by Mia Belle
Trying to pull free is useless, he’s just too strong. “Let me go.”
He’s about to say something else, when Caden rests his hand on his friend’s. “Let her go, Eric.”
“Caden,” Ryder says.
He shakes his head, releasing a heavy sigh. “There’s just so much we could do. Let her go, man.” He focuses on me. “We don’t deserve anything from you. Just know that we’re really, truly sorry for everything we put you through.” His voice is laced with so many different emotions. He nods to Eric, who drops my hand. No one utters a word or tries to stop me as I head for my first class.
As I sit in history, I can’t stop thinking about what I saw. Blake made a video the day he killed himself. He wanted everyone to know what happened at the party. He was so torn up over the entire thing that he couldn’t take it and hung himself.
The Kings saw that video and realized they had been wrong to accuse me all this time. That’s why they won’t leave me alone. Well, I don’t care how guilty they are—I don’t want them near me.
Eric enters the classroom and plops down on the seat across from mine. He usually sits in the back. They really aren’t going to drop this, are they?
Am I supposed to accept their apology like nothing happened? No way. Let them live with their guilt.
He watches me as I read through my history book. I’m not really concentrating on the words, though. His eyes are like fire as they pierce through me.
A few girls huddle around his desk, vying for his attention, including Amber and Keira. Avery is at the other end of the room, arms crossed and seething. Wow, Ryder must have really put her in her spot to piss her off that much.
Amber asks him why he doesn’t swim anymore. “You were, like, the best swimmer on the team,” she says. “And you don’t come to Ryder’s parties anymore. I mean, your brother died and everything, but you don’t have to be so…lame.”
“Oh my god, Amber,” Keira says. “You can’t call him lame. He’s our King!”
Amber throws her hands up. “I just miss how he used to be. You’re, like, not even here, Eric. Are you listening to me?”
“Not really and I’d wish you’d get the hell away from here.”
I look up in time to watch her lower lip tremble. Letting out an overdramatic squeak, she rushes out of the room, Keira at her heels.
The rest of the girls slowly scatter to their seats. Eric still hasn’t taken his eyes off me and when mine meet his, I note how intense they are. Like he’s trying to study me. I must be one hard book because his eyebrows are dipped low.
“Sorry about the eggs,” he says to me. “I only did that because you showed me up during the oral quiz.”
I flip through my pages.
“Daphne.” He’s pleading again. “Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”
My eyes flash to his. “I already told you no. What will it take for you to leave me alone?”
He tilts his head to the side, thinking. “You can accept my apology for starters.”
“Will that make you go away?”
“Probably not.”
I scowl.
Eric bends close to say something, when the teacher walks in and begins her lesson. I can still feel my neighbor’s gaze on me as my pen moves a mile a minute. Why do history teachers try to cram as much information as possible? My hand is on fire.
I don’t look Eric’s way. Nothing he says or does can change the way I feel about him. I might not be his number one enemy, but he’s still mine.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Daphne
The week wraps up with no bullying, not from the Kings and not from Avery.
It’s Friday and I’m at my locker, gathering all the books I’ll need for this weekend. My teachers slammed us with tests and reports and since I have no friends, I’ll spend all my free time with textbooks or at the diner.
The Kings are down the hall, chatting. Their eyes flick in my direction every so often. They’ve still been bugging me these past few days, wanting me to sit with them at lunch and saying hi in the halls, but I’ve shut them off. I don’t trust them.
I close my locker and sling my backpack over my shoulder. As I make my way toward the doors, someone sticks out their foot and I fly across the floor.
Looking up, I catch Justin, a senior guy, glaring down at me. He was one of Blake’s followers. A guy who worshipped him, but Blake had no idea who he was. He also was part of Avery’s blockade and I remember him distinctly chucking eggs at me last Friday.
“Lying bitch,” he mutters, kicking my backpack away. Silly me for assuming the bullying has stopped. I and the Kings might know the truth of what happened with Blake, but no one else does. Of course Eric hasn’t told anyone or cleared my name. So much for his sincere apology. That’s another reason I don’t trust the Kings.
Eric slams Justin against the wall, glaring into his eyes like he wants to mess up his face. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Ryder gets in his face, too. “Want to die?”
Justin narrows his eyes. “Why are you protecting the bitch? She destroyed your brother’s life!”
Eric grits his teeth. “That’s none of your damn business.”
They continue threatening him, when someone holds out a hand to me. Caden. I glance at his hand, then at him. My shoulder throbs and it’d be much easier to pull myself up with help, but not from him.
Ignoring his hand, I push to my feet. I’m a little wobbly and crash into Caden, who quickly catches me. He gazes into my eyes, probably checking if I’m okay. I pull away.
He’s already on the floor, scooping my books and pens into my backpack. Then he swings it over his shoulder. “Can I walk you home?”
At least one King has asked me that every day this week, and every day I shot them down. Today is no different.
I yank my backpack from his grasp and march down the hallway until I’m out the doors. I pass Eric and Ryder, who are still threatening to beat the living hell out of Justin.
Before the doors shut after me, I hear Eric making an announcement that the next person to mess with me will have hell to pay.
This is all for me, but I don’t care. I still hate them.
I reach Mom’s diner, drop my stuff in the back, don on my uniform, and come around front to take people’s orders.
The afternoon goes by, but when dinner time hits and I return from my short walk during my break, I freeze in place. The diner is maxed out. Mom’s running around like a cockroach without a head as she tries to get the orders down.
The customers are mostly men and women in very expensive-looking suits. We hardly get such people here.
“Daphne!” Mom waves from behind the counter, where she’s giving orders to the kitchen. “I need you.”
I’m at her side in an instant. “What’s going on?”
She clutches her chest like she can’t breathe. “I don’t know. They suddenly dropped by. I have no idea who they are.” Her eyes shine. “The diner hasn’t been this full in years. And the money…” Her voice trails off. I know we need the money badly.
At that moment, Ryder, Caden, and Eric walk in, and it’s like time stands still. The last time they were in the diner was when they came with Avery and the others. And Eric kicked me to the floor.
They’re wearing smiles as they nod to the rich diners. Ryder waves with two fingers, a knowing grin on his face.
The Kings stop when they reach Mom and me, their smiles growing wider. “We thought you could use some help,” Caden says. “I’m not the best chef, but my grandmother showed me a thing or two. And I’m a quick learner.”
“Ryder and I can help take orders,” Eric says. “And we’re good with washing dishes, too. Just tell us what you need.”
Mom and I blink at them.
“What?” I ask.
Ryder smiles. “These are my dad’s clients and business partners.” He shrugs. “Many were having dinner meetings and I recommended this place.”
“The food’s great,” he offers. “And the atmosphere is very homey. And service is impeccable.” He smiles again as he scans around. “They seem to be enjoying themselves.”
I hold up a hand. “Wait a second, you did this?”
Ryder nods, still with that smile.
“Why?”
Mom grasps his hand in both of hers. “That was very sweet and thoughtful of you. Thank you.”
“No problem. Where do you want us?” Ryder replies.
Mom shakes her head. “I couldn’t possibly ask you boys to help. And I can’t exactly take on three employees…”
“No payment necessary,” Caden assures her. “We work for free.”
Tears form in Mom’s eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Positive,” Ryder says.
I’m sure he has better things to do, like throw a party. And I’m sure he’d rather hang out with girls.
“Please lead the way, Mrs. Pickett,” Eric says.
Caden helps Dad and the other chefs in the kitchen, while Ryder and Eric assist with service. I can’t stop staring at Ryder, a Kensington, taking a customer’s order.
When he spots me watching him, he gives me a wide smile and a wave. He shoves the pen behind his ear, then tells the people at the table he’ll be right back with their food.
Eric is just as charming as he serves a family of seven. They have two crying kids and one baby, but he’s not thrown off once.
After I serve my table, I head over to Mom behind the counter. She beams at me. “Can you believe those boys? Such sweethearts.”
We watch them serve, and I can hear Caden chatting with Dad and the chefs like they’re old buddies.
The way Ryder and Eric interact with the customers is outstanding. I mean, nothing would stop these rich people from wanting to return to the diner. The service alone is phenomenal.
“Do you work here, Ryder?” one of the women ask him.
He smiles at me and my mom. “No, just helping out a friend.”
The women and men at the table smile at that.
A friend? Since when? We’re not friends.
Mom stares at me, most definitely thinking the same thing. If she knew that just last week these boys were making my life hell, she’d think differently about them.
I plop down on a chair at the back. What does this mean? Why would Ryder bring his dad’s rich friends here, just to help my parents out financially?
Why is it that the more I watch the guys work, the less I’m starting to hate them?
They did this for my family. They didn’t have to. Sure they feel guilty about what they did to me, but doesn’t this go above and beyond? They apologized, they stuck up for me at school the whole week. Ryder brought in some extra customers, but the guys didn’t have to help out. This isn’t just about guilt. It has to be about something more.
They stay for the entire service. Even after the rich diners leave, the boys remain to help out and finish cleaning up.
Mom and Dad are inside, going over the finances, while the guys and I hang out outside the diner.
Eric and Ryder’s hands are in their pockets while Caden’s are at his sides. All three wear relaxed and friendly smiles on their faces.
“I…I want to thank you guys,” I say, averting my gaze to the ground. I’m still not sure what to make of them, but one thing I know is that they’re not as terrible as I thought. “You made my mom so happy.”
Ryder smiles. “No problem. I heard many of my dad’s friends say they’ll recommend the diner to their friends. And I’ll make sure to spread the word around.”
I just stare at him. “Why? Why do you care about some tiny diner? I mean, there are so many fancy restaurants.”
He steps forward, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Because like I said, the food is great, the service is great. It’s an awesome place to eat at. Feels like home. And that’s all because of you and your parents. You guys work so hard to keep that place running and it’s a shame more people don’t know about it.”
I can’t help smiling a little as I remember Mom’s face the entire time tonight: pure delight. “Thanks.”
All three of them nod.
“What time do you open tomorrow?” Ryder asks.
I shake my head. “You don’t have to help.”
“Are you kidding? Twenty of my dad’s friends told me they’ll check out the diner. Tomorrow will be just as busy as tonight and you need us.”
I just gape at him.
Eric shifts from one foot to the other. “I can’t make it tomorrow.”
Caden and Ryder look at him, confused. “You can bring Phoebe. I’m sure she’d love to hang out at the diner with us,” Ryder says. “If that’s okay with your mom, Daphne.”
I still can’t wrap my head around what’s happening. The Kings of Leighton High want to help out at my mom’s diner?
“It’s not Phoebe,” Eric says. “Just can’t make it.”
His friends exchange another confused glance. “Okay,” Caden says. “But is everything okay?”
“Fine. I’ve got to go. See ya.” He bounds away.
Caden and Ryder continue gaping at one another. Caden’s eyebrows knit as he watches Eric’s form grow smaller. “Something’s up with him,” he murmurs.
“Leave him alone,” Ryder says. “If or when he wants to tell us, he will. Until then, we need to trust him.”
Caden nods unsurely. “Just wish I could help.”
“I know. Me, too. He still needs space. Even more so now that he learned the truth about Blake.” Ryder turns to me. “I’m really sorry we didn’t believe you last summer. It’s just that Blake was like our older brother, too, and we couldn’t have imagined him hurting anyone.” He holds up his hands. “But that was no excuse to treat you that way. We see that now.”
I move toward the diner entrance. “Thanks for helping out. You really made my mom happy.”
“Daphne.” Caden places his hand on mine that’s resting on the door. “Please forgive us. We didn’t do all this so you would feel like you owe us, honest. We just want to prove to you that we’re good guys and we made a mistake and we want to be your friends.”
I drop my hand. “My friends?”
Both guys nod.
“If you’d let us,” Caden says. “I know we’ll never be one hundred percent forgiven for what we did, but we’re asking you to give us a chance. How can we make it up to you?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know. I still…” I inhale, then release it. “I still don’t know if I can trust you. I mean, you helped out today when no one asked you to, but you guys really hurt me.”
They nod again, eyes downcast.
“We’re sorry,” Ryder says, voice low. “You have no idea how much.” He rakes his hand through his hair. “I thought power was everything, but it means shit if I hurt someone who doesn’t deserve it. You didn’t do anything to us, and we attacked you. I don’t know what we can say or do to fix that.”
“Can we build up trust?” Caden asks me. “Just don’t shut us out and let us show you who we really are. That we’re not monsters. We’d do anything to protect you and do the right thing. We’re really sorry.”
I look from one to the other. “Why is this so important to you? You apologized and don’t have to talk to me ever again. Why are you working so hard to gain my trust? I’m just…me. No one special.”
Ryder clutches my hands. “But you are special. You took all the abuse we gave you because you stand for justice. You always do the right thing. That’s inspiring.”
I yank my hands out of his. “You can help out tomorrow if you really want, I guess.”
“We do,” Caden says.
I shrug. “We open at eight for the breakfast rush.” I slip inside, not glancing back at the guys. I’m too confused, my thoughts a jumbled mess. I still don’t understand why being my friend is so important to them. They could have as many friends as they want. Why pick me?
“Honey,” Mom says when she finds me standing at the door, deep in thought. “Were you talking with the boys?”
I plop down near her and Dad at one of the tables. “Yeah.”
Her eyes glimmer. “Such good boys. They’re from your school, right? And was that a Kensington working at my diner?”
“I know. Weird.”
Mom and Dad study me. Dad says, “Is there something you want to tell us?”
“Huh?”
“Are any of them your boyfriend?”
I nearly choke on my spit. “Boyfriend? What?”
“Oh, don’t embarrass the girl,” Mom says. “Sweetie, you don’t have to tell us anything yet.” She smiles and gets to her feet. “We’d better lock up and go home.”
Mom’s in such a good mood as we walk to our house. Her hand is clasped in Dad’s and she can’t stop gushing about everything that happened this evening. Dad’s eyes shine and I know this is all he wants—for Mom and me to be happy.
Zoe is sitting on our steps when we reach the house.
“Zoe?” I ask.
She looks from me to my parents. “I really need to talk to you and wasn’t sure when you were coming here. So I waited. And what’s up with your phone? Didn’t you get my texts?”
“Sorry, it was very busy at the diner,” I tell her.
“Oh, okay. Can we go to your room? It’s important.”
I lead her up the stairs, where we plop down side by side on my bed. And we just sit there.
It’s not like my best friend to be so quiet. “Are you okay?” I ask.
She shakes her head, staring at the wall.
“What happened?”
She finally faces me. “Is it true? Does your school hate you? Are they bullying you?”
“What?”
“Someone from your school sent me this.” She fishes her phone from her pocket and shows me the GIF of me tripping. And a few other pics of me covered in little pigs or garbage.
She throws her arms around me. “Why didn’t you tell me? It’s been going on since the first day, hasn’t it? That’s why you’ve been so quiet and distracted. I thought you didn’t want to be my friend anymore, but I had no idea this was the reason.” She draws back. “And I heard it’s all Eric and the Kings’ doing? They want you gone?”