Chasing Riley Cooper

Chapter 3: When Trust Speaks

The school library always smelled like books and dust. It was the one place at Oakridge High where Riley felt safe. The big shelves of books made a space that protected her from the crazy social stuff in the hallways.

Today, the quiet felt scary.

Riley sat at a table in the back of the library, a history book open in front of her. She had not read one word. For twenty minutes, she kept looking at the clock on the wall and the big doors of the library.

Her stomach was all twisted up. She had barely slept the night before, thinking about how bad things were. She was living two lives now. To her parents, she was a daughter who had to stay home. To everyone at school, she was still the perfect student. Except for the big rumor that Ryder Hayes had saved her from getting in trouble.

*Where is he?* she thought, her fingers gripping the table. Lunch was already twenty minutes late. He was not there.

On time, the library doors opened.

Ryder Hayes walked in like he owned the place, not caring about the look from Mrs. Gable, the old librarian. He had his hands in his pockets and a big backpack on his shoulder. His dark hair was messy. The bruise on his jaw was still a little purple.

He did not hesitate. His gray eyes looked around the room. Found Riley's table. He. Started walking towards her, his boots making a loud noise on the floor.

Riley sat up straight. Pulled her book close to her chest.

"You're late ", she said sharply when he sat down.

"Hi to you, Cooper ", Ryder said smoothly, leaning back in his chair. "I do what I want. I'm not late. I just have my schedule."

"This is not a joke, Ryder ", Riley said quietly, leaning across the table. "My parents watched my phone all night. I had to sneak a look this morning to make sure the principal had not called again. We lied to a police officer. If someone finds out -"

"Nobody will find out ", Ryder said, his voice serious. "The cop said the ID was fake, and the principal is trying to figure out who broke into his office. As far as the school knows, you were with me. That's it."

Riley took a breath and looked down at her book. "I still don't get why you did it. You don't even know me. You always break the rules, and then you help me out?"

Ryder leaned forward, his arms on the table. Riley felt a little scared. Pushed back in her chair. He smelled like mint and the air outside.

"I told you tonight", he said quietly, looking at her with serious eyes. "I saw someone running out of the school when I was walking to the field. It was not you. It was a guy in a Bentley jacket. When I saw them trying to blame you for something you did not do... I helped out."

He. Smiled a little. "Besides, I thought you owed me a favor.. I plan to get it."

Riley felt scared again. She realized what she had gotten herself into. "What do you want, Ryder? If you think I'll do something for you or help you cheat, forget it. I'd rather get in trouble."

Ryder. Got a mean look from Mrs. Gable again. He said sorry and turned back to Riley.

"Relax, Cooper ", he said quietly, his eyes sparkling. "I don't need you to do anything. It's simple. It's bad for your reputation."

"Just say it."

Ryder pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket. Slide it across the table. Riley took it. Smoothed it out. It was his school record, and his grades were bad.

English: C-. History: D+. Math: F.

"You're failing math ", Riley said, looking up at him in shock. "You're barely passing anything else. Ryder, how are you still on the track team?"

"Because I'm the runner in the state ", he said casually, but he looked a little embarrassed. "The coach said if my math grade does not get better, I'm off the team.. I need to be on the team."

Riley looked at the paper. Understood what he wanted. "You want me to help you with math."

"Right ", Ryder said, leaning back in his chair. "That's just part of it."

"There's more?"

"Course," he said quietly. "If we say we were together but then we ignore each other at school, someone will get suspicious. We have to make it look real."

Riley felt her face get pale. "What are you saying?"

"We pretend to date ", Ryder said, looking at her with eyes. "For two months, we sit together at lunch, walk together to class, and go to each other's events. We make it look like we're a couple."

"Are you crazy?" Riley said loudly, then covered her mouth. "Fake date you? Ryder, my parents would kill me! They think you're a kid. If they see me with you, they'll send me to a school!"

"Then don't let them see us ", Ryder said smoothly. "We keep it at school. It's simple. If we're together, nobody questions what happened at the principal's office. You get to keep your grades, and I get to stay on the track team."

Riley looked at him, her mind racing. It was an idea, but she did not have a choice. She was already in trouble.

"Two months ", she said, her voice shaking. Until the end of the semester. We do the math help in the library or somewhere private after school. No hanging out in secret. No real romance stuff. We're business partners."

Ryder. Held out his hand. His palm was big. His fingers were rough.

"A business deal ", Ryder said, his voice funny. "Do we need to sign it. Is a handshake enough for you, Cooper?"

Riley hesitated for a moment. Then she reached out. Put her small hand into Ryder's hand.

The moment their hands touched, Riley felt a shock. It was like a bolt of electricity had jumped between them. Ryders' hand was warm and strong. He did not let go. He looked at her with his eyes for a long time. Riley's heart started beating. She felt a weird heat rising in her neck.

She pulled her hand back fast. Cleared her throat. She fixed her binder to hide how nervous she was. "Okay. The deal is made. We start today. Open your math book."

Ryder said, "We cannot start today, Riley,". He laughed. He took his backpack off the chair. Stood up when the bell rang for the next class.

Riley asked, "Why not?"

Ryder put his backpack on his shoulder. Looked at her. He was smiling in a way. "Because a good boyfriend always walks his girl to her class.. I think you have a government class in the other building. I have to go to the bleachers."

Before Riley could say anything, Ryder took her history book and her binder. He put them under his arm easily.

Riley said, "What are you doing? Give me those back!" She got up from her chair fast.

Ryder said, "This is what boyfriends do, Riley. Just go with it ". He winked. He. Walked out of the library.

Riley stood still for a moment. Her face was red with anger and panic. She watched Ryder walk away with her books. She took a breath and fixed her skirt. Then she ran after him, leaving the library and going into the crowded hallway.