Chapter Six:

Jealous Cupid

"I'm not the jealous type, but what's mine is mine. End of story."

Maya Granger

Biology was the last class I had, and it was also the only one in which I had with Ashton. So I wasn't surprised to see him there sitting next to Sakura at our usual spot. However, I was surprised to see Ryder there with them, sitting on the other side of Ashton.

"And the gang's complete!" Ashton exclaimed, as I took my usual seat in front of Sakura.

Ryder sent a wink my way, and I rolled my eyes in reply, not really feeling all that up to intertaining his antics. I felt tired from all the glares and stares I received throughout the whole day, and it was times like these that I wished I was homeschooled.

Sweet old Mrs. Jenkins came in a few seconds after I got comfortable in my seat, and the class quickly hushed upon her arrival. She was one if those old, yet cool teachers that has a way with students, eventually earning their respect.

"Alright, class," she started, smiling. "Before we start, I have an announcement to make. I have a project for all of you to do. You will be doing it in pairs, just like every other projects you've done before. So, I trust you all know who your partners are gonna be, yes?"

There was a series of nods.

From the beginning of the school year, Mrs. Jenkins had paired everyone in her classroom, so that when there's projects that need to be done, we don't have to go through the hassle of pairing every time.

Automatically, my eyes drifted towards my designated partner. He was already looking at me, a small smile on his face as he gave me a short nod. I returned the gesture with my own smile. Lincoln Manning was another nerd, except, he was the cool, popular kind. He was easy on the eyes, tall and lanky with just enough muscle to attract girls, and a cute dimpled smile. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a crush on him once upon a time. When I found out that he actually has his eyes set on someone else, whatever infatuation I felt for him disappeared, and we've been somewhat friends since then.

Mrs. Jenkins looked around the class, then continued, "Mr. O'Connel, I understand this is your first time in my class since a long time. So, I will pair you with..." She did another once over of the classroom. "Miss Knightly, since her partner seems to be absent."

At the mention of the familiar name, my eyes immediately went to Taylor Knightly. The beautiful blonde was sitting in the front row. She was the school's Miss Goody-Two shoes, and Queen Bee. She was strikingly beautiful with wavy blonde hair, milky white skin, a curvy figure and honey-brown eyes. And, to top it all off, she was very friendly and the captain of the cheer squad. She wasn't a snob. She didn't treat others like they were the dirt on her shoes just because her dad was a CEO to a huge recording company.

No.

If I can describe Taylor Knightly, I would use; sweet, compassionate, soft-spoken, considerate, and lovable.

She also happens to be Lincoln's crush, and I only know this because of my constant begging that he tell me. I mean, I was curious as to who had managed to snatch his heart. And when I found out, I completely understood why he fell for her. And I also know they-Taylor and Lincoln-have some sort of history. I just don't know the details.

So, you can imagine my surprise finding out that she-Taylor Knightly, West Brighton High's Miss Goody-Two shoes-was chosen to be the unfortunate partner of him-Ryder O'Connel, West Brighton High's Mr. Bad Boy.

I watched as she turned in her seat to look at Ryder. She sent him a warm smile, and a small wave. My eyes drifted to Ryder, and found him smiling in return, and my heart gave a small squeeze. I instantly recognized the feeling. It was the same feeling I got when mom and dad bought Nick his PSP, but got me nothing that day. It was jealousy.

As if feeling my eyes on him, Ryder looked to me, and I quickly averted my gaze, trying to focus on what Mrs. Jenkins was saying, while mentally scolding myself.

What the heck are you feeling all jealous for, Maya?! You have no right, because he's not yours. He can be with any girl he wants, and you wouldn't care one bit!

You won't? a small voice interjected, Are you sure you could stand by and watch Ryder with another girl?

I swallowed past the lump in my throat at the image that my mind conjured: Ryder walking next to a girl, a very beautiful girl. Ryder laughing with her, his arm draped across her shoulders. Ryder, kissing her on the nose, the cheek...then, the lips.

My hands shook as I found myself clenching them together into white-knuckled fists.

Are you sure?

I ended the conversation there, before my emotions got more out of hand.

***

"So, your place, or mine?" Lincoln asked, as I opened my locker, newly written notes falling unto the hallway floor. He was unfazed, since we already knew each other when I became friends with Ashton, meaning he was there when I first started getting love letters. Note the sarcasm.

Sakura who was right behind me, let out a low whistle, then chuckled. "Don't you just love it when you're the center of attention?"

"Your place," I answered Lincoln, ignoring the papers. "I don't want a repeat of what happened that one time we used mine."

Both Lincoln and I visibly shivered at the memory.

Sakura laughed at us. "Are you guys thinking about, that time?"

I nodded.

Just then, Ashton came up to us, all smiles. "'Sup guys?" He greeted up in reaching us. "What'cha talking about?"

"That time." Sakura answered, and again, Lincoln and I shivered.

Ashton let out a short bark of laughter. "Oh, that time! I would've loved to really see that happen in person."

"You don't," Lincoln and I said at the same time, and shook our heads. I continued for the both of us. "You seriously don't."

This only made Ashton and Sakura laugh together. However, their mirth was quickly cut short, as Lincoln was suddenly slammed against the lockers by a very pissed off looking Ryder.

I gasped at the sight. Ashton was immediately at Ryder's side, telling him to calm down, while Sakura took hold of my arm. The rowdy, crowded, noisy hallway suddenly became so quiet you could probably hear a pin drop. I was frozen in shock as I watched the scene unfold before me.

Ryder had taken hold of Lincoln's collar, still keeping him pressed against the lockers, as his face was look of pure anger. His jaw was clenching and unclenching, and his muscles were flexing, much like when we encountered Byron. Ashton kept his hold on Ryder in case his best friend tried anything else, while Lincoln himself looked frightened out of his mind, his usually flesh colored skin now a deathly white.

"You try anything, anything," Ryder growl, and the sound seemed to vibrate through my body. "With her," he pointed to me, "I won't hesitate to hurt you, badly."

I relaxed when Ryder's words registered in my mind. Lincoln was nodding his head, when I said, "Let go of him, Ryder. You're worse than my dad."

Ryder didn't even look at me, as he narrowed his already glaring eyes at poor, defenseless Lincoln. "How do I know he won't try anything?"

"Because he hasn't tried anything since the day we were partnered." I answered dryly, putting air quotation marks on the word tried.

"That's not good enough for me." He shook his head. "I need proof that he won't, not even an accidental brush of fingers, touch you."

I rolled my eyes, and Lincoln finally decided to answer for himself, his face somewhat gaining back some of its color, before he looked bravely into Ryder's eyes; chocolate-brown orbs, clashing with mid-night black.

"Because I like someone else," he answered, his voice more confident than his body language.

"Who?" Ryder asked, still eying the male nerd suspiciously. "Who do you like?"

I wanted to face-palm, with a brick, at Mr. Bad Boy's ignorance. "Ryder," I groaned, "Not everyone is like you. Some of us want to keep our crushes to ourselves, thank you very much."

"I can't tell you," Lincoln answered, both he and Ryder ignoring me. "I can't tell you because I haven't told her yet."

I almost swooned, my inner-fangirl mentally squealing. That's another thing about Lincoln that I liked about him. He has a way with words. And to me, that's a plus. Ryder's face immidiately softened, but he kept his hold on Lincoln's collar. Lincoln seemed to have regained his composure, staring back with determination. Then, Ryder let go of him, smirking. "Then, you better tell her." He told Lincoln, whose face showed evident shock at the sudden attitude change. "I don't like the idea of a single guy around my girl."

Ashton released his hold on Ryder, and Sakura did the same to my arm as my eyes narrowed in on him. I opened my mouth to deny his claim on me, but snapped it shut when a sudden idea came to mind. An idea that I knew would most definitely help Lincoln.

"You can't just tell someone to walk up to their crush and confess, Ryder," I said, and his eyes finally turned to me.

He looked truly puzzled. "Why not?"

Again, face-palm with a brick. "Because, it has to be timed perfectly. Timing plays a very big role when it comes to stuff like these."

"Then what do you suggest Lincoln do?" He crossed his arms at his chest, and my eyes momentarilly went to the bulging muscles. Mentally shaking myself, I smirked, and answered, "Until Lincoln can confess to the person he likes, you can tag along with us while we do this project. I don't think Miss Knightly would mind if we worked along side each other, would you?"

My eyes went to the blonde standing with the crowd that had formed around us, listening to every word that was said. She has been standing at the very front ever since Ryder rammed Lincoln into the lockers, and I could tell she was nervous for him seeing as her face now showed pure relief. However, I soon as I spoke my suggestion, she suddenly looked hesitant.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Lincoln giving me a wide-eyed stare, while Ryder had a thoughtful look as he pondered over my words. He suddenly turned to Taylor and asked, "You wouldn't mind would you? I don't think I'll be able to focus on the project knowing that Maya is alone with another guy somewhere."

Taylor's eyes flickered over to Lincoln, worry and hesitance evident in her eyes, before they looked to me, then Ryder. I inwardly smiled like a maniac whose plan had just worked. She cared for him, and if she wanted to keep Lincoln out of harms way, she'd have to agree.

"Sure," she answered, forcing a smile that could've fooled anyone but me.

Ryder grinned at her. "Thanks. I owe you one." He turned to me, his grin morphing into a small smile. "Any signs of falling for me yet?"

I rolled my eyes. "Let's just get this over with."

You are so jealous, the same small voice from earlier said, but I brushed it off. I was doing this for Lincoln, and his safety and that alone. But I knew, in the far corners of my mind, along with the feelings I chose to ignore, I knew I was doing this all for a different reason.

I was doing it for me.

However, like those feelings, I chose to ignore it as well, repeating the It's all for Lincoln phrase over and over again in my head like a chant.