Tamed by my Ruthless Biker

Homeroom never lasted so long, and she kept glancing at the clock, hoping it would tell her she could move on and be out of this nightmare. It was nice, Alfie being this way, but it wasn’t real. She knew it wasn’t. Tapping her fingers on the desk, Miss Hops took attendance, and then started to talk about personal space. Each homeroom class was the same with Miss Hops. She believed she was preparing them for the outside world, for what to expect when they got a job, and had to start paying bills and taxes. “Do you think she even realizes people don’t give a shit about all of this?” Alfie asked, leaning forward. “I don’t know, but she’s trying, and the least we can do is pay attention.” “True, but come on, no one cares. I think they’re all interested in why I’m sitting right beside you.” “Then they need to get a life, because this is nothing. This is you doing whatever it is you’re doing to prove a point. I don’t buy it either. No one else should.” “Come on, you’re telling me you’re not loving me sitting beside you? There’s a hundred girls right now who’d love for me to be sitting in this very spot with them.” “Then go and find them. Sit with them. Hang out with them. I don’t care. I don’t want you to sit next to me.” She wasn’t stupid. Something was going on, and she’d figure it out soon. Alfie sighed. “You know, you’re a hard person to win over.” “I don’t want to be won over.” The bell rang, signaling the end of class. She picked up her books, wanting to go, but Alfie threw his chair back, standing up. He stopped her from escaping. “Will you cut this out?” she asked. “No. You’re going to have to learn to trust me.” “And you think stopping me from getting to my class is magically going to do that.” “It’s going to do something.” “Alife, move please.” “What do I get out of it?” “The pleasure of knowing you did an amazing deed with getting nothing in return?” she asked. “Nah, you see, I don’t do anything for nothing. You want me to move aside, you’ve got to do something for me. In fact, you’ve got to do two somethings for me.” “Why two?” “I helped clean your locker.” “You didn’t give me a choice. I didn’t ask for help. That one doesn’t count. Neither does this one. I don’t have to pay or owe you anything. Being a gentleman and common courtesy, you should just move.” “Kiss me here,” he said, pointing to his cheek. “Not a chance.” “I’m not moving.” Miss Hops was still in the room. “Miss Hops, Alfie won’t move to let me pass.” She knew it was a bitchy move, but there was no way she’d kiss him. Not his cheek, or lips, or any part of him. “Alife, do I need to escort you to the principal’s office?” “No, you don’t. Well played, Decker,” he said. Chloe walked right on past him, and left the room. Just as she crossed the threshold, someone put their foot out. She didn’t see it until the last possible moment, and she went flying. Her books were flung from her arms as she cried to catch herself. The corridor erupted in laughter as she landed. She winced as pain shot through her hands. She’d landed a little funny, but nothing could ever save her from the embarrassment of Alfie witnessing it. Scrambling to her feet, she grabbed her book and kept on walking. Her face was on fire. “She did a floor flop!” someone yelled. Gritting her teeth, she rushed to the bathroom, and luckily no one was inside. Putting her book behind the taps on the sink, she grabbed the edge of it and took several deep breaths. “It’s fine. It’s fine. It’s fine.” She closed her eyes and tried to get a hold of her emotions. It didn’t matter about the laughter. She was used to being the butt of everyone’s jokes. This time, it felt a little different. She didn’t see who had tripped her. Whenever she went down like that, with a loud slap on the tile, it was always her mission to get the hell out of there. She hadn’t been prepared for the fall. Sometimes she was and was able to catch herself. This time, she didn’t. She’d actually been enjoying Alfie’s company. Her first biggest mistake. Running fingers through her hair, she looked up and finally stared at her reflection. “It doesn’t matter. You’re a good person. Hold your head high. The countdown to leaving is already happening.” She took deep breaths. The tears didn’t come, nor did the sadness. She could get through this. It wasn’t the first fall she’d taken, and it wouldn’t be the last.