Rhydian's POV
The next day Rhydian was cornered by Jimi and Liam in the bathrooms. Rhydian watched them warily as they stood blocking the exit. At least that was what Liam was doing. Jimi stood there looking as if he'd rather be anywhere but here.

Liam shoved him forward. "Go on." He said.

Jimi glared at him and turned to Rhydian, who raised a brow. "I'm sorry for what I said yesterday. I didn't mean it."

Rhydian stared at him in surprise for a couple seconds before regaining his posture and he said, "It's fine."

It really wasn't. What Jimi said really hurt him. And even though Rhydian came off like he could care less what people said about him, it was all a facade. One that he has been using for years and one that Maddy was slowly peeling away day by day.

Rhydian pushed past Liam and walked out the bathroom and towards his English Lit class that he had with Tom. Rhydian walked in and took his seat by the window. Seconds later a boy he didn't know walked in with a sheet of paper.

The EL teacher, Mr. Mikaels took the sheet and turned to the class. "This is our new student, Jasper Whittemore. Treat him with respect."

Jasper was probably older than Rhydian but not by much. Rhydian looked him over. He was wearing the school uniform and he had dark brown hair and green eyes or were they blue? He couldn't tell.

Jasper glanced around the room and his eyes landed on Rhydian, who met his gaze and headed in his direction. Rhydian looked down at the table and thought, please don't sit next to me. Please don't sit next to me.

And the guy plopped down in the empty seat next to him.

Rhydian groaned inwardly and dropped his head in his arms. He could feel Jasper staring at him and it was making him uncomfortable.

"What's your name hotshot?" Jasper asked.

"Rhydian. And never call me that again." He growled.

"I'm just telling it how it is but whatever you say." Jasper winked at him and Rhydian rolled his eyes, annoyed.

Where was Maddy when you needed her?

🕳🕳🕳🕳

It was after the last class of the day when Jasper tried to ask him out. Rhydian knew he had feelings so he let him down easy and tried to walk away but Jasper grabbed his arm, spinning him around.

"Come on. One date, that's all I'm asking for."

Rhydian sighed impatiently and said, "I don't like boys Jasper. I'm sorry but no."

Rhydian pulled his arm out of Jasper's grasp and walked outside. He scanned the moor for Maddy and saw her waving at him at the edge of the woods. Rhydian smiled and took off running towards her. He knew Jasper was probably watching him but he didn't care.

Rhydian raced after Maddy, his smile getting bigger as he ran after her trying to catch up. He was gaining on her and when he finally got close enough, Rhydian grabbed her waist and they went tumbling to the ground. Maddy grinned and stood up.

"You caught me." She said cheekily.

Rhydian climbed to his feet, shrugging. "It wasn't hard."

Maddy picked leaves out of her hair and Rhydian brushed himself off. He remembered the first day he met her. Maddy had been chasing him and she caught up to him, tackling him to the ground.

Rhydian laughed and said, "You know that new kid in class?" He asked.

"Yeah. Jasper...something."

"Whittemore." Rhydian corrected her. Maddy rolled her eyes and he shook his head. "He asked me out."

Maddy's eyes widened a bit and there was something threatening in her eyes. "Did he now?" She all but growled.

Rhydian frowned at her. "Yeah but I said no. I told him that I didn't like boys that way."

Maddy nodded as if satisfied with his answer and started walking away. Rhydian stared after her wondering what her problem was.

Rhydian's frown deepened when he came to the conclusion that Maddy might like him. And if so wasn't that a good thing? Rhydian liked her too but never had the courage to tell her, fearing being rejected.

Rhydian didn't know what to say to her so he let her walk ahead, following behind silently. The whole walk to Maddy's, he felt like they were being followed.

A/N:I know this is a shorter chapter but I introduced my OC so I hope you guys enjoy....

P.S, I might write another short one tonight.

Thanks for reading😁💖