*Hands over an Oreo*

E

I couldn't help but gape at the familiar room, where I used to once spend hours, as a smile found it's way to my lips.

Whenever, anyone of us had something on our mind and just wanted to spend some time secluded from the crowd, we would come here. It didn't help solve the problem obviously, but it provided some sort of comfort.

I walked further in, to find the old desks and chairs pushed to the sides, making a lot of open space in the centre.

"I see you've found our humble abode." Ryder's voice echoed from behind as I looked around.

"And I see you've redecorated." I said gliding my hand over one of the beanbags, without turning to look at him.

"Yeah, we spent a lot of time here and those wooden chairs are anything but comfortable." He said moving forward, dropping his bag and throwing himself on a beanbag, letting out a sigh.

I turned to look at him, frowning. "Don't you have some douche sport practice to be at?"

"Football, Miles. Football." He sighed.

I waved my hand dismissively. "Same thing."

"And yes, I do have practice, I just decided to ditch." He said Sprawling on the beanbag further, crossing his arms behind his head, leaning back.

I perched on a beanbag myself before sighing. "You don't have to do that, you know? I'll be fine on my own." I said, ignoring the fluttering in my stomach.

"Who said I'm here for you?" He turned his head to look at me, side-eyed. "I know you want to think otherwise Miles but I need time to relax too."

And the fluttering in my stomach died with that as I looked at him with the most unimpressed look I could muster up.

'You really thought he'd be considerate towards you after the stunt you pulled just this morning?'

I rolled my eyes.

"Well, in that case, I wouldn't want to be a hindrance." I said, moving to get up, when his hand latched around my wrist pulling me back down on the beanbag.

He groaned, moving to shift his beanbag closer to mine. "I'm just playing. You know I'm here for you."

I narrowed my eyes at him before sighing and leaning back, now facing him. "So how did you uh... and I mean it in the most respectful way possible... become one of... them?" I shrugged, unsure of how to put my question into words.

"You mean one of the jerks who play football?" He said raising eyebrows in question with an amused smile.

"I mean... Yeah?" It was more of a question than a statement.

He slowly chuckled, ducking his head.

"After you... uh, left, I started to develop a moody personality. I snapped at everyone and preferred to be alone, so to let it all out, I joined a gym with the guys and after a while, I tried for the football team and well, made it. It wasn't easy though, I had to put in a lot of work and train twice as hard as everyone else, but I, then ended up being the quarterback and well, the future captain." He shrugged, looking down at his hands.

"Future captain? Really?" My eyebrows raised in surprise. "Wow... That's amazing."

He chuckled. "I am amazing, aren't I?"

"So you've still been hanging out with... well... our friends? And not the guys in the football team, all these years?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Usually when someone jumps up the stupid hierarchy of the school, they prefer to hang out with the popular kids.

Ryder frowned at me before sighing and running a hand through his hair. "You think I'm a jerk, don't you?" He said looking at me from under his lashes.

"What? No." I shook my head. "I just-"

"I may have changed Miles, a lot, but I could never be a part of what those assholes are." He said looking at me with an emotion I couldn't decipher. "Not after what they did to you."

He looked at me with such a raw emotion that I almost saw glimpses of his 14 year old self, staring right back at me.

"Thank you." I said, not breaking eyes contact.

"For what?"

"For today. For having my back, even if you thought I overreacted." I said, running a hand through my hair as the images flashed before my eyes.

"You don't have to thank me." He rolled his eyes. "And I don't think you overreacted, at all."

"You don't?" I looked at him, surprised.

"No. You had every reason to react in the way you did." He said, making me look down as unwanted memories before my eyes.

"I've been there, you know? In that guy's place." I said, meeting his eyes again as he looked right back at me nodding.

"I know and I also know I couldn't do much about what happened to you back then but," He said, grabbing hold of my hand. "I want you to know that I'll always have your back."

I smiled, a genuine smile as I felt the warmth of a best friend after a long time.

"Just give me a heads up next time, rather than running off before I can blink, maybe?" He said with an amused smile, raising his eyebrows.

I chuckled at that, rolling my eyes.

The sound of something falling pulled us out of our trance as our heads snapped to the side and both my hands immediately went to my boots.

Ryder sighed. "Come on in, guys." He called out while I quickly retracted my hands from my boots before anyone could notice.

From behind some desks, at the entrance side came in Lex, Mia, Cole and Dylan one by one, with guilty smiles on their faces.

"We didn't mean to evesdrop, but my asshole of a brother doesn't know what personal space is." Cole said hitting Dylan in the back of his head.

"But Ryder was being cute with Emily. Did you really think I'd miss that?" Dylan retorted with a cynical smile.

"I was not being cute." Ryder grimaced.

"You soooo were." Dylan sang, walking further in and sitting on a beanbag. "I'll always have your back, Miles." He said trying to lower his octave, to match Ryder's voice.

That made everyone burst out laughing, while Ryder put his head in his hands, groaning.

In sudden realisation I turn to look at Mia. "Didn't you have a tutoring session or something?" I asked as she motioned for me to shift and perched on the side of the beanbag, putting her arms around my shoulder.

"I did. I told them I wasn't feeling well." She said, placing her cheek on the top of my head, side-hugging me.

I turn my head up slightly to look up at her, frowning, while she raised her eyebrows at me. "What? Ryder can be available and all cute for you and I can't?"

"I wasn't being cute." Ryder whined.

I rolled my eyes at him before holding Mia's hand on my shoulder. "Thank you. I mean it," I said turning to look at everyone. "but in case you didn't notice, I'm much stronger now. I won't let them walk all over me, again."

Looking at them, sitting together, including Lexi and I gave me a feeling of belonging. One that I hadn't felt in a long time.

Lexi had always been there for me, but I couldn't help but feel like, being dragged around with me, made her an outcast too. Now that I see her merging in with these people, I don't feel guilty anymore.

"Oh we saw that." Cole's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "The way you pulled him back like a ragdoll was just... *chef's kiss*. I think I heard something snap in his neck."

"You saw that, I fucking have first hand experience." Ryder muttered, running a hand through his hair, making the twins burst out laughing, while Mia sat there, confused, looking around for someone to elaborate.

Lexi proceeded to narrate to her the events of that day before they had arrived, the twins adding in details of her own, while Ryder and I grumbled.

Spending time and laughing already felt so natural with them, it was as if I had never left in the first place.

It almost made me feel guilty for being a selfish bitch all those years ago. Maybe I could've trusted them a little more. Maybe I was too... impulsive?

I felt a warm hand on mine, making me snap out of my thoughts to look up to a confused Ryder.

I had zoned out of the conversation, and he obviously noticed, looking at me with raised eyebrows.

That's when a realisation hit me. Even though he had said this already, he really hadn't changed.

Sure, he was crazy hot, had a facial bone structure that could give anyone a paper cut, had hair softer than a baby's bottom and was built like a fucking Greek Go-

'Wow you're definitely not obsessed with this boy.'

But he was still the same person, same boy who jumped into a lake to retrieve my favourite scrunchie and who was the first to notice whenever I felt down.

I shook my head at him, with a small smile on my face, reassuringly.

And just like that, the conversation continued, laughter erupted and we were back to being a bunch of kids who weren't afraid to be happy.

*****

It had been a little over an hour when we decided to head home.

"Hey, you need a ride home? I didn't see your car in the parking lot this morning." Ryder said catching up to me, as I was walking with Lexi and Mia.

I'd caught a ride with Lexi in the morning since Alec obviously wouldn't have woken up at 5 just so I can pull a prank on someone.

I looked up at Ryder as he jerked his head to motion towards where his ride was parked. Seeing this as a practical option, since we lived on the same street, I opened my mouth to agree, when my eyes landed on his ride and I stopped in my tracks.

Lexi followed my gaze and her frown dropped as her eyes landed on Ryder's bike.

Mia frowned at us, confused as she switched between looking at the bike and us.

The twins caught up to us, trying to get each other in a headlock.

"No." I rushed out, looking at Ryder as he frowned. "I mean, don't worry. Lexi can give me a ride home." I said making Lexi nod frantically.

Ryder scanned my face, narrowing his eyes at me. "We literally live on the same street."

"Really? I hadn't noticed." I rolled my eyes at him, subtly glancing at his bike.

He suddenly bent down to my level, making me jerk my head in surprise, as he looked at me, wide-eyed.

"You're... scared." He said, looking at me as if he's trying to solve a puzzle. "Why are-"

He stopped as his eyes widened as he turned to look at his bike, while everyone except Lexi exchanged confused glances.

Lex let out an uncomfortable chuckle. "It's okay, I can gi-"

"You're scared to get on my bike." It was a solid statement with no hint of doubt. "Or you're just scared of bikes, period."

I didn't budge and crossed my arms across my chest. "Think whatever you want."

"I've told you, I can see right through you." He rolled his eyes. "But why though? I thought you were all bold and badass now."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "None of your business."

"Real mature."

"Great. I was inspired by you." I smiled.

Mia groaned stepping between us. "Stop, you two." She looked at Ryder. "If she doesn't want to get on a bike, let her be."

Ryder didn't look away from me as a smirk grew on his lips. "Yeah sure." He shrugged.

I knew there was something brewing in his head. The smirk on his face was infuriating and his eyes were mischievous.

"Come on, Lex." I said not taking my eyes off him, with a blank look.

I waved goodbye to everyone before walking to Lexi's car. When we were at a safe distance, I let out a breath I didn't known I was holding.

"Are you okay?" Lex asked unlocking her car.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I said once we settled in.

I was putting on my seatbelt on when I heard the roaring of an engine and I looked up to see Ryder revving up his bike, looking right at me.

He was doing this on purpose.

I clenched my teeth as I noticed a smirk plastered on his face as he grabbed his helmet putting it on.

I kept looking as he mocked a two finger salute at me, before peeling out of the parking lot.

I heard a ping from my phone, indicating that I recieved a text.

Fight scheduled at 7.

It said, making me turn to look at Lex, a smile forming on my face.

We decided to just head to Lex's place, since a back and forth would be unnecessary.

I desperately needed a distraction and this was a perfect one.

*****

I staggered back as I felt the effect of his punch in my abdomen and thigh.

I smirked at the pain, shifting my footing to put my weight on my good leg.

I calculated his next move as I saw Tary, my opponent, putting his weight on his left foot.

Taking the opportunity, I raised my leg and kicked him on the right side. When he toppled to the side, I advanced and without giving him time to think landed two consecutive punches in the same area.

I could feel the ripple in his muscles, and a soft crunch when my fist made contact with his body.

That made him lose balance and land on his back as I got on top of him, in my signature position, landing punches on his face, till I heard a whistle.

Three

Two

One

"KNOCKOUT" The voice of the referee brought me back to my senses as I stood up on my feet, breathing heavily.

I stare down at yet another fighter about twice my size, sprawled unconscious, on the floor with the left half of his face swollen and bleeding and two of his teeth lying next to his face, making me grimace.

I took some blows on my stomach and this guy definitely did more damage than Brody. I winced as I turned, only to feel a sharp pain in my ribs.

Great. A broken rib. Just what I needed.

Lex ran to help me out of the rink while Tary, the other fighter, was carried away.

I wiped as much of the sweat and blood I could, without increasing the damage while Lexi was handed the prize money.

We headed out of the arena from the back gate to avoid running into some angry bidders, who yet again, lost their money.

Bidders were stubborn as they were mostly men and it was hard for them to believe that a girl could win against a man. Even after my fight on Friday, many bidders bet against me, literally hoping for me to somehow die in the rink.

Tary, my opponent today was a good fighter. I won't say he was the best but he was better than Brody and his sidekick.

The reason why a lot of people bet on him was because he rarely lost a fight, maybe this was his first defeat.

While he was sprawled on the floor, I saw a very familiar red serpent tattoo on his wrist, but I didn't think much of it.

I wish I did though, because just as we reached the end of the alley, two dark figures blocked our path.

On instinct, my hands reached to my boots, when I heard footsteps from behind us.

"We don't want any trouble, Miles." A voice broke the silence and he commenced from the shadows with three figures following him.

That name triggered something in me as I clenched my teeth, annoyed.

We were heavily outnumbered, I was worn out from the fight and I had a fractured rib.

Just perfect.

I thought, as I looked at Lexi to see her reaching for her waistband as well.

"What do you want?" My voice echoed as a figure stepped forward. They were all wearing hats so I couldn't see anyone's face clearly.

I ignored the pain that spread through my body and stood in a posture that didn't give away any of my weaknesses.

He extended an arm, raising his other arm in surrender, when he saw us taking a fighting stance.

In his hand, was a white envelope, but what caught my attention was the man's wrist, which had the same red serpent tattoo, which matched the seel on the envelope.

'Ooh fancy.'

Seriously?

"We are from the red serpent gang, and we're only here to deliver a message." He said pushing his hat slightly up to reveal his face.

He must be in his early 30s and I noticed how he had scars all over his face and had a crooked nose, confirming the fact that he is, indeed, in a gang.

What do they want from me, though?

I exchanged glances with Lexi, before nodding.

I retracted my hands from my boots before snatching the envelope out of his hands, scoffing.

"And what, the envelope was too heavy to be carried by one?" I said eyeing the figures surrounding us.

The guy chuckled before stepping back. "We were warned of your impulsiveness and fighting techniques and didn't want to take any chances."

"Smart move." I said boldly, masking the pain that spread through my ribs.

"If it's an invitation to a ball, you're wasting your time." I said eyeing the fancy seel on the envelope.

An amused smile took over his face as he tilted his hat to cover half of his face again before slowly backing away. "Our job here is done, Miles."

My eyes followed his retreating figure till he vanished in the shadows, leaving us alone in the alley.

I looked down at the envelope as a loud grumble filled the silence in the air.

I turned to look at Lex, who looked at me with a guilty smile on her face.

"What? All that tension made me hungry." She shrugged, making me roll my eyes as we made our way back to her car.