[ three ]

“Haha!” River laughed, his hand holding one of my pigtails. Tears clouded my vision but I held them back as my lips quivered. He tugged and yanked my pigtail and I couldn’t help but let the hot tears spill down my cheeks as small whimpers escaped my mouth.

He immediately let my hair go and took a step back as he stared at me with wide blue eyes. River cocked his head to one side and I turned away, furiously wiping my tears away. His hand shot out and clasped around my wrist. He gently tugged my hand away as guilt washed over his face, “I’m sorry.” He apologized quietly. I stared up at him through my glassy brown eyes and sniffled. Using his hand, he swiped away my tears, “Don’t cry, Riley.”

“Riley is already five but she’s still such a cry baby!” Katie exclaimed to everyone in the playground. Everyone stopped and stared before they started laughing at me. My chin wobbled as fresh tears stung my eyes. River frowned and pushed me to stand behind him, shielding me away from everyone’s eyes.

“You’re not nice Katie,” River vocalized to which Katie crossed her arms and harrumphed. Her friends who stood beside her, copied her stance. “Well my mommy said to not lie and I didn’t.” River laughed dryly at that, “Well my mommy said that wild animals like you, belong in the zoo!”

I peeked over River’s shoulder and Katie looked offended as the other kids started pointing and laughing at her. Her face turned red as she pouted before letting out an ear-piercing scream like the little kid she was.

Looking back, Katie was just like Casey and vice versa. Maybe Katie and Casey were even related. They had to be. And River, well he was just being River.

“Good morning Riley,” Julie chirped as I stepped foot into the dining area. I shot her a small smile and rubbed my tired eyes.

“Morning Julie, Robert,” I greeted them back, taking a seat at the dining table. Robert threw me a small grin before taking a sip of his hot coffee, the steam hitting his face. Julie raised her hand to signal one of the helps to bring my breakfast over, “Did you sleep well?” She queried as my breakfast plate was placed in front of me by Marcia whom I thanked, before answering to Julie.

“I slept just fine.” I picked my fork up and River came into the room with a loud groan that announced his presence. Sparing him a glance, I almost choked. He was only in his briefs! His six-pack and V-line were on display and I tore my eyes away before he noticed I was staring.

“River Jones! There is a young lady sitting right here, please go back and put on a shirt!” Julie nagged while Robert chuckled. In my peripheral vision, I saw him run a hand through his disheveled chocolate brown hair as a slow but steady smirk grew on his face. “But it doesn’t seem like it’s bothering her. In fact, I might even say she appreciates the sight.”

Shoving a small piece of bacon in my mouth, River ignored his mother and decided to sit right next to me. His mother huffed in exasperation and Mr Jones rubbed her arm in comfort.

The devil’s spawn who sat next to me leaned towards me, his warm breath tickling my neck. “Did you like what you saw, little one?” He whispered into my ear. My body couldn’t help but react at the close proximity as a blush crept up my face. I cleared my throat and elbowed him away. A deep velvety chuckled bubbled through River and I took a sip of my water.

“Ah right. I don’t know if River has told you but, you’ll be driving to school with him from now onwards,” Julie informed.

Unable to show my displeasure, I forced a smile and nodded my head. At that moment, River decided to play footsies with me as he kicked my foot. I shot him a quick glare but he kicked my foot again. I had decided to be civil but if he wanted to be childish, bring it on. Instead of kicking his foot, I struck at his shin.

He jolted in pain as he hunched and held his shin, shooting me a scowl while his parents sent curious stares at him. With the most innocent smile I could muster, I got up from my seat and excused myself. Shooting him a mocking smile, I left River to writher in pain.

An annoyed sigh escaped my lips as I checked my phone again. It took twenty minutes to drive to school, it was already 7.45a.m. and school started at 8a.m. yet, River was nowhere to be seen as I sat on the step of the porch. We were going to be late. A loud grunt left my lips.

“What are you grunting about? C’mon, we’re going to be late.”

I looked up and saw River staring down at me through his black sunglasses. He was clad in mostly black. A baggy black turtleneck with sleeves pushed up his arm to his elbows, black ripped jeans that stopped above his ankles and a pair of white shoes. To finish off the look, he had a small silver chain around his neck. With his lean figure, he looked like a model straight out of a Korean Men’s Fashion magazine with the way he dressed.

He snapped his fingers and I shook my head before getting up, “You’re one to speak. I’ve been sitting here since seven thirty.” He snubbed me and made way towards his sleek black Audi. I huffed and grabbed my bag off the ground before following him to his car.

I buckled my seatbelt as he inserted the key into the ignition. The car revved to life and he drove out of the driveway. Once out of the driveway, he smirked, “Hold on.” I quirked an eyebrow, “What?” He didn’t answer as he stepped on the gas pedal. The car accelerated and I was thrown against my seat.

“What the hell, Jones! Slow down!” I shouted over the engine. He played deaf, “What? Did you say speed up? Sure!’ The car went faster than it already did and my knuckles turned white as I gripped the seatbelt tightly.

My heart raced and so did the car.

By the time we reached the school parking lot, my face was pale and I couldn’t move from my seat for a good five minutes. River snorted at my state as he grabbed his bag and exited the car. He bent down to pop his head through, “You need to get off, Summers.”

I blinked twice and he sighed before shutting the door and coming around to my side. He opened my door and reached in, I yelped and pushed him, “What do you think you’re doing?” River rolled his eyes, “Selling you to the black market. What does it seem like I’m doing?” He commented sarcastically and gestured to my seatbelt. I licked my lips as he stared at me. I gestured him to move away and he let out a sigh before pulling away.

Undoing my seatbelt and grabbing my bag, I pushed him aside and got out of the car. He shut the door and I straightened the creases on my oversized white shirt with my bag slung over one shoulder.

He scoffed and locked the doors. I turned to him and glowered, “Did you have to drive so fast!” River removed his sunglasses and leaned against the car, “We were going to be late.” He commented nonchalantly. I folded my arms against my chest, “Well, maybe if you didn’t take so much time staring at yourself in the mirror, we could’ve left earlier and not have to rush.”

Pushing himself off his car, he leaned down towards me with a smirk plastered on his face, “Yeah whatever. We got here in one piece anyway,” – he flicked my forehead and I scowled at him, he snickered – “Anyway, I have football practice after school today. So, get a friend to take you back.” He added briefly before leaning back and walking off towards the school entrance.

Feeling eyes on me, I glanced around and realized the attention River and I had garnered. Right, he was ‘Mr Popular’. Girls, especially the cheerleaders shot me dirty looks. I hiked my bag up and gripped the strap, “Welp.” I muttered to myself and let out a long breath.

Their curious gazes burned holes through me and I quickened my pace, getting uncomfortable under their scrutiny. Sheesh people! A small sigh of relief left my lips once I entered the school building and was away from their death glares. If lasers could be shot out of their eyes, I would have dropped dead in the middle on the parking lot!

“Riley!” Harmony tackled me in a hug and I wrapped my arms around her, “Hey Harm.” Harmony was tiny enough that I enveloped her. She pulled away and checked the time on her phone, “Oh no, I have a student council meeting now. I’ll see you in class!” I nodded and she waved me goodbye before hurrying down the hallway, bumping into people. I chuckled at the sight.

“Riley Summers.” A familiar voice called out to me.

I quirked an eyebrow and spun around, meeting the one and only, Casey Taylor. Her piercing emerald green eyes stared at me intensely with a manicured hand on her waist. Her little posse stood behind her with their arms folded and patronizing looks plastered on their faces.

It felt like all the energy seeped out of my body and I hadn’t even gone to my first class. “What do you want Casey?” Her eyes narrowed to slits and she took a step forward, “Stay away from River if you know what’s good for you,” she sneered and jabbed a finger into my shoulder. I internally rolled my eyes. Right, she had a thing going on with River. Cliché much though?

Not wanting to pick a fight, I nodded my head wordlessly as the second bell rang. She stared at me before a satisfied expression crossed her face. A smug smile played at her lips and she snapped her fingers, “Let’s go, ladies.” She stalked off with her posse shooting me threatening looks.

A tired sigh escaped my lips and it was only 8.05a.m.!