Uriel and Chase kissed."
Right.
"Mason and Kathie looked too cozy at the party. Kiara wouldn't be happy."
Okay?
"Ryder is dating Emma."
Ladies and Gentlemen...
That was the highlight of my morning.
"Excuse me?" I said to the girls who were gossiping about that particular topic.
"Oh you don't know? And you're her sister." One of the girls scoffed.
"I mean, you're blocking my path. That's my locker." I pointed at my locker.
Their face contorted into that of embarrassment, scurrying away.
What I did was smooth right?
I know!
Then it began to dawn on me.
Ryder?
Emma?
Why would Ryder date Emma?
Was this to irk me?
How...
No.
I don't care about whoever he dates.
But of all persons, Emma?
That boy!
"Argh!" I pulled my locker with much more force, gasping when something sprinkled down my body.
"Got you!!!" Kathie yelled, holding a small cupcake in her hand.
Then Chloe and Lance appeared beside her, smiling at me.
"Welcome back!" Chloe squealed, clapping her hand in excitement.
"Hopefully, you don't get suspended again." Lance said.
"Hopefully." I chuckled, taking the cupcake from Kathie. "Y'all didn't have to."
"Oh come on! We missed you." Kathie pulled everyone in for a group hug.
"You both owe me gists." I pointed at both Kathie and Chloe.
"Yeah, you too." Lance face was serious as he looked at me. "You kissed Chase?"
"Ahem! You're toast." Kathie said in-between coughs.
"I promise, I can explain."
"This is not you, Uri. You're... You're getting too involved in boy drama... and the wrong ones! It's like ever since Ryder came back, you've been ... different." Lance looked me up and down, a bit of irritation etched on his face.
"Huh?"
"It's not that serious, Lance. That you don't want to have fun doesn't mean she shouldn't have fun." Chloe stepped in, growling at Lance.
"My point is that she wasn't like this. Now, she's... She's just acting like a wannabe." Lance spat.
"Oh no!" Kathie chimed in, eyeing him up and down. "You better watch it. What's your problem?"
"Of course you both are going to encourage her to keep up with it. She already got suspended and next, she might be expelled."
"Look, I know you're worried about me and all but I need to remind you that I am old enough to make my decisions and whatever I choose to do, I bear the full consequences. So seriously, stop." My blood was beginning to boil.
I knew he had this overprotective tendency but there were times it was just too annoying.
"Yeah right." Lance scoffed, turning away.
I opened my mouth, taking a step forward.
"Nahhh. Let him go." Chloe blocked my path, glaring at his retreating figure.
"You know him. He'll come around." Kathie rubbed my shoulder.
I really didn't like to have issues with my friends.
Sighing heavily, I nodded.
"I have to go to the principal's office. He asked to see me." I told them. "But you better start rolling up my gist. I'm not letting it go."
"Its just you and Kathie. I got rejected." Chloe said sadly, looking down.
Oh.
"Sorry Chloe." I sympathized with her. "We can egg his damn car later?" I suggested.
"Hell no." Chloe shook her head, laughing. "Go, go, go."
When I got to the principal's office, it was locked. I knocked once and then twice and then I left.
I had walked up to a point when the door opened. Quickly, I hid by the wall, peeping.
My mouth fell open as I saw our exam and records officer arranging her hair and skirt, looking around to see if anyone was watching.
Typical.
"Nice view?" Someone said from behind me.
I jumped in fear, holding my chest.
"Jesus Ryder!" I eyed him up and down. "Ryder." My voice was hard.
His eyes raked up and down my body, his eyes hard. "Is your date perhaps someone in this school?"
"What date?"
He folded his arms, raising his eyebrow. "Forgotten so soon? Wasn't it the reason you got this dress?"
Oh shit.
My eyes fluttered. I swallowed hard, taking a step back. "I.. I don't see how my private life concerns you. Besides, are you not with my sister now?"
Say no.
Say no.
His face turned blank, his eyes hooded. "Emma huh?"
"How many sisters do I have?" I rubbed my arms, scoffing.
He took a step forward and in a swift movement, he slammed me against the wall, his face buried down my neck. He trailed the tip of his pointed nose up my neck, slowly.
My breath hitched.
My hand curled into a fist, my chest heaved up.
"Do you want that, Kinky? For me to hook up with your sister?" His voice was soft, seductive.
"N..no. I mean, yes. I mean..." I shut my eyes, shaking my head. "Why would you want to date Emma? She's not your type."
He chuckled darkly, holding my face in one place. "What's my type then? You?"
I coughed, pushing him off me.
"Y...you wish."
God, why was I feeling so hot.
His face suddenly turned cold. "Who I date doesn't concern you either. Mind your fucking business and stop gossiping about."
Gossiping?
Me??
Huffing, I turned away.
My mood had already been soured and I didn't know how to face the principal now after knowing what he did with our ER officer, so I just went straight to class.
Ryder came in minutes later, sitting behind me. I could feel his eyes boring into my back.
So uncomfortable.
Why was he staring at me so much?
Once the class was over, I bolted out of there in a hurry, running to my music class. I hoped I could release some steam.
But how could I, when my brain wouldn't shut up.
He didn't deny dating Emma.
That means they're a thing?
Does he like her?
"Uriel!" The music teacher yelled, snapping me out of my head.
"Ma?"
"Can you - oh, it's your lucky day." She glared at me. "Class dismiss. Except you, Uriel."
Oh no.
I waited for everyone to leave before standing up.
"I don't know what's going on with you but you really have to step up your game, Uriel Kennedy." She advised me.
"Thank you Ma." I said genuinely.
As I walked down to the cafeteria, I got wolf whistle from different guys. Some even made snarky comments about how my leg would look pretty on their shoulder.
I knew it was a bad idea showing off my legs.
I was so going back to my baggy after today.
Can't keep up with this one bit.
If I'm being honest, I had the most calls and 'fuck me' eyes. But was that what I wanted?
No.
How was Ryder supposed to eat his words with this?
He even thought I wore it for some other guy.
He was so slow!
"Was thinking you were going to skip lunch!" Kathie said, patting on the spot next to her.
"Mrs Blaire kept me." I told them, my eyes landing on the empty spot. "Where's Lance?"
Chloe rolled her eyes, "being a fucking child."
I sighed, pursing my lips.
"Maybe he's right?" I spoke up before I could stop the words. "Maybe I'm trying so hard to be what I'm not? I don't even feel comfortable in this. It's..."
"We can try some dress choice?" Chloe offered.
"Seriously you're letting that nerdy nerd get to you. Lance is not meant for the outer world." Kathie held my hand. "You only live life once. It's not like you're going around fucking with all Achiever's boys."
"But..."
"Oh my God! Chase is walking towards our table!!" Kathie whisper yelled, cutting me off.
"W..what? Why?"
"We should be asking you." Chloe said through gritted teeth, a forced smile on her face, for cover.
Everyone's eyes turned over to our table. Chase stood with his hands in his back.
"Hey Uriel." Chase took over Kathie's spot once she stood up.
Nervously, I forced a smile on my face. "H..hey. What's this?"
He looked around, a smirk on his face. I followed his eyes until it landed on Ryder who stood outside the cafeteria door, leaning against the wall...
Watching everything.
"He's going to ask her out!"
On hearing that, my heart began to beat fast in my chest.
What?
"Uriel, will you..."
I stood up immediately, looking down at him. My chest heaved up and down. My anxiety was rising up my throat by 3 steps.
My stomach knotted.
Then he brought his hand forward, holding out what he had in his hand.
My eyes turned wide.
Oh no.
This was bad.