Invisible String

Chapter 9

Iyaara

I felt someone behind me, and as I turned—
“Oh my god, are you serious?” I said, eyes widening from the sudden jumpscare.

Ryker stood there, hands in his pockets, leaning casually against the notice board. His expression was the same as always—calm, unreadable.

“Why do you walk so quietly?” I said, clutching my chest dramatically.

“Didn’t mean to,” he replied, voice low and even. Then his eyes flicked toward the board. “Third place, huh? That’s great.”

I gave him a look. “Look who’s talking—‘Ryker, the first ranker.’”

He didn’t respond, just gave a small shrug, and a faint smile slipped across his face before he turned away.

The bell rang, echoing through the hallway. Ryker gave me a look—the kind of silent look that said bye—and I just smiled back.

At my locker, I grabbed my English books. It was Friday, and English was the first class. I headed to the room, spotting Ava already there—half present, half somewhere else entirely.

“This girl…” I muttered under my breath before taking the seat beside her.

The teacher walked in, starting the same dull lecture as always. My mind drifted almost instantly, and my eyes wandered to the window.

“Iyaara!”

I didn’t hear.

“Iyaara!”

Still didn’t.

“IYAARA!”

That time, I jumped so hard I nearly fell off my chair. The whole class turned. Ava was half hiding, half laughing, and I was trying not to burst out laughing myself.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry,” I said quickly, forcing my smile down.

The teacher frowned. “What’s so funny, huh?”

“Not—”

“Out. Now.”

Before I could even defend myself, she turned toward Ava. “You too! Do you think this is a comedy club?”

I bit my lip to stop from laughing as we both walked out of the room. The moment the door shut, we made eye contact—and that was it. We burst out laughing like maniacs.

After English class ended, we went back inside. Ryker glanced at me with a look that screamed why would you do that? and I just shrugged.

It was a long day. Finally, when school ended, that wave of relief hit me.
Weekend.

By the time I got home, I could barely keep my eyes open. I freshened up, collapsed into bed, and took a long, much-needed nap. Honestly, that was all I needed in life right then.

It’s Monday again.
Ughh.

I groaned into my pillow before forcing my eyes open. I lay there for five seconds, maybe ten, debating whether life was even worth it at 7:00 a.m. Then I gave in, got up… and immediately went back to sleep for five more minutes.

Bad decision.

“Iyaara! You’re gonna be late!” my aunt’s voice yelled from the kitchen.

I shot up like the world was ending. My hair was a mess, my face half-asleep, and my brain still buffering as I dragged myself toward the restroom.

That’s when my phone pinged.

I grabbed it lazily, expecting maybe Ava’s morning panic text. But the name on the screen made me freeze.

Ryker: Hey.

…What?

I blinked at the message, half sure I was still dreaming. Ryker had never texted me before. Not once.

Why would he text me this early in the morning?

After five seconds of internal chaos, I typed back,
Me: Heyyyy

I added extra letters because, well, if I just said “Hey,” it’d sound rude. And I didn’t want to sound rude.

I waited, watching the three little dots appear.

Ryker: Wanna take the bus together?

My heart just—
what the freak.

Why was my pulse suddenly sprinting a marathon?

I quickly typed,
Me: Yea, sure.

He replied almost instantly.
Ryker: Ok then, see you at the bus.

Me: Okay :)

As soon as I hit send, I sat there staring at the screen, my hand over my mouth.

“Is this the same Ryker Karlingson I met?” I whispered to myself, feeling a smile tug at my lips.

I shook my head, trying to snap out of it, and headed toward the washroom before I could overthink it even more.