*NOT EDITED*

Chapter 22

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Ryder was looking at us expectantly with two drinks in his hands. Aren't I just the luckiest person on earth?

"Knew what? What happened?"

"It's nothing. Something silly, really." I chuckled nervously and waved my hand, trying to dismiss the matter.

His eyes grew suspicious and he raised his eyebrows. "Drake, what's going on?"

Drake looked at me nervously for help. "Well, you see . . . I-uh."

"I wanted fresh air so I decided to go outside, but then I met a guy who wanted to help. My head started hurting so much, and he promised a quiet place. To be honest, he looked like an okay guy so I agreed. He took me to the back of the house and started harassing me, he almost raped me but Drake stopped him and I beat him up. I'm okay now, so no need to worry," I said all in one big breath.

His face went from confused to shocked to anger. He crumbled the cups in his two hands angrily before throwing them on the ground. I didn't think Drake was serious about the murdering part, but now I'm really starting to get worried.

"Where is he?" His voice was deeper than usual, and he looked like he was trying as much as he can to not explode.

We didn't answer him and instead, I looked to the ground.

"Where. Is. He?" This time, his voice was deadly.

When Drake still didn't answer, Ryder took two long steps and had his hands on his collar.

"RYDER! It's not his fault. Calm down. Just calm down." I placed a hand on his shoulders and felt him slowly relax his tense shoulders under my hand.

Letting go of Drake, he stepped back. "Please, just do this for me. Where is he?"

I knew I should be scared because of Ryder's state, but I also knew that he wouldn't touch me. Not me.

I decided not to answer him and he pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling heavily with closed eyes.

He stormed off without a word to the back of the house. Drake and I exchanged worried glances before following him hurriedly.

It was hard to run in the heels I was wearing, but I managed. And the dress kept on riding up my thighs. That stupid damned dress. The cause to all my problems.

This was what I got for listening to Emma.

By the time Drake, Ryder, and I reached the back of the house, Nick had already left. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"I will get him," he said before turning back to me, his eyes checking my body for any injuries. Or at least, that's what I hoped he was doing.

"Are you okay?" His eyes were full of concerned and all my previous thoughts vanished.

"Yeah, fine as wine." I waved my hands around to show him.

"Don't worry, man. She beat him up real good," Drake said with a small laugh, remembering the fight.

Ryder smirked. "That's my girl."

I rolled my eyes with a small smile. I hated when guys claimed girls like that, but whatever. I did give him a good beating.

We walked back to the house to find Bex, Damon, and Emma waiting for us on the front porch. They all had worried expressions on their faces.

"Where were you? We looked for you everywhere!" Bex said the minute she saw us.

"Yeah. Thanks for scaring the sh-- out of me. What happened?" Damon asked, exhaling heavily.

"I . . . I just wanted to get some fresh air." I put on a tight smile. It was half the truth, I just couldn't lie to him.

Damon narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

How bad of a liar was I?

"No, that's not what ha-"

"Yeah, that's not what happened. Your mom called and she wanted somewhere quiet to hear her," Drake explained, interrupting Ryder.

When Damon looked away, I gave him a deeply appreciated grateful look. He nodded back with a small smile. I felt a pang of guilt at the thought of having him lie to his best friend. Why do bad things keep happening to me?

We all decided to leave after that, my excuse being tired. Really, I just couldn't go inside that house again. Parties are just bad luck for me, I should really stay away from them from now on.

Emma insisted that we slept over at hers, so I called Elyse, and Damon went home. Everyone else went their separate ways.

"Please take care of yourself next time." Ryder's eyebrows furrowed.

"Don't worry, I'm not the type of person to do reckless things."

He held my hands in his, and I could smell the cologne from standing next to him. It was so comforting and I always found the scent of cologne attractive.

He raised his eyebrows. "Not the type of person? You're exactly the type of person!"

I laughed out loud. "Okay, okay. I'll stop."

Emma honked the horn twice, signaling that I should hurry up.

"I gotta go, now. I'll text you later." I gave him a quick kiss on his cheek before rushing to her car.

"Don't get your panties in a twist. I'm here, I'm here," I said as I struggled to get into the car without completely flashing my underwear. "I hate you so much for making me wear this."

"You're welcome, by the way. Ryder was checking you out the whole time. He couldn't take his eyes off you." She started the engine with a smirk plastered on her face.

I felt heat creeping up to my cheeks as I looked through the window.

"What happened to not acting like the other girls?" Bex asked with a small laugh.

"I didn't try to. Emma forced me into this," I muttered loud enough for her to hear. She didn't reply.

I watched the houses blur into each other as we drove past them. Ryder made me feel all kind of things that I didn't want to feel. That I shouldn't want to feel. I wondered if I had the same effect on him. I hoped so, or else this whole plan would fail.

The plan.

This was where it all started.

No matter what happened, I had to stick to the plan. I have to do it. I don't have a choice.

Do it for Reece. Do it for Mare. Do it for all the girls that would be his victim in the future after he was done with me.

The last thought stung, but I couldn't argue that it wasn't true. It was bound to happen.

Emma parked her car in front of the house, interrupting my thoughts. We got out of the car, and she opened the door with the keys.

As soon as we stepped in, we were met by the welcoming face of . . .

"Ella Travis! It's Ella f--king Travis! I mean, uh- hi, Mrs. Travis," I stuttered.

I can't believe I'm face to face with her. I can't believe she's Emma's mom!

She laughed a warm laugh that was half air, half sound- it was musical. Even her laugh was beautiful, for God's sake!

"It's fine. You can call me Ella."

Emma laughed. "As you can see, mom, she's a big fan."

"Like, really big," Bex added.

Ella looked over to Bex with a smile before extending her perfectly manicured hand towards her. As if thinking it over, Ella withdrew her hand and hugged Bex, instead.

"Oh! It's a pleasure to meet you." Bex said surprised.

"Likewise. Come in, come in." She gestured us all in and led us upstairs.

"Mom, please don't do it." Emma groaned.

"Do what?" Bex and I asked simultaneously.

"Nothing. She's just being over-dramatic." Ella rolled her eyes with a sly smile.

Up the stairs, we went, and into one of the bedrooms on the right. It looked more like a studio than a bedroom. The room must have been thrice the size of my bedroom. Yes, my bedroom was pretty big, but it looked like a small cubicle compared to this room.

We followed Ella into a smaller room inside her room that was filled with clothes. A lot of clothes.

My eyes widened in happiness as I registered what was happening.

"Yep! This just got better," Ella said, reading my thoughts. "These are all my designs that I didn't get to sell. You can choose one and keep it for yourself, both of you."

"It has been confirmed, I am officially in heaven."

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Author's Note:

Hey, guys! So, I just watched a ton of conspiracy theories by Shane Dawson, and what???? More of the Mandela effect? Siri? The death of Willy Wonka? The Titanic never sank??

I should really stop watching those lmao.

Anyways, back to the point: New chapter! Tell me what you think! I know it's pretty boring, but you'll like the next chapter.