Unknown Lover

Chapter 6

"Can I get a ride with you to the studio?" Riley asked Giselle as the end of the school day was nearing.

"Sorry Ri. I already got a full car." Giselle replied.

"Oh, alright. But who am I suppose to get a ride with now?" Riley sighed.

"Ask your wonderful dance partner James." Giselle giggled.

"Ew, no." Riley grumbled.

"Why not? It's better than walking in the rain. Ask him." Giselle told her before walking away.

Riley studied James from across the hall, leaning against the lockers.

'Twenty minutes in the car. How bad can that be?' Riley thought to herself.

She strode over to James, head held high. His eyes narrowed as she came closer, but then his face contorted into a smirk.

"And what can I do for you Miss Portman?" He questions.

"I need a ride to dance." She replies icily, crossing her arms.

"And you're telling me this because?" He questions.

"Can you drive me to dance?" She sighs.

"Well, since it's you...No!" He replies.

"James!" She groans.

"Why would I help you, of all people?" He inquires.

"Please? I'm desperate here." She whines.

"Okay, alright. I'll drive you. But you owe me a favour, big time." He tells her before walking away.

                              •   •   •

The car ride to the studio left the two in an uncomfortable and painful silence. It has been years since the two had been left alone together, and they were hating every minute of it.

Riley was dreading this 'favour' that she now owed James. God only knows what he would make her do. It was bad enough that she had to give up her spare time to practice alone with James, but now she owed him something as well? She felt like she was always on the bad end of the stick.

James on the other hand, was now quite delighted that Riley had asked him to give her a ride to dance. Because she now owed him a favour, he could just imagine the things he could make her do for him.

Everyone was aware of James and Riley's hatred toward each other. But what most didn't know was that Riley and James used to be best friends.

From the beginning of their long friendship, Riley had possessed a crush on James. But they were best friends. And unfortunately for her, that's all James seen her as. A best friend. Nothing more.

But by the time they were in the eighth grade, the glue of their friendship was beginning to falter. Riley would grow jealous of the time James was spending with his new guy friends and his rotating girlfriends, leaving little time for her. But it had seemed that whenever James did have time for her, Riley was busy with her own new found friends. Tension began to rise. Harsh words were exchanged, and soon enough, they were at the point where they are now. A strong, burning passion of hate towards one another.