Playing With Fire

Chapter 5

"What!" Layla shrieks half in fear and the other in excitement.

"Travis is my partner for a class I'm taking." I repeat again, much slower this time. To be honest, I know she doesn't literally mean for me to repeat it, but since it's the reaction I've been getting recently, might as well make the most of it.

"I heard it the first time smarty pants," Layla rolls her eyes and follows me to my locker, "I just don't know why you're telling me now."

"When else would I have told you?"

"Uhhhh," She pauses and puts a finger to her chin, pretending to think, "I dunno...Maybe yesterday? When you just found out?"

"Well yesterday you seemed busy with 'president' stuff, and I didn't want to interrupt." I hurry over the words, trying to find an easy excuse for simply not wanting to make a big deal out of it again.

"Oh that's bull missy," She narrows her eyes and points a finger at me accusingly, "Why are you telling me now then?"

I sigh, "I have to work on the project with him today after school at our house."

I cringe and wait for a high pitched scream, or something of that sort.

"He's wha-" She stops herself and glares when she sees that I'm about to repeat myself, "No. That's not happening!"

I stop emptying out some of the contents from my bag and look up at her, "I don't want to get an 'F' just because-"

"It's not going to happen, Faye!" She wags her finger around like a big 'no no', "I won't have a criminal in my house."

I huff and fold my arms across my chest, "Fine. I guess I'm going to his place then."

Her eyes widen, and I bite my lip to stop myself from cracking the smile.

"No!"

"Layla, I already love you," I start off honestly, "but I'm getting this project done no matter what."

She clenches her jaw and looks around as people start filing into the school.

"Fine." She grinds out, "But he is coming to our house, and he will be watched."

I mentally fist pump, and manage to raise an eyebrow at her adorable threat, "And who will be watching?"

"Me of course." Layla says in the 'duh tone'.

"Right..." I trail off while starting to walk off, "And what if he tries to r**e me?"

"Faye!" Layla warns loudly as I get farther.

I laugh and shake my head at the expression she must have on right now.

I hear the bell ring the moment I reach the classroom door, and I smile to myself before walking in.

No awkward introductions.

"Good morning Faye." Mr. Arch calls when I reach my seat.

"Morning."

He calls out 'morning' to several other people in the class as they start walking in as well. He is definitely sweet for a teacher.

"Boo." A low voice near my ear causes me to jump up and look around.

"Heyy." I whine when I see Chase looking down at me with an amused expression on his face.

"You get scared easily." He states, ruffling my hair and then sitting down.

I turn to frown at him while fixing my nicely done hair, "Was that necessary?"

He imitates my pouty face and I fold my arms across my chest. He does the same, and pushes his chest out, making him look like a flimsy girly-girl.

Despite how annoying he is being, I can't help but let a chuckle escape my lips as he further classifies himself as a girl.

"You look ridiculous." I state with an eyebrow raised.

He puts a hand behind his head and strikes a pose before gasping and placing a hand on his chest.

"That hurt my feelings."

"Aww," I cooe sarcastically, "I'm sorry I hurt big boy's feelings."

"Maneton." Mr. Arch calls, getting our attention, "would you mind as I explain to the class?"

"Yeah sorry." Chase replies unfazed.

As soon as Mr. Arch turns around, his face turns into a contorted expression as he attempts to mock his stern expression.

I stifle a giggle as he pretends to scratch his head when Mr. Arch turns back around again.

The rest of the class was filled with filling out boring worksheets, reading Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare, staying silent, and trying to stop myself from banging my head on the table and falling asleep.

In other words, English was boring.

When the bell finally rings, Chase and I are the first ones to pack up and rush out of the door before anyone else. I take a deep breath of relief as soon as we step out.

"See you in Chem, Faye." Chase calls out before walking in his own direction.

I nod and then smile when I see Ashley walking up to me with a smile of her own.

"Hey." I say once we fall in step with each other.

"Hey," She replies before her face turns into a sneer, "You ready for the 'Big Bad Wolf'?"

I feel knots form in my stomach, but I can't help but laugh hesitantly at her reference to Travis.

“You know I’ve been thinking about him.” I muse.

“Oh?” She says, staring at me with a knowing look, “Doesn’t everyone.”

I whip my head to hers, and instantly realize what she is getting at. A little laugh escapes my lips and I shake my head.

“No, Ashley. Not like that.” I reassure her, watching as she relaxes and puts on the same dull expression, “I’ve been thinking about how I need to step it up a bit.”

“What are you saying?” She wonders aloud as we enter the gym.

My eyes flicker to Travis, in the same corner, and then back to Ashley, “He’s scary as hell, but…that’s only because people let him be.”

Ashley frowns and asks me how.

“He knows he’s feared, which is why he thinks he has all the power. I can’t give that to him.” I reply, not telling her everything.

Mom made me realize what the difference was between a bad person and a bad image. I’m not saying Travis doesn’t have either, or both for that matter. Mom was bad in both ways, which is why I know I can handle Travis. I feared her and she knew it. That gave her all the more power. Fearing Travis will only give him what he wants, and that’s not something I’m willing to accept that.

Not if I’m starting fresh.

If I can fix him, I can fix myself.

"Well, time to test your theory," I turn to where Ashley is looking, and there he is, oblivious to two sets of eyes staring him down with dislike.

"Chop, chop everyone!" Ms. Welse orders, clapping her hands together, "I want you guys to get the most of the time I'm giving you in class."

"Aaand that means we're working with our partners." Ashley drawls, leaning in with a knowing smile on her face.

"Use this time wisely guys!" Ms. Welse shouts over everyone else’s chatter.

I roll my eyes and stop right in front of Travis.

"Hi." I state bluntly, my hands in my back pockets.

"Sit." He demands,.

"Excuse me?"

He rolls his eyes, "I don't want to get up, so sit."

I fold my arms across my chest and remain standing.

When he doesn’t see me make a move, he slowly lifts his head to give me a six feet under glare. His eden green eyes are smoldering, and a muscle in his jaw ticks.

Just as he props himself to get up, I plop myself on the ground a safe distance across from him, deciding that now was not the time to pull any strings.

He returns back to his normal self and leans back again.

"So, did you find out?" He presses, referring to his reputation.

I sigh and longingly look back at a busy Ashley, "Doesn't change the fact that we have to start working on the project."

"You're not even the least bit interested?" He challenges unconvinced.

"I couldn't care less." I lie through my teeth.

I grab my backpack to avoid looking at those mocking eyes, and search for the research I had done last night on our topic. I get so engrossed on looking for the final piece of paper, that I don't notice the proximity between Travis and I until it's too late.

“Whatever you’re doing, it’s not going to work.” I snap, shoving the piece of paper in his face before he can do anything that will change my mind.

He falls back and takes the paper I stuffed on his chest into his own hands. As he starts to read it, he glances up at me every once and a while.

“Sounds like you know what you’re saying.” He acknowledges, handing back the paper.

“I’ve had a lot of practice.” I mumble while remembering the men mom brought home sometimes.

“Okay, show me what you’ve got.” Travis clears his throat and says, catching my attention.

I stare at him and then raise an eyebrow, “I don’t think testing my abilities is part of the project.”

“Well, since you’re going to be the victim, it does.” He says matter-o-factly.

I gawk and fold my arms, “I didn’t agree to this.”

“Well, I wasn’t asking for your permission,” He grumbles, “Now get up.”

"Really? So everyone can see?" My eyes widen as he, himself stands and starts coming closer to me.

He heaves a sigh and starts reaching for me, but I quickly pull back.

"Okay, okay! I can get up on my own..." I mutter, reluctantly rising.

Now that Travis is actually towering over me, it's just a bit intimidating that my eye level is at his shoulders. His very broad shoulders...

"Turn around." He demands again, an expectant look in those eden green eyes of his.

I fold my arms and stare right back, not willing to just show him my end.

With mom and her men around, I learned one thing, which is rule number one–to never let your attacker out of your sight.

He glowers and before I know it, I feel him right behind me. I instantly turn to face him, but he places an arm on my shoulder to push me back. With his hands on my shoulders, all I can think about is the heat pooling into my body.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I hiss, trying to wiggle my way out of his stone grip. I quickly take a look around the room, thanking god that we are in the very back, nearly behind the bleachers, and not in front of the whole class. Everyone else is laughing and working cooperatively, while I…I’m struggling.

In response, he nudges his clasped hands into my back, causing it to sag back slightly.

“Wow, you’re a little weaker than I thought.” He taunts, clenching my wrists even tighter.

I grind my teeth and chuckle to myself.

“Yeah?” I ask, not waiting for a reply.

Before he can say anything else, I sweep my right leg up and coil it around his leg. As he tries to get a better grip on me, I hit the back of my heel against the back of his knee. It collapses and he looses his balance, just as I had hoped. What I didn’t expect was for him to pull me down with him. As he hits the floor, I follow after with a huge thunk.

“Travis!” I snap with my face to the floor, “Stop, people can see!”

He tightens his grip and presses his weight on my legs, “Then get out before anyone sees.”

“Hell,” I seethe, bucking my head back, “I can barely breathe!”

Travis huffs and bends his knees so that he’s resting on them instead of me.

“Stop being a whimp,” He orders gruffly, “And fight me.”

“Get. Off. Of. Me.” I growl, feeling anger rise up like the temperature on an extremely hot day.

“N—“

Even before he can finish what he is saying, I extend my bent foot backwards and send him a jab in the stomach. I can hear him take in a breath and that’s when I take my chances. I elbow him off of me completely and crawl out from under his position. I hear him scramble to get up and I do the same, my heart racing so fast, it’s like disco music. I dart behind the bleachers and screech when he follows after me, looking just as vicious.

“Okay,” I start, putting my hands between us, “I fought you off, now back off.”

I see a flash of muse come and go through his eyes before he takes one giant step towards me, invading some personal space. I instantly step back, wanting to keep myself and him and in check.

Before I can protest, he approaches me again, this time making sure to leave no space between us. His arm reaches out to rest on the side of my waist and for some reason, the gesture seems to be fine with my wildly beating heart. Despite the warning signals going off in my head, or the loud curses my mind is repeating, I focus on the warm, bubbly feeling at the pit of my stomach. A spark of warm shivers threatens to release themselves throughout my body, and I clamp my eyes shut, trying to focus merely on reality.

I shake my head and blink my eyes a couple times.

"I—" I gulp slowly, "Stop."

"Hmm?" He murmurs mockingly as he pinches my waist and starts to lean forward.

Automatically, I start to arch back, trying to stay as far away from him as I can. “I said f**k off.

"Mhmm," he muses, his breath now on the base of my neck.

I feel myself sink into his grip, no matter how hard I try not to.

"Rule number one," He whispers, pulling back to look me right in the eye, "Never let your guard down."

He flashes me a cunning smirk as I stare at him, stunned at what he had just done. Only, he makes a mistake of turning to see what everyone else ahead of the bleachers is doing.

I smirk and take a step back forcefully. Just as he turns his head back to face me, I swing my arm at his face. It connects with his jaw and his head whips back with the impact.

As he is turned away, patting his jaw and feeling the inside with his tongue, I take the opportunity to speak.

“No. That’s rule two,” I snap, “Rule one is never turn your back to your opponent.”

He tears his hand away from his cheek and takes one huge step towards me. Chest to chest, he glares down at me and then slowly backs up.

The bell rings as he does so, but I’m to focused on fuming and keeping eye contact with Travis to care.

Even as he leaves the room, the only thing I remember are his furious, eden green eyes.