Only Friends (Destinations Series Book 1)

He looks at me and I ignore him, turning my attention to what Ryder was saying. I walk back to my apartment and decide to take a shower and rest for a while, before going to Starbucks. It was night off and I could sleep long before anything else. Almost early in the evening, I was still exhausted and Ryder was very late. It's been half an hour since I've been at Starbucks and nothing from him. I open the notebook on the table and start releasing the data from my own research while waiting for Ryder. The hours went by, until I noticed that I had been sitting for an hour and a half, drinking iced tea and studying like a madwoman. Convinced that Ryder wouldn't show up and that something very serious should have happened, because her cell phone just fell out of the mailbox, I collect everything and go back to the dorm. As I was finishing picking up my things, I look out the huge glass window and see Ryder pass by, walking next to a very smiling brunette. He stops for a moment and gives her a long kiss.

- But what? - I snitch by putting the handle of the folder crossed on my chest and run out towards the stupid bastard.

- Ryder! - I scream in anger making him stop and look back.

Ryder rolls up his eyes mumbling low when I get close.

- Oh, shit! Listen, I'm sorry, okay? - he stutters trying to justify himself. - I forgot I'd arranged to go out with Loren...

I'll sign with my hands so he'll stop talking.

- You call that making it easy for both of us? - I mean by folding my arms. - Do you know how long I've been here? You couldn't call and cancel the appointment? I've been trying to talk to you since I arrived, thinking that something serious had happened, but I can see the problem that kept you from talking to me.

I look down on the girl, who snorts and then turns to leave.

- I'm sorry, Brooke! - Ryder says no patience. - I forgot, okay? He said he had a social life when we combined that project.

I interrupt you by turning around.

- And I said I didn't care about your social life. - I answer with disdain. - You know what? You are nothing but an arrogant manipulator, who will surely make me do all the research and design for you. I should have known that his good humour early today and that chivalrous gesture, was just to divert my attention from his real character.

- You stay calm? - Ryder asks, holding my shoulders.

- I'm very calm! - ...I say go over the briefcase and take out a piece of paper. - You're irresponsible, you know that? How could I trust you and your conqueror's lip? In case you forgot, here's my schedule. Let me know when you decide to grow up.

I hit the paper on your chest and turn around across the street heading for the house. I go all the way grumbling and kicking everything that was tin or stone that came in my way, such was the size of my anger. I was almost at the entrance to the building when a voice caught my attention coming at me.

- Bitch! - Tiffany growls up grabbing my hair. - I'll teach her not to mess with other people's men.

She hits me so hard when I turn around that I can barely assimilate what was happening. She grabs my hair hard, knocking me to the ground and sits on my chest, holding my arms on the sides of my body, starting to slap me in the face. One stronger than the other.

- You think you're cute because you've managed to look cute, do you? - she keeps knocking.

That was a dark area between the trees and it would take someone long to notice something. I'd scream, but no help was forthcoming.

- Know that if you get close to Aron, a little bit, or that imbecile boyfriend of yours, that's what you're getting, it'll be double.

- Let go of me, you madwoman! Help! Help! Help! - ...I'll scream with one more punch in the mouth.

- Since I can't hit that son of a bitch Ryder, you get him.

I didn't know how long I'd been catching until a voice came to my rescue.

- Let her go, you filthy bitch! - Jane screams, coming running towards us.

Tiffany gives me some more blows and gets up, kicking my ribs.

- Tell your boyfriend that if he touches Aron one more time, you'll pay for it.

Tiffany turns her back and ran out before Jane got close. I get up and walk my hand over my sore face. Because of Tiffany's huge rings, I assume there are thousands of cuts, judging by the amount of blood on my clothes and hand.

- Are you all right? Jane asks while you help me up. - Wow! You're bleeding so bad! If I catch that witch!

- Forget Tiff, Jane! - I ask between tears. - I just want to go to the hospital and then come home. That day just gets worse and worse, and I want it to be over soon.

Jane settled down, leaning my arm on her shoulders and helping me walk to a bench while she was getting the car. Jane takes me to the university hospital, where a very handsome doctor was on duty. He asks if I wanted to file a complaint and I explain that it wouldn't be necessary. As a good future lawyer, I knew I would only need a medical opinion in case there