Their Lost Diamond

XIII

"Diamond!" I heard a voice call. I turned around and saw Ryan running up to me in the halls. He ran into a kid, I think he was a freshman, who dropped all of his books. Ryan didn't apologize and didn't even seem to notice until I gave him a pointed look. He knelt down to the boy's level and mumbled a quick 'sorry' while he helped him clean up his papers. Then he caught up to me.

"You know, you should've apologized without me telling you to." I told him.

"I would've, but there are more pressing matters." he said, looking around. The hallway was nearly empty by this point since everyone had gotten to their classes. Ryan grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the nearest janitor's closet, closing the door behind us.

He pressed me against the door and I looked up at him with a grin. He leaned down and captured my lips in a searing kiss. My hands travelled past his shoulders and curled into his hair as he held onto my waist. After a few moments, we had to split apart to catch our breaths.

"What was that for?" I asked breathlessly. Ryan smirked at me before reaching into his back pocket and pulling out a red rose.

"This is beautiful." I gasped, running my fingers along the petals. "But what's the occasion?"

"I'm asking you to the dance of course." He said slyly.

"Ryan you know you don't have to do that. I already assumed that we would be going together."

"Well then, let's just say this is me doing something nice for my girlfriend." Ryan smiled, giving me a chaste kiss on the lips again. A warm feeling filled me at that word: girlfriend.

"I gotta go to class now," Ryan said reluctantly, "or else Mr. Williams will give me another detention for skipping class again."

I giggled, and he smirked at me before leaving the closet. I stayed in for a few more moments so no one would see that we were in there together. Once I stepped out, still holding the rose, I almost ran right into someone.

"Chelsea, how nice to see you." I said sarcastically, although I hoped she wouldn't notice.

"You too." She said smugly, her friends in the back copying her facial expression. She looked at the rose in my hands.

"Who gave you that?" she asked.

"Oh it's no one-"

"Cut the bullshit, Diamond! I know you're 'dating' Ryan." she said.

"How do you know?" I asked defensively.

"You don't think I noticed what he did for you at my party? And how you guys make goo-goo eyes at each other all day? I might be shallow but I'm not stupid."

"However," she added. "I think you might be. Stupid, that is."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean."

She grabbed the rose from my hands and twirled it in her fingers. "This, thing, you have going on with Ryan - it won't last forever. Take it from someone who's known him for longer than you have."

When I still didn't have a reaction, she continued. "I've seen Ryan date many girls in his life. They all think he'd drop everything for them, but once they give him what he wants, he leaves them. You're not that clueless that you don't know what I mean, right Diamond?"

I shook my head. "No. Ryan is not like that."

"Isn't he?" Chelsea smirked, handing me the rose back. "And do you know who's been a constant in his life? Me. So keep romanticizing your little fling with Ryan. We both know who's he gonna come back to."

She started walking away, her posse trailing her. She suddenly stopped and turned around, looking me square in the eyes.

"All I'm saying is, tread lightly."

And with that, she left, her heels clacking against the floor. A range of emotions were flowing through me at the moment, but worried me the most was that tiny shred of belief I had in Chelsea's words.

Time skip

Ryan: Meet me behind the bleachers

I looked at the message in confusion. Why would he need to meet me behind the bleachers? I quickly texted Xavier that I needed to speak with a teacher before heading to the field.

I walked behind the bleachers and came face to face with Ryan and another boy his age. The boy was tan, with black hair that fell in messy waves on top of his head. He was slightly taller than Ryan, and I didn't miss the multitude of tattoos he had on his arms.

"You must be Diamond." the boy said to me, grabbing my hand and kissing it. I giggled and noticed how Ryan glared at the boy.

"Lay off. She's mine." he muttered. The boy just smirked at me in response.

"Diamond, this is Ace. He's been my best friend since we were little. Our parents are friends." Ryan said, turning to me. I nodded in greeting to Ace.

"Is this why you called me out here? To meet your friend?" I asked. Ryan nodded.

"Diamond, who are you going to the dance with?" Ace asked me with a sly smile on his face.

Ryan slapped him on the back of his head. "She's going with me, idiot."

"Hey, be nice!" I admonished, laughing along with Ace. Ryan pouted.

"Well I better be going. I told Xavier that I was meeting a teacher. He's going to get suspicious soon." I announced, leaning in to kiss Ryan quickly. "It was nice meeting you, Ace."

"You too, Diamond."

*Ryan's POV*

As Diamond walked away, I turned to Ace annoyed.

"Dude, why the hell were you flirting with her? You know we're dating!"

"Chill, man, it was a joke." Ace chuckled, patting me on the back. "It was funny seeing you all worked up. She's got you whipped."

"You know, she's really made you a better person, Ryan." Ace continued. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm serious! I know you, Ryan. I know what you're usually like. This is not that. She's good for you, man."

I sighed. Even though I would never say it out loud, Ace was right. Diamond did make me a better person. I just hope that I can stay like that, for her sake.

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- Nina <3