Ryder

Wednesday - Before School

"Hey Elle," Ryder greeted me. There was something different about his voice and I instantly tensed up. "Hello Ryder..." I replied cautiously. "So... You're with street boy?" I don't know where he got that nickname and I honestly don't want to know. "Don't call him that." I didn't mean for my voice to be so cold, but I can't say I regret. I was getting annoyed with Ryder. Up to now, he'd focused on me, but now he's focusing on the people involved with me. It annoyed me that he'd consider bringing someone else into a personal thing.

I walked off to the nurse's office to check on the kid there. A new kid had come in yesterday, quite sick and with severe injuries. He's staying at the office until he's fully covered and guaranteed able to protect himself. Which probably wouldn't be for another few days. I'd have to stay in the weekend to take care of him. Ugh. I'd been at the nurse's office for about 10 minutes when one of the girls came running in, saying something about Ryder and Shockwave. I don't know what she said, but those names in one sentence meant trouble. I was out of the nurse's office in seconds and didn't take long to reach them. Ryder was pinned against the locker and Shockwave's clothes had formed into armor.

I assessed the situation quickly and started to push through the crowd that had formed. I caught Ghost's eye and shook my head, signaling I had it under control. I barely saw his nod before I reached the front and quickly ran in between Shockwave and Ryder, stopping whatever Shockwave was about to do. I tried to ignore the fact that he looked super hot at that moment. "Woah, calm down." That's all I could think of to say. He looked shocked to see me, before what I assume - and hope - was anger took over again. I tensed, an instinctive fear shooting through me. I knew he could choose to attack me right there, and I wouldn't be able to protect myself. My life was completely dependent on his choice and ability to control emotions.

"Calm down?! He hurt you!" I could hear the anger in his voice. It didn't help my fear much. "And I'm stopping you from getting hurt... He could kill you if he wants to, I'm not risking it." And of course he asked the question I dreaded. "How?" "I'll explain later, but right now, you need to calm down and leave him." At the same time of my response, Teo showed up. "He copies your powers and uses them against you! You can't fight him!" I sighed in relief and made a mental note to thank Teo later. "Fine. But if he hurts you again, I'm killing him," Shockwave stepped back, looking down at me as his clothes changed back to clothes. I nodded and whispered, "Thank you."

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*Oof long chapter.*