The Wrong Type: A Short Story Collection

16. Pure Mean - Part 2

Contains: violence between two guys

Trailing her hand over her blond ponytail she met Ryan's gaze at the far table. Smiling back, because she had manners, she turned her focus back to the board. Those equations made her head hurt, Math really wasn't her strong subject. Scratch that, school wasn't her strong subject, but she didn't want to end up going to summer school like last year.

That had been humiliating, and Lizzie never let her live it down.

So much for being besties... she was starting to think maybe Billy had a point.

Despite having a head start Ryan still caught up with her after class, putting one arm over her shoulder as she was crossing the schoolyard.

"Our last year. Crazy, isn't it?" He said, smiling down at her.

Shaking off his arm, she took a step back. "Yeah, crazy."

"Heard you turned down Vic."

She shrugged muttering something about how she might not even go to the prom, which was the wrong thing to admit to, apparently.

Ryan's brows shot to his hairline. "You're kidding, right?

The topic bothered her more than she liked to admit and Ryan was the last person on earth she wanted to have a heart to heart with. Who wouldn't want to go to prom? She already had the perfect outfit picked out, the perfect look.

She didn't care about people finding out about her and Billy either. Not anymore. But Billy had yet to ask her and as much as she liked to daydream, she had real hard time seeing Billy in a tux.

Catching Ryans speculative gaze she shook her head. "I have to go, I'll see you Monday."

"Hold up," he said, snagging her wrist. She pulled her hand back but he only held on tighter. "Wanna know something?"

"I have to go-"

"I think you'll wanna hear this. There's this dumb rumour going around you're seeing someone. Wanna guess who it is?"

"Ryan," she sighed, pulling on her arm.

"Guess," he said, voice hard.

Pressing her lips together, she glared up at him. He seemed to be studying her, searching her face. Suddenly his whole face dropped, his eyes narrowing into thin blue points. "It's all bullshit. It's gotta be."

She pulled on her arm, she could feel her own face burning hot with anger.

"I don't believe it," he muttered. "You're not fucking that big fucking freak."

"I don't owe you an explanation!" It was none of his damn business. She pulled her arm again and he finally let go. She was ready to run and she didn't care how it looked, when something caught her gaze.

A huge shadow bearing down on them.

Oh, no.

She stood back, shaking her head, words deserting her.

"Billy, don't!" She screamed just as a huge hand reached out to grab Ryan by the back of his tee. But he only turned him around so they stood facing each other. It was no comparison, the size difference alone made her skin break out in goosebumps.