If the Story Aligns

Chapter 16-Dangerous Games

Rhea Griffin

Before I even open my eyes I realize I'm stuck . How the fuck am I stuck? This is when I realize I should probably just open my fucking eyes. That honestly didn't help much because it's dark as fuck. What I do realize though is that I am not in my room and I am stuck because there is a body draped half across me.

At this realization yesterday's memories come rushing back to me. Jumping in the water after Asher, him seeing my bruises, falling asleep in his car and winding up in his bed. Then falling asleep again in his bed but this time with him next to me.

I carefully try to pry his body off of me but then I remember my car is still at the school. Oh, wait fuck we have school today. What time was it? He had black out curtains in his room so I couldn't necessarily tell. I push him to the side, maybe a little hard seeing as he fell off the bed.

"What the fuck?" He says, rubbing his eyes. He looks down then back up at me with a small smile. "Well, good morning to you." He adds sarcastically.

"Sorry." I add sheepishly, "Do you know what time it is?"

He grabs his phone off his desk and his eyes widen, "Shit, Rhea, we have to get to school, like now."

"That's not the time." I mumble.

"7:50."

"Fuckk. What am I supposed to wear?"

"My clothes." He grins.

"To school, Asher?!" I almost yell, "They don't even really fit me."

"You'll be fine, I'll just give you a pair of basketball shirts and you already have the sweater. We kind of have to hurry though school starts in..." He checks his phone, "8 minutes." I groan and he just laughs at me and takes off his shirt, and goes into his closet. When he comes out he's wearing a different outfit and is handing me a small-ish looking pair of shorts. These are mine from Freshman year, I don't know why I kept them but they should work. I walk into his bathroom and try to change quickly, but now I have the opposite issue.

I walk out of the bathroom and look at him and cough, "Umm, I think these are a little too small." He looks at the shorts and his eyes linger on my ass. I cough again to get his attention and he mumbles something then goes back into the closet. He grabs a simple black pair of 5 in inseam shorts and hands them to me. I go back into the bathroom and change and this time they fit, I just have to tie the drawstring a bit tighter. They are just long enough to where they cover the bruises along my thighs, and I don't really have any bruises on my calves.

"Rhea, we've got to go." He yells.

"Okay, I'm ready." I mumble annoyed, he opens the door and we head downstairs, Nia and Nora are both at the table eating, and there's two other plates with some toast and bacon.

"Figured you guys would sleep in so at least grab some of the food on the way out." Nora says.

"Thanks mom."

"Thanks ma'am." I add

"Rhea.." Nora warns me.

"Right, sorry Nora, thank you." Asher and I finally get out of the door, there's now 4 minutes till school starts and an 8 minute drive. Asher gasses it and we make it to school right at 7:59. So since he aggressively went over the speed limit we may be able to make it, just because our first class is right near the entrance.

We make our way out of the car and get to our class right after the last bell rings. The teacher glares at us and the whole class is staring at us questioningly. Roman and Elysia, who are next to each other, they look at both of us then look at each other then they pull out their phones.

As Asher and I sit down, both of our phones buzz.

From Elysia: Why are you late? Why are you in mens clothes? Why are you with Asher? You have a lot to tell me.

To Elysia: We were working on our project at his house last night and it was pouring so his mom wouldn't let me ride my bike home.

From Elysia: MHM. That doesn't explain why you are in his clothes.

I ignore it and look over at Asher, he's texting Roman, I assume. Looking over at Roman he looks amused and looking at Asher he looks annoyed, so I can only assume he is receiving a similar assault of questions as I was.

I look at my phone and see numerous other texts, which is weird Because I rarely get texts.

From Cooper: Rhea, answer the phone.

From Cooper: You need to hear this. Now.

From Coper: Fuck Rhea, Hurry. It's about the fight tonight.

From Aiden: You really think you can avoid me forever, huh?

I quickly grab my stuff and walk out of the class as I press on Cooper's contact. Shit, I totally forgot my fight against 'Champion" was tonight. "Ms. Griffin, where do you think you're going?" The teacher asks, and I just keep walking out past him not saying anything.

Cooper picks up on the third ring, "God Rhea, what took you so long? I went to your place too."

"You know how I am with my phone, I never check it, now what's wrong?"

"Shit, so basically I was in town last night and I was at the ring, I was making out with this guy in a hall where the money is kept and I heard 'Champion' talking to the announcer."

"Get to the fucking point, Cooper."

"He's planning on sneaking a knife into the fight. He wants to fucking kill you, Rhea."

My heart almost stops beating. "Cooper, what the fuck are you talking about? What do you mean? I think if he stabs me with a knife the people there are going to know."

"He's threatened by you, and there's supposedly some deal he has with the owner of the place where he has to stay as the number one fighter. If he doesn't kill you, you'll just keep coming back threatening his title. Champion cant be Champion if he's not the best. I don't know how he's going to do it, it may not even be during the fight but he is, you can't fight tonight Rhea." I shake my head but then I realize he can't see me. I'm a dumbass.

"You know I can't back out."

"Yes, you fucking can, and you will."

"Cooper..." I warn, "Remember the last time you tried to boss me around? I feel like we should learn from our mistakes. I will not back out of this fight." I bite. If he has a knife then now I'll know to look out for it. I'll be fine.

"Rhea, please don't fight. I can't lose you."

"You won't lose me." I say getting annoyed, "Listen, I know it's dangerous but I would get $50,000 if I win this fight and I can't pass up that type of money. I don't have rich parents like some people." I add a fake cough to emphasize my point.

"Seriously, Rhea. Okay, whatever I know there's nothing I can say to change your mind, I'll be there with my first aid kit in case anything happens."

As I'm about to thank him the bell rings and people rush out of their classes. "Hey, Coop I've got to go, I'll see you tonight." With that I hang up.

"Rhea!" I hear a feminine voice yell, I turn around and see Elysia. She wraps her arm within mine and says, "You, Missy, have some explaining to do." I start telling her about the cliff, leaving out most of it, then told her my boss called me and I had to answer it. but out of the corner of my eye I see a frustrated looking Asher walking the opposite direction.

. . .