More Than This

Unfortunate Encounter

He leaned his back against the wall of the school building. He had been standing there for nearly an hour, yet there was still no sign of his supposed girlfriend. Or rather, ex-girlfriend. Where on earth was she? He released a loud sigh. She hadn't asked him to wait here, but he had chosen to do so. After witnessing her in a passionate embrace with a classmate at her dorm, he found himself here, waiting for her to explain, feeling like a fool. No, he was just in love, that's all. He sighed again.

He heard the sound of students pouring out of their classrooms, so he straightened up and scanned the crowd for her. His eyebrows knitted together when he spotted her walking hand in hand with her classmate, chatting happily with the guy. No, he corrected himself, probably her new boyfriend.

Her smile vanished when she saw him. "Kinz," she called out.

He forced a grin. Damn, he cursed under his breath. He still couldn't mask the bitter taste in his mouth at the sight of them, but he swallowed it down.

"Hi."

"I told you, we're over," she said, her voice still possessing the power to stir him, especially when they were in her bed. His heart sank when she spoke those words. He knew they were finished, but hearing it again made him feel nauseous and tempted him to confront her new boyfriend.

He sighed inwardly.

"Oh yeah," he responded. "Yeah, we're over. I..." He struggled to maintain his composure and keep his fists at his sides while speaking to her with her new boyfriend standing next to her. "I just wanted to confirm it. You know, I just wanted to really make sure that I'm free." He mustered the sweetest smile he could, hoping to convey through that smile that he was no longer interested in her. "So, thank you for setting me free. I'll be on my way. Thank you very much." He gave them a slight bow before turning his back and clenching his teeth in frustration.

He had no idea why he had even come here in the first place. She had already told him they were finished two days ago. He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. This was utterly ridiculous. He was Aiden McKinzy Grant Ford, for heaven's sake. He didn't beg, he didn't bow down to anyone.

He left the building feeling significantly more downcast, but also strangely free. He made his way to their headquarters, hoping to find some solace there. He needed to breathe and reflect deeply on the events of a short while ago. Did he truly deserve to be discarded by her? She wasn't even the most beautiful girl in the world. Damn her. Tsk!

“Ouch!”

Had he bumped into someone? He furrowed his eyebrows, casting a puzzled look at the individual now seated on the cemented pathway, rear end on the ground. With his hands on his hips, he looked down at the person.

“Didn’t you see me bastard?” he said, half yelling.

He couldn't help but chuckle. Why did he find him adorable with that mildly disgusted expression and those oversized fashion glasses?

"What?" He teased him.

"Are you deaf?" The other man picked himself up, dusting off his clothes while giving him a look as if he had just committed a heinous crime.

"I heard you, loud and clear. Do you want me to repeat what you said?" He responded sarcastically.

The other man clenched and unclenched his fist.

"Firstly, you don't own the pathway. Secondly, who on earth are you?" He was becoming irritated. He didn't even know this person. He had no idea who he was dealing with.

"Uh-huh, yeah, I don't own the pathway. Why? Do you?" He asked sarcastically, crossing his arms over his chest.

Despite his bravado, Kinzy could tell he was nervous. Damn! His voice was alluring, almost seductive to his ears. What was that?! Damn you, brain.

"So, you don't know me. I see," Kinzy said, rolling his eyes. "Move out of my way." He gestured with his hands, shooing him aside. He wasn't in the mood to hassle a freshman who didn't even know who he was.

"Dah! As if I'm interested in talking to an i***t like you," the other man retorted, walking past him as if nothing had happened.

However, Kinzy seized his hand before he could escape. "What did you call me?" He glared at the unfortunate guy, feeling his arm tremble in his grip. So, he wasn't as brave as he had seemed a minute ago.

“i***t—” he said, unsure of what he was saying.

However, Kinzy cut him off by landing a straight punch directly on his nose before he could utter another word. It was just a light punch, a way to introduce himself to this audacious individual who had just called him an i***t. He knew he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed or a straight-A student like the nerds at this school, but he knew how to hold his own. Even though he achieved A's in some of his subjects, he didn't flaunt it in front of someone questioning his intellectual capacity. Therefore, he had no right to call him, Aiden McKinzy Grant Ford, Grand Chancellor of Alpha Beta Phi, President of the Student Council, and Captain of the Soccer Team, an i***t.

Without intending to boast, he is indeed a highly accomplished student with numerous significant roles within the school. These roles demand leadership, dedication, and a strong sense of community, serving as a testament to his ability to lead and inspire others. He is a well-rounded individual with a robust academic record, leadership roles in various school organizations, and notable athletic achievements, makes him popular.

The other student cried out in pain, blood trickling from his nose. Oh, he had just broken one of the university's rules—no fighting on campus. He guessed that was Rule 13 or 14 in the student handbook, or something like that. He smirked at the other student.

"Next time, know who you're dealing with, idiot." He jabbed his middle finger at the unfortunate guy's forehead, who stood around 5'7" or 5'8", compared to his own 6'3". "Don't cross my path again, or I'll send you straight to hell." With that, he walked away. He was the only one allowed to call him an i***t, not the other way around. That's what he got for defying him!

****

He swung open the headquarters' door with such force that even passersby could hear the resounding bang. Without hesitation, he flung himself onto the inviting couch, a temporary refuge for his shattered heart.

Memories flooded his mind. It had been four years since he and his best friends had joined this renowned fraternity at the university. They were only graduating from Senior High School at the time, yet they were the most courageous batch, having survived a grueling three-day hazing that landed them all in the hospital. They had even jokingly offered Cage's virginity to a gay member of the initiation team, a prank that still irked Cage whenever it was brought up. Despite the jests, Cage's chastity remained intact.

He vividly recalled Hunter's first encounter with the harsh wooden paddle, the impact on the back of his thigh bringing tears to his eyes - a memory he found amusing.

Hunter had cursed and screamed, his shouts of 'To hell with all of you!' echoing twice, almost making them laugh. He remembered how Blake and Caspian had pleaded with them to stop, as they hadn't seen the sun for three continuous days.

A smirk crossed his face, but his thoughts soon drifted to someone he had bumped into earlier. Whoever that person was, he didn't deserve to occupy his thoughts. After all, they would never cross paths again, or else he'd make that person's life unbearable.

He lay on the couch, his left hand resting on his forehead. He felt sick, truly sick. His eyes began to moisten, but he refused to shed tears over the woman he had called his girlfriend just two days ago. Maxine had dumped him, replacing him with someone he found utterly repulsive. They had been together for two years, and he had loved her with all his heart. He had been loyal to her, never once straying or even looking at another woman. He had done nothing to make her want to leave him. She had been his queen, the ruler of his heart and his world, and now she had discarded him.

He loved her so much that even after she cheated on him, he was still willing to forgive her and overlook her mistakes.

What had he done to deserve this? Was he not enough for her? Was he not capable of making her happy, forcing her to seek someone else? But what was he thinking? She had cheated on him, end of story. It was her loss, and he would make sure she regretted her actions. She wasn't the only woman in the world; she didn't deserve him or his love. To hell with her and her new boyfriend. They could both go to hell for all he cared.

He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Just like that.