Grab A Bite

The bell came ringing loud.

"That will be all for today's lesson."

The teacher said as he picked up his belongings.

"See you all in our next class."

As soon as the teacher stepped out, the class became noisy, some hurriedly stepped out of the class, some sat in groups, some played around, while some were much more interested in packing their bags. But no matter what they all were doing, they all did one thing in common.

Natasha was done packing her bag. She could hear everyone speaking about what had transpired during lunch. 'It really is an interesting story that will last a while.' Natasha thought to herself as she turned to face Riley. Her once smiling face disappeared immediately after she saw him looking frightened.

"Riley." she called out, but got no response from him.

"Riley." she called out a second time, and still no reply.

Calling him a third time and the very same happened, she held him by his arms and shook him vigorously.

He looked at her, but still looked frightened. He hated this side of himself the most. He always did wish to have someone stand up for him, and when he really did have someone stand up for him, he would always be scared. But he knew he was not scared for no reason. All those who had stood up for him in the past ended up in serious trouble. He didn't want anyone else to end up in trouble all because they wanted to help him.

"Riley, seriously, are you even a man?"

Riley could see a face trying to make him angry again, but now just was not the time to get angry.

"I'm sorry for getting you into this mess." he said while bowing his head down "Please, you have to stay away from me, if you do not want any harm happening to you."

Natasha stopped his head from going any lower that it already had, she lifted it up, and looked him in the eyes.

"Too late, I already am involved with you." she said in a serious expression, then suddenly, she changed it to a cheerful one "And it's not like I'm scared of bullies."

She got up and gave him a pat.

"Come on, let's get going."

He got up and followed her, the scared look no longer on his face, he felt a bit relaxed. He stepped out of his class for the fist time in a while, with a smile on his face, knowing he would not be bullied that day.

*****

"Hey Riley."

"Hmm"

They were at the gate, and Natasha was a bit confused. The fact that she found out his little secret didn't mean she knew his house or how he gets home.

"Did you bring a bike or is your driver coming to pick you up?" she asked as they stepped out of the school gates.

"No." replied Riley without a second thought "I take a taxi."

"Oh!" she said, a little bit surprised. Natasha knew that his father was a businss man, so of course, she expected Riley to have a driver.

"How about you?"

Riley asked since he also didn't know how she planned to go to her house.

"Oh me." she chuckled "Don't have, just go with whichever come."

"Why don't we take a taxi together?"

"Sure."

Hearing her agree made him so happy. It had been a long time since he had a friend to go home with.

"Hey, why don't we grab something to eat before going home?"

"Why not?"

"Let's go then."

Just as they were about to cross to the other side of he road a bike stopped right in front of them.

"Richard."

Riley said as soon as he saw the bike. He knew Richard's bike, so he could tell that the person who stopped right in front of them was Richard and he was right.

Richard took off the helmet, and his long curly hair fell down his neck and face. He brushed off the hair on his face with his fingers, then turned to look at Riley, but his eyes soon locked with the person by Riley's side.

"Who is she?" he asked in a cold voice, especially after seeing them holding hands.

Natasha took notice of Richard's gaze on her fingers which were intertwined with Riley's fingers. She released her fingers from Riley and leaned closer to him and whispered in his ear

"Is he one of your suitors?"

They both chuckled

"He's like a big brother to me." he replied her in a whisper.

"Ahem."

They both turned to look at Richard with a huge grin on their faces. Natasha stretched out her hand for a handshake.

"I'm Natasha, Riley's deskmate."

"Richard. Nice to know Riley finally has a deskmate." he said as he shook hands with her.

He and Riley looked at each other without uttering a word.

"Why are you here?" Riley finally asked.

Richard took an exaggerated deep sigh.

"Fulfilling the promise I made to a particular amnesia patient."

Riley's face turned red from anger.

"I'm not an amnesia patient."

"Then stop asking questions for which you know the answers."

Riley felt a bit conflicted. He had brought up the idea of going home in the same taxi as Natasha, he had agreed to grab a quick bite with her, and now, his brother was there to pick him up from school just as they had agreed on. Just who was he to choose.

Natasha gave him a pat on his shoulder and smiled at him.

"Go home with your big bro, we could always grab a bite some other day."

"Hmm. Thanks."

"Goodbye then."

" Good bye."

*****

"You seem quite happy today." said Richard the moment Riley alighted from the bike.

"Yes, very happy." he replied with a soft laugh.

"Just because you have a deskmate?"

They were both walking towards the door.

Riley looked at him and chuckled.

"Yes." he said and stopped by the door steps "But not only that."

Richard also stopped and could not help but smile when he saw Riley with a wide smile on his face.

"Oh, tell me more."

"You see, she stood up for me, would you believe if I tell you that Olivia and Everett might break up because of what Natasha said at school today?"

Richard's smile left when he heard what Riley said. So this was why he looked so happy. The fact that Olivia might break up with Everett. Was he really still in love with that crazy guy.

" Oh, I see," he replied, a little bit uninterested in the conversation again "and you are so damn happy you would finally have Richard all to yourself, right?"

Whether or not Riley took notice of his change of tone, Richard could not tell, cause Riley's face still had that big smile.

"Of course not." Riley chuckled "I'm happy I finally realize Everett's true colors, I'm happy I finally realize I no longer love him."

Richard was shocked, and just to make sure that he heard clearly, he repeated what Riley said.

"You no longer love him?"

"Yes. I would be a fool if I continue to love an idiot who denies loving me."

Saying this, he had a sad expression on his face. Letting go of his first love was not easy, but he knew he had to.

"I'm happy for you man." Richard said and gave him a pat on the back.

Riley nodded his head. He was about opening the door when Richard suddenly pulled him back to where the bike was parked.

"Hop on." he said after starting the bike. "I'll treat you to a meal."

Riley smiled and didn't waste a second before getting on the bike.