What happens when he returns
{Ariana's POV}
"Lights, camera, action!"
"Sandi, you can't be serious."
"Sandi, really, get that thing away from me!" I snarled.
"Yeah, whatever." Sandra rolled her eyes in disdain. "Are you always going to be this boring?".
I ignored her and walked into the hallway.
"I mean, you're not even a mum yet, but you act like one."
As Sandra stepped into the main hallway, she suddenly stopped. I halted too, avoiding eye contact. Sandra glanced at me before turning toward the crowd ahead.
👥 "Oh my gosh, here come the hottest guys in Emerald High!"
👥 "I love you, Kingsley!"
👥 "The T-Twins! I love you guys!"
👥 "God, they're so fine!"
Girls stared at them with obvious admiration while the boys watched with envy.
I scoffed and walked away, with Sandra following behind.
They both took their seats just as the lesson began.
"Students, today we'll be discussing centralized states. Does anyone know the definition?" Mrs. May asked, scanning the classroom.
"Anyone?"
The class fell silent. Nobody dared to answer.
"Alright then, centralized-"
The classroom door suddenly opened.
"Ryder?" the entire class gasped.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. It won't happen again," he apologized immediately.
"Ryder?!" they gasped again, even more shocked than before.
"Ryder, is that really you?" Kingsley called from the back.
"Yeah, it's me," he replied casually. "Hi, guys. I'm back."
He walked confidently toward his seat. Or mine by the way.
Please don't sit beside me. I prayed inwardly.
But of course, he did.
Ryder smiled at me while I lowered my head to the desk, already wondering how miserable my life was about to become now that he was back.
The lesson continued, but I barely paid attention. My mind drifted far away from the classroom and back to last summer.
When I realized Ryder liked me, no, not liked. He was madly in love with me and I couldn't believe it.
Part of me felt happy.
The other part felt guilty.
Because loving him would mean betraying someone close to me.
The ringing bell interrupted my thoughts, signaling the end of the morning lessons and the beginning of lunch break.
I quickly walked away, hoping to avoid any situation where our paths might cross.
"Ariana!"
I froze.
"Aria!"
That nickname.
The one only he used.
"Ariana!"
Someone grabbed me by my shoulder, and I stopped walking.
"Oh." I sighed in relief. "It's just you."
"I've been calling you since like forever, but you wouldn't answer," Sandra complained.
"Sorry. I thought it was..." I trailed off, not wanting her to worry.
"You thought it was who?" she asked suspiciously.
"Never mind."
"You look stressed," she observed.
"I'm fine! Stop acting like such a worrywart." I rolled my eyes.
"Okay then, if you say so." Her face brightened again instantly.
Sandra was always cheerful. Sometimes I wished I could be as carefree as she was. But wishes were only wishes.
"So, where are you heading?" she asked.
"To the restroom."
"Meet me at the cafeteria afterward," she said with a wink. "I'm starving."
Then she walked away.
I entered the restroom, washed my face, touched up my makeup slightly, and headed toward the cafeteria.
But before I could get there, someone suddenly shoved me against the wall.
"Hi, darling. Did you miss me?"
My breath caught instantly.
Ryder.
He held me firmly in place.
"Ouch," I complained.
He loosened his grip a little but still trapped me between him and the wall.
"What do you want from me?" I asked, struggling to keep up with the intensity of his gaze.
"I'm back," he said softly. "You know that, right?"
"Yeah. I heard."
I looked away, focusing on the ruby-red paint peeling from the wall behind him because meeting his eyes felt impossible.
"And do you know why I came back?" he asked.
Obviously for school, I thought.
"For you."
I blinked.
What kind of ridiculous answer was that?
"I came back for you," he repeated with a grin.
"That's absurd," I laughed lightly.
Then I noticed he wasn't joking.
"Wait... you're serious?"
His calm expression answered for him.
I pushed him slightly, enough for him to let me go.
"Fine then," I said as I walked away. "I'd like to see you try and get me."
