My Problem Now
642 Words
Chapter 4: My Problem Now
The air turned heavy.
No one moved.
The three guys stood frozen, their confidence fading the longer Ryder stared at them.
He didn't raise his voice.
He didn't clench his fists.
He just stood there, calm... and somehow that was far more terrifying.
The tallest guy let out a nervous laugh.
"We were only talking to her."
Ryder tilted his head.
"Did she look interested?"
Silence.
"I asked you a question."
"...No."
"Then why are you still standing here?"
The three exchanged uneasy glances before one of them muttered, "Forget it."
They brushed past Ryder without another word, disappearing down the path.
Only when they were gone did I let out the breath I'd been holding.
Ryder slipped his helmet back onto the handlebar of his bike and turned to leave.
"Wait."
He stopped.
I hated that I was about to say this.
"...Thank you."
He looked over his shoulder.
"I didn't do it for you."
"Oh."
"I did it because they were annoying me."
My lips pressed into a thin line.
"There it is."
"What?"
"The ego."
A corner of his mouth lifted into a smirk.
"I was wondering when you'd bring it up."
I rolled my eyes.
"I can handle myself, you know."
"I'm sure you can."
"But?"
"But next time, don't walk through this path alone."
His tone was casual, but there was something firm underneath it.
"Why?"
"Because those idiots won't be the last."
My smile faded.
"What does that mean?"
"It means this campus isn't as safe as you think."
Before I could ask another question, his phone buzzed.
He glanced at the screen, his expression hardening instantly.
Without another word, he grabbed his helmet and climbed onto his motorcycle.
The engine roared to life.
"Ryder!"
He looked at me.
"What?"
"Why did you really help me?"
For a second, he didn't answer.
Then, with the smallest shrug, he said,
"I don't like cowards."
And just like that...
He sped away.
---
Later that evening, I couldn't stop thinking about him.
It was frustrating.
I'd come to Westbridge University to focus on my studies, not to wonder why the campus's most feared biker had rescued me.
A knock on my dorm room interrupted my thoughts.
Mia walked in carrying two cups of instant noodles.
"You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I met Ryder again."
Her eyes widened.
"Again?"
I told her everything.
The guys.
The confrontation.
The motorcycle.
The warning.
When I finished, Mia stared at me in disbelief.
"Lily..."
"What?"
"You have no idea what you've just walked into."
"What do you mean?"
She sat down beside me.
"Those guys weren't random students."
A chill ran down my spine.
"They're connected to the Ravens."
"The Ravens?"
"A biker crew that hates Ryder's club."
I blinked.
"Wait... he actually belongs to a biker gang?"
"It's not just a gang." Mia lowered her voice. "People say his club controls almost everything off campus."
I laughed nervously.
"You're joking."
"I wish I was."
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed.
Unknown Number
«Stay away from Ryder Knight...
Or you'll regret it.»
My heart skipped a beat.
I read the message again.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Then another message came through.
«This is your only warning.»
The room suddenly felt much colder.
Who had my number?
And how did they know I'd been with Ryder?
Miles away, Ryder stood outside an old warehouse with his biker brothers.
His phone rang.
"What?"
A voice came through the line.
"Boss... someone sent a threat to the college girl."
Ryder's jaw tightened.
"Who?"
"We don't know."
His grip on the phone hardened.
"Find out."
"And if it really is the Ravens?"
Ryder's expression turned dangerously cold.
"Then they just made her my problem."
He ended the call.
For the first time in years...
Ryder Knight had something to lose.
- Writer
