Forces of Attraction: Book One

Arden

We're all surprisingly quiet as the bell rings and there is no Rihannon. My heart is unsteady at this. I came early in the morning and I didn't see her in class as usual. I sadly walked past the classroom and I can't believe I'm saying this but...I missed her.

Now, this! I let my leg tap nervously underneath my desk and my eyes stay glued to the door. She could be coming through that door any minute. There's nothing to worry about. She told me her brother was fine. Everything's okay!

Then the door opens and I sit up straighter. We all pay attention to the arrival, but we all frown as we see our principal coming in. He does a sad sigh and says, "Alright. I'll be your teacher for now until we can get another teacher for this class."

Everyone starts to whisper and I'm the first to speak up as usual. "What do you mean? Where's Rhi--I mean Miss Harper?" Everyone nods to my question and we all watch as Mr. Manzo does a somber look.

Oh no.

"I'm afraid she has quit."

"Quit?!" Jonathan is the next to speak up. He stands up in surprise and takes his arms out on his sides. "But why?! I was actually trying in this class! And it's been weeks since I started a food fight! That's a lot of work for me, you know."

"Is she okay?" Landon says next and Mr. Manzo raises up his hands to make everyone calm down at this comment. He starts to say things to everyone, but the world is numb around me. Everything is so blurry as my heart threatens to fall apart for this single girl that has changed my world.

With a mind of their own, my feet start towards the door. I can feel Jonathan take my shoulder and ask me where I'm going, but I angrily shove his hand to the side.

"Mister Haynes, where do you think you're going?" Mr. Manzo says to me.

I ignore his words and step out of the class. I can see Allison walking down the hallway with her phone in hand. Landon must've texted her the news as she says, "Arden? What happened to Miss Harper? Did she really quit?"

"I don't know," I say to her as she follows me to the exit. "I'm going to find out."

"But how? You don't even know where she lives?!"

I don't respond to this. I would tell her the address, but I can't blow Rihannon's cover. Not even if she has quit. I won't break my promise.

"Arden!" This is the last thing I hear from Allison as I push both of the front doors open and run to my car. This time, I brought my car but I don't care what people say once I arrive in that neighborhood. I don't even care if they steal it. All my mind is set on is Rihannon.

As I get to the neighborhood, it's the usual silence and rustiness. I find a spot to park my car and walk to where her small house lies. As I start towards the front door, I stop when I see Tomas knocking on the door. I hide behind the tree I climbed on when I first saw her and watch as he waits a while. My blood suddenly boils at this, but I calm down.

There's no reason for this anger. Or...whatever this is...

Finally, the door opens and Elliot has his small head popped out. He gently lets Tomas in and closes the door. My brows furrowed because of the sadness in the boy's eyes.

My curiosity once again takes the best of me as I quietly walk to where I hear voices inside the house. I stop by a small and rusty window in the backyard. Inside, there's a small bed and a few decorations to it. This must be Rihannon's room because of the small drawings of stars on the wall.

Luckily, there's another dead tree out back so I am able to hear and see clearly behind the trunk. I can see a beautiful girl sitting at her small desk. She fidgets with her fingers and her eyes are red as if she's been crying for a long time. My heart shrinks at her defeated state, but she quickly hides her sadness and smiles at Elliot coming in.