Chapter Six

"Simple. Bring Olivia to the party I'm throwing soon. Make sure she comes—you don't want to know what will happen if you fail." His voice was cold, sending a chill down Riley’s spine.

Riley’s eyes widened. "W-What do you want to do to her?"

 Zach raised a brow. "I don't owe you an explanation?"

 She quickly shook her head. "I can't… Please, don't hurt my friend," she pleaded, dropping to her knees, her lips quivering and fingers clasped together.

 "You really don’t want to cross me. Get out." His cold voice cut through the air like a blade.

 Like a bolt of lightning, Riley shot out of the classroom. Her heart pounded uncontrollably as she rushed into the elevator, pressing the button with shaky fingers, trying to calm herself. As the doors slid open, she collided with someone. She was about to stumble when a strong arm caught her waist.

 "I'm sorry," she mumbled as he released her, looking down.

 "Watch where you're going."

 The deep voice made her look up, and her breath hitched. Liam's piercing gray eyes stared down at her.

 "I… Yes, I—"

 Before she could finish, he stepped into the elevator. She turned, watching him sheepishly until the doors closed. Reality hit her again, and she remembered the dangerous situation she was in.

School Infirmary

 Riley walked in to find Olivia sitting beside Owen’s bed. He was awake.

 "You’re back," Olivia said with a smile.

 "Yes, Livia," Riley nodded before turning to Owen. "Hi, how are you feeling?"

 "Owen, this is Riley. We brought you here together," Olivia introduced.

 "Thanks, Riley. I’m a bit better. Nice to meet you." Owen’s voice was calm, his head wrapped in a bandage. His chocolate-brown eyes, hidden behind glasses, studied Riley, making her shift uncomfortably.

"I’m glad, Owen."

"Where’s the meal you were supposed to get from the cafeteria?" Olivia asked, eyeing Riley’s empty hands.

Riley fidgeted. She must have lost the takeaway when Zach confronted her. "I… I lost it," she murmured, lowering her amber eyes.

 Olivia raised a brow. "What?"

 "It’s fine. Maybe she—" Owen started, but Riley cut him off.

 "I’ll go get another one." She hurried out of the ward.

 Olivia turned to Owen. "Don’t mind her. She’s always like that."

 Owen smiled warmly and closed his eyes, resting on the bed.

Senior Class

 Scarlett scrolled through her phone with Ruby beside her. Across from them sat, Dereck and Leo. The classroom buzzed with chatter. Leo absently twirled Scarlett’s hair between his fingers, and she let him—until he suddenly yanked hard.

 "What the hell, Leo?" She spun around to glare at him.

"What? Can’t I play with you?" Leo chuckled.

Then he tugged harder, mischief gleaming in his eyes.

 Scarlett yelped, grabbing his hand and sinking her teeth into his skin. "Screw you!"

 Ruby, who had been busy staring at Dereck, turned to them and smirked.

 "Leo can’t stay away from Scar, huh?"

 "Pfft, what are you saying, Ruby?" Scarlett scrunched up her face.

 Leo frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing. But you two should keep it down," Ruby shrugged, making Scarlett roll her eyes.

Leo chuckled and rested his head on Scarlett’s shoulder. She responded with a sharp knock on his forehead.

"Ouch!" He winced, glaring at her.

"Payback." She stuck her tongue out and bolted out of the classroom.

"I swear, I’ll kill you, Scar!" Leo growled, chasing after her.

The rest of the class barely paid attention before returning to their phones. Their conversations were all about one thing—Zachary’s Crew was throwing a party this weekend.

 I hope I get invited.

 I can't wait to see Zachary.

 Oh, I love Kyle more!

I hope Noah notices me this time.

 Ruby turned to Dereck, hoping to start a conversation.

 "Uhm... Dereck?"

 Dereck glanced at her, his expression blank. She bit her lip. His dark hair was neatly combed, and his eyes—so cute.

 "Yeah?"

 "Are you coming to the party?"

"No," he snapped.

"Why?" She bit her lip again.

"Are you dumb or what?"

"Right," she mumbled. She knew they were rivals of Zachary’s Crew, but she just wanted to talk.

Dereck scoffed but then fixed his gaze intensely on someone. Ruby followed his line of sight and almost rolled her eyes when she saw they landed on Irene.

 ******

"For God's sake, can you stop acting like an idiot, Ava?" Madeline snapped.

 Ava rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me what to do and I'm not an idiot."

 "Then come with us to the mall," Madeline insisted.

"Shut the fuck up," Irene hissed, tearing her eyes away from her phone.

"Sorry, Irene," they chorused.

Madeline shot Ava a glare, but Ava was too busy scrolling through Noah’s pictures.

"Better. We don’t need to go to the mall, Made. We’ll be ordering the dresses from Spain. I can’t wait for Zach’s eyes to be on me alone this weekend," Irene gushed.

"I need to get Kyle’s attention too. God, Ava, stop staring at Noah’s pics," Madeline said in disgust.

"Would you rather I stare at Kyle’s?" Ava snickered.

"Don't you dare," Madeline growled.

"Cut it out, you two!" Irene yelled, drawing the attention of the entire class.

 "What are y’all staring at?" she barked.

 Everyone else turned around. Irene was about to look back at her phone when she felt eyes on her. She turned and found Dereck sitting with Ruby. She scoffed and flipped him off. Dereck smirked at her.

 Ruby, who had been watching, glared.

******** 

"Did you hear about the party, Livia?" Riley asked as they walked back from the infirmary. She had already bought more food for Owen, who had fallen back asleep by the time they left.

 "Yes," Olivia mumbled, adjusting her glasses while settling in to read a novel.

 "Tell me you’re going."

Olivia stopped walking and turned to Riley, narrowing her eyes. "First, Riley, I don’t go to parties. Second, this party is hosted by Zach."

 "I know, but a little fun won’t hurt, right?"

"I’m boring, Riley."

"No, you're not," Riley blurted out.

Olivia’s mouth fell open. "Why are you obsessed with this party?"

 "Please, Olivia. Come to the party. No one will even notice us," Riley pleaded.