HER BULLY

Chapter Two . M

Ryan was glaring at my back, and I couldn't even find the courage to look at him. I didn't know why he had such a huge effect on me.

Ryan was my childhood friend back in Miami. Something terrible happened to our families that led to our separation. Slowly, we became enemies, and now he bullied me. I didn't really know why he hated me so much.

"Uh... if you want to use the restroom, it's over there," I managed to say as he continued staring at me.

"Just because our parents are friends and you're my neighbor doesn't change anything between us," he spat angrily as he walked toward me.

My back hit the door, and I let out a soft gasp. He leaned closer, his face inches away from mine. My eyes met his beautiful green ones, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe. They were so captivating that I couldn't stop staring.

Then he slowly stepped away from me, and I released the breath I didn't know I was holding.

I walked back to the dining room. Ryan was seated while our parents chatted and laughed happily.

"Do you like our house, Ryan?" my mum asked, trying to start a conversation.

His gaze briefly met mine before he looked at her.

"Yes, Mrs. Rodriguez."

His answer was short. Ryan had never been much of a talker, even when we were younger.

"Our home is going to be your second home. You can visit anytime and hang out with Maven," my mum said warmly.

"They would even look good together. Don't you think they'd make a cute couple?" Mrs. Hartley teased.

I nearly choked as Ryan's eyes snapped toward me.

"That's ridiculous, Mrs. Hartley," I quickly muttered.

"Oh, no need to be shy," she laughed.

My cheeks burned red like tomatoes, and if looks could kill, I would've already been six feet underground with the way Ryan was glaring at me.

Our parents continued talking about careers and the future. Ryan stayed silent the entire time. He didn't look okay at all.

Later, our parents followed the movers to their new house to help reopen it. I walked upstairs to my room and lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling.

Why does Ryan hate me so much?

❣️❣️❣️

My dad dropped me off at school the next morning. I was already preparing myself to face Ryan's group. At this point, I was almost used to the bullying.

My phone beeped, and I saw a text from Bianca. She was my only friend, but she had moved to Washington with her dad last year.

Bianca: Good morning, bestie.

Me: Morning. How are you?

I slipped my phone into my pocket and walked to my locker, sighing in relief when I didn't see Ryan or his friends anywhere.

Maybe today won't be so bad.

Suddenly, a pile of trash was dumped on me.

I turned around and saw Nora with her group. They were the mean girls of the school, and Nora especially hated me.

Guess today was going to be terrible too.

"Grab her, girls," Nora ordered, flicking her polished nails.

They held both my arms while my backpack dropped to the floor. Nora kicked me hard, making me fall. My cheek bruised as my head hit the ground.

"Oh! It's Ryan!" Nora squealed, immediately running toward him with her girls.

I looked up and saw those familiar green eyes staring down at me. I quickly looked away and struggled to stand.

"Ryan, what do you think of that?" Nora giggled.

Everyone knew Ryan bullied me.

"No one hurts her unless I say so. Got it?" he muttered coldly, glaring at Nora and her minions.

They immediately nodded.

"Yes, Ryan," Nora whispered fearfully before walking away.

I finally managed to stand up. My eyes met Ryan's again before I grabbed my backpack and limped toward the nurse's office. I could still feel his gaze burning into my back.

I couldn't afford to miss class today.

As soon as the nurse finished treating my bruised cheek, I rushed to biology class.

❣️❣️❣️

The bell rang for break, but I wasn't in the mood to eat. My rib still hurt badly, and I didn't want the school nurse asking questions.

I went up to the rooftop instead.

Sitting down, I lifted my tank top slightly to look at the purple bruise on my ribs. I winced while applying medicine to it before quickly covering myself again.

Then I walked to the edge of the rooftop, staring down at the students laughing together below.

I wished I could be happy like that.

A sad smile appeared on my lips as a tear rolled down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away.

"Eager to die, I see."

I froze at the cold, deep voice behind me.

Ryan.

I turned around and saw him lighting a cigarette while staring at me blankly.

"I wasn't trying to kill myself," I muttered.

"I couldn't care less if you died, Maven," he replied, stepping closer.

Smoke filled the air around him. He smelled like pine, mint, and cigarettes — a strangely addictive combination.

What is wrong with me?

It had been so long since I heard him say my name, and somehow, I liked the way it sounded coming from him.

"I know that," I whispered, avoiding his eyes.

"I won't let you die yet. I still need to torture you first."

"R—"

He instantly glared at me.

"What did I do to deserve everything you've done to me?" I asked softly.

"You should know the answer yourself. And the next time you say my name, you'll wake up in a hospital."

"Then what am I supposed to call you if I can't use your name?" I mumbled.

"Ares."

I remembered that Ares was his middle name.

"Okay."

Silence settled between us, but strangely, it didn't feel awkward.

"Ares... I know nothing about Hayden's death," I said carefully.

His head snapped toward me. Rage burned in his eyes.

Within seconds, he grabbed my arm roughly.

"Never say his name again," he growled.

Tears filled my eyes.

So that was why he hated me.

He thought I caused Hayden's death.

"I don't know what happened that night," I whispered.

His grip tightened painfully, and tears slid down my cheeks. He raised his fist as if he wanted to hit me.

I shut my eyes, waiting for the pain.

But it never came.

Slowly, I opened my eyes and saw him trembling slightly, holding himself back.

Then he dropped his hand and walked away.

I collapsed onto the floor and cried.

❣️❣️❣️

School ended, and I walked to the bus stop.

My thoughts kept returning to Ryan.

I had no idea how Hayden died, but Ryan believed it was my fault. That night remained a blur in my memory, and the trauma had affected me for years.

Hayden was my friend. I would never hurt him.

The bus arrived, and I sat near the window, pulling out a novel to distract myself.

A group of students entered the bus, and my eyes landed on Reed.

My heart skipped when he sat beside me.

Then I remembered how he kicked me earlier just because someone told him to.

Maybe he hated me too.

The bus suddenly jerked, and I accidentally fell against him.

I gasped and quickly sat upright again.

He didn't say a single word before getting off at his stop.

My poor heart.

❣️❣️❣️

When I got home, I found Mrs. Madeline cooking in the kitchen.

"Welcome back, dear," she smiled.

I hugged her before sitting on the counter.

"So, what are you making today?" I joked.

"Spaghetti and meatballs. Ryan is staying over tonight. Your mum asked me to tell you to prepare the guest room."

"Okay."

After dinner, I arranged the guest room before heading upstairs to finish my homework.

❣️❣️❣️

Later that night, I woke up to someone screaming.

I followed the sound to the guest room.

To my surprise, it was Ryan.

He was breathing heavily, clearly trapped in a nightmare.

"Don't leave me..." he muttered.

Without thinking, I rushed over and sat beside him, gently rubbing his back.

When he woke up, he immediately hugged me tightly.

"It'll be okay, Ares," I whispered softly. "You're safe."

He slowly calmed down.

"Try to sleep," I murmured.

He looked unusually vulnerable as he stared at me.

I tried to stand, but he grabbed my wrist.

"Stay with me... please."

His voice was quiet and shaky.

I nodded before lying down beside him.

❣️❣️❣️

The next morning, I woke up feeling a warm body beside me.

I slowly opened my eyes and realized Ryan was awake, staring at me.

I quickly tried to move away, embarrassed by how close we were.

He immediately grabbed a pillow and looked away with an irritated glare.

Why was he acting cold again after last night?

"Ares... do you get nightmares often?" I asked carefully.

I noticed a faint blush appear on his cheeks before he hid it.

"Forget what happened last night," he muttered coldly before walking into the bathroom.

Author's Note:

Why does Ryan have nightmares?

Why can't Maven remember what happened the night Hayden died?

What do you think about Ryan?

Are you Team Ryan or Team Reed?