RIDE HOME WITH RYDER
” Don’t go, Pearl,” I called her but she already ran away. She doesn’t need to bear her pain all alone. She should have let me stay with her. I can make her feel better. A relationship always comes with trouble. I’m glad I never been in a relationship in my life.
I attended the rest of the class without my best friend. I felt a little alone but I practised with that in my life. I always stay alone with myself. Half of my life has been like that. Anyways, the rest of the day goes faster than I could imagine. All the students are walking in groups, laughing with their friends. I was walking absent-mindedly on the road. How am I going to pass the rest of the day in my home? This thought ran in my mind before someone grabbed my waist and pulled me back from crossing the road.
Before I could scream, I saw a car passed the way on the road. I would have taken a step without realizing it. Thank god.
” What are you thinking, Emily? Can’t you be careful?” that familiar voice scolded me. I turned to see Ryder. His hands are still on my waist. He’s glaring at me in anger.
” I’m sorry. I didn’t notice the car…” I muttered under my breath. His eyes softened after a minute.
” Be careful next time. I came to find you to apologize. I left you as something came up.” he said, releasing his hands from my waist. I don’t expect him to apologize.
” It’s okay. I’m glad you came now.” I said, looking behind him. There’s a new motorcycle parked in the corner. The colour’s in a mixture of black and red. I guess it belongs to him.
” Are you going home by yourself?” he asked.
” Yeah,”
” I will take you home today. What do you say? Moreover, we are neighbours.” he asked. I didn’t see that coming. How can I say no that?
” I’m coming with you,” I replied. There’s a bright smile on his face. I followed him to the place where he parked his motorcycle. Our homes are a little bit nearby the school. But going home with Ryder is much better than taking a mode of public transport.
” Get on,” he called me when he started the engine. I slowly got behind him. My hands are too nervous to touch him. So, my hands got hold of the bike behind my back.
After a minute, he spoke. Or I can say it’s a warning. ” Aren’t you holding onto me? I will be going fast.” He said, raising the speed.
” We are just going home. You don’t need to increase the speed.” I told him.
” I don’t like to go slow,” he said, turning his head slightly.
” Fine. Show me your speed. Let’s see how you ride.” I said, wrapping my hands around his body lightly. I sounded like I’m challenging him.
” Are you testing me?” He questioned me and he keeps on increasing the speed. On the other side, he’s good at being careful too. I can totally trust, he won’t end my life with his driving skills. And then I realized I was holding onto me so tight that both our bodies are pressed together. He doesn’t tell me to move. Neither did I.
” So, how’s your day?” he started.
” Good except for one thing. My best friend has a boyfriend problem. She told me to leave her alone for sometimes. But I feel so sad for her.” I told him my worries.
” Oh, I see. This is why I never had a girlfriend. These types of emotions give us misery. Just give her some space, she will get better day by day.” He advised me and I decided to change the topic. I need to divert my mind instead of thinking about Pearl.
” Right. Anyways, how are you going to spend the rest of the day?” I casually asked him.
” Clearly, I won’t be studying. I will spend some time in the bar or spend my time with my two friends. You would have seen them today at the break. Did you?”
He’s talking about the boys who came to call him for an important thing. I only heard a little conversation when I was sitting next to me. But I don’t want to ask about it now. Ryder is so angry about someone’s back in the city. He may not be interested in answering it.
” Yeah, I saw them. Are they from our class?”
” Nope. They are from another section. So, how do you spend your time after school?” Nothing to say. I rarely get out of my home.
” Nothing. Just binge-watching some Netflix series. It will be kinda boring to hear about me.” I told him. By that time, we reached our house. He parked the bike right next to his house.
” It won’t be boring if I’m here with you. Can I come over to your house one day? Will it be okay?” He asked, leaning on his motorcycle. Everybody knows my answer.
” Of course. You can come at any time. Thanks for the ride. See you tomorrow,” I waved by hand. I turned back after he waved back.
” How was your first day in Edgewood High, honey?” My mom asked when I entered the house.
” It went well, I think. You are looking so happy.” she guessed easily by seeing my face.
” Yeah, it went well, mom. There are some problems. But I will tell you afterwards.” I said, taking the plate full of cookies she made for me. I went straight to my home like I was in a hurry. I freshened up and did some school work. After sometimes, my hands went over to call Pearl but I decided not to disturb her. Before I could turn off my phone, I got a notification from an unknown person. Whose number is it?
Hey, Milly. What’s up?
I know who will call me like this. Jason Byrne.
Emily: How did you get my number?