Vampires Aren't Real

Chapter Six

I didn't see Ryder at school the next day.

It was strange because, for the past few weeks, it seemed like he was everywhere. In the hallways, lurking in the shadows, always watching. But today? He was nowhere to be found. And no matter how hard I tried to focus, I couldn't get the image of him out of my head.

He saved me last night, no question about it. And even though he'd been distant and rude, there was something there, something he wasn't saying. So, naturally, I couldn't let it go. I had to thank him—maybe even ask him why he was in the woods in the first place.

Why couldn't I stop thinking about him?

Lunch came around, and I found myself sitting with Lily and Nate, pretending to listen to their conversation about some party. But really, my thoughts were still on Ryder, his strange behavior, the way he seemed to be one person one minute and someone completely different the next.

"Simone?" Lily's voice cut through my daydreams, snapping me back to reality. She looked at me with a raised brow, and I realized I hadn't been paying attention to a word she or Nate had said.

"Sorry, what?" I blinked, embarrassed. "I was just... thinking."

Lily smirked, exchanging a glance with Nate before leaning in. "Thinking about someone in particular?"

My face heated up, and I knew I wasn't fooling anyone. "No, it's not like that. I was just... wondering where Ryder is. I haven't seen him all day."

Nate shrugged. "He's probably skipping. Dude does what he wants, when he wants."

Lily nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that's just Ryder for you."

I hesitated, glancing between them. "What do you guys know about him?"

Lily leaned back in her chair, her expression softening. "I've known Ryder since we were about fourteen. Back then, he was kind of... different. He wasn't always quiet, he was talented and popular because he was the youngest person in the basketball team. But then, I don't know—something changed. He started getting into fights, lost his spot in the team. He was always the rebel, doing whatever he could to piss people off."

I frowned. "Why?"

Lily shrugged. "Who knows? He never talked about it, not to me anyway. But I used to see him smile, at least back then."

"At least back then?" I asked, my curiosity growing.

"Yeah, before his dad got more involved in his life. His dad's a big deal—some kind of businessman, I think. All I know is he's loaded. But Ryder doesn't talk about his family much. There's something weird there."

A rich, troubled kid with a distant father who got into fights. It explained a lot, but not everything. Why was Ryder so distant now? Why did he save me last night only to push me away right after?

"Do you know where he might be today?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Lily raised an eyebrow, glancing at Nate before looking back at me. "Why do you care so much? You're not seriously into him, are you?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words stuck in my throat. Was I into him? No. I was just... curious. That's all. There was something about Ryder I couldn't quite figure out, and I hated not knowing things.

"I just wanted to thank him," I muttered, trying to deflect. "He helped me out yesterday."

Lily raised both eyebrows this time, a smirk playing on her lips. "Helped you out, huh? Well, good luck with that. Ryder isn't exactly the friendly type."

Nate chuckled under his breath. "Yeah, he's more of the 'stay away or I'll break your nose' type."

I forced a smile, but inside, I was already planning my next move. I needed to talk to Ryder, to understand him. Maybe then I'd figure out why I couldn't stop thinking about him—and why he saved me in the first place.

As I was lost in thought again, Nate suddenly perked up, turning toward Lily. "Oh, I almost forgot! Guess what?"

"What?" Lily asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I got invited to Dex's party this weekend!" Nate beamed. "You know, the one at his mansion."

"Wait, how'd you manage that?" Lily looked surprised. "Dex doesn't just invite anyone."

Nate grinned, looking pretty pleased with himself. "I helped him with his homework. Apparently, that was good enough to get an invite."

Lily chuckled. "Lucky you."

"And guess what else?" Nate leaned in closer, lowering his voice slightly. "I get to bring guests. Which means you two are coming with me."

Lily's eyes widened in mock surprise. "Oh, really? You're bringing us to the biggest party of the year? How generous of you, Nate."

"Hey, I'm serious! It's gonna be awesome. Dex's parties are legendary."

Lily rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hide her excitement. "Fine, fine. We'll go."

Nate turned to me, his grin still wide. "What do you say, Simone? You in?"

A party wasn't exactly what I had in mind, especially with everything going on. But part of me thought it could be a good distraction, maybe even a way to get my mind off Ryder for a while. Plus, if I was going with Lily and Nate, it wouldn't be so bad.

"Yeah," I said, nodding. "I'm in."

Nate clapped his hands together. "Awesome! It's going to be epic."

As the lunch bell rang and we headed to class, I kept my eyes peeled for any sign of Ryder, but he never appeared. By the end of the day, I was frustrated. How could someone who had been so in my face suddenly vanish like this?

I wasn't going to just let it go.

After school, I texted my grandma that I had to stay back for extra classes to catch up on work. She didn't ask much plus me joining in the middle of the semester helped as an excuse.

If Ryder was skipping, there was a chance he was hiding out somewhere on school grounds. I didn't know exactly where, but I had to try. I wasn't going to find any peace until I talked to him.

Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe Ryder wouldn't want to talk. But I couldn't let it go.

Not after last night.