The Diary of Seraphina...

Entry Seventeen...

Ryder actually made a bet with his friends! His good-for-nothing friends that I soon came to know about. All the lies he fabricated. It was because of a bet that he made with his friends.

A bet where I was the main target. A bet where Ryder was to win my heart over only for it to be trampled over.

Oh. How did I know of this revelation? Simple. I took the longer route from the bookstore because I needed to clear my head from the Ryder and Jessica incident when I smelt something weird coming from the alley that in normal circumstances, I wouldn't dare to venture. I didn't know what took hold of me but I was curious and so, walked closer to the source of the smell. Apparently, that weird smell happened to be a bunch of guys smoking weed.

I could've just walked away but nooo. I was rooted to the spot when the person I thought to be my friend was there smoking weed. But that was not all. Since there was a dumpster to prevent them from seeing me, I continued looking at them or rather, at him. They were too busy to even realise that I'm there.

A guy from the group spoke. He looked lanky and had a mop of seaweed for hair. Greasy seaweed. "Oi, what's the situation with that girl?" It took me a while to process to whom he was directing the question to.

It was Ryder who spoke. "Sera? Meh. It's going preeettty well." He said whilst trying to maintain eye contact but failing quite miserably. Just how high is he?

But I backtracked. Did he say my name? I'm certain it was my name he mentioned. Was that girl, me? Another guy, much more stockier and with an untrimmed beard laughed. His laughter boomed in the narrow confines of the alley. "Aye, that chick doesn't know what she got herself into. Ryder, you've done well with that bet."

Ryder smiled crookedly and waved it off. "It's nothing. Just a dashing smile and a few sweet nothings and she fell for it."

A heartbeat so erratic, much like a parade of drums, was beating loudly in my ears. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was a bet all along? He talked to me because of a stupid bet?

All this while, I thought that he was different. Oh, he took different to a whole new level alright. How could I have not noticed this? I'm so naive.

First Jessica, now this? I thought the incident with Jessica was just a mistake but I realised that it wasn't. Hunter told me that Ryder wasn't a player. Maybe he didn't know him too well. Not even the fact that Ryder deals with drugs as well.

I don't know what to believe anymore. I feel like my heart has been crushed by an undeniably heavy weight. I feel suffocated. But most of all, I feel betrayed.

I trusted him.

How could he? Am I nothing but just a plaything? A new toy to keep him entertained? This is such a sick joke. Different emotions are rushing through me - heartbreak, sadness, betrayal and anger. I guess I should be happy too. It's better to find out the truth now then continue being manipulated like a puppet on strings. It hurts so much that I can't even fathom why such people exist.

Ryder. A name which I came to grow fond of has now plagued me, plunging me into a dark abyss.

I should thank Ryder though. For making me feel worthless and used. And most importantly, strong enough to know that I shouldn't trust people easily.

And before you come to the conclusion that this is heartbreak because I like him, it is not. Yes, I admit that I like him but not more than a friend. I came to realise that fact after I've met Hunter. But I relish the friendship that I have with Ryder. We talked like best friends. Or was it just a lie as well? A facade in which Ryder was manipulating his feelings.

I can't believe how stupid I was to even think that Ryder talking to me out of the blue would be normal. I should've known.

I let out a bitter laugh.

I wonder though. Who is the real Ryder?

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A/N: *cues dramatic music* I can't believe Ryder did that either! I'm sorry to those who shipped Team Ryph. Ryder isn't what he seems and Sera found out the hard way.