Page 14 of I Don't Need Your Love

We reach the diner and get out of the car. The place isn’t that full, which is great because the whole lot of us will probably take up all the tables.

I lower myself in a booth in the back, with a cheerleader on either side of me. The two girls—brown-haired twins— give me bright smiles, one latching onto my arm. They’re upset because Clarissa, who’s the most popular girl here, has been suspended for a few days. I never met her and wonder what she did wrong. The girls mention Carly’s friend Addie, but I have no idea what they’re talking about.

“So you used to play football?” one of the girls, April, asks. “Why’d you stop?”

I force a smile. “Injury to my leg.” It’s gotten better, thanks to all the physical therapy and hard work, and I can pretty much walk like normal except for a slight limp. But the doctors said I can never play football again. Something about getting a second injury and being unable to walk again. It bites, but it’s not like I can do anything about it. After all the pain I’ve been through with my home life, I’ve learned to pick myself up and move on.

April pouts while Avery continues to clutch my arm. She rests her head on it. “That sucks.”

“Yeah, but I’m all right. Don’t worry about me.”

The girls beam and bat their lashes. “You’re so strong and brave,” Avery says.

True, but I wish I were stronger. I wish it didn’t bother me that my parentsstillhaven’t returned my calls or texts.

Everyone at the table talks while we eat. Many complain about homework or teachers, some are looking forward to the football game next Friday. I’m really looking forward to it. Ashard as it might be, it’ll be nice to watch the game without stressing about making sure my team wins.

My thoughts wander to my friends and I wonder if they miss me. I know Blake does because he’s like a brother to me, but what about my other friends? I’ve texted them here and there, but they seem busy. Football championships are coming up and I know they need to focus on that. I remember how much I used to stress out, but hanging out at Blake’s house—away from mine—always helped. His parents have always been so open and loving. Like the mom and dad I never had.

“So, Ryder,” April says, pulling me away from the past, “what do you like to do for fun?”

Shrugging, I slice a fry in half with my teeth. “Watch football.”

“And?”

“Movies.”

“Do you like going to the mall?” Avery wants to know.

“Not really.”

They pout. “Too bad,” April says. “Welovegoing to the mall.”

“Maybe you can come with us on Saturday,” Avery adds, squishing herself closer to me. “We can havesomuch fun.”

Hanging out with girls and distracting myself from my troubles definitely seems appealing. But considering I have a lot of schoolwork to catch up on or I’ll fall behind, I have to decline. “Maybe another time.”

They pout again. It only lasts for a second before they start talking about cheerleading, telling me they can’t wait for me to see them in their uniform. Normally, I’d be into it, but I’m not feeling so great lately. Probably because of my parents.

It’s been like this all my life, so I’m not sure why I’m taking it so hard. Because I’m away from Blake and my second home? Am I homesick?

“Wow. Why did you get all serious all of a sudden?” Avery asks as she clutches my arm tighter. “Are you okay?”

Both girls stare at me with identical worried faces.

I force a wide smile. “I’m okay. It was nothing.”

They relax and talk about other things.

It’s getting late and we need to return to school. There’s a curfew, and if we break it, we’ll risk detention or suspension. Considering I’m new and am on scholarship, I can’t get in trouble. Luckily, Felix wants to leave as well. He’s also worried about detention. We, along with the twins, get into his car and make our way back to campus.

Back in our room, Felix plops down on his bed. “Dude, the Parker twins? Nice!” He holds out his fist for a bump.

Laughing lightly, I tap it with mine. “I take it they’re popular?”

“After Clarissa, Jemma, and Luna? Heck yeah. You scored big, my man.”

I shrug. “We were just hanging out.”