Elisa

14

I grab my homework from my locker. My last period is study hall, and I just spend it in the library finishing up any work that i need to get done. 

"Psst." A whisper says from next to me. 

Ryder Belle. He's standing about four lockers down, which his back against them. 

"Hi," I blush. 

"I have something for you." He walks toward me, and quickly places a wad of paper in my hand. I make eye contact with him, and he flashes me a smile before walking away. My heart is pounding in my ears. 

I look around to see if anyone saw, but everyone around me is in their own world. I unfold the folded paper. 

I want to see you tonight.  It reads. A phone number is written at the bottom. I'm assuming it's his number and he wants me to text him. I fold the piece of paper back up and place it gently in the front pocket of my backpack.

"Whatcha got there?" A voice says behind me and I jump. It's Romeo.

"Why did you sneak up on me like that?" 

He leans against the lockers with his arms crossed. "What's on the paper?" 

I close my locker. "What paper?"

"The one that Ryder Belle just handed to you?" He narrows his eyes at me. I guess there's no point in lying about the fact that Ryder did that, but I'll just play it off.

"None of your business." 

"Well," he smirks. "I guess if you can't tell me I'll just have to tell the whole school that you and him were sharing spit at the party on Friday night." 

My stomach drops. "I don't know what you're talking about." 

"Don't try to deny it. I have multiple sources." He's laughing now. I guess him and I are back to the usual back and forth nonsense like before. I debate just telling him to tell everyone about it, but I think about how Ryder might get his ass beat by my brother. 

"Fine!" I groan. "He gave me his number. Don't tell anyone, okay?" 

"Interesting. I won't tell anyone, but there's something you should know about Mr. Belle." 

I roll my eyes. "Are you just going to make up some lie about him so that I don't go out with him?"

"It's not a lie. He gets with a lot of girls, and I just don't want to see my best friend's little sister get her heart broken." 

"Oh my God," I run a hand through my hair in frustration. "I can handle myself, thank you. You're just jealous."

He scoffs. "I'm not jealous." 

"Then why do you care who I talk to and who I go out with?" 

"You're Remi's sister. I have to look out for you when he's not around."

The bell rings. "That's always your excuse, and honestly I'm not buyin' it. Just stop telling me what to do, okay? I'm not your sister." 

I walk away before he can say anything back. I think both him and Remi forget that I'm only a year younger than them. I can't believe Romeo is blackmailing me. Why does he even care anyway? At this point he's been more protective of me than my own brother. 

Still, I can't stop thinking about what he just said. Does Ryder get with a lot of girls? What is with boys and their names beginning with R's? Is it just a rite of passage for them to be with girls all of the time? 

Also, if Romeo heard about the event that occurred on Friday night, that means other people know. I guess it's inevitable that everyone will find out anyway so I don't know why I even let Romeo manipulate me like that. 

------------------

I texted Ryder. I didn't know what to say to him and I typed and deleted and typed and deleted, until I finally just decided to say:

hey. it's El

I made Fi come with me to Pilgrim Roasters to hang out and get schoolwork done, and I filled her in on everything that happened In the past few days with Ryder. 

"You do realize why Romeo was being all nosy and overprotective, right?" She sips her coffee. She ordered a regular light roast coffee with cream and sugar. I decided to go with tea to try to relax my nerves. 

"Because he's annoying and always has to be in my business?"

"I mean, yeah." She tucks a strand of brown hair behind her ear. "I was going to say it's because he doesn't want other guys talking to you."

I scrunch up my face. "I don't think so."

"El. He dead-ass was watching you at your locker and saw Ryder give you the note." 

I shrug. "I don't know. Maybe he was just walking by and happened to see what happened." 

"Whatever. I'm not going to argue with you. Did Ryder respond to you yet?"

I check my phone. "No. I texted him twenty minutes ago, but maybe he just hasn't checked his phone yet." 

"He probably hasn't. Boys are kind of bad at that sort of thing." 

BZZZ.

I check my phone. A message from Ryder Belle has appeared on my lock screen. I unlock my phone and open our conversation to read it.

hey
I was waiting for your text ahah

I blush. So he's been thinking about me?

"Was that him? What did he say? Your face is bright red!" Fi laughs. 

"Shut up!" I show her his message. She squeals with excitement. "Fi, chill! You're making me get all awkward." 

"What are you going to respond with?" 

I sigh. "I don't know. What do you think I should say?"

"Hmm," she puts her hand on her chin. "Be bold. Guys like that. Ask him about the hangout." 

"No way!" 

"Just do it." 

I groan. "Fine." 

I type up the message and show her before sending it. 

"That's good." She says. 

I send it. 

soooo when are we hanging out?

I can't believe I just did that. I hope he doesn't think I'm too forward. After all, he's the one who told me that he wanted to hang out with me again. I'm just confirming that it's going to happen. 

BZZZ

how's friday?

"Shit." I say.

"What?" 

"He wants to hang out Friday, but I have a gig with the band." 

Fi rolls her eyes. "You're dumb. Just invite him!"

The thought of him watching me play guitar makes my stomach churn. "I don't know. My band doesn't know about him yet."

"So tell them before Friday." 

"I don't know Fi--"

She cuts me off. "El, stop making excuses! He'll definitely think you're super cool for being in a band and actually performing at places."

"Hmph. Fine, I'll invite him." 

I text him.

friday night my band and I are actually playing a gig at a club on broad st.
do you want to come?

He replies right away.

woah i didn't know u were in a band that's sick
i'd love to come

I show Fi the text and she tells me that she told me so. I roll my eyes in response.