24. Riley's Point of View

It's amazing how quickly something can go back to normal, especially when you originally thought it was broken. Thinking about it, I had made a terrible mistake. Making Melody choose between the guy she was obviously falling for and her best friend. However, looking back I probably would do the same thing. I have my reasons, obviously. But none of them were good enough for me to do that to her.

Not that I necessarily approved of her decision to date Tyler or fake date him. And as for Harris, he still deserved to be castrated but that could wait. The problem is, Tyler is still dealing. I've seen him around the neighborhood. Once you're part of that gang there is no getting out of it. They make you get a tattoo with their motto. Which is something creepy in Latin.

Except I wasn't really any better than Melody. After all, I was dating a member of the gang. It's sad really. My reasoning, everything. I hurt my friend at a time where she was already in pain. I was horrible, and she shouldn't forgive me.

But she did easily. Like it was normal for her to be stabbed in the back, and not care if the knife was still impaled. It's almost like she's prepared for me to twist it. Like she's okay with it. It scares me how okay she is with pain.

So I decided to do what a good best friend would do to make it up to her. I was gonna politely threaten Tyler.

- - - - - - - - - -

I noticed Melody, leaning against a locker. Harris was standing next to her. Melody made to leave, and Harris grabbed her hand.

She ripped it out and said something which made Harris cringe away from her. She then stormed away without looking behind her, right into another girl. One who looked strikingly similar to Tyler. Her replacement friend. A pang of jealousy shot through me. But I couldn't be feeling that it wasn't fair. I got a text and looked at it.

I saw Melody apologize and try to talk to her, but the other girl pushed past her.

Melody froze for a moment before running after her.

I noticed Tyler, standing at his locker. I walk up to him and put my hands on my hips. Setting my face into a stony mask.

"Riley?" He asks, sounding confused.

"Tyler." I address curtly, trying to keep my face as straight as possible.

"So, uh, Melody told me you two made up?" He says, and I study him. The way his voice shakes slightly like he's nervous but doesn't want to admit it. He probably just felt obligated to speak to me. I mean, it's what I wanted but he should've made it more difficult. Or maybe, sprinted down the hall and made me chase him. Honestly, he is not very attractive and he certainly is not my type. He is too... masculine. A whole bundle of testosterone packed into a body.

I guess his messy hair could be viewed as good looking. His face was symmetrical, a sharp jaw and perfect lips. Well, almost perfect. Slightly lopsided. The only thing I actually found extremely attractive about him was his eyes, which could only be described as beautiful. Piercing and intelligent. I almost lost my nerve as he studied me.

"Yeah, that's actually what I'm here about. I uh, held some animosity to you, at first. I know it wasn't right not even really knowing you but from the rumors, it sounded like you were gonna hurt, Melody." I mumble. However, I start to regain my confidence and resolve. He looks down bitterly, before turning away from me.

"Yeah, well don't trust everything you hear." He says into his locker. I feel my annoyance rise, and I push away a girl trying to get into her locker. She lets out a small yelp, before cursing quietly. I flip her off, not in the mood. I lean up against it and look at Tyler. He stubbornly won't meet my gaze, he is just making it worse on himself.

"Well, some of it was true." I snap back, and I notice the way his ears turn red. Good, he is embarrassed. If I'm going to burn bridges, it's gonna be with an inferno.

His gaze snaps to mine, unease flickering in his eyes. His perfect lips pulling down into a frown.

I lean a little closer to him and inhale. My nose wrinkling and scrunching up, I can practically smell the masculine stench that seems to be rolling off him in waves. I try to ignore it.

"What is that supposed to mean?" He asks, his voice dipping down lowly, almost what I would assume could be referred to as dangerously.

"Exactly that, some of the rumors are... unpleasant and entirely true. Something along the lines of... 'He can hook you up, after all, he is the gangs, drug boy." I say, and I see how he tenses. He leans closer to me, putting his arm above me, and putting his face close enough that I feel his breath fan out against my cheeks. His other arm rests against the locker, and I start to feel slightly uncomfortable with the compromising position. He has me pinned.

"What exactly are you saying?" He asks, and I can tell he is bracing himself for the answer.

"Look, I just want the best for Melody. I want to make sure you keep work and your social life apart. She is too innocent for you to corrupt, and I don't want her getting hurt. You've got to understand, I do not have a personal vendetta against you, I'm just trying to make up for being a shitty friend." I say, and I notice his face twist slightly, into a grimace. But a triumphant look fills his eyes.

"You're one to talk, you're such a hypocrite. Saying I need to be the one to get away from the gang? I'm not the one dating the gang's-" I reach up and press my hand against those lips, to stop him from speaking. I feel them tug up, and I pull my hand away before he can do something immature, like lick my hand.

"Look, just promise me you won't get her involved. I'll keep her away from you-know-who. I want to start over, but only if you're willing to. I don't want to cause any problems with Melody, or you. I already have one too many enemies." I say, and he struggles. Most likely considering his options.

"Screw it, why not?" He says, and I push up onto my toes, cursing my short height that was making me feel dwarfed. I pressed my cheek to him, which made him freeze in surprise. I resist a smile, it's the best way for me to make a deal, something I've been doing with my friends for a while.

"To a new friendship." I smile at him, a real one. And his lips pull away to reveal brilliant white teeth. I push him away, but not before a seeing swishing of very familiar brownish golden hair. And hearing a gasp of a barely contained sob.