The Guy In 4B Has My Heart

Chapter Three

Kase seems harmless.

Which is exactly the problem.

I sprang to my feet, grabbed a grey duffel bag that had been chilling at the top of the wardrobe, and started to toss, toss, toss.

Pants, bra, books.

By the time Tivere returned from school, I would be waiting on her bunk bed like an errant cat.

Exactly as I’d imagined, when she returned and found me seated on her bed, she went straight to scolding me for making her worry before pulling me into a hug. ‘I have been praying for you,’ she said as she sat next to me.

I swallowed, unable to look at her.

‘Because if anything happens, there is no one we could report to. They are well connected.’

She lowered her voice and glanced around the room, even though her other two roommates were out. Abigail was the only one available, but she was sprawled across her bed, snoring lightly with her mouth open.

‘I already spoke to my roommates in the hopes that you would come to your senses. Have you seen him since that day?’

‘Nope.’ I shrugged. ‘Been quiet ever since.’

I looked away to unzip my bag.

Yes, I lied. There was no need to tell Tivere about the invitation. She would have a heart attack.

‘I will go to sleep early. I have a 7 a.m. class tomorrow.’

‘You are not hungry?’

‘Nope,’ I responded, still digging into my bag, but I was yet to feel the hard rectangle that is my student I.D.

My forehead creased. I must have left it behind while I hurriedly changed bags!

Tivere, watching me, asked, ‘What are you searching for?’

‘My ID.’ My voice came out in a crack as I bargained with myself. It should be here.

I emptied my bag onto the bed. Keys, lip gloss, notepad, sanitary pad, an empty biscuit wrapper-all fell out except my ID.

I gritted my teeth.

‘I have to go pick it up.’ I ran my fingers through the neatly plaited lanes in my hair.

‘Are you sure?’ Tivere moaned from her position on the carpet.

‘I have to.’

‘You could skip the class?’ Tivere said carelessly.

I shot her a sharp look.

She rolled her eyes. ‘Just for tomorrow.’

‘We have a test tomorrow.’ I groaned.

Tivere looked at me sympathetically. I could almost see the thoughts racing through the visible vein on her forehead. ‘It’s about to rain for the first time this semester. You can’t go out.’

‘I can go with an umbrella.’ I stared at her.

As if on cue, the electricity sizzled out as lightning scratched the sky.

‘It’s Rousing Night.’

‘What’s Rousing Night again?’

‘All sorts of things happen on Rousing Night.’ Tivere started. ‘People lose their minds. First years are preyed on. Girls give it up. Secret societies also use it as an opportunity for recruitment. People who refuse are never found again.’

Oh lord!

‘I can’t miss my test tomorrow.’ I clenched. ‘Let me just go pick it up before the whole madness starts.’

Tivere blew out an exasperated breath. ‘I will come with you then.’

‘Don’t worry.’ The bed squeaked as I stood, smoothing down my leggings.

Tivere eyed me. ‘Why not?’

The trees continued thrashing against the wind while the clouds gathered.

‘I have no one else to call if things go south. You rest. I will be back in about 30 minutes.’

‘Please be careful, Eloho.’ Tivere’s voice was heavy with trepidation.

I nodded and marched out the door, one mantra in my head: get to the building, pick up my ID, return to campus.

Ten heart-pounding minutes later, I arrived at the doorway of my building. As I approached, I took in the grey, towering building that once held the warmth of home, now sending chills down my spine.

With no time to waste, the second I stepped in, the clouds broke their hold, beating the roof.

I jogged up the stairs, my eyes fixed on my apartment door.

My hands were shaky and sweaty against the cold metal of my key. Wasted no time inserting my key into the hole, holding my breath.

If I entered quietly, no one would know that I was home. And when the storm calms, I would return to safety.

I jiggled the key. It always needed a little convincing, but this time the key snapped.

‘No!’ I moaned and pounded the door. Kicking it too.

My frustration was muffled by the rain beating on the roof.

Tired, I stepped back.

How do I pick this stupid lock?

I unlocked my phone; no reception. ‘Just great.’ I gritted my teeth.

Now I stood outside the door like I was some unwanted guest out in the cold.

I felt sorry for myself, and suddenly I wanted to cry about everything.

It felt like the universe was always spitting on me. I could never have anything. Not even the dignity of having my own space.

I turned and kicked the door, half expecting it to miraculously open and sweep my rage away. But it did not budge.

‘Are you okay?’ A deep voice said from behind me.

My heart stopped.

I spun slowly.

Lightning and thunder thrashed, illuminating the semi-dark hallway. There he was in his black hoodie.

‘Kase!’ I said, out of breath. ‘I did not hear you come up.’

‘What did the door do to you?’

I was quiet, then I said, ‘Don’t worry, I will sort it out.’

‘What do you need me to do for you?’

Okay, if the bad man insists.

‘My key broke.’

‘Let me look at it.’

I made room swiftly. I didn't hold my breath, so I caught a whiff of his perfume. I do not know the notes. I just liked that he smelled like a man who made an effort to wash up.

‘Yikes! And no one can come out in this rain.’

Kase threw back his hood. I immediately turned away as if seeing his fresh haircut was equivalent to watching him strip.

Why are we thinking of Kase’s naked body?

‘Do you want to wait in my apartment? It’s pretty cold out here.’

I swallowed. ‘You can’t pick the locks?’

He frowned.

Uh oh.

‘No, I can’t.’ He laughed.

And instead of feeling better, I felt so silly.

He walked up to his door and pulled his key from his pocket, not bothering to look back to see if I was following him.

I can admit that I was cold.

‘Happy birthday, by the way.’ I said in a small voice from behind him, and he turned with a big smile. ‘Thank you!’

He led me into the apartment, and what I saw made my jaw hit the floor.