Chapter Twenty-Five

Kyla's POV

I'm surprised Stein is in this class. Well not so surprised. It makes complete sense now that Riley doesn't pay attention. She always has problems when exams are close by. I now know why.

"Umm with me?"

I ask for confirmation. I wouldn't want to reply then find out he wasn't referring to me.

"Yeah. Can I?"

I don't give it much thought. I simply add it to the list of possible bad choices I've made today. That seat used to be Riley's and now her biggest crush is occupying it. The irony of life.

The teacher walks in. Riley trails behind and her eyes immediately fall on Stein who is close to me. They squirm before darting to meet mine. I really hope she can see how sorry I am. She doesn't.

I notice how angered she looked taking another seat. I doubt it's because she wanted to seat with me.

"I'm sorry Riley,” I mouth and try to focus on the lecture. It's seemingly impossible as I feel her burning gaze on the two of us.

****

After that class, I rush out to my next which wouldn't involve Stein or Riley. I needed a break to just be me. A boring, average nerd. I don't care if it's for one class, I just wanted to be me.

My prayers get partially answered. Partially because there's another person I know all too well in class, it's Joanna and she's pissing me off.

I take the seat farthest away from her, but her gaze is locked on me. She has this malicious grin on her face and now that I know her true intentions, she disgusts me. That's the only thing I feel, disgust.

I cautioned myself not to give her the benefit of thinking I care. I won't spare her so much as a glance and that's exactly what happened.

****

Halfway through class, the teacher for a call and had to be excused. The students took it as an excuse to have the time of their lives. Some even decided to leave. By some, I mean me. The class was boring as fuck. I needed to put myself out of that misery.

I noticed a figure trailing behind me in my journey towards the restroom. I spun around and it turned out to be Joanna.

"What do you want?" I ask glaring.

"To talk to you."

"We've done enough talking today. Seriously, I'm not interested in anything you have to say. You're not playing any sick games with me anymore."

"Not if it gets you Riley back?"

"What do you mean?"

"I want us to make a little arrangement that benefits us both. You especially but since you aren't ready to listen, I'll be on my way."

She moved away taking slow strides causing me to hiss. It took everything in me to swallow my pride and call out to her. For Riley.

"I'm listening,” I blurted out. She knew I would cave.

"I think you might have figured out that I love Richard. I'll do anything to have him. You're lovable and all so getting Stein to fall in love with you would be a piece of cake so Richard and I can finally be together."

"Who says he'll wanna be with you?"

I mutter under my breath. Thankfully she didn't hear a thing.

"So the catch is this. You're going to do a lot of crazy things with Stein. I can promise you that when it's all over, Riley would not hate you and all you have to do in return is ensure to put a good word for me to Richard. "

"Wait what…" I trailed off in utter surprise. Things just keep getting better and better.