Chapter Seven.

Ayla.

It was Monday and I was standing in my kitchen staring at the wall. Today would probably be my last day on earth. No matter how badly I wanted to stay home I had to go in. This was my last year in Cambridge academy and I wanted to make the most of it. Also my attendance is always 100% and I'd like to keep it that way. I whinged and chewed on my toast feeling like absolute shit. With my coffee in hand I went upstairs and got ready for my funeral, perhaps if I wore some colour it wouldn't be as depressing. It was quite cold so I threw on a white shirt and a baby pink sweater on top. I brushed my hair and quickly washed my face as well as brushing my teeth. I wasn't bothered to put on too much makeup on so I just applied balm onto my lips and covered up any blemishes. Dad wanted to drive me to school because he was going to the Alaia restaurant in the city which was near campus, I was happy to take him up on is offer since I felt lazy. I got my things together and sat on my bed for a few minutes debating whether I should actually stay home or suck it up and go in. I obviously went with the latter.

"Princess are you ready to go?" Dad shouts from downstairs. I sigh and scream back a "Yes!" Grabbing my things I go down and put my shoes on. "Hey cheer up, I know its a Monday but let me see that beautiful smile." Dad says and puts one arm around me, I smile and kiss his cheek, he chuckles whilst hugging me tight. "There it is." He says and gives a me a kiss on the cheek. I felt slightly better and told myself to be calm. We say our goodbyes to mum and leave the house. Getting into the car the roads my phone buzzes. It was Bri asking if I was still coming to hers.

Oh God, I forgot to tell her I was going with dad.

I texted back a yes, I'd just tell dad to take a detour to Bri's. "Dad can we pick up Bri she thinks I'm coming because I didn't tell her you're driving me " He nods and my phone buzzes again.

'Has Ryder texted?" It read and I paled, I felt my dad's eyes on my phone, see being my dads only daughter meant he was very protective, he never restricted me but he was very cautious about men. Understandably so, I mean the men of this generation aren't exactly the most secure.

"Ayla who's Ryder?" Dads asks and I scrunch my face feeling uncomfortable.

"Its Mr Costello's son we're working in a project together and Bri was asking if he texted because she told me to ask him for the homework because they're in the same class." I rambled and hoped he believed whatever I was saying.

"Okay but remember be careful because of any boy goes near you-" Dad begins.

"You'd slit there throat." I finished, gory I know but that's my dad for you.

"And why would I slit their throat?" He asked knowing what the answer was. "Because boys do not deserve a princess like me." I quote him from when the pizza delivery guy apparently flirted with me. All he did was wink when I asked him if the pizzas were hot, I just really like my food to be burning hot. Dad took his wink, which I'm sure was playful, in a disrespectful way. Lets just say that delivery driver no longer comes by. We pull up in front of Bri's house and after a few knocks Bri comes out looking confused. "Dad's driving us, I completely forgot to tell you." I say, "It's okay let me just get my keys." Once she's ready we get in and dad drives towards campus.

We arrive and go to our spot, I text James to come but he replies saying he's with some guys from the football team. I was happy that he was making friends, especially guys on the team considering he's now playing for the academy's team. Cambridge academy football was super serious and most people who play usually end up scouted for regional teams. As Bri and I speak about nonsense my mind travels to the rude italian who occupied my mind this weekend. I really did hope it would be water under the bridge but knowing Ryder that water would dry out from his moodyness.

"Ayla! Bell rang, lets go." Bri links my arm and I take small slow steps until I couldn't anymore. I enter class and sit at the back, waiting for my fate. The door slams open, in came Ryder and as he saw my face his eyes darkened. I inwardly gasped feeling afraid and vulnerable to his glare. I refused to look at him, I was so shitting bricks. Every bone in my body felt like ashes and I wanted to just disappear. The pips went off signalling it was first lesson and I dashed out of the room faster than Sonic. Class was on the fourth floor and despite my adrenaline I groaned thinking about how long it would take me to walk up the stairs. 

I managed to get onto the second floor when all of a sudden I was pushed into the wall.

Got to be quicker than that Ayla." He teased, I look up into his eyes fearing his cool and playful behaviour that I'm sure wouldn't last long.

"You really had the nerve to do all that." I struggled in his hold. Shouldn't there be teachers or students walking around? I thought desperately wanting someone to rescue me.

"I didn't mean- to- be rude." I said hoping he would spare me. "Listen, because clearly you weren't listening when I told you to come to my house." He said maliciously, I was almost shocked at his words, I mean sure Ryder always insulted me, but this felt different.

"I'm sorry Ry-" I began shaking and felt tears run down my face. The grip on my arms made me worry as I bruise easily, I didn't want him to hurt me. He looked into my eyes and then let go of me. He looked at me again with that unknown emotion so strongly, as if he was saying sorry. He walked away and I rubbed my hands trying to get blood back into them. I wasn't in pain, but this whole ordeal was insane. He seemed so out of it, almost as if he was scared or upset and he used his anger. I walked to class and the day went by normally, well as normal as it can get after being held hostage by your bully. I didn't tell Bri only because she would personally give him hell and I didn't want to create a scene. I also did not want to think or see Ryder right now. But I knew I couldn't get what I wanted since he's in most of my classes.

Walking into the last lesson of the day which was English. I had sat in my seat and Ryder came in with friends. I kept my head down, he had never hurt me before but what happened in the morning... it wasn't him, it was as if he was letting out something, venting if you would call it.

'Why was he like this?' I thought, surely he couldn't be this angry at me for not coming. A week ago I hadn't ever even been to his house. The lesson went on as normal except for the fact that Ryder didn't interact with me at all. Not even a poke or a paper was thrown at me. Nevertheless I went home and did some work, whilst changing I looked at my arms to see bruises scattered all over, I knew it, my aneamic self couldn't handle his hold. After inspecting the marks I applied some soothing cream and wore some sweatpants with a long sleeved top. Going downstairs I ate dinner and watched some episodes of The Office to cheer me up. Dwight's character could always make me laugh, no matter the situation. A couple of hours pass by and I decide to call it a night, I had a raging headache that clearly was not going to stop anytime soon. I also just wanted to stop thinking, about Ryder, today and in general just escape my thoughts for a little bit.

Laying in bed I enable my alarms and just as I'm about to close my eyes and forget all about the day my phone pings.

'I'm sorry, I really am.'