Page 26 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars
I nod to be polite. The school itself is irrelevant. It’s the fact that my entire life has flipped upside down and is obliterated beyond repair that’s making me sick to my stomach.
As we pull away from the house, I keep my breathing shallow and quiet. I do nothing that might set Ryder off. From the corner of my eye, I watch him scribbling in his notebook. His browfurrows in concentration. Every few seconds, he taps his pen against the page in rhythm.
The low hum of the engine is my soundtrack for the drive down the mountain. The morning mist clings to the trees, making everything look ethereal and slightly unreal. We wind through bends that make my stomach clench, and past drop-offs that seem to go on forever. Every curve reminds me of the mountain shortcut. The one my parents took because they were running late. Because I wasn’t there to help them.
I press my hand against the car door, grounding myself. Counting my breaths. Four in, hold, four out.
Finally, we reach the town of Victoria Falls. It’s not the tiny mountain village I’d imagined, but an actual town with boutique shops, expensive-looking restaurants, and a downtown area that screams money.
“It’s bigger than I thought,” I say without thinking, then immediately regret it.
Ryder doesn’t respond or even acknowledge I spoke.
But the driver smiles. “Victoria Falls has grown a lot in recent years. Tech money, mostly. People who want mountain views and city amenities.”
I nod, keeping my eyes on the scenery as we drive through the pristine streets. Everything here looks opulent and maintained.
And then we pull up at Ashworth Academy, and my breath hitches.
It’s like something out of a movie. Red brick buildings covered in ivy, and perfectly manicured lawns. Students walk around in the same uniform I’m wearing, but somehow they make it look effortless and natural.
And the cars. The student parking lot is full of BMWs, Mercedes, and Teslas. The fact that our driver is in a tailored suit and wearing a driving hat makes a lot more sense now.
The driver pulls up near the main entrance. Ryder immediately gets out without a word, slinging his backpack over his shoulder and walking away. He doesn’t look back or check if I’m following. He blends seamlessly into this world. Students call out to him, and he responds with warm laughter that carries across the parking lot. It’s nothing like the cold voice he’s used with me.
Is this the real him? A popular senior, surrounded by friends and easy humor?
Did I bring out the worst in him?
“Miss?” The driver’s voice pulls me back. “We’re here.”
“Right. Thank you.” I grab my backpack and step out into my new life.
The main office is easy to find, just off the foyer. I’m greeted by the head administrator, Ms. Thornesmith, a woman with cat-eye glasses and a no-nonsense gray bun.
“Alice Winter?” she asks, looking up from her computer.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Welcome to Ashworth Academy.” She hands me a paper. “This is your schedule. The junior class president, Freddy Jones, was supposed to give you a tour, but...” She sighs. “The football coach has him doing extra conditioning this morning. That man commandeers far too much of that boy’s time.”
“It’s okay,” I say quickly. “I can find my way around.”
“Are you sure? Because I’m just trying to get in touch with Jessa, who’s also on the student council. She can—“
“I’m sure. Really.”
Ms. Thornesmith studies me for a moment, then nods. “All right. But if you need anything, my door is always open. First period is in ten minutes. English with Ms. Patterson is on the second floor, east wing.”
“Thank you.”
I escape into the hallway before she can change her mind about me venturing out solo. The last thing I need is forced small talk with a stranger who’ll ask questions I don’t want to answer.
The warning bell rings, echoing through the halls.
The school is overwhelming. Marble floors, wood paneling, and high ceilings. Everything reeks of old money and prestige.
And students. So many students.
