Page 65 of Battered Moves

Liv

The class finally comes to an end, and I hastily pack my bag, shoving my laptop inside. All I want is to escape from here. I was lost in my daydreams when my dance history teacher addressed me twenty minutes ago, and I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. I managed to fumble an “uhh” in response, while Camilla and Sofie snickered behind me.

Those two have become increasingly hostile towards me. They never directly confronted me after the incident in the cage, but they make sure I can sense their gossip and mockery. I shouldn’t let it bother me, but I’ve had my fill of people talking about me, and I’m simply over it.

I rise from my seat and head towards the door, but as I do, Camilla and Sofie walk up beside me. Camilla nudges me with her shoulder, causing me to stumble.

“Oops,” she casually remarks, while Sofie links their arms.They laugh amongst themselves and walk out of the room. I roll my eyes at their immature behavior and follow them out of the door. Ryder and River should already be on their way to get me so we can head over to Tanner Fitness together, and I’m happy to see them, so I don’t let the girls’ behavior sour my good mood. As I step out the building, I hear shouting.

“It’s her, Olivia Baker!”

“She just came out of the building. Olivia!”

Panic surges through me, causing me to freeze in my tracks.No, please, not again.

People start rushing towards me, and just as I gather my wits and attempt to run, a circle of reporters forms around me. Cameras are thrust in my face, blinding me with the bright flashes. I shield my eyes with my hand, trying to block out the overwhelming chaos, asquestions bombard me from all directions.

“Olivia, is it true that you’ve started a new life in America to engage in sinful relationships with multiple men?”

“Olivia, why are you hiding here? Are you guilty of all the accusations made by Liam’s fans?”

“Olivia, what do you want to say to your fans back home?”

Tremors course through my body as I struggle to maintain my composure. I search desperately for familiar faces behind the horde of reporters, hoping to find someone who can help me, but all I see are Camilla and Sofie, their mouths agape and eyes wide with shock.This can’t be happening again. I can’t fucking do this again.

“N-No comment,” I stutter, desperately trying to push my way out of the crowd,but one of the reporters grabs hold of my shoulder, preventing me from escaping.

“Olivia, your fans deserve some answers,” he insists, his voice accusatory.

The commotion intensifies as people start shouting and complaining, only to be forcefully pushed away.

“Everyone back the fuck off!” Ryder’s voice booms out, cutting through the chaos. He fights his way towards me, forcefully clearing a path through the crowd. I’m an emotional wreck, tears welling up in my eyes, but he wraps his arm around my shoulder.

“I’ve got you,” he whispers in my ear. Determined, he pushes our way back through the reporters, holding me close to him, his other hand extended as a shield.

“Are you one of her men?” A reporter thrusts a microphone in Ryder’s face, attempting to probe further, but Ryder stands his ground, his expression angry.

“I am,” he replies boldly. “Now back the fuck up.”

“Isn’t that the singer from that new rock band?” I hear another reporter say behind us, and panic surges through me as their attention turns towards Ryder.

“Ryder!” I hiss, my eyes wide with fear, just as his car comes speeding towards us on campus. The reporters scramble out of the way as Ryder opens the passenger door, gets in, and quickly pulls me onto his lap before closing the door.

“Go, go, go,” he urges River, who presses down on the gas pedal, propelling the car forward in a near frenzied escape from the campus. I bury my face into Ryder’s neck, my sobs mingling with the sound of his ragged breathing.

“They found me,” I whisper between sobs.

The car becomes enveloped in an eerie silence as we leave the chaos behind.

* * *

River

I try my best to stay calm and think through our options as I drive. Witnessing Liv being surrounded by the press was terrifying. From the outside, it was evident how roughly they treated her, and I can only imagine the harshness of their words.

Liv sobs again as she buries her face into Ry’s neck. It’s clear this has taken an emotional toll on her. I’m so fucking grateful that Ryder was with me when we got there. I sure as fuck would have walked in there to get her out too, but I don’t know if I would have been as effective as him.

Contemplating our next move, I debate between driving home or heading to Tanner Fitness as we had previously discussed, but I decide that going to the studio is the smarter move. If any reporters manage to follow us, I’d prefer to be at the studio, where we would have time to make a plan for safely getting Liv home without them noticing. The last thing she needs right now is reporters camped out on our doorstep.

---