Ryder

Wednesday - After School

I was out early again, telling the teacher I needed to check on the kid in the nurse's office. Which was technically true. I didn't need to instantly, but I had to eventually. Might as well be now. When I entered the office, safe and sound from Ryder, I quietly walked down the hall to one of the last rooms on the left. The kid, who's name I never got because he kept getting panic attacks before I had to knock him out, was soundly asleep. Seems he hasn't woken up yet. Ryder showed up just as I closed the door, of course not caring at all about the sleeping patient.

"Hey Elle, so I was thinking-" I instantly put my hand over his mouth, which seemed to shock him before he smirked. Gross. I just scowled in annoyance. "Are you crazy? You know he's asleep!" I whispered harshly. He just shrugged, not seeming to mind. "Listen, I have to go so get out," I said, dragging him out into the hall and closing the door. I'd asked Ghost to check on the kid later.

"Bye Ryder," I said, walking past him to the school gate where Shockwave was waiting. "You're late again," he said when I'd reached him. "I have an office to run," I kept my voice calm, though not very believable. "Ryder hit on you again?" I nearly flinched, remembering the morning's events. "I just walked away." My response was short and simple. He nodded and asked "let's go?", changing the subject.

We walked to the Sea Side Park, talking about a few random things on the way. I could tell something was bothering him, but I figured if it was important he'd tell me so I didn't ask. We walked in silence when he suddenly said, "You shouldn't have stopped me this morning." I subconsciously bit into my lower lip for a while before I replied, "He would've hurt you..." "I'm your boyfriend, I'm supposed to get hurt to protect you." That was a hard point to argue with. Besides the fact that I hated it, it wasn't completely false. "I don't want to lose you," he admitted with a sigh.

For a moment I was speechless. I was not expecting those words coming from the emotionless person he'd been when I'd first met him. "You won't," I promised. "But Ryder-" There it goes with Ryder again... "Ryder will always be there. Maybe not him, but there will always be someone hitting on me, or a girl trying to steal you. You just have to learn to ignore them." I felt slightly bad for cutting him off, though he didn't seem to notice.

Right on time, Dash and Sparrow show up. "Hey Dash," I greeted politely. I knew she didn't really know me and I doubt she liked me, but no harm in being nice right? Well, Trying... "Hi," she responded in a short, clipped tone. At least it was something...  I turned my attention back to Sparrow, who had said something that I completely missed. "So Elle, your boyfriend is leaving the school to become a king!" he said, in an almost excited tone. "Okay." That's all I could get out. "Okay? You're not upset?" Wow his mood changes fast... "More surprised," I lied, looking at Shockwave for confirmation. Sparrow was known for making up stories, hell knows why, and though I did trust him I needed to check with Shockwave. He nodded, looking down. "It's true..." My heart dropped, but I kept my face neutral, hiding it. Right at that moment, Ghost called. "You need to get here. Now."