Untamed

Honesty

I don’t even want to begin with how much soap we had to use to scrub the paint from our bodies and hair. Our skins were almost raw, crimson red and on fire by the end of the night.

The girls were beyond upset with what Travis and Zack did. Ruby wanted to murder them in their sleep while Janelle wanted to get them to clean our room and pay for the damage.

All I wanted was to get my revenge by coming up with a better prank.

I somehow convinced the girls to stay away from the guys. Pretend that everything was fine and that we weren’t working on a plan to get back at them. At least the girls don’t have to attend the same class as the boys. I wasn’t that privileged.

I had to keep myself from kicking Travis on the butt and maybe choke him with his boyish grin.

His smug smile was the first thing I saw when I made my way over to my seat. “Morning.” He greeted all chirpy.

I bit down the inside of my cheek to contain my laughter when I noticed that he also had the struggle to wash out the paint from his hair and face. He had a slight undertone of the paint on his forehead and a few strands of his hair.

I mentally gave Janelle a high five.

I shuffled past him to get to my seat and paused when my eyes landed on the coffee Styrofoam cup standing on top of my desk. “Is this your way of apologizing?” I asked.

He pulled up his shoulders. “I just thought that it is kind of my fault that you and the girls stayed up all night cleaning.” I wanted to crush the cup against his skull and watch him burn.

I put my psychopathic idea at rest. Knowing that I was going to come up with a better prank. One that is not going to kill him. Maybe make him a bit mad but at least he will know not to mess with prank queen.

“That stunt you pulled last night got us in big trouble.” I enlightened him.

He honestly looked concerned. “Did they evict you and the girls?” He asked.

I shook my head. Almost smiling. I was only teasing him. Nobody complained. Only us. “Not yet.”

“s**t. We didn’t mean to put you and the girls in a difficult situation.” I stifled a smile.

 “How are the girls handling all of this?” He asked.

You are about to find out. I was tempted to say it out loud but I bit my tongue and forced the words down. “Ruby wants to skin you alive while Janelle wants to lit your remains on fire.” He flinched and chuckled.

“Oh, and the by the way. You owe Ruby new linens and books for Janelle.” I pointed out.

He arched an eyebrow. “It’s the least I can do.” He answered, shrugging his shoulders. “What about you? That towel you were wearing last night was quite drenched in paint.” His eyes dropped to my chest at the mention of towel.

“Nah, I think I am good. I think I like the stained rainbow colours. Makes it look unique.” I joked.

He chuckled. “Should I be watching my back in case the girls want to take revenge?”

I almost gave a sarcastic laugh. He should really be worried. “Just a warning. I would sleep with one eye open if I am you. I don’t know what Ruby is capable of. After all, she is a science geek.”

“Ruby adores me too much.” He snorted.

“Not when your buddy ruined her hair, face and linens that she just washed.” His smile faltered.

“Are you being serious right now?” I smirked.

I picked up the coffee he bought for me and placed it down in front of him. “Might want to get caffeinated because you are going to toss and turn throughout the whole night waiting for her to strike.” I gathered my things. Stood up from my chair. Winked at him and headed out of the lecture hall.

It’s me he should be worried about. I wasn’t going to let him get off that easily. All the things we have to used to wash off the paint and all the time we spent up cleaning. He was going to wish he never crossed me and the girls.

It’s like that saying goes. Girls can do it better even in broken heels.

I headed over to the library to get a couple of books for my upcoming assignment. Damian entered the library while I was waiting in line to sign out the books. His eyes met mine. We haven’t formally been introduced. I know his name because of the girls and Travis but I doubt that he even knows who I am.

“You are Janelle’s roommate. The one who doesn’t like me very much…”

I controlled the urge to roll my eyes at him. “It’s Jaylin and you haven’t given me a reason to like you.” I turned my back to him to sign out the books.

He didn’t look in a hurry when he leaned his side against the counter, facing me. “I didn’t act quite like a gentleman but I can assure you that I am not some egotistical moron who thinks that the world belongs to him.” I gave him a deadpanned look.

“I didn’t think you are an egotistical moron because that will only be a compliment.” I gave the librarian a sweet smile when I heard her giggle. Damian didn’t look too please with me but he didn’t say anything.

He just fell in step with me when I gathered the books and started to make my way out.

“How can I prove myself to you?” I looked at him. Wondering why it bothers him so much that I don’t like him.

“You don’t have to prove anything to me. I’ve watched how you treat people and it says a lot about your character.”

“And what’s that?”

“A pompous ass who pretends that he knows everything.” He didn’t show any impression that I just insulted him.

“I had to be a pompous ass to fit in because I didn’t know who my real friends are anymore.” I arched an eyebrow.

“Don’t you think that you should say that to people you’ve hurt?”

His smile wasn’t friendly but it was filled with guilt. “I believe the word Travis’ used was that it is over. He can barely look at me without expressing his disappointment and hate.”

I don’t know how we got to this discussion. I just know that I am not the person he should be talking to. He should go to Travis and try to explain. Maybe even apologize. “Did you know that Isabella lied to you?” He looked shocked.

“How do you know that name?” He asked.

I shrugged. “Ruby. Janelle. Travis. They all have one person in common who ruined their childhood.”

“How do you trust your friend while your girl made up such a believable story?”

“Is that a rhetorical question?” I asked him. “Has Travis ever given you the slightest idea that he would do such a thing?” I continued to head in the direction of the dorms. I wanted to get started on my assignment so long.

Damian decided to join me even though I wanted him to go away. “Do you think that Janelle would give me a chance to talk with her?” I honestly didn’t know because he broke her heart with his wild assumptions.

I couldn’t quite get my mouth moving because I spotted a familiar bike parked in front of the dormitory. My footsteps slowed down when I realized it was Travis’ bike and he was leaning up against the bike. Looking handsome as ever. Wearing dark shades, hiding those blue orbs from me.

He took off his shades when he noticed me and the smile in his eyes pulled me to him. It felt like I was stuck in a trans and couldn’t remove my eyes from his gaze.

“What are you doing here?” I asked him.

“I want to take you somewhere.” He answered, handing me a helmet.

“Just give me a second to put these books away,” I told him.

I turned around to head inside the dormitory when Damian stopped me. “Janelle just headed inside. I will drop them off. It gives me an excuse to talk to her.” He offered.

“How can I trust you that you won’t run away with my books?” I queried.

“We don’t have the same subjects and I have a feeling that Travis will kick my ass when I so much touch you.” I bit the inside of my cheek. Wanting to tell him that no man can put a claim on me but I kept my mouth shut.

I entrusted him with my books and then headed back to Travis who gave me a questioning look. “He wants to talk to Janelle,” I told him.

“That’s not what I was thinking.” He said. “I am surprised to see you talking to him.”

“I basically called him a pompous ass and he was curious to know why.” Travis chuckled.

“So, he followed you all the way back to your dormitory to find out why you dislike him?”

I nodded my head. “Yeah.”

Travis shook his head. Thinking it was amusing.

I didn’t want to tell him that Damian wants to make peace and asking me how he can apologize to him. I barely knew either of them or their history. Travis looked like the easy-going kind of guy while Damian was too proud but seeing how Travis reacted back at the restaurant the other night. I doubt that he will be forgiving.

“Have you ever tried to talk with him after high school?” I asked Travis, knowing it was probably a mistake.

Travis shook his head and motioned for me to slip on behind him when he brought the bike to life. I shut my visor and held onto him when he pulled out of the parking lot.