CHAPTER FOUR
1010 Words
RYKER'S POV
*****
I should have gotten used to the chant but I still find it cringe. The screams from the students rose as Liam stepped out. He didn't wave nor smiled, yet the crowd still went crazy like he'd descended from heaven.
Well It's understandable. He was their Golden boy. Celebrity singer. I stood by the side waiting for this whole circus to end. Then, I noticed it. Liam's gaze snagged on a girl in the crowd.
Her posture stiffened the second he winked. She looked plain with no flashy makeup. My brows rose. Interesting. She was pretty, but definitely not Liam's type which begged the question- what was that about?
The thought lingered longer than I expected. I pinched the bridge of my nose, as the Chants thundered on. Classes were starting soon and I still hadn't yet figured out how to begin my project. And here I was, stuck in a sea of screaming students.if this kept up, I'd lose my sanity before the semester really began.
My phone lit up with a message notification. A slight frown clung to my forehead as I glanced through it.
" The project can't be completed in three days."
This wasn't going well. At this rate, my entire perfect Lancaster role would collapse before it even started.
I looked up to see Torr adjusting his glasses. They complimented his personality quite well. For a second, I considered asking for his assistance but shrugged it off. Torr was the honest type and takes pride in originality. He'd probably lecture me instead of helping.
Collin tapped my shoulder, snapping me back. Together, we pulled away from the crowd, Liam leading in front. And my gaze narrowed as I tracked his movement.
Liam was my immediate younger cousin. I knew him better than anyone. He never got involved with girls specially because of his career. But the way he teased that girl? Something about it didn't add up.
The bell rang again, scattering the crowd summoning us to our respective classes.
I pocketed my hands and strode into the class. Mrs. Simpson was already there, glasses perched on her nose, her sharp gaze flicking to the four of us.
I slid into my seat. Collin as always, leaned back and crossed his legs. Torr sat away from us , already pulling out his book. And Liam sat right beside me.
Not a minute later, the door opened. Two girls walked in. I recognized the shorter one to be the girl from earlier. Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she greeted Mrs.Simpson.
I glanced at Liam. His gaze were fixed on her. This was annoyingly disturbing. I tapped my pen on the desk hoping to snap him out of it. Instead, the sound caught her attention.
Then our eyes met.
For a fleeting moment, A fire rose in my chest, sending electricity through me. It got worse when she titled her head, fluttering her lashes as though she was acknowledging me.
I exhaled slowly, trying to ground myself. This was not how I'd planned to start the semester.
"Welcome to senior year." Mrs. Simpson voice broke through the tension. " As part of the tradition, the first week of resumption would be dedicated to freshmen."
Silent mumbles rippled through the class. Chairs scraped the floor resulting in a noisy atmosphere.
"Also, she continued, her voice carrying everyone's attention. " Holidays projects are due by the end of this week." To make things smoother for new students, I will be pairing each of them with an older student." That way they will have someone to guide them.
A ripple of excitement swept through the crowd. Everyone loved the idea of being matched except me.
I leaned back in my seat, pen balanced between my fingers. This was the last thing I needed. I still hadn't figured out my project and now Mrs. Simpson wanted me babysitting a fresher? Perfect.
Everyone fell silent as Mrs. Simpson skimmed down the list. If I had a choice, I'd have skipped this process. It was ridiculous and time consuming. I planned to pass my match off to someone else.
"Ryker Lancaster," her voice suddenly became raspy, " You are to be paired with Pearl Blackwood."
My heart slammed harder in my chest. She was the last person I wanted to be paired with. I peeked toward her direction, her eyes were widened.
"Excuse me ma'am," pearl said, raising up her hand. Everyone turned to her. " Do we get to exchange our partners?" She asked the question that was at the tip of my tongue.
Mrs. Simpson stood still, playing with her keychains. "No." Her answer was sharp and final.
Pearl wanted to press further but the girl that beside her pulled her back.
" Nice one, Liam muttered beside me, his voice dropping with sarcasm. " You always got what I wanted."
I refused to respond. That was Liam, always competitive, always convinced that I got everything he wanted first just because I was the eldest son.
The thought of the project weighed heavy on my mind again. I pulled out my phone and browsed about orphanages in the city. I threw my head back, hands rubbing the back of my neck. Why on earth was I assigned this project? Shouldn't it be meant for those who really are orphans?
I bit my tongue, frustration clinging to me. My brain hadn't registered the pain when my eyes caught a flash of Pink. I tilted my body toward the phone in Liam's hand.
My breathe hitched as he transferred unknown files. I wanted to ask what he was doing but held myself. It was in no way my business.
I snapped my head and met Pearl staring at me. She smiled and waved at me. Heat rushed through my neck. I ran my fingers through my hair and turned away.
The semester hadn't even began and yet I could already smell trouble. A trouble that could ruin my perfect Lancaster role. And that the cause could possibly be her.
- Writer
