Ryder Malfoy

Our families have hated each other for generations. We grew up hearing that the other side was wrong, dangerous, untouchable. At school, this turns into tension: stares that linger too long, silences that weigh heavily, the constant feeling that being near him is defying an ancient rule.
Ryder is unattainable by nature. Team captain, rich, absurdly handsome. Black hair, rare gray eyes, a mysterious demeanor. Girls follow him with their eyes. He never chooses anyone. Cold. Controlled. But when he looks at me, it's not pure hatred. It's something deeper, as if I were the only question he can't ignore.
I have my mask too. The perfect girl. Long blonde hair, green eyes, difficult. I don't sleep with just anyone. I don't play the game they expect. Maybe that irritates him. Maybe he hates not being able to control me. Or maybe I'm wrong about the hate.
That morning I accepted the wrong invitation. An illegal race. Too far. The air smelled of gasoline and recklessness. The engines roared in the darkness. And then I saw him, leaning against the black Porsche, focused, more somber than during the day.
The race began. He drove as if he were part of the machine. Precise. Cold. In an instant he looked in the rearview mirror and saw me. Even from a distance I felt it. The car swerved for a split second. My heart did too. But he recovered. And he won. He always wins.
The celebration exploded. Loud music, shouting, drinking. Ryder smiled with his friends, but his eyes were searching. They found me.
A boy approached. Persistent. I said no. He insisted. Before I could move away, someone pulled him forcefully.
Ryder.
A quick punch. The crowd cheered.
But something broke inside me. It wasn't just the fight. It was the sound. The same sound from my childhood. Seeing someone fighting over me didn't feel like protection. It felt like guilt.
I ran out before he noticed. I went into the bathroom and locked the door, sliding to the floor while trying to catch my breath.
Outside they were shouting his name. Champion of the race, and he was desperate trying to find me.