You're Not Enough

Chapter 27

*Hey, I'm on my way to your house. -Violet

The game must be over now. I forgot I invited her over. I'm not even home. She could just come here, and we'll walk back to my house together. That way, I don't have to walk alone in the dark.

* I'm not home. I'm at the diner, come here.

*Ok. See you in 10 -Violet

I didn't even ask my dad, was it ok if she came over. He probably won't care. It'll be fine.

The diner door comes flying open, and in comes majority of the football team; Ryder is with them. They aren't screaming and yelling with excitement. So I know they have lost the game.

Great, now I have to go on that date. Well, not a date, just friends... hanging out. Wait, we aren't friends, so as he said, 'Just two people, from rival schools, hanging out.'

"Well, I hope you guys are fucking happy!" Ryder yells. "We just lost to those low lives, from Ravenwood. RAVENSWOOD!" he throws his hands in the air.

"Don't put it all on us. You couldn't keep up with their QB!" A dark skin boy yells.

"I wouldn't have had to keep going after him myself if my defense was strong." Ryder is closer to the boy. They're both staring each other down. I really hope they don't fight. I don't think I can take another one.

"We are strong. Maybe if you didn't fuck before the game, you would've had the stamina to keep up." The boy yells.

"Fuck you, Morgan!" Ryder yells and pushes him back. The boy starts to come back towards Ryder, but Zach gets in between them, holding his arms out, keeping them apart.

"Guys, guys. Come now! It's only one game. We had a bad day. It happens." Zach says, trying to keep the peace. Ryder smacks his arm away from him; he slides into one of the empty booths.

....

The diner is filled with people now—some from my school and a few from Ravenswood. I overheard the kids from Ravenswood talking. They're waiting for their bus to come to pick them up.

I wish Violet would hurry up. I'm ready to go; it's a lot of people here. People keep looking at me, probably wondering why I'm sitting alone. I try to keep my head down, so I won't have to see them looking at me, but even though my head is still down, I can still feel the eyes.

I stir the strawberry milkshake that I ordered earlier. It's melted; it now just looks like strawberry milk.

"What are you doing here?" Ryder slips into my booth. I'm surprised he's talking to me with this many people around. His team is distracted, They're too busy talking to the Ravenswood girls. They aren't looking down here, which explains why he could slip away and come over here.

"I'm... I'm uh..." God, why can I never get my words out when I'm around him.

"Doesn't matter. I really don't care. Have you finished the chapters yet?"

"Have you?" I fire back; he's so rude.

"No, I've been busy--"

"Losing a game," I state. He frowns at my comment. I know he's angry at what I said, but like him, I don't care. "Do you need something?" I really don't want to talk to him, especially after what he said to me earlier. Maybe he doesn't think his words hurt. One minute he's saying something hurtful, and then the next, it's like he forgets all about it.

He leans forward, putting both his arms on the table. "Are you still mad at me?" his eyes search mine.

"You know what, Ryder, I really don't care anymore. I can't be mad at you because everything you say, everything you do, I expect it from you." I pause and then say, "So no, I'm not mad at you for being who you are."

He rolls his eyes, further proving to me that he doesn't care about his actions and how they affect people. The diner door opens, and Violet walks through. She searches around the bar, and then she spots me. She walks past the crowd of people back to where I am. There's a purple duffle bag in her hand.

"Hey, sorry, I'm late. I went to grab clothes from home." She's looking at me and then turns her head to Ryder. He doesn't look up at her. He continues to stare at me. "Are you ready?" She asks. I nod my head and grab my book bag off the seat. I stand up from the booth.

The diner door opens yet again; this time, Caleb and his teammates enter. The Ravenswood students begin to cheer, clapping their hands, and yelling. Ryder, Violet, and I watch as everyone claps. Girls run-up to Caleb; he gives them a warm smile just like he gave me a few hours ago.

His eyes then land on me, and his smile is instantly brighter. He pushes past the crowd that has surrounded him and his teammates and walks over. Now that we are both standing up, I can really see the height difference. He's about the same height as Ryder.

He looks down at me. "So, what time should I get you tomorrow?" he asks, with a smile.

"She's busy," Ryder speaks for me. He stands up from the booth also.

"Yeah, with me," Caleb smirks at him then looks back at me. Ryder stares him down, but Caleb does not look back at him.

"We have a project," Ryder says, finally looking at me.

Is he serious right now? "We can do it on Sunday." I snap.

He narrows his eyes at me. "Ja--"

"Ryder!" Why is he still standing here?

"We should go. It's getting late," Violet says. Thank God for her. She can see I'm getting frustrated.

"It's dark. I can give you guys a ride." Caleb offers.

"Sure," I say; I really don't even care if he's a psychopath; I will do anything to leave right now.

Violet and Caleb both head to the door.

Before I can move, Ryder grabs my arm. "You're serious? You're really going to leave with someone you just met," he asks.

"Like you care." I huff.

"I can take you guys."

"We're good!" I yank away from him and catch up to them.

"It's the next house," I instruct him. When he pulls up, I spot my dad's car in the driveway.

Caleb stops the car and unlocks the door. "Do you need help with your bag?" He asks Violet.

"No, I'm ok." Her small voice says. She grabs her bags and heads to the door. I know she's going to have a million questions.

"So, what was that?" he asks, referring to Ryder. "Is he like an ex or something?"

I laugh at his question. "Ryder. God no. He's just a pampered rich boy I got stuck with on a school assignment."

We both laugh.

"So, tomorrow?" He turns his head to me. I don't look at him. I just stare straight ahead.

"A deal is a deal," I say, still looking straight ahead.

"Great. How is eight o'clock?" he asks.

"That's fine."

"Cool."

I turn my head to look at him. "Ok."

"Goodnight, Jayda."

"Goodnight, Caleb."