Chapter 3
Cold water dripped down my hair, soaking my school uniform.
I bit my lip, my eyes quickly filled with tears, but I didn't make a sound.
"That's enough!" Ryan walked in just in time to catch the scene and strode over.
He snatched Jessica's wrist and flung it aside. "Get lost."
Jessica stared at him in disbelief. "Ryan, are you really turning on me because of her?"
To my surprise, Ryan didn't even spare her a glance and walked straight over to me.
He slipped off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders, and then leaned down to help me up. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up."
In the restroom, Ryan helped me dry my hair with a towel.
I rested against his chest, finally letting my tears fall. "Ryan, this is all my fault. I shouldn't have tutored you. Please don't let this mess up things between you and Jessica."
He suddenly stiffened.
After a few seconds of silence, he gently patted my back. "It's not your fault. I've liked Jessica for a long time, but honestly, I'm exhausted. I don't want to keep chasing after her anymore."
He paused and then looked me in the eyes, his expression earnest. "Anyway, from now on, I won't let anyone bully you."
Honestly, I just found it ironic.
But I nodded anyway, acting like I was touched.
After that day, Ryan and I started meeting up every day for study sessions.
His language got way better, and my math was improving too.
The results of the second monthly exam came out soon after.
When I saw myself ranked first in the whole grade, a real smile finally broke out on my face.
Alex watched me for a while before finally coming over.
He reached out for my hand, just like he used to in my previous life. "Emily, you've gotten so much better. Got a secret trick or something? Mind sharing it with me?"
Ryan pulled me behind him, blocking Alex with a protective stance.
He shot Alex a glare that could freeze water. "Alex, you'd better know your place."
Alex paused and then let out an angry laugh. "Ryan, who the hell are you? I'm talking to Emily. Do you really think it's your place to butt in?"
"She's mine, so I have every right to step in," Ryan shot back. He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.
The two were ready to go at each other, and everyone else just held their breath, not daring to say a word.
Just then, Jessica walked in.
She saw the tension between them and immediately shot Ryan a sharp look. "Cut it out. Go apologize to Alex, now."
Ryan snorted, a mocking smile on his lips. "Why would I apologize? I like Emily, and nobody gets to mess with her."
Jessica's face instantly drained of all color.
Alex looked like he couldn't believe what he was hearing, as if Ryan had just cracked the most ridiculous joke ever.
He stepped forward, reaching out to grab my wrist. "Come with me. You shouldn't be hanging around with a guy like him."
Ryan didn't hesitate. He punched Alex square in the face.
Alex snapped, and the two of them went at it, fists flying.
Desks and chairs crashed everywhere as screams erupted around them.
Jessica watched the chaos, finally losing it. "Enough. Is this fun for you guys?
"Ryan, you only said you like Emily just to piss me off, didn't you?
"You two are always like this, always fighting over the same thing. But don't forget, you're brothers, for god's sake."
As soon as she said that, the two guys fighting froze in place.
The whole class went dead silent.
Everything suddenly clicked into place.
No wonder Alex and Ryan looked a bit alike and were always at each other's throats.
Turned out Alex was Ryan's half-brother. That explained why Ryan always resented him.
Alex's face went beet red in a flash. "Just shut up, Jessica."
Alex shot me a look, and then seized my arm and practically dragged me out of the room. "Come on, Emily. We need to talk."
This time, he dragged me all the way to the little grove behind the school building before finally letting go of my hand.
He said softly, "Emily, I've always had a thing for you. I only got with Jessica just to mess with Ryan, just to get under his skin. Don't be with him, okay? Let me take care of you instead."