The other side of Ryan (Double-masked)

VIOLET

The morning air was sharp as I pulled the door to my room shut behind me, steeling myself for the day ahead. The usual quiet of the house felt heavier after last night. Mom had left early, no doubt to avoid facing me, and I felt a small wave of relief wash over me. I wasn’t ready to see her—not after everything we’d said, not after the rawness that still lingered from our argument.

I made my way downstairs, only to nearly jump out of my skin as Ryan’s figure leaned casually against the wall near the doorway.

“Jesus, you scared me!” I muttered, clutching my bag a little tighter.

He just gave that devilish grin of his. “You ready to leave now, mouse?”

I rolled my eyes, trying to hide the small smile tugging at my lips. “Yes. And don’t call me that again.”

“Can’t promise,” he replied with a lazy shrug, leading the way out to his car.

As we settled in, I let the seatbelt click into place, and a comfortable quiet took over. My thoughts drifted to last night. I still felt strangely calm in his presence, the way I had when he’d found me at the park. The way he’d listened, letting me vent without interrupting, the way he’d just… been there. It wasn’t something I’d expected from him, but it made me feel okay. Safe, even. I glanced sideways at him, my heart a little lighter as I remembered his quiet patience.

“Thanks for last night. I didn't know you were much of a comforter, you know,” I said, breaking the silence.

He shot me a look of mock offense, feigning a deep sigh. “Yeah, well, don’t get used to it. I have a reputation to uphold, remember?”

“Oh, right. Can’t have people thinking you’re secretly nice,” I teased back.

“Exactly,” he deadpanned, though his lips twitched with a hint of a smile. “But maybe I’ll make an exception for you. If you ask nicely.”

I snorted, shaking my head. “Not a chance.”

The school loomed closer, and as he parked, the reality of the day crept in. I opened the door and stepped out, feeling a tiny pang of disappointment as he went to head in the opposite direction.

“Aren’t you coming to class?” I called after him, raising an eyebrow.

He shot me a look over his shoulder. “Yeah, I’ll pass. Try not to miss me too much, mouse,” he said before strolling off.

I shook my head as I watched him walk away. Typical Ryan. With a sigh, I turned and headed toward the building, ready to face whatever the day threw at me.

When I stepped into the classroom, I found Ashley and Luke already at our usual corner, chatting as they waited. Ashley gave me a quick wave. Luke, who looked lost in thought, perked up when he saw me and gave a nod.

"Hey, Vi," Ashley greeted, patting the seat next to her. "How was your morning?"

“Better now that I’m here,” I said, sliding into the chair. “Any gossip I missed?”

“Nothing you’d be interested in,” Luke replied with a smirk

Before I could ask, the door swung open, and Mrs. Hawke swept in, commanding our attention with her usual strict aura. Our chatter died down, and we quickly fell into the routine of note-taking, assignments, and endless explanations that made the class feel like it dragged on forever. By the time it finally ended, I let out a sigh of relief, exchanging a glance with Ashley that said it all.

As we gathered our things and filed out into the hallway, we slipped back into our usual conversation, laughing and trading stories from the weekend. Luke seemed more withdrawn, checking his phone every few seconds. Suddenly, he paused, his face tightening as he read something on the screen.

“Uh, I gotta be somewhere,” he said abruptly, tucking his phone back into his pocket. “Catch up with you both later?”

Ashley and I exchanged a quick, curious glance, then nodded.

“Yeah, sure,” I said. “See you.”

We watched him walk off, his shoulders tense, as if he was bracing himself for something.

I turned to Ashley, frowning. “Is it just me, or has Luke been acting weird lately?”

Ashley nodded, looking a bit worried. “Yeah, I’ve noticed too. He’s been… distant. And it’s not just today. Last week, he skipped practice for some ‘emergency,’ but he wouldn’t say what it was.”

“Maybe it’s just personal stuff?” I suggested, though even I didn’t believe it entirely. Luke was usually an open book with us.

Ashley’s brows knit together. “Maybe. But if he needed help, he’d tell us, right?”

“I think so.” I shrugged, glancing back toward the hallway where he’d disappeared.

“Ashley gave me a long, suspicious stare, her eyebrows cocked in that signature "spill it" look. “Okay, something’s up. What happened this weekend?”

I tried to brush it off with a snort. “Nothing. Just the usual.”

But she wasn’t buying it. Her gaze narrowed, and I felt myself giving in. “Fine, fine! Okay, I had… a tense argument with my mom.”

Ashley’s eyes widened like I’d just told her I’d robbed a bank. “No way!” she gasped, waiting for me to go on. So, I filled her in on everything: the argument with Mom, the awkward moment sorting out the kiss situation with Ryan, and how he ended up comforting me at the park afterward.

She listened intently, nodding along, and then—without a hint of irony—she said, “Honestly, I don’t usually believe in that whole ‘universe sends signs’ nonsense, but I’m pretty sure the universe is waving a giant red flag at you right now.”

I blinked. “A sign for what?”

She gave me an exasperated look, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “A sign to sleep with Ryan, duh.”

I choked. “Are you insane?”

“Nope, I’m just seeing the patterns here,” she said, crossing her arms matter-of-factly. “You both kiss ‘by accident,’ you end up tangled on top of each other, he buys you ice cream, then goes full supportive-guy-mode at the park. Tell me that’s not fate screaming at you.”

I gave her a deadpan look. “Ashley, I think it’s you screaming at me, not fate.”

She smirked, undeterred. “Two hundred bucks says you’re sleeping with him before graduation.” She stuck out her hand to seal the deal, and I slapped it away, laughing.

“Abso-fucking-lutely not!” I rolled my eyes, feeling a weird mix of embarrassment and amusement.

“Okay, fine. But just wait,” she winked, leaning in close with a mischievous glint in her eye.

Before I could protest any further, she perked up. “Hey, let’s head to the gym. Kyle wanted us to meet him there.”

I was already shaking my head, about to come up with an excuse. But then she added, “Oh, and Ryan’s there too.”

I let out a resigned sigh. “Fine… let’s go.”

Ashley shot me a triumphant grin, looping her arm through mine as we headed toward the gym.

The moment we stepped into the gym,Ashley immediately spotted Kyle across the room and with a quick grin in my direction,hurried over to him. They exchanged a few words before Kyle leaned down to tell her something. I caught the tail end of their conversation as Ashley turned back to me with a nod.

"Ryan's in there with Jack" she said, pointing toward a separate training area tucked away in the back corner of the gym.

I followed the direction of her gesture and took a hesitant step forward. As I needed the open doorway,the muffled sound of fists meeting flesh and low,harsh grunts filled my ears. The noise grew louder with each step,my curiosity mingling with a strange, nagging sense of unease.

Then I saw them- Ryan and Jack,both shirtless,locked in an intense sparring match. Blood was smeared across Ryan's lip,and his jaw was clenched in concentration. His eyes were dark and almost unrecognizable from the lighthearted guy I'd seen this morning. This version of Ryan was raw, harder and fiercer, a side of him he usually kept hidden.

The sight of them,the sounds- the sickening thud of flesh hitting flesh - made my stomach twist. Memories flooded my mind, memories I'd tried so hard to bury,my father,the blood,the violence,the helplessness. Each punch they threw brought the memories closer,the sounds mingling with ghosts of the past.

My breath hitched as I froze,rooted to the spot,my hands trembling. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes and I fought the urge to choke. I needed to move,to run but my legs wouldn't obey.

Ryan must have noticed because he suddenly stopped,his gaze shifting and his eyes locked into mind.

"Violet?" He called in surprise,his voice softening,concern flickered across his face as he took a step towards me.

But I couldn’t take it—I couldn’t bear the sight of him like that, drenched in blood and shadows. Without a word, I turned and rushed out, barely able to breathe, my chest tight with panic and memories clawing at me from the past.

No. No. No.