Page 3 of Hating On Riot

Arie

“I can’t believe the professor is hitting us with a major assignment two weeks into the semester, bruh.”

“Testing a crazy game isn’t an assignment, man. It’s what I call unexpected fun times.”

I turn and shush my classmates. Don’t they realize it’s rude to talk during the professor’s lecture?

One guy rolls his eyes. The other mimes an obscene gesture, jamming his thumb against his mouth and blowing out one cheek. I glare, then return to the lecture, sitting tall with my shoulders back.

If the guys know what’s good for them, they’ll follow the rules of common decency and listen instead of talking. Maybe then they wouldn’t have spent all last semester in the library getting tutored.

I startle.

Good God, Hope is right. I spent too much time in the library to be healthy if I can recall how often those guys were there. I sigh and hang my head.

“Since we have a small class, there’ll be four groups of ten. The rules are clear. Break one, and it’s an instant disqualification. The winning team will be exempt from homework for a week. Now, everyone, count off one to four.”

We go around the room and say our numbers out loud. Lucky me, I get number one, the same as my ex-best friend, Cooper Wilder.

“Break into your groups and strategize. The game starts in a week.”

“Jeez, Professor Wilson, thanks for the advance notice.”

“Sarcasm not appreciated, O’Sullivan.”

Riot O’Sullivan. Six-foot-one. Jet-black hair. Dark green eyes. Lots of attitude. A player on and off the rugby field. The guy who bullied me throughout high school. He also counted off number one.

My bully and my traitorous friend are on the same team as me. I blow out a breath. I have crummy luck.

We move our desks into a circle. I assess my team. Ten of us. Six guys. Four girls. Two of the girls play lacrosse. The other girl is a track star. All the guys play a sport. Their attention swings around the circle and settles firmly on me.

“You’re the only non-athlete in the group, Arie.” Cooper slouches in his seat, crossing his arms. “We athletes are a competitive bunch, and we want to win this.”

“Yeah,” the others say in unison, reminding me of a frightful mob from an old movie like Children of the Corn.

“I say we assign someone to teach you the ropes, show you how to home in on your targets, and go over evasive techniques.”

I tip my chin toward my disloyal friend. “Just because I’ve never shot a Nerf gun doesn’t mean I’ll be a bad player. Believe me, I can duck and run just fine.”

I hold his gaze and let the underhanded comment sink in, though I feel horrible for saying it. I ducked and ran when I saw him kissing Bella. He called after me, but I didn’t stop until my hurt gave way to anger. Cooper squirms in his seat.

“You two break up or something?” Riot looks from Cooper to me, a dark brow raised.

Had Riot been in Dumas rather than going home to Alexandria for summer break, he would have been at Cynthia’s pool party and seen what happened.

I normally don’t attend those parties, but I made an exception for Cooper. He was in a pissy mood and needed cheering up. Apparently, cheering up meant sticking his tongue down my rival’s throat. I ignore Riot’s question. My friendship with Cooper is none of his business.

“Look, I won’t let you guys down. A week without assignments will be heaven-sent.”

“Heaven-sent? Is she for real?” Eye-roll guy rolls his eyes so hard they’ll get stuck inside his brainless head if he’s not careful.

“Shut up, bro,” says Cooper. “Arie can speak any way she likes.”

Eye-roll dude plows past Cooper’s comment. “Not-so-heaven-sent needs a soldier who can train her. Who wants to take one for the team?”

Cooper opens his mouth. I give him a slight shake of my head. I’m grateful he came to my rescue, but I’m a big girl. I don’t need my ex-best friend to bail me out. He’s helped me enough over the past four years.

Everyone keeps their mouths shut except for Miss Track Star. She’s super competitive and as convincing as her best friend when she wants something. A week without homework in one of her classes will give Emily more time with the older guy she’s seeing.