Crossing Lines

The Boy Taped To The Pole

Life is complicated. Connections are confusing, I read. Boy, did I agree with that.

    I saw Chase running to me from across the beach. Belton beach was the regular hangout spot for my four friends and I, but today, I had decided to come alone (with the exception of Chase, of course) to catch up on some reading. I hadn’t been able to go anywhere alone in weeks because of my chaotic school schedule. I was feeling drained from homework and studying and needed some time away. Essentially, Saturdays were euphoric.

    “Sam!” he shouted. “You have to come see this! Ryder has done it again!” He chuckled.

    I was a little scared to see what Ryder had "done". He was the school jock and not to mention an ass. Ryder had somehow captivated the entire high school with his alluring biceps and unbelievable athletic abilities, and in return, they put him on a pedestal. Chase was a good brother but as an eleven year old, he didn’t know the difference between hilarious, childish and completely wrong. Even as a 17 year old, the same age as me, Ryder didn’t seem to know either.

    I was dragged (against my will, as I might add) towards the main road to one of the bulkier wood poles where the community bulletin boards were placed. There he was, Evan Matheson, in nothing but a thin, wet tank top and board shorts, messy brown hair in his eyes, with his arms around the pole, wrists duct taped handcuff style. I stared at him incredulously until Chase shook my arm. To my disbelief the sight had drawn a crowd, yet no one stepped up to help him out and there Ryder stood, looking like a champion. Completely appalled, I pushed through the crowd.

    “Show’s over folks!” I yelled.

    “What do you mean? Show’s not over! It’s just beginning!” Ryder responded, triumphantly.

    Leaning in until I was inches away from Ryder’s ear I whispered “I don’t know what you’re trying to pull, but cut it out. It’s idiotic and if you don’t let him go, you will regret it.” I continued, calmly but maliciously. 

   “Trying to defend your boyfriend? Well, guess what?” He replied. “I don’t give a shit.” Ryder picked up a bucket and said, “Hey everyone! Evan over here is going to be doing the ice bucket challenge!” And with that, he forcefully threw the water onto him, ice spilling onto the ground. 

    I ran over to Evan.

    “Are you okay?” I exclaimed, astonished that Ryder would actually do something like this. He wasn’t known to be a bully, just an egotistical jerk.

    “Yeah, I guess. I mean - uh… um… not really.”

    I carefully untaped him, his cold hands brushing against mine. He was soaked.

    “Thanks.” He said gratefully.

    “It’s the least I could do. Come with me.”

    I was surprised to see that he followed obligingly. I led him towards my house, a mere five minute walk away. Once we arrived, I told him to wait. I headed upstairs to grab a shirt from my dad’s room that had shrunk in the dryer and a pair of my brother shorts that Grandma had bought for him than were much too big. Evan was not largely built but he was tall and lean without being lanky. Although I myself was also tall, I was still almost a head shorter than him.

    Once I returned, I passed him the clothes and without hesitation he took off his top revealing his bare chest and put the t-shirt on. I couldn’t help but stare. He was well built. I looked away as he changed his bottoms, both somehow a perfect fit.

    “I should get going,” he said, his dark hair still in his eyes. I resisted the urge to push it away and reveal his gorgeous hazel eyes. “But before that, I need your help.”

    “With what?” I asked curiously.

    “Revenge.” He said.

    “On who?”

    “Ryder.”

    Naturally, I was intrigued. Evan and I had a few classes together but I had never really talked to him. He wasn’t extremely popular, but he had a good group of friends, but revenge? He didn't seem like the type.

    “Okay.” I said. “Hand me your phone then.”

    He punched in his password and opened his contacts before handing it back to me, practically reading my mind.

    I quickly typed my name and number before handing it back to him.

    “Bye then.”

    He started walking away, but then turned around and said, “I will return your clothes.”

    He continued to walk away, yet he turned around again walking backwards this time, yelling from quite a distance away “By the way, I know you were staring at my abs while I was changing!”

    Thank god I was so far away because I must’ve blushed so hard I looked like a tomato. Despite that, I couldn’t help but wonder. What did he and Ryder have against each other?