CHAPTER FIVE
1342 Words
PEARL'S POV
The way the whole class hushed when I suggested switching partners made my skin crawl. It was not that I cared about who I got paired with, but that I preferred it was Liam. That way, it would be easier to get back my phone.
" I can't believe I was paired with Liam." Mia squealed like a baby.
i rolled my eyes, irritated by the way she was obsessed over them. But what Irritated more was the look in Ryker's eyes.
I had waved and smiled at me not out of courtesy, but because I didn't want to be in the bad books of another Lancaster. But the way he had turned away created a fire in my chest.
"It's time for lunch." Mia's voice broke into my thoughts.
We packed our bags. I glanced over to Liam, he was sat casually as if none of this bothered him. Who takes so long to return someone else's property? Mia tugged at my hand and we walked out of the class.
The sun burned my skin. It was if the weather was also against me. I took out an umbrella and hovered it over our heads. Such hot intensity was not good for the skin.
" Pearl?" A strange but familiar voice rang through my ears.
I stopped in my tracks, heat radiating through my chest. I turned and met Green eyes again. Only that this time, it wasn't in an embarrassing situation.
"Hi."Mia waved, smiling through her teeth like he was some lottery. Liam ignored her, and moved toward me.
" Here." He extended my phone to me. An heavy weight lifted off my shoulders yet It was still good to be true.
" Huh..Thank you." The hesitation in my voice was evident. Liam didn't seem like the type of guy who would end matters quickly.
"I must say," his eyes raked over me, making me feel cautious of my looks. " You are good." He said, his lips curved upwards, but the smile didn't reach his eye. Something in his gaze made the hairs on my neck prickle like he could see more than I wanted him to.
Good? I raised an eyebrow trying to understand what he meant. Was I good for not causing trouble? Or because I had stood up to the teacher.
I shrugged off the thought and smiled at him. " I appreciate you for this."
Liam shoved his hands into his pockets, his gaze shifted to Mia. " Nice pin." He said.
Mia tuck her hair behind her ears, blushing hard. "Thank you." She said, her voice suddenly turning sweet.
" See you later partner." Liam waved at Mia and left. For few seconds, confusion erupted in my mind. He wasn't like the same person I had collided with. He looked like the calculative type, one that could ruin you.
I unlocked my phone and quickly went through the messages. Luckily, the contract hadn't been cancelled. My knuckles felt lighter as I heaved a sigh of relief.
Just then, another message caught my eye. It was from the orphanage. Tomorrow was Fibi's birthday and I had forgotten.
Fibi was adopted and always celebrated her birthdays with her friends at the orphanage. She did be pissed if I wasn't her first wisher.
I scrolled through my phone and sent a text to the orphanage director. This time, I wasn't going to be present hence everything needs to be perfect.
I looked up only to realize that Mia wasn't beside me. My eyes searched the whole area and yet I still couldn't find her. Where the hell is she?
"Hey." A girl approached me. " Mia said to meet her at the track field."
Track field? What business does she have there? This was just the first week and sports activities hadn't even begun. Unease crept within me. This was unlikely of Mia. She hated sports and would have informed me before leaving.
I followed the directions on the map and got the the field track. It was literally empty except for a group of girls who sat in a corner.
I dialled Mia's number but it kept referring me to voicemail. My body became restless as cases of students getting missing flooded my mind. What if she stepped into a pit that led underground? Or a kidnapper was lurking around.
The burst of laughter drew my attention. The girls sitting at the corner were now walking toward me, their faces curved in a wicked smile.
My heart slammed in my chest. I stepped backwards but it was too late. They circled me, glaring as if I were a prey.
The girl who stepped out wasn't the tallest, but she didn't need height to command the space. Her smirk alone send shivers down my spine.
"Well, well," she drawled, her arms crossed, " So this is the girl who got Liam's attention."
My breath rose higher. " Where's Mia?", I asked, forcing my voice not to c***k.
Her smile widened. " Relax, she's... occupied. We thought we'd welcome you properly. Fresh meat needs to know the rules."
" I don't need a welcome," I snapped, though my palm grew wet against my skirt, " and I know the rules."
The leader stepped closer, close enough that I could see the faint scar under her jaw. " How dare you hang around the Lancasters? Dangerous move for someone like you." Her eyes raked over me.
She lunged a step closer. My body froze. And then---
" Enough!" The voice cracked through the tension. Every head turned.
Ryker stood at the entrance of the field, hands in his pockets. His gaze was sharp enough to slice through ice.
The girls instantly froze. The leaders smile wavered, " we were just---" she forced the words back.
" Leave." His tone was final.
One by one they backed off, muttering as they dispersed. In seconds, I was alone again, except for him.
My knees buckled underneath but I masked it. " Thank you." I said.
Ryker's eyes flickered over me-cold and unreadable. "You are weak." He simply said.
I swallowed hard, my pride mixing with the pounding in my chest.
Before I could retort, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen and his expression darkened instantly, his jaw tightening like a stone.
His shoved his phone back into his pockets and turned, walking away.
Wait." I said, curiosity getting the better of me." What's wrong?" What was that message?"
Ryker moved faster.
" Ryker!" I called, jogging faster to catch up. " Why are you always so---"
He spun on his heel so fast that I almost hit his forehead.
" Do you ever shut up?" He snapped, "Not everything is about you. Not everything is a game. I don't have time for your nosy questions when my entire project is collapsing!"
The words slammed into me. I blinked. " "Project?"
"I was tasked to conduct an interview with orphans." He bit out. If I don't get to submit by the end of this week, everything falls apart."
Something in his voice made my throat tighten. I watched as he raked his hair in frustration. For once, I didn't know what to say. Then It clicked. Fibi's orphanage.
"Wait," I said softly. “I know someone. An orphanage director. I’m close with them. I could take you there. You’d have access to everything you need.”
His gaze snapped to me, sharp and suspicious. “Why would you do that?”
I hesitated, then lifted my chin. “Because you saved me. And because I owe you. Consider this… my way of saying thank you.”
Ryker stared at me for a long moment, as if searching for a lie.
“Fine,” he muttered. “But don’t regret it.”
A strange thrill ran through me. I wasn’t sure of why I was helping him. Maybe it was born out of curiosity to discover a side Ryker Lancaster that no one else had seen.
- Writer
