Secretly In Love With My Highschool Bully

The first time I laid eyes on Ryan, I was seven years old. We had just moved into a new neighborhood because Dad had been promoted at work, and his family had to, of course, follow him. I wasn’t told about the move until the very day we had to leave, and that irked me because I quite liked Wolf Peak. I even had my own tree house and everything. I tried telling them I could stay with Grandma Heg, but they refused. Now that I think about it, the idea of staying with Grandma Heg was indeed inappropriate, but at the time I had no qualms about it since she was the nicest old lady I had ever known. On the day we reached Saber Hills, I left them to their unpacking, picked up my Peter Rabbit book, and went off to look for a quiet spot where I could read in peace. “Gavin, be careful and don’t come back late,” Mom says when she notices me leaving the house. “Okay, Mom,” I reply, waving at her. I trudge uphill for a while, and just as I begin to think I should head back home, I spot a little path that seems to lead somewhere. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I follow it, only to stumble upon the most beautiful sight my little eyes had ever had the pleasure of seeing. It was a lake that seemed man-made, with flowers surrounding it. There was even a bench to the side, and to top it all off, it was quiet. I immediately squeal in delight and rush toward the bench. I make myself comfortable and remind myself that next time I come, I should carry a blanket because the bench isn’t very warm. I open my book and become so absorbed in reading that I don’t notice the approaching footsteps until my book is suddenly yanked out of my hands. “Hey!” I protest, looking up. Looking up, however, allows me to witness the most beautiful sight I had ever had the pleasure of seeing. The little boy holding my book seemed to have been God’s favorite during creation because he was a sight to behold. He had white-blond hair, blue eyes, beautiful skin, and was just overall perfect. “Hey, what are you zoning out for?” he asks, snapping his fingers in front of my face. I immediately snap out of it. “Who are you?” I ask. “The owner of this place, duh,” he says, rolling his eyes at me as though I’m an i***t. “Oh. I didn’t know this place had an owner,” I say, blushing. “We just moved in, and it’s really loud at home, so I was just looking for a place to read in peace,” I add, rambling nervously. “So you’re the new neighbors,” he says, arching a brow. I nod. “Well, this is my spot,” he says. “I can leave if you want,” I offer, starting to get up from the bench. “No, it’s okay. You can stay,” he says, rubbing the back of his head. “I’m Ryan Montegue, and you are?” he asks, offering me his hand like a little gentleman. “I’m Gavin Montez. Pleased to meet you.” I shake his hand and then dissolve into a fit of giggles. He joins me not long after, and we laugh together for a while. “You’re pretty,” he says, looking at me. “Boys can’t be pretty, Ryan,” I reply, giving him a skeptical look. “But you are,” he insists, and I decide to let him be. “Can I have my book back?” I ask. He glances down at the book in his hands, seeming to realize for the first time that he’s still holding it. “So you’re a nerd?” he asks. “I like reading,” I reply. “That makes you a nerd.” “It does not.” “It does too.” “Whatever. Can I go back to my reading now?” I ask, gesturing toward my book. “Sure,” he says. “I’m going for a swim.” “Be careful out there,” I tell him since I’ve never met a seven-year-old who can swim. “I’ve taken swimming lessons, you know,” he says defensively. “Still,” I insist. A few hours later, we trek back down the path toward our houses. “Can I come here again?” I ask Ryan since he claims he owns the place. “Yeah,” he answers. “My house is just down the street—the one with the really green gate,” he adds. “Okay. Mine is the one with people you don’t know yet,” I tell him, giggling at my own description. “Bye!” he waves, running back toward his house. “Bye!” I wave back. Since then, that place becomes our little spot, and because our parents also become best friends not long after, we naturally become inseparable too. I thought that would remain the case for the rest of our lives—until we entered high school and my best friend turned around and became my bully.