I quickly stepped out of the shower and dried off. We were going to be really late for school if I didn’t hurry. I didn’t bother doing anything with my hair because I had no time. Instead, I opted for a high ponytail. Quickly getting dressed and throwing on some light makeup, I walked back into my room to find Ryder fast asleep in my bed wearing only his boxer shorts.
I stood there watching him sleep for a moment. He looked so peaceful and relaxed. A small smile was on his perfect lips, and he was breathing softly. I realised that we needed to talk about this whole situation soon. Last night he told me he missed me and that he wanted me, but I wasn’t sure if he just wanted me and missed me as a friend and if he only needed me this morning because we’d already slept together and I was convenient. I hoped that wasn’t it.
Was he just using me? That thought made me feel sick. I didn’t want to just be another of Ryder’s hook-ups. I liked him too much and needed to know his real feelings—whether he actually felt the same or if this was all just for show to piss Chace off. If it was just for a show, he was a brilliant actor. I just needed to know where I stood and what it meant for our fake relationship. But first, we needed to get to school.
“Ryder,” I murmured in his ear while gently shaking his shoulder. He didn’t budge.
“Ryder,” I called louder. “Wake up.” He still didn’t move.
I shook him harder, but all it accomplished was him rolling over to the centre of my bed. I tried again, but he wouldn’t wake up. He must have been really exhausted.
I hoped that whatever he was dealing with and whoever it involved appreciated it. I tried one last time by leaning down and pressing my lips to his. I felt his mouth twitch slightly and thought that I may have succeeded, but that was it—just a twitch. He didn’t kiss me back because he was still fast asleep.
Not wanting to miss school, I sent a quick text to Indie asking her to pick me up. I left a note for Ryder beside the bed.
Ryder,
Couldn’t wake you up in time for school. You looked like you could use the sleep anyway. Stay as long as you like.
Call me later.
Bailey x
I made my way downstairs and waited for Indie. She pulled up a minute later, giving me a confused look and pointing at Ryder’s car.
“Why am I picking you up when lover boy’s car is here?” she asked as soon as I opened the door. No hello or anything.
“Good morning, Indiana. How are you today?” I asked sarcastically. She hated being called by her full name.
“Urgh, don’t. Hi, Bailey. I’m good. How are you? Now how about you tell me why I am picking you when your delicious boyfriend’s car is on your drive?”
“He’s asleep,” I said, turning on the radio as we headed toward school.
“Oh, okay. Wait! What? He’s asleep where?” She looked at me from the corner of her eye as she still tried to concentrate on the road.
“In my bed.” I shook my head at her. Where else would he be if his car was at my place?
“Oh! My! God! You guys spent the night again!” She squealed while clapping her hands on the steering wheel. “So you did it, huh?” she asked, not that she needed to say what she was really thinking.
“Yes, but he didn’t spend the night. I know my mother is pretty relaxed, but I doubt she would let him stay all night.” Although judging by my mother’s reaction to his presence this morning, I could have been completely wrong.
“So what is he doing asleep in your bed if he didn’t stay the night?” she asked, pulling into the school parking lot. I didn’t even realise we were there already. Indie drove too fast sometimes.
“He came around this morning to take me out for breakfast, but we never actually made it.” I smiled at her, waiting for her to catch on.
“Oh, okay. Obviously ’cause he fell asleep,” she said, walking ahead of me toward the doors. I waited for it. The moment when it clicked.
“Oh, wait! You just did it then too, didn’t you?” she practically shouted, turning around to face me before quietly adding, “You have just had sex before school.”
I nodded in response and felt my cheeks warming, although I didn’t know why. I wasn’t embarrassed about it. I didn’t care that she knew what Ryder and I were doing earlier that morning. It was good to have a friend I could talk to. One I could trust. I never felt that way with Christina. I wonder why. Maybe because she was a lying, backstabbing, little b—
“I can’t believe it. What was it like? I want all the details,” she demanded, linking her arm through mine and towing me toward our lockers.
“Amazing,” I told her, laughing as she shrieked with excitement. I then tried to steer the conversation away from me. “How about you tell me about Linc and prom?” I asked.
“Oh, Bailey. It was great. Magical. Best night ever! We just talked and ate and danced and just had an awesome time together. He asked if I’m going to have a birthday party before I leave for uni. He remembered my birthday!” She was beaming.
“And are you having a party?”
“Do you want to see Ryder’s mighty fine naked body again?” she countered. Before I could respond with a “Duh, obviously,” she continued speaking. “Hell yes, I’m having a party. And Linc will be my guest of honour.”
I started laughing at her enthusiasm and quickly grabbed my books from my locker. Indie continued talking all the way to my homeroom about how perfect Linc was and that she thought he was finally noticing her.
“I’ll see you later on. We’ll do lunch,” she said, like it was some big plan and not something we did every day. She smiled and skipped off toward her homeroom.
“Congrats, Bailey.” I heard a small voice and turned to see Lenora, the young girl Christina had poured her drink over in the corridor.
“Uh, thank you.” I smiled at her, not really sure what she was congratulating me on.
“I told you she’d pay.” Lenora clapped her hands together and giggled. “My sister’s on the prom committee. When she found out what Christina did to me that day and that you helped me, she was on a mission to make sure everyone knew about it. She put your name in the running for prom queen.” She clapped again.
Well, that explained how I managed to get nominated, but what about Ryder? Did she put him in the running too?
“Oh right, I wondered how that’d happened?”
“Yes, well, I just wanted to say thank you and congratulations. See you later.” And with that, she was off, running down the corridor.
But I couldn’t understand why anyone voted for me. I mean, it was Christina’s crown. It had always been meant for her. It was either rigged for Ryder and me to win, or people really were starting to see what Chace and Christina were like.
I turned and headed for homeroom, trying not to think too much about the crown and to just be happy that the students liked me more than they liked Christina. Dammit. Ryder wasn’t there. I had to face Chace and Christina alone again after everyone already seeing Ryder’s return at Prom and us winning the crowns. I walked into the classroom, not making eye contact with anyone in particular and trying my best not to look affected by all the sudden stares in my direction. What now?
“No Ryder today?” Christina asked from behind me when I took my seat. She sounded absolutely gleeful. She was definitely up to something.