The Rumours
656 Words
Chapter 3: The Rumors
By lunchtime, I'd heard at least ten different stories about Ryder Knight.
"He got suspended three times."
"He punched a senior during freshman year."
"They say he leads a biker crew."
"My cousin swears he spent a night in jail."
"They say he doesn't date... he just gets bored."
None of the stories matched.
But they all ended the same way.
Stay away from Ryder Knight.
I balanced my lunch tray as I searched for an empty seat in the crowded cafeteria.
Every table was full.
Except one.
It was near the back, quiet and away from everyone else.
Perfect.
I had barely taken two bites of my sandwich when three girls stopped in front of my table.
The one in the middle crossed her arms.
"So you're Lily?"
I looked up.
"...Yes?"
She smiled.
It wasn't a friendly smile.
"Here's a little piece of advice."
I stayed silent.
"Stop talking to Ryder."
I frowned.
"I've spoken to him exactly once."
"And keep it that way."
One of the girls leaned closer.
"He doesn't belong to you."
"I never said he did."
"Good." The girl smirked. "Because girls who get too close to him usually regret it."
Before I could answer, they walked away, laughing.
I let out a slow breath.
"What is wrong with people?"
"He attracts drama."
I looked up.
A boy with curly brown hair slid into the seat across from me.
"I'm Ethan."
"Lily."
"I know." He smiled. "The whole campus knows who you are now."
"That's... comforting."
He laughed.
"You embarrassed Ryder Knight."
"I didn't embarrass him."
"You told him you weren't interested."
"I wasn't."
"You've got guts."
Before I could respond, the cafeteria suddenly became unusually quiet.
I didn't have to turn around to know why.
The room had only gone silent twice today.
And both times...
Ryder Knight had walked in.
He wasn't alone.
Four bikers followed behind him, all wearing black jackets with the same silver emblem stitched across the back.
They looked intimidating.
Ryder looked worse.
His hands were tucked into his pockets as he casually scanned the room.
His eyes landed on me.
Just for a second.
Then he looked away.
"He's looking," Ethan whispered.
"I don't care."
"You should."
"I really shouldn't."
I picked up my drink and continued eating.
Across the cafeteria, one of Ryder's friends nudged him with a grin.
"The new girl's got nerve."
Ryder didn't answer.
His gaze drifted back to me for a brief moment before he walked to his usual table.
The whispers started again.
I ignored them.
After lunch, I decided to take the shortcut behind the arts building to get to my next class.
It was quieter.
Or so I thought.
Halfway through the path, I heard footsteps behind me.
I turned.
Three unfamiliar guys were walking in my direction.
"Hey," one of them called with a grin. "You're the girl who's been talking to Ryder, right?"
"I think you've got the wrong person."
"No." Another stepped closer. "We're pretty sure it's you."
I tightened my grip on my books.
"I have class."
"So do we."
They blocked the narrow path.
My heartbeat quickened.
"Move."
The tallest one chuckled.
"Relax. We just want to—"
The unmistakable roar of a motorcycle engine echoed through the path.
All three guys froze.
A black motorcycle stopped a few feet away.
The rider pulled off his helmet.
Ryder.
He didn't even look at me.
His cold eyes stayed fixed on the three guys.
"I believe..." he said calmly, climbing off his bike, "...she told you to move."
The tallest guy scoffed.
"And if we don't?"
Ryder took one slow step forward.
A dangerous smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Then you're about to have the worst afternoon of your lives."
For the first time since arriving at Westbridge University...
I realized the rumors about Ryder Knight might not have been exaggerated after all.
- Writer
