Caught in the act
VIOLET
“I need to wrap my head around this. Ryan took your side? Against Evelyn?” Ashley asked again, staring at me like I was some kind of alien.
I had just finished recounting what happened in the restroom—how Evelyn cornered me, and how Ryan stepped in unexpectedly—and Ashley hadn’t stopped gasping or repeating the question.
“Yeah,” I replied, my own disbelief still palpable
Ashley paced around my room, shaking her head like she was trying to process it all. “I mean, Ryan and Evelyn are practically glued at the hip. I would’ve bet my last penny he'd never cross her.”
“I know, right?” I said, my fingers idly toying with the edge of my pillow The memory of Ryan’s cold, dangerous voice lingered. I hadn’t seen him like that before—not towards someone like Evelyn, who always seemed to have a hold on him.
Ashley flopped onto my bed dramatically, staring up at the ceiling. “This is... wow. I mean, what does it even mean? Do you think he's like... I don't know... into you?”
I frowned, shaking my head. “No. It’s not like that.”
I'm like the last person Ryan would be interested in. The things he said to me that day were enough proof that he can’t stand me. The reminder sent a shiver down my spine
“Violet, guys don’t just jump in like that unless they’ve got something going on,” she insisted, sitting up on the bed. I could tell she was fishing for more.
Typical Ashley
“And the way you described it? It sounded like he was ready to rip her head off for you.”
I sighed. “It's not that way,I can swear on my life. Maybe he's just tired of buying Evelyn's bullshit
Ashley raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, sure. I'm a unicorn too then”
I threw a pillow at her, which she dodged with a laugh. “You’re crazy girl”
“Anyway,” Ashley said with a grin on her face, “Enough about that for now. I’ve got some news for you.”
I raised an eyebrow, already sensing she was up to something. “What is it?”
She flashed me a mischievous smile. “The school camping trip is coming up soon.”
“Uh-huh...” I said, waiting for the catch.
“And you're coming this time. No backing out this time”
I crinkle my nose “I'm not into stuffs like that. You know that already”
“I figured you were going to say that” she chirped, hopping off the bed and standing triumphantly. “That's why I signed you and Luke up. You're going,even against your will”
“Ashley!!!” I groaned loudly. Someone remind me to wish Ashley gone from my life when I see the shooting star because this girl will be the end of me.
“I love you too baby. Flash news, you can't lie about being sick because you don't get sick during summers”
“You're wild” I couldn't help but laugh. I lied about being sick during the last camp and I never heard the end of it. Don't blame me,I hate outdoor activities. It drains me but then with Ashley,I have to.
“It’s not going to be that bad. It’ll be fun! Fresh air, bonfires, s’mores...”
“Bugs, dirt, no Wi-Fi...” I added with a frown.
“But good memories. That’s what matters, Vi. It's just for a week, and if it doesn't go well, you can have my head, okay?” She stretched her finger out for a pinky promise.
“You don't want to know how many times I've thought about that. You just made things easier. Alright.” I crossed her finger with mine before flopping back on the bed. She followed suit.
After two more hours of relentless chit-chat, she finally headed home, and once again, the boredom kicked in. Ryan wasn't home yet—not that I was worried or anything.
I started working on the project, adding the suggestions he had given. Just yesterday, he’d been here... in such close proximity to me. A small part of me thought he came to apologize, but then again, I was wrong. Ryan Jenkins doesn’t do apologies.
Shoot.I couldn’t find my notebook. The asshole might have taken it with him.
I took a deep breath. I know I was going to regret this but I did it anyway.
I went to his room
I stood in front of his door, staring at it like it was a gateway to another world. This was a bad idea.
I took a deep breath and knocked lightly. No response. I knocked again a little harder. Still nothing. Perfect. I'll just grab my notebook and disappear before he comes back.
I turned the knob slowly and poked my head in first. Sure it was empty. I proceed to enter the room fully.
The room dimly lit,the only source of light coming from the sunlight which fairly pierced into the room through the almost drawn shut curtains. The familiar scent of leather hit me as I entered. My eyes took a moment to scan the room and for someone that handsome, Ryan's room is an unexpected mess disoriented.
Heaps of sheets hung on the bed. Stack of papers lay messily on his desk mixed with assortments of pens and keys
My eyes darted around in search of my notebook and finally found it on the nightstand.
Really? Who put a note on a nightstand?
I grabbed my note and proceeded to leave but something caught my eyes- a bookshelf which somehow my eyes missed in my first frantic search for my notebook
Woah..
It didn't strike me that he's the kind that reads.
I should leave. I should walk out right now. But apart from chocolates, one thing I can never say no to is books. Ignoring the voice in my head that screamed at me to leave, I walked over to the shelf, eyes widening as I took in the collection.
He was really into mysteries, thrillers, and crime novels. Thick volumes with dark covers, spines marked with names like Stephen King and Gillian Flynn.
Well,he does seem like someone who'd love those. My eyes roamed over the titles until they landed on one book that made my heart skip a beat—Murder on the Orient Express
I couldn't believe it. I had been searching for the book for ages. My fingers itched to take it but it was probably wrong. But technically,I wasn't stealing. I was only borrowing it and would return once I'm done
Simple
I picked up the book with a satisfying smile. I was about to leave when something odd caught my attention– a tiny botton hidden at the corner of the bookshelf. A botton?
Out of curiosity,I reached out and pressed the button. A soft click sounded and suddenly, a part of the bookshelf swung open, revealing a hidden doorway.
A secret room.I gasped as I peered inside.
The room was dark, and I couldn’t see what was in there.
“Just a quick look. Then I'll leave”I told the voice nagging at the back of my head to leave.
I took a tentative step inside, the air cooler, heavier somehow. I was about to take another step when a voice, cold and biting, froze me in my tracks.
“What the hell are you doing?”
I felt my blood turn to ice. I spun around, and there he was, standing in the doorway, his eyes burning with an anger that made my breath catch. The book slipped from my hands, thudding softly against the floor.
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