Rebirth: Flirting with a Dangerous Billionaire

You Look Pathetic.

If you only knew how drained I felt, so tired, so heavy. I couldn't believe there was still an hour left of my day. Cain had reluctantly left my side. I had promised I would wait for him after our final lesson, a promise I did not intend to keep as I made my way toward my bike. Whispers floated around me like vapours and were impossible to grasp. Everyone was privy to information that I did not have.

The campus I had initially judged as large and pristine became desolate as crowds abandoned the corridors in favour of their destinations. Then, a flickering light caught my tired eye, and a security camera came into my vision above me, CCTV.

Looking back, that moment was pivotal. The moment I shook off my listless state and took that first step toward revenge? Reclaiming my power? It got so messy I was not sure how to define what was to come. I rummaged in my bag, just one small act. I pulled out a map. I marked the camera's location with an X, I continued to calibrate this way. The map, it's crucial.

Anyway, the next time I looked up, people were around me. I had been so engrossed in my task I had failed to notice the time slip away. A glance at my watch indicated it was almost time to leave. I had to give Cain the slip, so I had time to clear my head. Unfortunately, my fingers fumbled on my bag. The map I was holding fell onto the marble walkway with a heavy slap. I reached out, and the sight of my grasping hand was inexplicably harrowing. My gut twisted like I was falling. Like that sudden spike of panic as you miss a step going down the stairs. Only, the ground was flat. I was not falling. These flashes, perhaps memories, could be linked to my death. I bent down to retrieve what was lost but flinched away as an ornate shoe almost crushed my finger.

The shoe belonged to a woman of similar stature and frame to Mara, but the similarities ended there. She sported a straight black bob which complimented her olive skin and soft jaw. Her style was feminine but more polished than Mara's. She looked down at me, her expression an abundant mix of sadness and aggression.

A pregnant pause manifested between us. Knowing time was an issue, I spoke first, "Sorry, could you just move your foot?" Ignoring my plea, the foot remained. I rose and met the eyes puffy and glistening.

"Why did you come back?" the woman's voice was barely audible over the bustling crowd. Her voice was tense, and her eyes probing. "I'm sorry, do I know you?" The woman flinched like she had been struck a blow. She looked bitter. "What?"

"I'm not sur- "

"Stop! Just stop lying, Mara! We broke up, so I guess you got what you wanted!"

"Slow down-"

"Please, just leave. You have hurt so many people! We were best friends, Mara!" Thick, heavy tears tumbled out of the woman's swollen eyes. Her sorrow, ever-deepening, was making her a focal point for passers-by. I cringed internally, unsure how to handle the situation. I mean, I had already assaulted one person that day.

So, resigned to my fate, I watched awkwardly as the hysterical woman unravelled before me. Unable to leave because I needed that map. Mercifully the crowd had begun to thin. Occasionally someone would sneak a glance at the awkward scene and would quickly look away when they saw my look of desperation. I alternated responses with an awkward smile or shrug whilst deciphering the now incomprehensible babble. I had no idea who this was, and none of my answers seemed to be correct. Minutes passed whilst I waited for an opening to speak or just leave. Leaving was definitely the better option. I could just make a note of the cameras later.

"Akari!" The frantic male voice called me back to reality, it was familiar, and my stomach sunk lower still. I watched the group of men approach, one of which put his arm around the crying girl. She turned away from his bloody bandages in disgust.

"Where's Sam?" Zack asked. The name had more than one impact, my head shot up, and Akari let out a deafening wail. "Sam, I...I couldn't..." tears strangled her voice into nothing.

My former actions have reduced me to a pariah. I attempted to make a discreet exit. My luck proving none existent, I failed.

Zack was a big guy. All of the rugby team were, I guess its part of the criteria. When you see big guys, it's always a surprise when they move quickly. I suppose I expected him to lumber, but there he stood, blocking my exit. Thankfully he seemed to have learned his lesson. He hadn't touched me and maintained his distance. "Throwing around false accusations again? You know that no one believes that Sam needs to spike girls, right? You look pathetic."

"Look, I'm just trying to get home." His mouth was moving, but I couldn't hear him. His friends were crowding around me now, locking me in, laughing. Panic stifled me, grasping my neck like a leash. I found myself falling to the floor gasping for breath, the gusto of those around me eerily familiar. Sweat trickled down my nape and temples, tingling as it went. I clutched at my enflamed chest; my heart beating so fast she could hear the blood pounding through my ears. Suddenly I knew I was going to die again.