Lila’s POV

I was limping.

Every step brought back memories of last night—of Ryder. My legs hurt from the weight of what I had allowed to happen, as well as from the physical strain. I could still see the image in the back of my head, and I felt guilty each time I remembered it, but I pushed it out.

His mouth, his hands and the way he touched me as if he owned my soul.

Immediately, I got in through the double door. It seemed like a tunnel of stares and whispers in the school hallway.

I tried to ignore it all by keeping my head lowered. I had to ensure that no one was aware of what had happened.

Besides, no one would know that Ryder and I had spent the night together except that the committee of rumor mongers spills it out.

Leah was waiting by our locker, practically bouncing with energy, when I looked over. She smiled brightly as if the previous night hadn’t been the end of the world for me.

“Lila.” She called out to me.

I made an effort to smile. “Hey.”

“Are you alright?” She said slowly. “You look weird, and you walk…. awkwardly.”

“Didn’t sleep at all.” I hastily lied. “Studying like crazy.”

Before she could continue, the bell rang, but she lifted her brows, indicating that she didn’t believe me. She waved and walked to class, and I was grateful for the timely interruption.

I lacked the strength to talk to him, since Ryder’s touch was still haunting me like a ghost. It was a long day. I was unable to concentrate in class.

Ryder kept intruding into my mind with his voice and the way he surrounded me as if he knew I would never get away.

And perhaps he was correct, since I hadn't made much of an effort. All I wanted to do was go home and forget about Lady Night.

However, at home, nothing was better. As soon as I entered, I could hear my parents’ voices cutting through the air as they yelled. Not even pausing. I wanted to close everything out, so I went up the stairs and closed my door.

I needed to have a nap, so I had a quick shower and was out the next minute.

But something seemed strange.

There was too much silence in the room. The air was too dense. I turned to face my bed, and I almost let go of the towel, and then my breathing stopped.

There, sitting on my bed, was Ryder.

Shirtless.

On the floor was a heap of his hoodie. His eyes were fixed on mine, and his grin languid,

He leaned back as if he were the King of hell or something.

“Ryder? What the hell?” I staggered back, my voice cracking

“You didn’t think I’d let you walk away, did you?” He said nonchalantly, as if this weren’t totally wild

“How did you get in anyway? I asked in shock.

“I love the color of your towel.”

“Ryder,” I warned.

“Windows.” He shrugged. “You really ought to start locking it.”

The way he looked at me.

Goodness me!

He didn’t even try to conceal it; his eyes shamelessly moved slowly over my body.

“ I felt bored,” he admitted. “I missed you.”

I was itching to let out a scream.

I felt like hurling something at him. But I was stopped by the storm raging inside of me and stood motionless with my heart racing. It was best for me to tell him to go, and maybe he might listen.

I turned to get a change of clothes instead. I froze after yanking off my jacket from the hanger and beginning to tug at my shirt, which had been held stubbornly too.

There was no true cover as the thin curtain between us fluttered. I was essentially left vulnerable, but I had to dress quickly.

I turned, arms folded across my chest, cheeks burning. Ryder’s gaze remained fixed on mine. His voice was low and playful as he asked.

“Is this how you’re hiding now? You will have to put in more effort.”

“Get out,” I said, trying to sound firm.

He got up and stepped forward. “I will not be leaving anytime soon.”

“Ryder,” I cautioned.

He paused right in front of me, grazing the curtain between us with his fingers.

I wanted to slap his hand away, but I stood there like a sheep.

“You can’t run away from me.” He muttered. “Not after everything that happened last night.”

I hated the way his words made my heart flutter.

“I’m done. It’s just a one-night stand.” I muttered, my cheeks burning.

He took a closer look. As his breath touched my skin, I sensed its dangerous magnetic pull. We stared at each other for some time, and I bit my lower lip.

“I’m not.”

“Lila!”

It was my Mom.

“I want you to creep your way out the way you creeped in,” I said, running to the door.

“Yes, Principal.”