Avoiding Ryder Thain

Chapter 3

The chatters from the students today seem to have increased ten times than usual. I can’t help but walk through the halls displaying curiosity through my eyes. 

Everyone seems to be high on their toes today. 

“What a lovely day.” Fae squeals with her eyes closed in passion. Then she flutters them open to stare at me. “Did you text him?”

“Who?”

“What do you mean who? Reign. Did you text Reign back?” 

I open my locker, dumping a couple of books inside. “No.” I fell asleep after dinner. Prior to that, I helped mom in the kitchen. 

Fae gasps like she’s been told something surprising. “Why not?” 

“I don’t know.” Lie. I do know why. And Fae knows the reason too. She knows how much of an introvert I can be. And besides, why do I need to expand my circle of connection when Im already satisfied with Fae being around? She’s already a handful as it is. 

She scratches the side of her head and releases a heavy sigh. “I’m not going to force you, but I really think you should make some friends. It doesn’t have to be Reign.” 

I give her a nod of my head, not entirely processing her words.

“I heard he’s in the classroom already. Class starts in ten minutes so we better hurry up if we want to see him.” Two girls run pass the hallway before taking a sharp turn. I don’t think they’re from this floor though. 

“Jia, quickly!” A random girl yells as she ushers her friend. 

There they go again with the urgent screams. Fae notices my obvious confusion and chuckles. “You’ll get used to it soon.”

“They’re acting like there’s a celebrity in the building.” 

Fae drags a hum with a subtle nod of her head. A little grin contours her lips. “I guess you could say that.” 

I raise an eyebrow as I shut my locker. “What’s that suppose to mean?”

“Maybe I should just let you see it for yourself.” She suddenly links her arms around mine and then navigates me towards the direction of my classroom. There’s a little joyous skip in the way she walks. We reach my classroom and the outside’s packed with students peering inside. Some of which aren’t from the floor. There are juniors too from the building next to ours. 

My face twists with even more confusion. But the crowd’s the least of my problem right now. How am I suppose to go in if they’re hogging the entrance? 

Luckily, I have a cousin for the job. Fae begins yelling orders and warnings, eventually creating room for entrance. She’s been a sergeant of arms since grade ten so I understand where the loud voice’s coming from. 

For the past three days, there’s been an empty seat at the back row. But today, there’s a figure all fast asleep on it. The missing student decided to come today uh? 

Judging by the group of people outside the room and their eyes fixated on the figure, I can only assume that this person’s the reason they’re gathered outside. 

As I occupy my seat, Fae makes a beeline to the back row of the room. And to my surprise, she smacks her palm on the person’s back, resonating a sharp sound across the walls. 

I widen my eyes, internally questioning her sanity. 

Is she stupid?

A groan comes off the person’s mouth and he slowly, but reluctantly looks up, fluttering a pair of hazel eyes. A hint of brown hair cascades does the delicate strokes of his eye lashes. And for a guy, his are beautiful. 

When he catches the sight of my cousin, he grumbles and hides his face again. 

“What do you want?” His voice is mumbled by the fabric of his blazer. 

“Where have you been? Do you know how many excuses I had to come up with to explain to Mr Lennox why you aren’t at school?” The chair screeches when Fae drags it across the floor, plopping on it right after. Then she rakes frustrated fingers across her hair and sends the boy a firm stare. I’ve never seen her this worked up before. “I don’t think he bought my last excuse.” 

The guy eventually leans back on his chair and for a moment, his eyes meet mine before they gaze back at Fae.. 

“Thanks.” He mumbles to her only to earn another smack on the arm by her. He barely winces, and instead, breaths out a chuckle. 

They seem pretty close. I glance outside and catch bitter faces and glares watching the two interact. 

“I’ll go ahead.” Fae nudges me on the arm and I nod my head at her. She easily slips by the crowded entrance, ignoring glacial eyes practically killing her. 

The teacher eventually appears and she ushers the students to get back to their classes. With reluctant strides and head bobs, they disperse to their perspective rooms. 

“Good morning class.” 

An echo of ‘good morning’ follow through as the teacher makes her way to the front. Her eyes momentarily glide across the back seat before she clicks her heels to stand behind the huge desk. 

While flickering through papers on a clipboard, she opens her mouth to say. “Mr Thain, I’m glad to see in you my class again. I do hope this is the last time you’ll consider skipping school from now on.”

I blink my eyes. 

So that guy behind me, is the famous Ryder Thain.