Chapter 14

Caleb, Riley, and Tyler slowly drove through the parking lot looking for an open spot. Riley examined the school through her window, "No offense but this school is giving off a seriously creepy vibe. It looks like something out of a horror movie."

Tyler and Caleb laughed. "Yeah it's part of its charm," Tyler replied.

"Is that what you call it here?" Riley joked.

The three climbed out of the car and headed towards the building. "Wait up," Pogue yelled as he pulled his motorcycle helmet off. He jogged across the lot to meet the others, "I miss anything?"

They all shook their heads and walked into the building. Riley reached over and took Caleb's hand. He looked at her reassuringly, but with a bit of sadness in his eyes as they continued down the hallway. It was like a scene from a movie. The crowds seemed to part for the sons and daughter of Ipswich. People fell silent as they watched Riley walk down the hall, but the whispers started as soon as she was past.

Reid sauntered around the corner and threw up his arm in greeting. Joining the group as they walked to the Provost office Reid fell into step with them. The hallways were humming with gossip at this point.

"Who is she?"

"Wasn't she at the Dells last night?"

"I can't believe he is dating her!"

"That's the chick that punched Aaron right?"

The Provost was standing outside his office discussing something with his secretary when the group stopped. "Ah here you are, you must be Riley Simms. I am Provost Higgins. Come in, we need to discuss a few things before classes start today."

Riley looked at the guys before walking into the room. "We'll wait don't worry." Tyler said as the other sons nodded in agreement. There was something important the four of them had to discuss.

"Well Miss. Simms it would seem everything is in order. Your last school has sent of your impressive academic record. I already spoke with the swim coach about you joining the team. You'll be in that class with your cousin and his friends. They're Spenser's best swimmers." Provost Higgins glanced at Riley over the stack of papers he held. "Do you have any questions?"

"Um no I don't think so, I can just ask Tyler or one of the guys if I think of any. Do you have my schedule?" Riley asked wanting to get back to the boys.

"Oh of course here you go," Provost Higgins said as he handed over her schedule and a map. "Class starts in five minutes, I believe your first one is American Literature. Caleb, Tyler, and Pogue can show you where to go they are in that class also."

"Ok thank you Provost," Riley said as she stood and made her way to the door.

"Miss. Simms," Provost Higgins called out.

Riley turned quickly and saw the Provost pointing at her bag. She had left it next to her seat. "Oh right I might need that."

"Have a good day Miss. Simms."

"Thank you sir," Riley said rushing out the door quickly.

Riley almost walked into Pogue who was standing directly in front of the door waiting. The tension in the air was thick, Tyler and Caleb looked upset about something.

"Hand it over," Pogue ordered sticking out his hand. Riley passed him her schedule and the sons quickly examined it. "American Literature, Calculus, Physics, Lunch, Psychology, Swimming, and American Government. Cool at least one of us is in each of your classes," Tyler said reading the schedule over Pogue's shoulder.

The first bell rang shrilly, "We had better get going," Caleb avoiding Riley's eyes, "Your first class is with me, Pogue, and Reid."

"Good I was worried I would have to answer all kinds of questions about us without one of you with me." Riley said following Caleb down the hall.

Caleb stopped and turned to look at her with questioning eyes, "Us?"

Riley stared at him blankly, "You and me."

Pogue and Reid knew when to keep walking and this was one of those moments. They both knew that it wasn't safe, where Chase was concerned, for Riley and Caleb to date. Neither of them wanted to be around for that conversation. "I'll save you guys' seats," Pogue said pulling Reid towards the classroom.

Caleb waited for them to disappear before he spoke, "Riley… I don't think it's a good idea for there to be an us right now," he said gesturing between the two of them.

"But… I don't get it. I like you and you like me why can't we be together?"

"Chase…"

Riley interrupted Caleb quickly, "Screw Chase," she snapped, "I'm not going to let him dictate what I do with my life Caleb and neither should you!"

"Riley it's not safe! He used my last girlfriend as bait and I don't want the same thing to happen to you," Caleb explained he could already see the argument forming in her mind.

"That's bull shit Caleb," Riley spat him. She couldn't believe she was standing here listening to this. "If that's the way you feel I'm not going to argue with you. It's obvious you aren't going to change your mind. I'll just find another guy." Riley didn't really want to date someone else, but she wasn't above making Caleb jealous. Maybe then, he would realize what he an idiot he was being.

"Riley… I already talked to Pogue, Tyler, and Reid. They all agree that it would be safer this way."

"It's not their decision to make! If we want to be together then we should be, because it makes us happy. Their opinions don't matter! They aren't the ones in this relationship, we are," Riley said as the bell rang again, "If you are going to give up this easily on us then I don't think I want to be with you. You won't fight for us to be together I won't either."

With that, Riley walked away from him as fast as she could. She would not let him see that he had hurt her.

Caleb watched as she disappeared around the corner. She had tried to hide it but he knew that she was upset. Riley's words had affected him though. She was right if they were happy together nothing else should matter. He didn't want to give up on what they could have but it wasn't safe. Was he willing to fight for her?

Caleb stood in the now empty hallway as emotions washed over him in waves. He was angry, hurt, confused, the list goes on and on. But what was he going to do about it?

Riley entered her first class at Spenser late, the teacher introduced her. Riley quickly made her way to the seat that Pogue was saving for her. He had left two seats open next to him.

Riley sat down in the seat on the end and glanced at Pogue, "Please don't make me sit next him right now." Riley pleaded quietly as a single tear slid down her cheek. There was no way she was going to be able to sit through class next to Caleb and pretend like everything was fine.

Pogue realized that the conversation had not gone well. He slid into the seat next to Riley, "I'm sorry Riley, he didn't mean to hurt you," Pogue whispered not wanting anyone to overhear them.

"Pogue if you know what is good for you, you'll shut the hell up before I break your nose like I broke Aaron's ok? I don't want to talk about it." Riley snapped at him staring at him threateningly.

Pogue shut his mouth and looked over his shoulder at Reid. Sensing his gaze Reid sat up in his seat and met Pogue's eye. Pogue shook his head and Reid sighed before putting his head back down. Reid had told him not to talk to her about it today.

The door to the classroom reopened and Caleb walked in slowly. "Mr. Danvers nice of you to join us," the teacher said.

"Sorry," Caleb said but he wasn't looking at his teacher he was looking at Riley sitting next to Pogue. She was staring down at her notebook refusing to look up.

Caleb made his way to the seat next to Pogue. He slid past Riley his arm brushing against her back. Caleb saw her entire body stiffen as she snapped her pencil in two. Caleb sat down glancing at Pogue.

How angry is she? Caleb thought.

Well she just snapped that pencil in two and she threatened to break my nose if I didn't shut up. I'd say she's pretty angry. Pogue thought in response.

I told you not to do it today Reid thought eyeing Caleb.

I can hear you guys; stop talking about me like I'm not here! Riley thought staring at Pogue as her eyes flashed to black then back to their normal bright green.

Pogue jabbed her with his elbow as Caleb buried his head in his hands. So much for Riley having a good first day.