Chapter 15

Ryder's smirk widened as he leaned against the doorframe, his eyes dancing with mischief. Achilles tensed, his jaw clenching visibly.

"What do you want, Hawkins?" Achilles growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Ryder held up his hands again in mock surrender. "Whoa there, Von. No need to get your panties in a twist. I'm just here to remind you two lovebirds that it's recess. P.E. period, remember?"

Achilles' eyes narrowed. "We're not interested. Leave. And stay away from Shea."

"Oh, come on now," Ryder chuckled, his gaze sliding to Shea. "Don't let this sourpuss make decisions for you, sweetheart. We've got a soccer match coming up - Science versus Arts. Wouldn't want to miss out on all the fun, would you?"

Shea glanced between the two men, feeling the tension crackling in the air. She opened her mouth to speak, but Achilles cut her off.

"I said leave, Hawkins. Now."

Ryder's smile never faltered, but something dangerous flashed in his eyes. "Always so protective, aren't you, Von? But you can't shield her forever." He pushed off the doorframe, taking a step closer. "Besides, it's not like you have a choice. Coach made it clear - full participation or you fail the class."

Achilles' fists clenched at his sides, but before he could respond, Shea stepped forward.

"We'll be there," she said firmly, ignoring Achilles' sharp look. "Wouldn't want to let the team down, right?"

Ryder's grin widened. "That's the spirit, Wolfe. See you on the field." He turned to leave, but paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "Oh, and Von? Try not to break any bones this time, yeah? We Arts students are delicate creatures."

With a final wink, he sauntered off down the hallway, leaving Achilles and Shea alone in the tense silence.

Achilles turned to Shea, his expression grave. "Stay away from Ryder as much as possible. If you can, hide."

Shea hesitated, then nodded. Ryder's cocky demeanor had unnerved her more than she cared to admit. "Okay," she agreed softly.

With a curt nod, Achilles spun on his heel and strode towards the door. He'd taken only a few steps when he paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "Are you coming or not?"

Shea blinked, confusion etching her features. This was the same guy who'd been trying to avoid her all morning. "What?"

"Recess," Achilles replied, his tone matter-of-fact. "And now that Ryder's involved, I want to keep you close."

Shea's eyebrows shot up. "I thought you wanted me to leave Lockewood."

Achilles' jaw tightened. "I do. But since you're clearly not listening to reason, I'll have to settle for damage control."

Shea crossed her arms, a spark of defiance flaring in her eyes. "I'm not leaving until I get answers."

For a moment, they stood locked in a silent battle of wills. Finally, Achilles sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. But stick close to me. Ryder's bad news, and he's not the only one you need to watch out for."

Shea nodded, grabbing her bag and falling into step beside him. As they walked down the hallway, she couldn't help but steal glances at his profile. Despite his gruff exterior, there was something about Achilles that made her feel... safe.

As they walked down the hallway, Shea's curiosity got the better of her. "Why are you protecting me?" she asked, her voice low but insistent.

Achilles remained silent, his jaw clenched as he stared straight ahead.

Shea wasn't about to let it go this time. She grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop and face her. "I need to know," she said firmly, her eyes locked on his. "Why are you doing this?"

For a moment, Achilles looked like he might brush her off again. But then he let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders sagging slightly. "I have to," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's my duty."

Shea's eyes widened in surprise. "Your duty? How? What does that mean?"

Achilles shook his head, his expression hardening once more. "I can't say all of that right now. It's not safe." He turned and began walking again, his long strides eating up the distance.

Shea stood rooted to the spot, her mind reeling. Duty? What kind of duty could possibly involve protecting her? And from what? The questions swirled in her head, each one leading to a dozen more.

After a few moments, she realized Achilles was getting further away. Shaking herself out of her thoughts, she hurried to catch up with him, her shorter legs working double-time to match his pace.

Shea huffed, her frustration evident. "Fine, then tell me all about it later," she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Achilles scoffed, his blue eyes flashing with annoyance. "I ain't your boyfriend to do that," he retorted. "I'll decide when and whether I want to tell you anything."

Shea's lips curled into a pout, her arms crossing over her chest. Achilles glanced at her and rolled his eyes. "Don't be dumb," he muttered.

"I'm not dumb," Shea shot back, her voice rising slightly. "You're just being edgy and cold."

Achilles didn't respond, but Shea caught the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. Was that almost a smile?

They continued walking in tense silence, their footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. As they neared the exit, the sounds of shouting and laughter drifted in from outside.

Achilles pushed open the heavy door, holding it for Shea as she stepped through. The bright sunlight momentarily blinded her, and she raised a hand to shield her eyes. As her vision adjusted, she took in the sprawling grounds before them.

The ground buzzed with energy as students gathered, their cheers echoing across the field. Cheerleaders in vibrant uniforms bounced and twirled, their pom-poms flashing in the sunlight. A large banner stretched across the bleachers, boldly proclaiming "Science VS Arts" in bright letters.

Shea blinked, taken aback by the scene before her. The speed at which this event had materialized was astonishing. When she'd arrived at the college earlier, there had been no hint of such a spectacle.

Players from both teams jogged around the perimeter of the field, stretching and warming up. Shea's eyes scanned the crowd, her gaze eventually landing on Ryder. He stood among his teammates, his muscular frame imposing even from a distance. As if sensing her attention, he turned and locked eyes with her.

A chill ran down Shea's spine. Ryder's smile was predatory, his eyes gleaming with an intensity that made her want to shrink away. She felt exposed, vulnerable under his scrutiny.

Suddenly, a warm weight settled on her head. Shea startled, glancing up to see Achilles' hand resting there. His touch was surprisingly gentle, a stark contrast to his usual brusque demeanor.

"Move," he said, his voice low and firm. Despite the gruffness of his words, Shea felt an unexpected sense of security wash over her. Achilles' presence seemed to form a barrier between her and Ryder's unsettling gaze.

Shea nodded, allowing Achilles to guide her towards the bleachers. As they walked, she couldn't help but steal glances at him, wondering at the complexity of this mysterious protector who seemed determined to keep her at arm's length.