One Step Forward and two Step Back

Chapter III

Adelia's POV:

" Your Ex at my ten o'clock. Mind you, he's staring daggers this time," said Natty.

Ah! No wonder I felt someone's gaze on my back. I made a side glance towards him. Oh, he was there alright. Dylan has been giving me the daggers since we broke up three months ago.

Well, I broke up with him. It wasn't any dramatic reason. Our relationship was platonic and cute. However, I didn't feel the sparks. I felt like I was using him as a distraction from my mother's death. So, I broke up with him as I felt like I was being unfair to him, and to put it nicely, he didn't take it too well.

He has been trying to win me back ever since then. He doesn't seem to be getting the hint.

I ignored him and started looking around for the bad boy. I spotted him sitting alone with Josiah at a corner of the cafeteria. With as much courage I could gather, I got up and started walking up to him.

"Lia, where are you going?" Keith asked with confusion.

" I am going to try to have a "serious" conversation with River."

" All the best Bestie, let's hope he agrees to switch partners."

I've got this, I muttered to myself.

I walked up to him and, with determination, I called out, " Ummm... River?"

He just ignored me as if I was air. Well, I tried again.

"River"

"River?"

I stepped closer to him, and that's when I noticed that he and Josiah were listening to music so, they couldn't hear me speaking.

I pulled the air pod out of his ear and said again.

"River"

He looked at me with annoyance and coldness.

"What do you want?" He howled at me.

" Well, I'm pretty sure that you're already aware of the Dance competition."

"Yes, and what is your point?" seemingly annoyed already.

" Well, we are selected to be partners and, I hate to break it to you but, I don't want to be partners with you. The issue is solvable. You can partner up with Vivian and, I can partner up with her partner, Keith. All you have to do is tell Mrs Nelly that you don't want me, and you want to partner up with Vivian."

" Oh, alright. Can you please accompany me so that I can tell Mrs Nelly?" He said with sugary sweetness and an amused look.

Josiah looked amused by our interaction.

Why do I feel like I'm digging my own grave? Is it just me or, is he actually being nice? Ignoring those thoughts, I replied.

" Oh wow! I never thought you would agree to it. Anyways, I would gladly accompany you."

He got up and, we made our way to Mrs Nelly classroom.

Our walk to the classroom was abnormally quiet. It felt like some soul was crying out to me to run in the opposite direction.

When we reached, we asked for permission to enter and then entered.

"Is there something you need River?" Mrs Nelly asked.

"Yes, Ma'am, It has been brought to my attention that my partner wanted to switch with another pair?"

"Yes, all three of them want it. Do you wish to change?"

He looked at me and smirked while he said.

" Well, I'd like to inform you that I do not wish to change partners and will gladly like to adhere to the list."

I looked at him appalled. He wants to be partnered up with me and not his rumoured girlfriend? How dare he lie to me! He told me that he was willing to change partners!

"Alright, River. Adelia, you have heard what River has said. So, be a dear and accept it and inform Vivian and Keith."

" Mrs Nelly, please! There must be something else I could do to change my partner."

" Hush now, young lady. I allowed you to convince River. Well, he said no. So, accept it and move on. Now, get out of my classroom so that I can have lunch."

With that, we walked out of the classroom.

"See you at the dance studio tomorrow, partner," He said with a smirk and winked at me.

" Ughh, Damn you, River Hezekiah Knight!!" I shouted with frustration and anger.

=====================================================

River's Pov:

Dammit! I am late for my match. Daniel's going to murder me. He hates it when I'm late.

I parked my chevy and made my way into The Rampage.

" Magnar Demir!! You're late!" Dan yelled at me.

" Relax, Dan, he is only five minutes late. His match only starts in fifteen," Josiah consoled.

See, this is why he is my best friend. He saves me from unwanted trouble.

" The next time your late, Demir no Ring time for you. You're lucky that I like J," Dan said with frustration.

" You got it, Dan," I did a mini salute. He rolled his eyes as he walked away.

"Come on, let's get you ready for this match," said Josiah.

" Who am I up against today?"

" Alvaro Rodriguez."

" This is going to be an easy knockout."

" I wouldn't be so happy if I were you. Apparently, he got a new coach. I heard that the new coach was the 2015 champion of The Clash."

" Yeah, well, I'm not Magnar Demir for no reason. Also, I beat up the 2019 Clash champion last year during the knockouts. A disciple of a Clash Champion can't do anything to me."

" That ego is going to be the death of you one day. "

" Eh, I call it facts."

I walked into the room reserved for Magnar. I removed my t-shirt and donned on my navy blue balaclava. It had the name Magnar printed on the Neck region.

" So, what did you do with Adelia?" asked J.

" Who?"

"Adelia, your dance partner for the school's dance competition."

" Oh, her. I was messing with her. You should have seen her face when I informed Mrs N about my negative response. It was absolutely hilarious! The way she held vex in her eyes as she cursed me. Man! you missed it."

J smirked at me knowingly.

"What's with the smirk?" I asked dubiously.

" Oh, nothing. But why did you say no to the change of partners? I thought you would have preferred Vivianne over Adelia. Vivianne seems like your type."

" Honestly, I don't know. Adelia reminds me of someone. I'm not able to put my finger on it."

"Now that you say it..." J got interrupted by the host.

"Let's get Magnar to the ring."

" We'll have this conversation later. I have a match to win." I told J.

" Don't be an arrogant asshole and win this match," he said as I walked to the entrance.

"You know I will," I said before I walked my way through the path made by the riotous crowd to the ring.

"You're going down Demir!" raged Alvaro.

" You're all bark and no bite Rodriguez," I retorted back.

We got into our fight stance and, as soon as the whistle blew. I showed Alvaro who Magnar Demir was.