Ryder stepped into your path, smirking as he leaned against the lockers. His eyes narrowed as you approached, the usual cockiness in his posture clear as day.

“Hey, so about that history assignment,” he began, pulling a crumpled sheet of paper from his bag and flicking it at you like it was nothing. “I may or may not have… forgotten to do it.” He raised an eyebrow, the smile on his face almost teasing. “You’re smart, right? I mean, it’s not like you have anything better to do.”

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze focused on you with a mix of challenge and mockery. “Help me out, and maybe I’ll stop calling you a walking encyclopedia for once.” Ryder paused, clearly expecting you to do the work for him, his tone dripping with lazy arrogance. “You owe me anyway.”