10 Chapter 9

“Need something?” I venomously ask him.

A short, bitter laugh comes out of him and he shakes his head smiling. “I remember when I didn’t have to need something to be around you.”

I focus my eyes ahead of me and don’t say anything, just focus on running. He sighs.

“I just caught up with you to let you know there are more decisions on the paper that we need to make.”

I nod. “Okay. Be at my house around five?”

“You’re okay with me coming to your house?” he asks, confusion and astonishment blazing on his face.

“I’m not letting what happened get in the way of a project. I need the grade.”

“Zoning out like usual, I take it?” he asks, an almost laughter in his words.

I scoff. “No. I’ve been paying attention,” I retort defiantly. I would not let him feel like he still knew me so well.

He looks at me with an expression that says he knows I’m lying. Of course, he does. He always did. Infuriating ass. I roll my eyes and let him feel my scorn.

“Okay, so I’ve zoned out a little.”

“Thought so,” he says smiling, his face now relaxed and back to the Colton I knew and loved.

I don’t say anything. This feels way too much like when we were friends. I won’t fall into this false pattern and get my hopes up just to get them shattered again.

“So, uh...your birthday’s coming up,” he continues more awkwardly.

“Your birthday is coming up?”

I turn my head to the other side of me so fast that it feels like I got whiplash, and see Riley keeping pace with me now as well. I had been so absorbed with Colton that I hadn’t even heard him coming up beside us. I let out a breath as my heart starts to slow from the shock.

“Yeah,” I answer him shortly and bitterly.

“So, five at your house?” Colton confirms.

“Yeah, that was the plan,” I answer.

“Alright, see ya then,” he says, then speeds up and leaves Riley and me alone.

“What’s at five?” Riley asks me, raising an eyebrow.

“He’s coming over to work on the project.”

“Oh. Fun,” he sarcastically replies.

“If awkwardness is now considered fun,” I mutter.

“Relax. You’ll be fine. Just don’t worry about it.”

“Yeah, easy for you to say.”

“So, when is this birthday of yours, princess?” he asks, smirking mischievously.

“This Saturday,” I tell him, shooting him a deadly look.

“That’s the day after tomorrow. You should have told me.”

“Why?” I ask, baffled.

“You would ask that,” he says, shaking his head at me and chuckling.

“It’s nothing special.”

“You’re turning 16, right?”

I nod, dread filling the pit of my stomach.

“You should be excited.”

“I’m not exactly the type to get excited anymore,” I deadpan.

“Mhm, well good thing you have me now,” he replies cheerfully.

“Yes, because you make everything so much better,” I sarcastically retort.

“Glad you see that now,” he says, smiling.

“You’re such a loser,” I say, laughing and shaking my head.

He shrugs. “Whatever you say.”

The coach blows her whistle, telling us to stop running and go find some activity to do. She doesn’t believe in sitting down in gym class. When she turns around, I duck behind a tree and do just that. I start tearing grass from the ground, the wind lightly blows my sweaty hair into my face. I take off my hair holder from around my wrist and pull back my thick hair sloppily. Thirty more minutes and I can go home. But then I remember Colton is coming over this afternoon and fear knots itself into my throat and stomach, twisting around every vein in my body. I dig my nails into my arm for a minute, let go, sigh, and lean my head back against the tree with my eyes closed. The fear is still there. But I feel myself starting to relax and get numb.

“Boo!”

I jump and my eyes snap open. Riley is in front of me on his haunches, his eyes sparkling with humor. I narrow my eyes at him, which only makes him laugh.

“What the hell!” I yell at him, furious for breaking the peace that I had just gained.

“What are you doing back here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” I snap, raising an eyebrow.

“I noticed you come back here,” he answered, unperturbed and tapping the tip of my nose with his pointer finger, which only makes me scrunch it away and make him laugh. “Adorable.” I huff and glare at him.

“And you followed me like a lost dog?”

“No, you looked like you needed company.”

“I don’t. I’m doing just fine on my own. Or was, at least,” I answer coldly.

He sighs and sits beside me. “Natalie, please don’t do this. I thought we were getting somewhere.”

I meet his bright green eyes and, for once, they aren’t sparkling with humor or laughter. They are gentle. I bite my lip and look away for a minute.

“Hey,” he says, gently tugging my ponytail and making me look at him. “I’ve already told you; I’m not planning on hurting you,” he continues softly.

“Planning being the keyword.”

“No, don’t do that. There is no keyword,” he says, taking my response from when we had said similar things.

A small smile forms on my lips and I shake my head at him. His eyes start to light up a little and a huge smile appears again. He looks like the normal Riley again. Just from a small smile from me? Or was it the memory or banter?

“So, there is when you want there to be but not when I want there to be a keyword?”

“Pretty much,” he says, nodding and folding his arms behind his head to lean back against the tree next to me with a smug smile.

“Oh, that’s fair,” I tell him, laughing.

The bell rings and we stand up. I brush off the back of my shorts and start heading to the girl’s locker room with Riley beside me. I see Andrea spot us from a little way away and start to come over. I let out a sigh. Peace and laughter over.

“I swear if she’s coming over here about that stupid house,” he mutters to me.

“Thought you liked her,” I whisper, laughing.

“I do. She’s a nice girl, just not the best partner for me for this project.”

Andrea gets closer and Riley groans a little.

“Hey, Riley!” she yells, showing off sparkling white teeth.

“Oh, hey Andrea. What’s up?” he asks, pretending he hadn’t noticed her.

“I was just wondering if you wanted to come over to my house after school and work on the project.”

“Sure. What time works for you?”

“After we get done changing is fine,” she excitedly answers.

“Okay, then. Meet you in the parking lot. I’ll follow you to your house.”

“Okay, great!” she says, smiling hugely and running to the locker room.

“Think she was excited enough?” I ask as we walk up to the locker rooms.

He shrugs in response. “I’ll see you later.”

This time I shrug and he raises his eyebrows at me. I leave him standing there watching me, and go into the locker room and change.