Dancing with Satan

Chapter Seventeen

 I was dreading the day ahead of me. I had to go to school whether I liked it or not, because I couldn't afford to miss the last two weeks before graduation.

I had managed to swipe some crutches that were lying around the clubhouse. Let's face it- the guys got shot and injured a lot because we were always outnumbered. Most clubs around here had over forty members and we were down to twenty now.

But that didn't matter right now. I just had to make it out the door without being questioned as to where I was going. I reached for the crutches by my bed and lifted myself up. By the time I got out the door and into the main room, Ryder's stupid ass walked out of his office and caught me. What was he even doing up this early in the morning?

''And where do you think you're going?'' His was shirtless and his hair was a mess.

''To school,'' I muttered and continued towards the door. Ryder was faster, though, and he stood in front of the doorway. I glared at him.

''How are you going to get there?'' Ryder asked smugly.

''My bike of course, idiot.''

''With crutches?'' He laughed.

Oh. That's why he thought this was just hilarious. ''I forgot about that, but it doesn't matter. I can just take the van.''

Ryder pulled the keys out of his pocket and dangled them in front of my face. ''Without the keys?''

Dammit, I forgot about that too. ''Give them to me!''

''Nope,'' Ryder held them higher like a little kid. ''You're suppose to stay in bed. You'll never get better if you continue like this.''

''I have two weeks until graduation. I can't afford to miss anymore days or I'll never graduate!'' I spat, ''and you know what? I'll just call Jesse for a ride if this is how you're going to act.''

''Fine, fine,'' Ryder grumbled, ''Don't call him. I'll take you, but I'm staying with you.''

''You what?'' I asked, ''You can't stay with me. My teachers will throw you out immediately.''

''I'm not going to leave you at school with a gunshot wound,'' Ryder pushed the door open, ''and they'll let me stay. Trust me.''

I walked out carefully and turned around towards him. ''What are you going to do? Act like you're in high school?'' I laughed.

''You'll see.''

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I didn't think things could get more chaotic as I sat in my Literature class until the teacher walked in. I was sitting in a desk closest to the wall and Ryder had decided to sit in a chair against the wall. Every chick was staring and drooling, of course. Some boys, however, seemed intimidated. 

Or maybe the boys were just pissed that he had all of the ladies attention.

''Sir, what are you doing in this class? You have to go now,'' Mr. Matthews told him.

''Nah, I'm good here,'' Ryder leaned back in his seat with a smug look. I cringed as I was slightly embarrassed.

''Can I ask why you are here?'' He raised his voice.

''Keeping an eye on Sage. That okay with you?'' Ryder asked.

''Sage looks fine to me. A twisted ankle is nothing to worry about,'' Mr. Matthews said, ''Now I need you to leave. We have to start class right now.''

Okay, so I may have lied. I couldn't believe they bought it, but that was probably because I had my jeans down over the bandages and they couldn't get a good look at it. I didn't want them to either, or the police could get involved.