HER BULLY

Chapter Three . M

The Alley...

I sat on the kitchen counter eating breakfast. Mrs. Madeline had left early, so it was just Ryan and me at home.

I was still curious about his nightmares.

Why does Ryan have nightmares?

He walked into the living room wearing a black hoodie and carrying his bag. It looked like he was about to leave.

"Ares, won't you eat before leaving?" I asked.

"It's none of your business," he replied coldly before heading toward the door.

At that moment, my mum walked in.

"Ryan dear, have you eaten yet?" she asked warmly.

"Nope," I answered for him.

Ryan immediately shot me a cold glare.

"You both should eat before going to school together, okay?" my mum said.

Ryan simply nodded and sat opposite me at the dining table. He grabbed a spoon and started eating the pasta I made.

"How is it?" I asked carefully.

He only glared at me again without answering.

❣️❣️❣️

I kept trying to start conversations with him on the way to school, but he ignored every single one.

Especially after this question.

"What's your favorite color, Ares?"

He suddenly stopped walking and turned toward me. Standing that close made my heart race.

"Just because we slept in the same room doesn't change anything between us," he spat angrily. "We're not friends, so stop trying to talk to me."

Then he walked away.

I swallowed nervously.

This guy really hates me.

But why do I still want him to like me?

What the hell is wrong with me?

❣️❣️❣️

As usual, we had biology first period.

Mrs. Mathew entered the classroom after everyone settled down. A few moments later, Reed walked in late and sat beside me.

The moment he sat down, my heart skipped.

I really needed to bury these stupid feelings. Reed was Ryan's friend, after all.

"There's an upcoming project, and you'll all be working in pairs," Mrs. Mathew announced. "I'm going to call out the names."

When she paired Ryan and me together, I nearly groaned.

Perfect.

After class ended, Reed quietly placed a folded piece of paper on my desk before leaving the classroom.

Confused, I opened it.

McDonald's alley. 6 PM.

That was all it said.

❣️❣️❣️

After school, I went home and couldn't stop thinking about the note.

Why would Reed ask me to meet him at McDonald's alley?

Maybe Ryan wanted to bully me again.

Or maybe it was about the biology project.

At exactly 6 PM, I arrived at the alley.

The place was dark and quiet.

The smell of cigarette smoke immediately hit my nose.

Reed.

Of course.

But what did he want from me?

"You came," Reed said as he stepped out of the shadows.

A cigarette rested between his lips while he stared at me.

"Why did you ask me to meet you?" I asked nervously.

"I want to show you something."

He walked out of the alley, and I followed him.

A few minutes later, we arrived at a quiet place overlooking the city. The evening sky looked breathtaking from there.

"It's beautiful," I whispered.

"I know."

Then his expression darkened.

"Why does Ryan hate you so much?" he suddenly asked.

The question caught me off guard.

"He thinks I caused his best friend's death," I muttered quietly.

Reed stared at me for a moment before speaking again.

"At least now I won't feel guilty for what I'm about to do."

Fear immediately crept into my chest.

"What are you talking about?" I asked shakily.

"You'll find out."

He looked behind me.

"Boys, grab her."

Before I could react, Chase and Julian appeared.

They grabbed my arms roughly and punched my stomach repeatedly.

Pain exploded through my body, and I cried out.

Reed turned away like he couldn't bear to watch.

"Why are you doing this to me?" I whispered painfully.

I hated myself for believing Ryan would stop bullying me.

"b***h, I missed seeing your blood," Julian sneered.

"Stop."

That deep voice instantly froze everyone.

Ryan.

He walked toward us with a cold expression.

"It's enough for today," he muttered.

Then he turned and walked away.

The others followed him immediately.

I slowly struggled to stand, but someone grabbed my arm.

Reed.

Confusion filled me.

I thought he hated me too.

"Let go of me," I snapped angrily. "Don't f*****g touch me."

For the first time, all my feelings for him disappeared completely.

He slowly released me, and I limped away while the rain began to fall.

❣️❣️❣️

My phone buzzed.

It was a text from my mum.

Mum: Ryan's mum wants him to stay over tonight. Please take care of our guest.

Me: Okay.

I sighed and walked downstairs to open the front door.

Ryan stood there completely drenched from the rain.

Without saying anything, I turned around and went back upstairs to my room.

I wasn't helping my bully.

I was busy watching Netflix when my bedroom door suddenly opened.

Ryan walked in.

"What do you want?" I spat angrily.

He ignored me completely and walked toward my bed.

"Get out of my room."

But before I could stop him, he lay down and instantly fell asleep.

Was he sleepwalking?

Why the hell was he sleeping in my bed?

"Ares, wake up," I muttered, lightly shaking him.

No response.

I sighed and returned my attention to the movie.

A few minutes later, I heard soft sobbing.

I froze.

Ryan was crying.

Slowly, I sat beside him on the bed.

His eyes were still closed, but tears slid down his cheeks.

"Ares..." I whispered softly.

I had never seen Ryan cry before. Even as a child, he had always been cold and emotionless.

So why was he crying now?

His lips moved slightly.

"Hayden... don't go, please..." he muttered in his sleep.

My eyes widened.

Then he whispered something else.

"I'm sorry, Maven..."

Suddenly, his eyes opened.

He was awake.

Author's Note

What do you think is wrong with Ryan?

What really happened in the past?

Are you Team Ryan or Team Reed?

Me? I'm definitely Team Ryan 👀

Thanks for reading 💕