Who Could Love a Monster

Chapter 1: The Best

Riley’s POV

It was the last week of summer before I started my final year at Ravenwood High. I lay on my bed feeling exhausted. I had been working almost every day of the summer at the local movie theater, so it didn’t even feel like I had a summer vacation. My elbow length black hair was tied back in braid, I had just finished my shift and was still wearing my uniform, which was an unfortunately bright blue shirt and yellow tie.

I stretched across my bed for my phone and quickly connected it to my speaker. I started to play “The Best” by Tina Turner. When the music started, I started to feel life come back into my body and by the chorus I was jumping and dancing on my bed, giving my best lip sync performance.

I heard a laugh coming from my doorway and snapped my head to check how embarrassed I should be but there stood Kyle. He has been my best and only friend since kindergarten and much to the dismay of my heart at eight years old, also very very gay. He was undeniably attractive with dirty blonde hair and warm brown eyes. Even though I stood at 5’7 – which is tall for a girl – he still towered over at 6’1. That last inch being the most important in his eyes.

“Tina Turner?” he smirked.

“She speaks to me” as I spoke, I placed my hand over my heart for emphasis

He looked at me for a few seconds before shrugging, “okay”. At that he ran over to join me on my bed. He grabbed my hands in his two large ones and we jumped up and down, singing along to the best of our abilities. Which is to say we were both tone deaf. But stuff like that never mattered with Kyle.

We danced out a few more songs to complete our set before we both collapsed in exhaustion.

“You smell like popcorn” he said, lightly tugging on my hair.

“I always smell like popcorn” I snapped, yanking my hair out of his grip.

“I know” he beamed, grabbing me pulling me into a bear hug, “it’s my favorite thing about you”.

“I thought it was because I am the only one who will watch your s**t movies?” my face was smushed into his chest, so my words came out mumbled, but they still had the desired effect.

He gasped and loosened his grip, allowing me time to hop off the bed. He looked at me like a kicked puppy. “I thought you loved my movie choices”.

I hated that he knew I would always cave to his puppy dog eyes. He really abused that power. I laughed a little, looking at the giant man sulking on my bed. “I do love them, but I really need to wash the customer service off me first”.

“Oh, someone’s been naughty?” he winked

At this I threw one of my pillows at his face, which got him to stop laughing quickly. “Okay! Okay! Just hurry, I brought over “Attila the Bunny” for us to watch” he smiled and showed the DVD in his hand. I once asked him why he still uses DVDs and his response was that quality movies could only be found on DVD.

I ran to my en-suite and had a quick shower, well as quick as I could. Having elbow length hair meant it did take some time to clean and condition it.

When I finished, I grabbed a pair of shorts and a t-shirt to put on. I decided to not wear a bra since I find them uncomfortable and I knew Kyle wouldn’t be bothered by it.

When I came back to my room, I saw Kyle had the movie set up and rearranged all my pillows with snacks littering my bed. He was currently lying under the turquoise comforter on my bed and looking at his phone.

“I see you made yourself comfortable” I teased. Kyle spent so much time in my house that I didn’t need to be here for him to feel at home.

“Of course,” he smiled and raised his arm. “Saved you a spot”.

I jumped in beside him and cuddled close. We always had the best cuddles because there was no pressure from s****l tension, it was just comfortable and safe.

***

The next morning, I was in work again. I was restocking the sweets since I was working behind the tills.

My phone buzzed and with one quick look around I noticed there were no customers and my manager was in his office so I slipped my phone out of my pocket.

From Kyle:

Oh Em Geee!

Did you hear?

To Kyle:

I am in work. All I have heard today was whether or not people wanted butter on their popcorn

From Kyle:

Mr Popularity is having a HUGE party for his 18th!

I glanced up when I heard chatter and in walked Tristan Black and his little group of followers.

Tristan was huge. 6’4 with muscles to spare. Almost every girl dropped their panties at just a glance from him. He had tanned skin, dark brown hair and – as much as I hate to admit – mesmerizing amber eyes. He was Mr Popular, the quarterback and a huge egotistical d**k! He paid no attention to anyone who wasn’t popular or any girl that didn’t look like she fell out of a playboy magazine. Not that I cared…

Attached around his waist, like some living breathing accessory was Chloe Scott. She looked like a barbie doll incarnate standing at 5’6. She had long fake nails that made a ridiculous tapping sound whenever she was texting and peroxide blonde hair. Her and Tristan’s relationship was almost painfully stereotypical, like some trashy teen movie. Quarterback dates the head cheerleader and they “rule” the school together. 

The next in was Cade Miller. One of Tristan’s little henchmen. Ravenwood High’s resident “Troublemaker”. He was also on the football team and stood at 6’0 with auburn hair and ice blue eyes. He may not have been as muscular as Tristan, but he definitely did well for himself girl wise. Alas, he was also a d**k, treating women as expendable items, being with a new one almost each week.

I know it may look like I am obsessed with their little group by how much I know about them but the only reason I paid attention to any of them was walking through the theater doors now. Liam Turner. By far, the only tolerable one out of the whole group. His hair was black like mine and his skin looked like the finest dark chocolate this world has to offer. He was nearly always smiling, flashing his pearly whites. Being 6’3, he was the definition of tall, dark and handsome. His only flaw? Being friends with Tristan’s group. The day he started dating Alice Jones, was the worst day of mine and Kyle’s young lives. Obviously, we never stood a chance with him, but one could always dream. Tragic I know.

Speaking of Alice, she walked in after Liam while he held the door for her like a dreamy gentleman straight out of an old timey movie. We wanted to hate her, but she was excruciatingly sweet that you couldn’t help but like her. She had bright red curly hair that bounced when she walked and although she was only 5’2, she looked like she could hold her own. She was a cheerleader like Chloe and had been friends with all of them long before her and Liam started dating. It was really weird actually, one day they were just friends and then after Liam’s eighteenth birthday party, they were all over each other. The PDA was a bit much for me, but I guess as long as they are happy it’s fine?

I was ripped from my thoughts by a bubbly hello from Alice. I gave her a quick smile, “what can I get you guys?” I asked trying to keep my tone professional.

“Five tickets to ‘The Invisible Man’ please” Liam said with a smile and it took a minute for me to stop thinking about what it would be like to have his mouth on mine.

“And popcorn, with butter!” Alice chimed.

I gave them a quick nod, putting in their order while filling up a few buckets of popcorn.

I glanced up and instantly regretted it as I got a first-row seat to watching Tristan almost suck the face off of Chloe. When they finally pulled apart for some air, I heard Chloe put on a whiney voice that made me almost wish I was deaf. “Tristy, this movie is going to be so scary. Can I hide behind your big strong arms?”. “Of course, babe” he said huskily. Honestly? Gag.

I couldn’t hold in the sigh of relief when they all finally left. Luckily, I only had to interact with Alice and Liam because the others couldn’t even see me from the pedestals, they put themselves on. I preferred it that way, I never enjoyed having a spotlight shone on me. I enjoyed the anonymity and privacy that comes from being invisible in high school.

I took my phone back out to reply to Kyle.

To Kyle:

Speak of the devil. He just walked in

His response was almost instantaneous, a talent of his that never ceased to amaze me.

From Kyle:

Ohhh! What did he say? Tell me everything!

Did you just fall at his feet?

Did he invite you to his party?

To Kyle:

Ha! Hardly!

He said something like “me man. Me like big sticks and boobs” – which is obvs super swoon worthy

From Kyle:

Yuuup, sounds legit.

Was Liam there too?

To Kyle:

;)

From Kyle:

Ughh what I wouldn’t do to lick that boy just once

I tucked my phone away as I laughed at Kyle and I looked up as I heard a click clack noise. Much to my delight it was Chloe marching over on her heels, Tristan following close behind.

She slammed her bucket of popcorn down on the counter, causing me to jump.

“My popcorn is soggy!” she screeched.

“Um, okay?” I wasn’t quite sure was she was expecting me to do.

“Care to explain why?” she tapped her foot impatiently at me. Who does this girl actually think she is?

“You got butter on it? Pouring a liquid onto something dry tends to make it soggy.”

She turned bright red with rage, she seriously needs some anger management therapy if this sets her off.

Seeing her shift in attitude, Tristan quickly stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. “She’s not worth it, babe” he said lowly, almost authoritatively.

I rolled my eyes at the two of them. They really were perfect for each other.

He dropped some money on the counter. “A new popcorn, no butter this time” he didn’t even glance at me, but I could tell he was annoyed.

I made their new bucket quickly just to escape the situation.

God, I hate my job.