Chapter 14

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Feeling a tug on my ponytail, I expect to see Zayden as I turn around. Instead I come face to face with a smiling Caden.

"Hey, Sugar." He greets, smiling at Marcheline. I ignore him, turning back to her.

"Are you sure you don't need a ride?" I confirm. Marcheline shakes her head, her skating bag in hand.

"Zay is going to give me a ride. Don't worry about it." She waves me off, before walking off to meet Emery.

"Hi, Caden." I finally greet, struggling to fix my hair as I balance two textbooks between my knees. Caden bends down, plucking the books from me, holding them patiently as he waits. "Thank you."

"So." He begins. I meet his eyes, raising a brow at him.

"So?"

"Project."

Crap. "Right. About that...unless you can give me a ride, I'm not sure if we can go anywhere besides the school's quad."

Haisley had given me a ride this morning, dumping my ass before speeding to track practice after school.

I haven't seen much of her lately, and it bothers me, but I've learned not to question what isn't needed to be questioned.

He shrugs, "No biggie, I can give you a lift."

I have never actually seen Caden get to or leave school, unless he's with Kinsley.

We begin walking to the parking lot in silence, avoiding the crowds. I try to fall in step with Caden, but damn his long legs.

Making it halfway down the large lot, I don't expect to stop short.

"A motorcycle?" I pale slightly, shaking my head. "You ride a motorcycle?"

He gives me an amused look, leaning against the handlebar. "Problem?"

I bite my lip nervously. "No, I-I've never been on a motorcycle before."

"Always a good time to try something new." He places a helmet on my head, knocking on it lightly. "Safety first."

I watch grimly as he swings his leg over the bike, sliding forward to make room for me. He pats the seat behind him, smiling calmly as I take a step back.

"I don't think so..." I trail, shaking my head.

My mother always told me two things: carry your pepper spray, and don't get on a motorcycle.

He holds his hand out expectantly, waiting for me to get over myself. I take the hand nervously.

There's less space than I anticipated, oawkwardly positioning myself as I try to keep my distance. Except...there is no distance.

"I don't like this." I mutter under my breath, beginning to really question if I trust Caden at all. Or enough for this at least.

He chuckles, "You're going to have to wrap your arms around me, Sugar." I ignore the smugness in his voice, doing as I'm told reluctantly.

I'd preferably not die today.

I hesitantly wrap my arms around his torso, doing my best to block out the fact that the entirety of my frontside is pressed against his back.

I yelp as he turns on the engine, squeezing tighter. His chuckle vibrates against my skin as well. "Come on, Charli. You're safe, I promise."

Promises, what a silly thing. Because in the end, promises are just placeholders for broken lies.

I take a deep breath, nodding against his shoulder. I close my eyes as he takes off, slowly as first then faster as we pass the school.

"Sugar, open your eyes." Caden laughs.

Sincerely, Charli DayWhere stories live. Discover now