Boyfriend

Amara

The first day without him seemed easy, but each day it was getting harder for me.

I spent most of my time with Gordon and when I wasn't with him I was in my room scrolling through a phone or reading books. I felt so pressured, felt like I was locked in a cage. I mean, I was locked in a cage.

I hadn't really communicated with any other people in here besides some girls. The others seemed scary and intimidating, just like Ryder, but I wasn't scared of him.

I heard a knock on the door snapping me out of my trance and my gaze snapped up to the door. I always had hope that it could be Ryder, but of course it never was.

"Hello Miss Tanner, I brought your lunch" Mary said with a smile.

Mary was about my age, maybe a year older than me and she was a very sweet shy girl. She was something like a maid here and she always made sure to bring me my meals even though I told her I could do it. I also asked her to call me Amara, but she said it would be "unprofessional".

"Thank you Mary" I smiled at her taking the tray.

"You're welcome. How has your day been miss Tanner?" She asked sweetly folding her hands.

"It's been okay, how about yours?" I asked.

She was always shocked by me asking her about how she is. She never expected it and always avoided talking about it.

I wonder why.

"Good, thank you" She said putting a stray hair of hers behind her ear, "I'll be gone now. Call me if you need anything" She said and rushed to the door.

It seemed like she was always trying to avoid talking about herself. I wasn't sure if something was going on or she just didn't like the attention.

I wanted to be friends with her. She seemed really sweet, but also she always seemed very nervous. She was one of the few girls in this house. I wondered if she was here by her own will or if she was forced. It would be awful if she didn't want to be here.

I made a mental note to talk to him about it when he came back.

She opened the door and bumped on someone, Gordon.

"I-I'm sorry sir, it won't happen again" She said nervously looking at the floor.

"It's okay" He answered staring at her.

Wait, what kind of look is he giving her!? Seems like these two share some secrets.

I grinned thinking about it and sit back leaning against the headboard.

They stayed like that for a few seconds and then my brother walked into the room and she left.

I gave him a smirk. He probably knew I would interrogate him and he sighed rolling his eyes.

"What's got you so happy? Did Ryder call you?" He asked sitting next to me in bed.

The mention of him brought my mood down. As much as I didn't like to admit it, I had missed him too much.

"No" I said fiddling with the edge of my blanket.

"What is it?" He asked.

"What's up with you and Mary?"

He was taken aback.

He shook his head and raised an eyebrow, "Nothing, why?"

"That look you gave her was pretty tense" I smirked.

"What? No! Of course there is nothing going on with us" He said.

"Gordon, I might not have spent enough time with you in my previous years, but I observed you and I know when you're lying" I said, "You can tell me" I put my hand on top of his.

He stood up fixing his shirt, "No, there is absolutely nothing going on between us" He said.

"Fine. One last question"

He sighed, "What is it?"

"Is she here because she wants to?" I asked.

"We're not forcing her. Her pathetic excuse of a boyfriend is and I think he's forcing her into a lot of stuff apart from being here" He said through gritted teeth.

That's disgusting.

I gasped, "Why don't you do something to help her?"

"Because we don't have proof of what's happening and she won't tell us"

"You're right I guess. I'll find a way" I said confidently.  I couldn't let her suffer. She was such a kind girl and she didn't deserve that.

"You can't save everyone. Sometimes you need to let it go" He said.

"You let it go. I won't"

"Amara-"

"No, now leave" I said crossing my arms.

He sighed and exited the room, "Eat your food" He said before closing the door behind him.

________

I was still on my bed hugging my pillow waiting for a call or any sign of Ryder.

I was starting to miss him really bad. Made me wonder how I went on for years without him.

Okay, now I'm getting too much.

The phone I had been given rang and I excitedly picked it up without even checking the number.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hey sweetheart" I heard his deep voice on the other end making me smile.

"Finally! You called!" I said getting a little too happy. I didn't want him to know how much I'd missed him.

I shouldn't show him that I care so much.

I had mostly let go of what he did in the past, but I was still a little mad about it. I couldn't suddenly start acting like it never happened.

"Someone missed me" He chuckled.

"No, I just got worried" I said.

No, I just missed him and was too proud to admit it.

"I missed you though, babygirl" He said, the nickname causing my heart to flutter.

"Make sure to come quick then" I said.

"Of course. I will be there as soon as I can. I have to go now" He said.

"Oh okay" I replied disappointed.

"I'll talk to you later, goodbye"

"Goodbye, oh-and Ryder?"

"Yes?" He answered. I could imagine him smiling as he said that.

"I miss you" I said and immediately ended the call. I felt my cheeks heat up and my heart beating fast.

Why am I feeling like this? It's only Ryder.

After sitting around in my room for a few more hours I heard a car honking. I ignored it at first but then decided to check it out through my window.

Maybe Ryder is back? Maybe he surprised me? Oh God I missed him.

I ran tο my window feeling really excited and happy.

Only for that excitement to die down when I saw my brother's head in the car. He was looking at me with a smirk.

"Get in loser, we're going shopping"

I rolled my eyes and sighed.

What a nerd.

"Your boyfriend gave me instructions to take you shopping" He said.

"What boyfriend?" I asked confused.

He couldn't be talking about Jason.

"Ryder, silly" He chuckled.

I felt my cheeks heat up at the thought.

There is no way this could ever happen. He was the most gorgeous man I'd ever seen and I was...me.

"Go get dressed, quick!" He yelled.

"Okay, fine!"