Riley
I tossed and turned all night in anticipation for what the new day might hold. It’s my senior year and I hope I can go through it unnoticed, but I have a feeling that won’t be easy. I dread the thought of seeing Zane and Breanne and tomorrow is Todd’s first day at the high school. I have to watch over him and I’m nervous he might get in a fight with Zane. I know that both Todd and Harry have bad feelings towards him.
Before I know it, the sun has risen, and it is time to get ready for the day. I breathe out as I put on my contacts, braid my hair, brush my teeth, and throw on some jean shorts and a tank top. I go downstairs and start a pot of coffee and realize that I’m the first one up. I sit in the living room with my mug and sit where I can see out the window.
I look at the nature that surrounds our house and I wonder where Leviticus is at. He’s always watching me so surely, he’s out there right now. Does he get tired of this? Surely, it’s a boring thing to do.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I jump when I hear my mom’s voice, “Riley? What are you doing up so early?”
I glance back at her and offer a small smile as I say, “I just couldn’t sleep.”
She nods but looks at me skeptically as she gets started on making breakfast for the boys. She asks, “Have you eaten?”
I haven’t, but I don’t think I’d be able to stomach anything, so I lie, “Yeah, I have.”
She nods as she gets back to getting everything ready. I sigh softly before taking another sip of coffee. I hope today will be uneventful.
After half an hour I hear the pounding footsteps of my brothers and my dad as they come down the stairs and rush to eat and get on their shoes. I grab my keys and walk out the door knowing that my brothers would follow me, and I take off towards the school.
The boys talk nonstop during the drive and when I pull up to the school, I can’t help but notice Archer, Brandon, Caleb, and Delilah all at the front steps towards the school. My eyebrows knit together, and I mutter, “What are they doing here?”
Todd sounds excited as he says, “Hey the ABCs are here! Or I guess now they’re the ABCD’s!”
Harry chuckles and shakes his head at Todd’s lame joke and says, “Come on, let’s go see them.”
I nod absentmindedly as I step out of the car. The boys run in front of me towards the others as I stroll behind them. Suddenly someone steps in front of me and I skid to a stop to not bump into them. I look up to apologize, but I’m met by Zane’s icy stare, and he grabs my arm and tells me harshly, “You will not go near them.”
My eyebrows furrow as I snatch my hand from his grip and spit out, “You can’t tell me what to do.”
He rolls his eyes and brushes his black hair from his forehead and says, “Riley, trust me. I know what’s best for you. Stay away from them.”
I scoff and let out a laugh as I say, “Trust you? Why should I? You know what? It doesn’t matter. This conversation is a waste of my time. Excuse me.”
I take a step past him to head towards my friends and I notice Archer, Brandon, and Caleb are all stiff and watching me like a hawk. Archer takes a step forward as Zane grabs my wrist and pulls my back as he says, “I’m not done talking to you.”
I glare at him and if I had my wolf I’m sure she would be growling from his behavior. I rip my arm from his grasp again and I say, “Yes, you are. You have no right to talk to me since you broke up with me. Get lost, Zane.”
Archer comes towards us and asks, “Is there some problem here?”
He looks between the two of us and Zane lets out a low growl. Archer’s eyes darken showing his wolf is under the surface and he says in a low tone, “This isn’t the place, Zane.”
Zane looks at me and back at Archer before walking off and heading inside with some of his buddies. Archer looks at me with an eyebrow cocked up and he asks, “Are you okay, Ri?”
I nod and watch as my brothers and the others walk towards me. I mutter as I watch Zane and his group talking and looking over at me, “Yeah, I’m just peachy.”
As the others got closer to us Harry said, “I wonder what his issue is.”
I shrug, “I don’t know what it could be, but you and Todd both need to steer clear of him. He seems… unstable.”
Todd and Harry nod in agreement and I look at Archer and ask, “So, what are you doing here? I thought you already graduated?”
He looks at me with an amused look and says, “What? I can’t come and say good morning to my favorite girl and her brothers? Besides I brought coffee!”
He holds up a cup for me and I notice that Todd and Harry both have their own cups too and I roll my eyes. I take the cup from him and say, “Thanks, but we should get going. I need to make sure the boys get to their classes.”
Delilah says, “I’ll join you!”
I nod and wave bye to the boys as we head inside. I sigh softly to myself as the realization waves over me that Archer has grown too attached to me. I need to distance myself from him… I never wanted this to turn anything too serious and I can’t have it complicating my life right now. I just want a carefree last year… is that too much to ask for?