Chapter Twelve

*First day of tenth grade*

*Not edited*

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP.

I woke up to the sound of my alarm blaring in my sensitive ears. Ouch.

First school year without Violet. I can do this. I can do this. I am strong. I said to myself still lying in bed staring at my white ceiling.

I got up and let my blanket fall to the floor, I'll make my bed later: I always do.

I walked into my bathroom and turned on the light. I look like a mess.

I grabbed my new three-sixty sonic toothbrush I got for the new school year and put it in my mouth.

I can do this I told my self once again as I walked out of my bathroom to pick out my clothes.

I haven't seen Ryder since he said I was a game, at first I didn't believe it, but then it all hit me. I was just something they could toy with. Ever since my almost kidnapping, I hadn't slept much and when I did it was plagued with nightmares and everything Ryder said afterward. Why save me if you hated me so much I asked myself. Because he doesn't hate you. said the unlogical part of my brain.

I took my new toothbrush out of my mouth then grabbed my favorite purple sweater and some black leggings. It was still warm out but my arms are a mess right now. My parents have been on a business trip for about a week now, usually Violet is here to keep me some company, but it's so quite if this was any other school year she'd already be in here talking about how many parties she's gonna go to. She had a goal every year: always went over them by a long shot too.

I slipped on my shirt, then grabbed my pants, but me being as clumsy as I am I tripped on my pant leg and fell the side of my thigh, crap, crap, crap, crap. I looked at the cut I made last night, fresh blood was running down my leg as I stood up, not again.

I hurried to my bathroom and grabbed another black washcloth and wiped the blood. I cleaned myself up and put a large bandaid over it. Hopefully, it doesn't break open again.

I walked downstairs with my phone wishing Violet was here. I used to hate how annoying she was with all the parties and boys, then she'd say "you'll miss this one day," I'd say "No, no I won't I will bathe in the silence I've been waiting for my whole life." But Violet was right I miss it and now she's not here to tell me I told you so.

~*~

Bump, bump, bump.

I was on the bus on my way to school. I printed off my schedule the morning before. Still all advanced besides math, apparently I won't be with my grade for my advanced classes either. I'll be with the eleventh graders and the terrifies me.

I go to Newport High: where basketball is a big thing, football is even bigger and the is the only high school in town.

I got off the bus once it came to a stop when I saw them: the Cooper twins and... Ryder. I thought I was over him, but I also didn't see him at all after the incident. Seeing him leaning against the wall with the same scowl he always wears, and his tattooed arms just did something to me.

"Elaine" I heard a familiar voice yell: Adeline and some other girl walking next to her, must be her new foster sister.

"Hey," I said softly.

"This is my new foster sister Jacettia, but I don't call her that it's more like having a friend live with you forever." I smiled, this is why we're best friends, she has the biggest heart. Jacettia had on some high waisted faded jeans and a cute cropped top with some light purply lipstick which pops in compared to her beautiful caramel skin.

"Nice to meet you, you look so pretty," she said sweetly, I'm gonna like her I told my self.

RINGGGG.

The first bell... and so the day begins.

"Shit, we gotta go. Bye Lainey," said Adeline before grabbing Jacettia's hand and weaving through the crowd of people. I should go too.

The tenth and eleventh-grade classrooms were on the other side of the school: the side I've never had the nerve to go to last year. I'm lost and I'm not a new kid, great I probably look stupid. At least the last bell hasn't rung yet.

RINNNGGG.

Dang, it.

"Elaine." said a deep voice. "You lost?" I turned around and was met with Jake. I can tell the twins apart by their hair: Jake's is darker.

"W-what makes you think I'm lost, I-I could be sk-skipping for all you know." I would never skip in a million years, that was Violet's job and I'm not taking it over.

"Because of your body language. Your nervous, stuttering, and clasping your hands behind your back. Where do you need to go?"

"Umm..."

"Lainey is everything okay." Adeline, thank God.

"JAKE, what the hell are you doing" Ryder, God hates me. I backed up and stood next to Adeline who was clenching her fists. She doesn't fight, but she does get angry. "Of course, you're with her. Listen whatever your name was, I told you: You. Were. Just. A. Game." Don't cry, don't cry, don't do it.

"Bitch" Said Adeline, oh no.

"What" Stated Ryder looking right at her. Why, why me.

"I just called you a bitch, but apparently you're stupid too." Adeline isn't confrontational, but she is protective.

"That's funny weren't you in tutoring last year, the tutoring I helped you with."

"Didn't you only do that for community service hours though. Yeah, my dad told me."

"Well, at least my best friend isn't an ugly duckling."

"Ryder, enough" Stated Jake as he was looking at me. I was crying. Ryder looked at me, sighed then turned around and punched the locker, and walked away with clenched fists.

"Jake, go" stated Adeline: He left.

"Elaine, you okay" I sniffled then said, "Yeah, I'm fine, but can you help me get to room eleven sixty-six."

"Yeah, of course." she smiled slightly, then looked down.

"It's okay, I'll be fine."

~*~

I was standing in front of the classroom wondering if I could even walk in and not have a panic attack, but I have to learn. I walked in and the teacher looked at me. Please be nice I thought.

"You must me Elaine. Come here and I'll get you started. I'm Mrs. Angels"

"T-thank you," I said as I walked in and followed her to her back table.

"Today is going to be pretty easy, you're just annotating a play by Sophocles" she stated handing me the packet.

"Thank you," I said as I started to walk towards the desk next to the door.

"I had your sister for English in every grade. I hope we can get to know each other better." Said Mrs. Angels with sincerity lacing her eyes.

"Me too" I responded politely when the door opened.

"Mr. Anderson, nice of you to finally join us. Go grab the Sophocles play packet and annotate it, please." He said nothing in return, but grabbed it and sat in the last desk in the back.

I went to the desk and grabbed my pencil, then started my work.

I couldn't help but stare at Ryder, the way his t-shirt clung to his muscles, the way his tattoos complimented his whole aura, just everything, everything is appealing. Even though what he said hurt, I couldn't help but try and understand him: I know nothing about him, but there has to be a reason behind all this and I refuse to judge someone before knowing their story.

Eventually, Ryder looked up from his packet and his blue-gray eyes met with mine and I immediately looked back down at my paper.

RINGGG.

"Make sure you finish annotating to page four tonight." Hollered Mrs. Angels as the bell for second class rung. History, Mr. Dickens.

Now that I was actually in the right hallway for eleventh-grade finding room eleven twenty-four wasn't too hard. I walked in and sat in the back.

"Good morning class. I expect you to pay attention I do not tolerate phones, tardiness, or talking. If any of these occur it will be immediate detention, but luckily for you guys, today all you have to do is take a pre-test test of your knowledge of the amazing U.S history."

Again, the door opened and there was Ryder, but Mr. Dickens paid no attention to it, he didn't even look up from his desk at all. He took the seat right in front of me and my heart rate spiked and I swear it skipped a beat. Deep breaths I told myself, deep breaths.

I finished the test pretty early. I had half an hour to spare, I forgot my book at home, and the teacher said no phones. My brain is way too anxious right now with Ryder sitting right in front of me.

I sat with my test in front of me but finally decided to get up and turn it in. I walked past Ryder but didn't get much further. I tripped on his leg and fell to the ground.

A/N: My school is out for COVID-19, but they are still giving us online homework and classes. How are you liking the story so far? I know I do have editing to do in a lot of my chapters, I'm going to try and do that next weekend. I hope this book is meeting your expectations and you're enjoying it. Have a great day, and wash your hands!!!