Saintwood: Homecoming ✔️(Wattpad version)

Summer break

After everything that happened, I was emotionally and mentally exhausted. Having dinner with Ryan's family was nice, but it sent me into emotional overload. Ryan held my hand, reassuring me it was okay, and I was quiet throughout dinner, listening to everyone talk. They also allowed us to stay in the dorm until our new place was ready.

I had to wonder how many more cousins there were on Ryan's side and if I would end up meeting them. At one point, I asked Ryan about Dean. He explained it like this: they didn't trade in on who they were and wanted to know as individuals, not because of their family. They only called family when it was necessary. Unfortunately, in our case, it was most of the time. I respected their decision and didn't push the issue. I had enough to deal with, adding no family drama in the mix.

He told us the house would be ready in a week. Thank god because sharing a bathroom with five other people has taken its toll on me. I was packing when Ryan and the guys came in, and Ryan picked me up and flung me over his shoulder. Sound familiar?

"Why are you kidnapping me again?" I asked them, not fighting them.

"We're not kidnapping you. We have plans for you," Ryan smirked.

Oh, dear, this doesn't sound good, and I don't think it will end well. The guys and girls walked out of the room, closing the door behind them with me still flung over Ryan's shoulder.

After we arrived at our destination, Ryan set me down, and I looked around. We were in some gym setting, and there stood the girls along with Cole and Dean. They were all dressed in workout gear. I raised an eyebrow.

Ryan stood in front of me with Frazier and Jordan on each side of him. They didn't look like their easy-going selves. No, they looked like the fearsome three. Their stare bore through my head, and I shifted my eyes down to my feet.

"Rule number one, never take your eyes off of your opponent," he whispered.

I snapped my head up. "What?"

"You diverted your eyes, which will cause your opponent to get to you easily," he answered.

"What are you talking about?" I was hella confused at this point. Jordan took his turn in Ryan's place, and Ryan stood in Jordan's position. Jordan looked even scarier than Ryan.

"Alex, we're all going to train you to defend yourself. It's time you learn to fight back," he said with his arms crossed and muscles bulging. Now, I could understand why people feared him.

Frazier took his place next, "We want you to know how to ward off men and women, just in case we aren't around or don't get to you in time."

"But, I've been lucky enough that you guys have been there," I reasoned.

"Really? So, the whole Mario incident slipped your mind," he asked in a low tone. He was no longer Frazier, but now Dylan. I looked at Ryan, and I saw the flash of guilt hit his eyes. He still feels guilty about it. Then I realized they were right. I needed to defend myself no matter what.

Elena took Frazier's place. "Plus, we want to teach you how to disarm someone with a weapon, so what happened with Bella doesn't happen again."

"Yeah, but the guys found me," I told her.

"And I got shot because of it. Thanks," Jordan sneered. Okay, I figured it passed him that; guess not.

Ryan motioned for them to be quiet and took Elena's spot in front of me. "The other girls have learned self-defense already. Elena, after the Mario fiasco and Marissa, were more than willing to learn after the Homecoming incident and since she started dating Dylan. Now, it's your turn."