Page 79 of I Don't Need Your Love

Addie has a breakfast date with Caleb, so it’s just Sophie, Raven, and me at our usual table. I think I overworked myself too much yesterday because my plate is piled to the ceiling with all different kinds of goodies. I certainly worked up an appetite!

As my friends and I dig in, I say, “I got an email from Principal Harrington this morning.”

“Ooh, are you in trouble?” Sophie teases.

“Nope.” I take another bite of my chocolate waffles and sigh like I just floated to heaven. “She wanted to tell me how proud she is of my progress. I managed to put together a successful team, and I’m keeping up with my classes, especially my advanced English class. Based on the tone of the email, I think she thought I couldn’t do it.”

“Feels good to prove people wrong, huh?” Raven says. “I never once doubted you could do it. When you put your mind to something, nothing can stop you.”

“Thanks. I was a little cheeky and asked if I could have some extra credit, you know, because I’m such an awesome student and everything. She has yet to respond to my email.”

Sophie laughs. “I bet she never will.”

“Yeah, don’t hold your breath,” Raven adds.

“I’m not. It was worth a shot, anyway.”

As we continue to eat this delicious food and talk about random things, I catch sight of Ryder strolling into the dining hall. He makes a beeline for the buffet tables and starts loading his plate, just like I did like five minutes ago. I guess he’s starved after yesterday, too? A group of girls surrounds him, like usual, but he doesn’t pay them much attention. He acknowledges them because he doesn’t want to be rude, but he doesn’t engage in conversation. That leaves them confused and lost. When he’s done filling his plate to the max, he joins the jock table.

Before he sits down, though, his eyes spring to me. I freeze for a second, totally embarrassed that he caught me watching him, but he smiles and waves. I wave lamely back before tearing my eyes away and focusing on my food. Ugh, does he think I’m a total loser for staring at him? I’m sure his ego loves that.

“Speaking of Ryder,” I tell my friends. “Moreno wants to add—”

“Who exactly was speaking of Ryder?” Raven asks.

Sophie raises a brow at me before sliding a book out of her backpack and placing it on a clean spot on the table. It looks like a horror.

“Oh, weren’t we talking about Ryder?” I ask.

“Maybe in your head,” Sophie says, and then she and Raven laugh.

“Okay, fine. My bad. Anyway, Moreno asked—”

“Is Ryder on your mind like twenty-four-seven?” Sophie flips through her book.

“No.”

“Seems like it.”

“It so does not.”

“I’m with Sophie,” Raven tells me. “It seems all we talk about lately is Ryder.”

“Not that we mind!” Sophie playfully jabs her elbow into my ribs. “We love seeing you get close to him.”

“If you guys don’t quit it with me and Ryder, I won’t tell you about the new project I have with him.”

“New project?” Raven’s eyes are shining with intrigue.

“Too late. You guys lost your chance once you started teasing me about Ryder.”

Sophie and Raven glance at each other and shrug. “If that’s what you want,” Raven says.

“Yep. I’ll just focus on my book.” Sophie finds her page and starts to read. Raven scrolls on her phone.

My shoe taps on the floor. “Are you guys trying to use reverse psychology on me?”

“What do you mean?” Raven asks, all innocently. “Is there something you’re dying to tell us about you and Ryder?”