Take Me Away (On Hold)

Chapter 4 - TMA

RECAP:

Attempting to shake off my nerves, I take a deep breath and entered the room. Ms. Cannon's art room smelled strongly of paint and cinnamon air freshener. For some reason, Ms. Cannon thinks the air freshener will make it smell better in here. It only makes it worse, though. I find station towards the back and sit down. Taking out my notebook, I start doodling once again while I wait for the teacher and the rest of the students.. Too absorbed in my drawing, I nearly jump out of my skin when I hear a throat being cleared to my left. I could've sworn I was alone in here. Crap...

CHAPTER 4

Slowly turning my head to see who the person next to me is, I am careful to make sure my bruise is covered and out of view. Before I can see them, I unintentionally close my eyes.

Please don't be Ryder, please, please, please don't be Ryder Daniels, I chant in my head.

When I gain the courage to open my eyes, a sigh of relief passes through my lips. Sitting next to me is a boy wearing glasses, a button up shirt, and a pair of white sneakers. Definitely NOT Ryder Daniels.

During my assessment, the boy just sat there staring wide eyed at me. Hoping to get this little encounter over with as soon as possible, I said, "Did you need something?"

He blushed a bright red and looked back at his station for a second before turning back to me. "Uh, um... No, no... but... but that... that seat..." he stuttered.

"What about this seat?" I asked, extremely confused.

Right as the boy went to respond, a figure came to stand in front of my station. The boy quickly turned back to his stuff and sat stiffly in his seat. He looked absolutely terrified. But... what is he scared of? Or... who?

It couldn't be a coincidence that the moment the figure appears, the boy shuts down. I wonder who's there. Curiosity courses through my veins, but I know I can't look. Not if I want to keep my secret just that, a secret.

The person just continued to stand there, looming over me. Why are they still here? Dying from the silence, I politely ask, "Can I help you?"

"That's my seat," says a male voice that I'd recognize anywhere. Ryder Daniels. No wonder that kid looked so terrified.

Unbelievable. Un-freaking-believable. Here I am trying to avoid him specifically and I end up sitting in his damn seat. Just my luck. Way to go Kaylynn! Way to be a freaking idiot. Damn it...

"S-sorry, I didn't realize this was your seat. I'll just... um, yeah. Okay. I'm just gonna, uh, move now," I manage to spit out. Stupid nervous habit. I hate it when I ramble like that. He probably thinks even more stupid than he originally thought. Trying to hurry out of his seat, I scramble to grab my things so I can get up and move far, far away from Ryder.

My plan, however, gets put on hold for a moment when a warm hand covers my own, stopping me from grabbing my notebook. Hesitantly, I look up into those captivating green eyes and almost forget about the task at hand.

"If you could just, um, ya know... Let me go, not... I can, uh, move out of... move out of your way..." I stutter.

"Kaylynn," he said in a strong voice, trying to get me to look at him.

Refusing to acknowledge that I understood the hidden message, I instead stared down at his stand still covering mine. Is it wrong that I kind of liked it?

"Kaylynn," he tried again, this time getting irritated with me. "Damn it, Kaylynn, just look at me!"

When I continued to stare at our hands instead, he took his other hand and lifted my chin for me. My eyes, which were now as wide as can be, met his and I knew the exact moment he saw what had happened. His eyes were wide and he took the hand that was cupping my chin, and touched my cheek where the bruise and cut are.

Thinking of anything that could help me run away into a deep, dark hole, I blurted out, "If you would just let me go, you could have your-"

Before I could finish my statement, a hand covered my mouth. "You're not going anywhere. Not until you tell me what happened," Ryder said determinedly.

I was about to protest, but he beat me to it, "Save it. You're going to tell me. No point in hiding it from me now. I already have a damn good idea who did it."

His statement had me shaking with fear. He couldn't know. He couldn't possibly know. The only thing he knows is my dad was drunk and pissed off. No big deal...

I'm officially fucked...