The Bet

Chapter 5

Riley's POV

I cleaned myself up as best as I could after that group of teenagers left. I felt humiliated to say the least. But thankfully, it was now closing time.

"Riley, someone's here asking for you!" Maria calls from the front. I sigh and walk up. And see...James.

"It's closing time, so you're going to have to leave." I say plainly.

"Look, I just need to talk to you for minute." He says. I scoff.

"And what do you need to talk to me about?" I growl.

"I'm really sorry about what me and my friends did to you. And I want to make it up to you...By taking you out on a date." He says. I freeze in shock.

"A-a date?" I stammer.

"Yeah." He says.

"No." Is all I say.

"No?"

"No."

"So yes?"

"No!"

"Then what?!"

"I'm not ever going on a date with you James!" I snap.

"I'm just trying to make it up to you." He says sweetly, but I'm not falling for it.

"I'll accept your apology. Isn't that enough?" I sigh.

"Nope, you're going on a date with me." He announces.

"Are you deaf? I'm never going on a date with you even if my life depended on it!" I cry.

"So, you'll think about it?"

"Just go!" I hiss. He jut shrugs and leaves.

~~~~~

I arrive at school for my second day. The same taunting followed me as I made my way to my locker

"Stupid locker!" I mutter under my breath as I fumble to get the lock open.

"So, have you thought about it?" a voice beside me says.

"James, go away." I groan.

"This is my locker. I have a right to be here." He explains, gesturing to the locker beside mine. I sigh.

"No, I haven't thought about you and your stupid date if you want to know." It was a lie. Of course I thought about it! I had been awake all night thinking about it!

"You know, every girl in school would kill to go on a date with me." He tells me, leaning against the locker with a goofy smile. I roll my eyes.

"Obviously not every girl." I mutter.

"Why are you so obnoxious?" He asks.

"I don't know, why are you so cocky, and thinks that you're the best thing that ever walked through these doors?" I snap back, but he just smiles.

"Riley, just go on a date with me. Please." He says softly. He puts his hand on my shoulder. Creeped out, I push it away.

"Don't touch me." I say sharply. He chuckles.

"Please, please, please!" He begs. I sigh, feeling defeated.

"One date?" I inquire.

"One date." He confirms.

"And then you'll leave me alone?" I ask.

"I'll never speak to you again unless I absolutely have to!" He tells me. I take a deep breath.

"Fine. I'll go on a date with you." I mumble.

"I'll pick you up tonight at seven." He tells me, as he begins to walk away.

"Wait! I'll meet you somewhere instead." I say nervously.

"No, I can pick you up."

"No, no, no need for that! I'll meet you at, say, the coffee shop?"

"Perfect! I'll catch you later!"

What have I gotten myself into?