Speak

Chapter 7 : Bullies and a new home

Chapter 7

The next day...

Riker POV

I walked into the cafeteria, nervous again. I can't have a repeat of yesterday. That was really scary.

I sat down across from Kayla again. She looked up at me and smiled, like she did every day.

"So... I'm kind of worried about today... I don't want to die like I almost did yesterday."

Kayla passed me a note.

"Just don't leave the cafeteria this time."

"Yeah, I won't."

I honestly felt kind of sick. I didn't feel like eating. But I hadn't had any breakfast, so I kind of should...

I took out my lunch that my mom had made me. It was a sandwich. I probably ate 4 bites before I put it down and gave up. I was too nervous. And eating made my stomach feel worse.

I sighed, watching Kayla eat. I was kind of jealous because she didn't have to worry about kids killing her. But then I remembered that she was moving tomorrow...

Later...

Riker POV

So I didn't die today. I didn't walk in the halls except between classes. Yesterday made me kind of paranoid to use the bathroom, so I only went when I really had to. And I didn't die.

I walked home with Kayla, and went to her house after school. She had laid down on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She had everything packed up so she could leave tomorrow.

I laid down next to her. Our arms slightly touched, but she didn't seem to mind. We both kind of just stayed there in silence, thinking. It wasn't an awkward silence. It was actually kind of peaceful.

"So um... What time do you go to your new house tomorrow?" I asked, breaking the silence.

Since I didn't have my phone back, she had been writing on paper.

"7:00. Is that at night?" I asked.

Kayla nodded.

"Alright... I'm going to try to convince my mom to let me have my phone back tomorrow, so if something's wrong, text me, and I'll do something about it, ok?"

Kayla nodded.

"Alright..."

Later...

Riker POV

I'd stayed for dinner at Kayla's again. And I had concluded in my brain that yes, I did have feelings for her. And I was starting to feel really protective of her. I didn't want her real parents hurting her.

Once I was home, I found my mom in the kitchen, and she looked kind of annoyed.

"Riker Anthony Lynch, just where do you think you were after school?"

"At a friend's?"

"You know you're supposed to tell me where you go if you don't come straight home."

"How was I supposed to do that without a phone!?"

Alright, either she'll see my point, or I'll get in big trouble for 'using that tone' with her.

"Whose fault is it that you don't have your phone?"

"Um... Mine?"

"Other people have phones, Riker. You could've borrowed someone else's phone to call."

I sighed.

"Could I please have my phone back? I know I'm supposed to wait until Sunday, but I really need it by tomorrow."

It was worth a shot...

"Why is it so important that you have it by tomorrow?"

"Because I need to be able to know if one of my friends is in danger."

My mom gave me a look, obviously not believing me.

"I'm serious! I need to know!"

"You can have your phone back on Sunday, Riker."

I sighed, and went upstairs. I changed into pajamas, worked on my homework, and went to bed.

The next day...

Riker POV

Well today was the day. The day Kayla moves in next door. It was also the day I potentially die. The guys at my old table didn't get me yesterday, but I wasn't sure what their plan was today.

I sat down across from Kayla at lunch, like I did every day, and she smiled at me.

"Hey... So are you nervous today?" I asked.

Kayla nodded, looking down.

"Do you want me to come over after school?"

She nodded again.

"Ok. I can't stay for very long though because I'm supposed to tell my mom if I don't go straight home, and I sort of got yelled at yesterday. But I can stay for about an hour. I'll just tell her I got detention."

Kayla pointed behind me, so I turned around. Some of the guys from my old table were walking towards us.

"What's up, Lynch?" One of them asked.

"Nothing," I said, nervously.

"Where were you yesterday? We didn't see you."

"Um... I don't know."

One guy took a step towards me, and I flinched backwards, falling off my seat, onto the floor. They all started laughing at me. Kayla grabbed my arm, and pulled me so I was behind the table. She held my hand tightly.

The guys started dumping out my backpack all over the floor. After that, they all left. My tailbone hurt a little bit from falling still...

Kayla helped me gather all my stuff.

"Thanks," I said, sitting down again, feeling embarrassed.

Later...

Riker POV

I'd gotten home an hour later than usual, and my mom was annoyed with me. But I told her I had detention, thinking that would save me. But she just got mad that I got a detention.

I couldn't bring myself to eat dinner tonight. I was so worried about Kayla.

When it started getting closer to 7:00, I sat by my window, watching. My window was facing the house Kayla was moving into. There was a window about 8 feet away from mine. I hoped that was Kayla's room...

I kept watching until I saw a car pull into the driveway. Kayla got out with her suitcase, and then the car drove away. I watched her slowly walk up to the house and go inside. A minute later, the window across from mine lit up, and I saw Kayla walk in that room. There were 2 other people, who I assumed were her parents. I could see them talking to her, and then they left. I started waving my arms, which caught her attention. She went to her window, and waved to me.

She started unpacking her stuff. I shut off my bedroom light, and watched her through my window. Since my room was dark, she couldn't see me. I wasn't trying to stalk her or be creepy or anything. I just wanted to keep an eye on her in case her parents did something.

I stayed at the window for hours, minus 2 trips to the bathroom. I watched until almost 1:00 in the morning, which is when she finally went to sleep.

Rocky thought I was ridiculous, and I had to convince him not to tell mom. I had to do his chores for a week, which sucked. But at least I knew Kayla was safe.