The Secrets We Keep (Formally WAIT)

Chapter 21

I slid into my seat just as the final bell was ringing signifying the end of the school day.

"Where the hell were you?" Becca asked worried.

"Stupid Avery was getting back at me for what happened with Ryder this weekend," I say stuffing my stuff into my backpack.

"Oh my God! That bitch! Are you okay? What happened?" She asks helping me pack the rest of my things.

"Let's just say the basement is way too accessible to students."

"F*ck. Im so sorry. So, what did they do?"

"Um, they locked me in a janitor's closet."

"Sh*t. How'd you end up getting out? Why didn't you call me?"

"I left my phone here, and, um, someone came and opened the door," I say avoiding her gaze and we made our way out of the classroom.

She stopped walking and gave me a coy smile.

"You can't avoid my question that easily. Who was it?"

I sigh and say his name as incoherently as possible.

"What? Did you say Ryder or Wildin'?"

I groan and roll my eyes.

"Oh my God!" She squeels, her curls bouncing. "No f*cking way. That asshat. Maybe he's got a soft spot for you?"

I roll my eyes at her comment and beaming smile.

"I'm serious," she whines leaning against my locker. "I mean he did beat that guy up at the party."

"Yeah," I say skeptically.

I didn't tell her how he had helped me when I was sick in the bathroom or how he had gotten shirtless and climbed into my bed, or how he had helped me crash the party.

I shake my head.

"No way. He probably just feels bad for me or something."

"Ladies," a familiar voice says over my shoulder.

I jump startled by his proximity to my body and slam my locker shut.

"Hi Ryder," Becca says calmly.

"Ready?" he asks me hooking his thumb under his backpack strap on his shoulder.

His bicep flexes, popping out distinctly from underneath his fitted maroon tshirt.

"Ready for what?" Becca asks looking at me questioningly.

"Oh, Lys is going to help me with the history assignment," he says smoothly.

"Right," I say nodding me head.

"Okay," Becca says taking a step closer to him. "F*ck with my friend and you are going to wish you were born a girl after I castrate you."

Her nostrils flare and she returns to her bubbly self as quickly as she had gone mamma bear.

"Have fun Lys. Call me tonight."

She gives me a telling look and I just roll my eyes and she saunters down the hall to the exit.

"Shall we?" he asks leading the way.

"Sure," I say.

The halls are mostly empty now, and I can tell that Ryder is nervous or something because he keeps looking around.

"If you're that embarrassed, I can just walk to your house."

"Huh," he says confused.

"I mean, I know you're embarrassed to be seen with me, don't want your friends to find out."