Eastwood Academy

Chapter 29: Drowning in a Riptide

River's gaze is like ice, his eyes piercing into mine with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. His expression is unyielding, a mask of cold detachment. I see no trace of the warmth and friendliness I have come to expect from him, only annoyance at the sudden intrusion of my presence. The silence stretches between us, heavy and charged, as I stand frozen in shock.

I have no idea what to say to either of them. I'm about to avert my eyes to the ground and leave, but then I reconsider. Why should I run away? I'm not the one who is in the wrong, and I deserve answers. River has jerked me around like a drowning body in a riptide, pulling me further and further away from the shore, watching my supply of air dwindle, then giving me little bits of oxygen, only to shove my head under once and for all.

Tyler's expression goes from surprise to discomfort, and then he gives me an apologetic smile that I don't return. I'm done with the facade where everyone pretends to be nice to me because they feel sorry that I'm being strung along. I've endured enough pity in the last few years to last a lifetime. That ends here and now.

"Tyler, do you mind giving us a minute? I need to talk to our friend here," I say calmly, gesturing towards River.

"Yeah, no problem," Tyler says, looking only too happy to depart the scene. Throwing us one last worried glance, he walks back into the black and gold crowd. I remind myself that we're in public, and if I want to keep this private (which I definitely do, I don't think I can handle any more stares and gossip), I need to control myself.

"What do you want?" River asks, looking down at me from his impressive height in a way that makes me feel small and inconsequential. His stance is casual but closed off. His hands are in his pockets, and he's rocketed slightly back in his heels as if he thinks he might need to make a quick escape if I decide to make a scene.

"What do I want? What do I want? Well, good fucking question. For starters, I want to know what the fuck is wrong with you?" I demand.

"I'm sorry you're going to have to get more specific," he says. I feel the heat of my anger ignite once more. How dare he stand here so casually, acting like I'm so unreasonable when we're in this predicament as a direct result of his actions.

"I would be happy to," I reply angrily. "Let's start with Aaron. How could you do that to him? You, of all people, know how important sports is to this school and what a chance to play for college scouts means, and you ruined it for him!"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you guys were so close. Did he ask you to speak on his behalf, or is that something you've taken on yourself because you're so smitten with him?" River says, contempt dripping from his tone.

"He didn't, I barely know him, and that's not the point!" I hiss at him. I forgot how easily he can twist my words.

"He'll survive, and the scouts will come back to watch him play another time. Aaron's family is extremely well connected; they'll lie and say he had the stomach flu. Problem solved," River explains in the same nonchalant voice Beth used earlier as she unknowingly turned my world upside down. They really are a pair. Unbothered by anything and everyone, they have to push out of their way to get what they want.

"Problem not solved! What about the rest of the team? Don't you care about them? Or the fact that you've seriously hurt someone?" I seethe through gritted teeth.

"Still as nosy as ever," River comments, a hint of his arrogant signature smirk forming. I want to scream at him, but it won't do me any good. Fighting fire with fire is a disaster when it comes to River.

"Aaron is hurt because of you. River, please, how can you stand there and say you don't care at all?" I beseech him.

"Quite easily, actually. If you stopped being so overly emotional and actually put some thought into what comes out of your mouth, you might realize it's not that hard," River informs me. I think I might actually strangle him.