A Charming Story

Chapter 10 - Rider: The jerk

Ah, Christmas break. This meant not only two full weeks of playing in the snow, but my birthday was only three weeks away. I was so close to being 17. I felt the anxiety level inside of me rise every day.

However, after a week of the winter break, I became bored out of my mind. All I wanted was to get out of the house. Sadly, there was no one going to be on the roads any time soon with this ice.

I found myself texting Brynn almost everyday during the break, and I felt the need to see her in person. I wasn't sure what my feelings were for her exactly, but I knew there had to be something between us. Unless she had something with Easton.

My phone buzzed as I was eating at the dinner table with my parents, a rare occasion in itself. It's not like they were ever home to shout out commands to our butler, but tonight they seemed to be pushing the envelope.

"So, Rider. We've been looking into some schools in the area." My dad started. Schools? As in college? Isn't that a couple years away? The need to check my phone was dismissed when I was fully engrossed in the conversation.

"How do you feel about switching to Waylon Academy?"

My fork dropped, as well as my jaw. The loud clank across my plate brought me back.

"I can't move, dad." I stated bluntly.

He stared at me, then looked to my mom, who shrugged. "You really don't have a choice, son."

I threw up my hands in exasperation, "Then why'd you ask?"

My dad's teeth clenched and he slammed his fist on the table. Before an argument could start, I ran up to my room. He teased me. He never really cared where I wanted to go.

Before I even checked my text, I called Brynn. I'm not sure why. Maybe because she was the one person who didn't like me for money or fame. And she seemed like she could see through me and help me through my problems.

"Hey. Is there any way I can meet you somewhere on foot?"

***

She was wearing brown leather boots, dark skinny jeans, and a white long sleeve shirt with a red skarf. Don't forget the gray beanie. That seemed to be her signature accessory.

"Hey." I said as I snuck up behind her at the local coffee shop. She jumped a little and I smiled when she smacked my arm.

"So, what did you need to talk about?" Brynn asked as we took a seat with our coffee. Well, I had coffee. Apparently she preferred hot chocolate.

"I'm sorry, I can't get over the fact that you don't like coffee." I snickered at her as she scowled at me.

"Why? Because you go off of the Starbucks theory? You're shallow." She tried to give me her best grimace, but she cracked halfway through her rant.

"Okay, I'm sorry for assuming. But in all seriousness, I'm not really sure why I felt I needed to call you. It's just really easy to talk to you."

It was easier to talk to her than any of my family or "friends", that's for sure.

She set her cup down, "I'm all ears." I smiled to myself. This was why I liked her.

"Well, my dad wants me to switch schools." I said, putting the cards on the table.

Her eyes grew wide, but she took a sip from her cup before speaking. I truly wanted to know what she would say about the Jackson family now. I waited on the edge of my seat for her response.

"Wow. That's... Um why?" She struggled to get her words out.

"My guess is my parents want me to be more like my sister and brother. Less sports, more intellectual activity. Like becoming friends with higher class people."

She had been picking at a loose thread on her sleeve, but when she heard 'higher class' she sat up straight.

"So they want you to hang out with people that have the same amount of money as you." She said bitterly. That's where I knew I lost her. She was going to go off on a rant, either directed at me or my family.

"So, are you going to fight him over it?" She said more calmly this time.

All I could do was shrug, "I don't think it's a good idea at this time. They're still upset at my brother, and my sister is the next one to rebel."

She had stopped looking at me completely. Had I hurt her feelings, or something? Why was she not meeting my eyes?

"Well I think it's a great opportunity to hang out with fellow snobs. Go on, have fun, Rider. You're just the jerk I thought you were."

The music in the coffee shop sounds louder with the silence between us. Why was she mad at me?

"I don't understand..." I tried, but she stood up, wiping her cheek with the back of her hand. She mumbled something, then turned to look at me.

"No. I guess you don't understand... It's not important. I truly hope you enjoy your new school," She paused at the door, looking at me once more. I was severely confused. I just wanted to talk to her, not argue with her. But I wasn't doing much of the arguing. Maybe this was her shark week? She was an emotional basket case, this wasn't like her.

That night, I didn't sleep well. Maybe it was because of what Brynn said, that I was a snob. The biggest problem on my mind was losing a chance to tell her that I didn't want to go. I simply wanted to stay at Westover with Brynn Cassidy. She was even cooler than she was in kindergarten. I would've told her this sooner, but I was afraid she didn't remember being friends with me.

My dad wanted me to get more involved in sports when I was younger, before business became everything. With this in mind, I started playing with more kids involved in sports. Little did I know at this time Brynn's dad passed away. She stopped talking to me, because I left her. That's when she became friends with Easton. Well, best friends.

"Rider, you left me at a really hard time in my life. I don't know if I can forgive you."

"What can I do, Brynn?"

At the time, I wasn't sure what was wrong. Easton stepped up beside her by the swings and pushed her behind him.

"Don't worry, Brynn. He won't hurt you anymore."

I never did hurt her anymore. I never went near her anymore. I never thought I'd lose my best friend.

Now I was going to go to a new school. There goes my chances at being her best friend again.