c h a p t e r • 34

-Stop overthinking. Don't worry about them. And put on that hoodie.-

Lili's POV

I glared at the seat in front of me when the stupid kid behind me kicked my seat for the 57th time.

Yes, I counted.

I'm just casually waiting for his mother to go to the washroom or something so I can teach that stupid kid a lesson.

Kyle was peacefully sitting next to me and the guys in front of me were playing a game or something.

Ryder...I don't even know honestly. His eyes are closed and his arms are crossed but he looks tense and he doesn't look like he's asleep.

The kid kicks my seat again for the 58th time now.

My left eye twitches slightly.

I let out a frustrated sigh and decide to go to the washroom.

I took off my hoodie so it wouldn't get wet in the washroom.

I got up and managed to squeeze my fat ass through Ryder and the seat in front.

"I'm going to the washroom." I mutter.

He grunts in response.

So he is alive. I thought he was dead for a second.

I strut down the aisle in my platform high-heel ankle boots confidently when I felt a few people staring at me. I ignored it but it made me feel really uneasy.

I went in the washroom and do my business before going out and I saw a buff man staring at me intimidatingly and to be honest it was scary but I didn't show that. I pretended to ignore him but then I saw his wrist...Crushed Skulls.

As I was walking back to my seat, I saw another man about the same size as the one before pointing at with another guy and they both had the same tattoo.

I kept my cool and sat back on my seat.

Don't worry. It's nothing. You're being paranoid.

But what if I'm not?

What if they're here to kill me or kidnap me?

What if they succeed?

What if I die?

What if-

Stop thinking you bitch.

Right. Don't think. Just don't think.

I glanced at Ryder and saw him looking at the same men I was overthinking about.

It's nothing.

"Ryder..." I say, quietly.

He turns to me.

"Hmm?" He raises and eyebrow.

"Those men...they are in the gang, Crushed Skulls, right?" I ask, softly and whispering so only he heard.

He stares at me for a moment before nodding.

They are probably just going to visit their lonely grandmother who has a dozen cats in New York.

I mean, they look like granny boys.

Right?

"Stop overthinking. Don't worry about them." He says. "And put on that hoodie."

"I was going to anyway." I say, putting on the hoodie. "Just so you know, I'm not doing this because you told me to."

He rolls his eyes at my statement and closed his eyes.

I sigh.

I'm so bored!

So, I decided to sleep until we land. Which is in like 3 hours.

-•-

I awoke when I heard the stewardess announce our landing through the intercom and the seatbelt sign lights up.

I rub my eyes and put on my seatbelt.

I saw that Kyle and Ryder were awake now.

Soon, we were already touching the ground and the plane stopped moving.

Everyone starts getting up and taking their luggages.

"Kyle, can you help me?" I ask, pointing to my bag.

He rolls his eyes but helps me anyway.

"Thank you." I say, taking duffel bag and putting the handle around my shoulder.

As we walked out the plane, I couldn't help but notice the guys from earlier were giving me creepy looks.

I felt an arm travel across my waist and rest there. I look up at Ryder to see him staring in front of us with no emotion.

Thankfully, Kyle was in front of us and so was the rest of the team and coach.

We all gather at the entrance of the huge airport as we wait for our bus to come.

"I'm hungry." Kyle was about to turn around when I felt his arm disappear from my waist.

"You're always hungry." I say.

He rolls his eyes at me and looks back in front.

It's so hot here.

I took off my hoodie and drape it on my arm.

I sigh when I started feeling bored.

The guys were talking amongst each other when a couple of guys who passed by were staring and throwing remarks at me.

Ryder grumbles and Kyle flips them off.

"Looking good, sweetcheeks." Derek winks and I laugh, knowing he's only joking.

Ryder rolls his eyes at him but doesn't say anything.

Why do I keep observing him!? Urghhgh! It's not me. My eyes just somehow find its way to his beautifully sculpted Greek body and beautiful face with cute-

I was snapped out of my thoughts when Ryder took my hoodie and tied it around my waist.

"What are you doing?" I whispered-yelled at him.

He scoffs and rolls his eyes but still doesn't say anything.

Finally, after a while, a bus pulls up in front of us and we all load our stuff before going in.

Coach does a headcount and when everyone is here, we start moving to the hotel we're staying in.

Coach starts explaining the rules and I somehow paid attention, being bored and all.

"First off, today, we will be training from 2.30p.m till 4." A chorus of groans are let out by the boys.

Oh well. Doesn't affect me. I get to sit down and eat ice cream while they get all dirty and tired.

Coach rolls his eyes at them but continues anyways.

"Second, the game is tomorrow and will finish at 7.30 p.m. After that, I will allow you all to be free but be back before 11 and you will all be under Ava's watch." Coach and the rest of the boys glance at me.

"What?" I ask and roll my eyes.

"I don't mind at all." Paul throws me a wink. I flip him off and we all turn back to coach.

"And no one is allowed to be out of their room after 10 p.m tonight, understand?" Coach says sternly.

A chorus of agreement and other noises are heard from the guys.

"Good. Now you morons can look at the buildings like you've never seen any before." Coach says and sits back down on his seat in front.

See, this is why he's better than other teachers.

Like coach said, the boys looked out the windows in awe but it is New York. It ain't like I've never been to New York but okay.

I looked out the window too, lost in my own thoughts but I smiled when I saw Shawn Mendes on one of the billboards looking cute and all.

Ryder and Kyle were on either side of me so imagine what I felt like.

Yup, you guessed that right. A can of sardines! But if you thought otherwise, I don't blame you.

I couldn't help but notice Ryder staring at me with a small smile on his face.

Even when I'm sitting down, I barely reach his neck with my short frame.

"Hey, Blacc. Keep your eyes to yourself, would ya." Kyle glares at Ryder.

Ugh this dipshit just has to get in the way of my love life.

Oh wait, what love life was I talking about again?

You mean the one that doesn't exist?

Yup! That's the one.

-•-

A/n: Yay I didn't leave you guys on a cliffhanger. I'm so kind. I'm so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so sorry for updating verrrryyy late. I just couldn't write and I was just trying to find myself lately...yeah, anyways I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and I hope you guys have a wonderful day/night!

Love you guys!❤️