Between The Lines and YOU

Twenty Two

As he said, we went together to V.C.U. I’d already changed back into my uniform. I asked him about Celine, but he only got mad and refused to talk to me. I just wanted to know what their status was. So what, he’s planning to court me while he’s also courting Celine? It’s not like he’s on the losing end with me. I’m beautiful, smart, and well, beautiful again. He’s not losing anything, right?

“Meet me in my office later, okay?” He even reached over to unbuckle my seatbelt for me.

“Why?”

“You failed your quiz, remember?”

Eh?

“That wasn’t even mine.”

“Just be thankful for my consideration, that I’m allowing you to retake it.” Wow. He calls that consideration? I mentally rolled my eyes. Best to keep my mouth shut, or else I might just curse at him. My mouth is practically overflowing with profanities anyway. I was about to open the car door when he stopped me.

“Why?”

“Where’s my kiss?”

“Kiss? What kiss?”

“Kiss.” He pouted his lips slightly, so cute, like a duck. I laughed secretly at the thought.

“Did I even say yes to you?” His eyes immediately sharpened, rolling with irritation. Bipolar much?

“Come on, Pria. Don’t be too harsh with your boyfriend.” Boyfriend? Wow, my hair must be reaching the heavens.

“In your dreams. Maybe after I say yes—” He suddenly pulled me in and pressed his lips against mine. With him, I really never had the right to make my own decisions.

“See you later.” He gave me a sweet smile before letting me out of his car. I stood there like an i***t for several seconds before realizing his car was already gone. I spotted Ivy and Lyra sitting on a bench near the soccer field. Oh right, the intramurals were coming up soon. It felt like just yesterday I had enrolled, and now intrams were already here. I headed straight toward them.

The look Ivy gave me could have strangled me on the spot. Lyra’s expression was unreadable, angry? Serious? Either way, they both looked pissed. Oh, crap. Right. I did have something to feel guilty about. I was about to change direction when Ivy blocked me. I yelped when she punched me hard on the arm.

“That’s not enough, stupid! Do you have any idea we were looking for you the entire night? Where the hell did you go?” I rubbed my arm, avoiding Lyra’s gaze. I just hoped they wouldn’t notice that I had already… surrendered the fortress.

“I-it was an emergency, right?”

“What kind of emergency?! You really left us without saying a word?!” Why was she shouting when I was literally right in front of her?

“Stop yelling.”

“You look so pretty today, Pria.” I refused to meet Lyra’s eyes after that comment.

“I’m always pretty.”

“And—hold on a sec. Why do you look so blooming?” Ivy said, hands on her hips. I cleared my throat and tried to steady myself, nerves crawling all over me. Damn it, I hadn’t prepared a single defense. I stepped back when Ivy leaned in closer, scrutinizing me carefully. Then she stepped away, and I froze when I saw her sly smile. Bloody hell. Did she figure it out? But knowing Ivy, I was sure she wouldn’t sell me out to our other friends. She wrapped an arm around Lyra and whispered something in her ear. Lyra nodded.

“Pria!” Saved by Asher. Thank God. Ivy and Lyra turned as Asher called out from a distance, running toward us, drenched in sweat and holding a ball in his hand, still in his P.E. uniform.

“Where’s Kael?” he asked immediately. Wait, shouldn’t he ask me where I’d been first?

“How would I know? I just got here.”

“Where were you last night? The party ended early because you disappeared. Thanks to you, I didn’t even get to drink. Damn it, I thought Bumblebee’s minions dragged you off again.”

“I texted Ivy.”

“Excuse you, you texted in the morning. You’re lucky I didn’t skin you alive, I’m so pissed.” I quickly stepped behind Asher, hiding from Ivy.

“Where’s Kael? Why isn’t he here?” I asked them. Ivy just rolled her eyes, Lyra shrugged. So I turned to Asher.

“We couldn’t even approach him this morning. He was glaring like he wanted to kill everyone, especially when he found out you only texted Ivy. You should talk to him. You’re the only one who can calm him down.”

“Kael!” We all turned when Ivy called out. Kael stopped dead when he saw me, fury burning in his eyes. He was holding a carton of Dutch Mill, which he suddenly crushed in his hand until every drop spilled out. His fists clenched as he turned away again, so I ran to catch up with him.

“Kael.” I called out, panting. He stopped, but only for a moment.

“Kael, please, talk to me. If you’re angry at me, fine, be angry, but at least talk to me.” He started walking again, so I grabbed a piece of paper from my bag, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it at his back. Thankfully, he turned around. Unfortunately, the look he gave me was hotter than the midday sun.

“What’s wrong with you?!” His cheeks were flushed, and I couldn’t tell if it was because he was about to cry or because of sheer anger.

“You. What’s your problem? Why are you ignoring me?”

“You’re selfish, Pria. You only think about yourself! You don’t care about the people around you! I was so worried about you. Then you just show up here as if nothing happened?! Well, damn you, Pria. I hate you!” And with that, he turned sharply and ran off, leaving me frozen in place. I didn’t know what to feel. It was the first time he’d been this angry at me, and I had no idea how to even begin talking to him again. A hand tapped my shoulder, it was Lyra, with Ivy and Asher by her side.

“Let him be for now, Pria,” Lyra said gently. “His anger will fade.” Only ten minutes left before two o’clock, so I excused myself and started heading to my next class. Ivy narrowed her eyes at me before we split ways.

“You owe me an explanation,” she said, her last words hanging heavy as we went in different directions.

__________________________________

The moment I stepped into the classroom, I immediately spotted Freya. She looked pale and weak, yet she still managed to flash a wide smile. She seemed feverish. I went straight to my seat, ignoring the classmates who were suddenly trying to get my attention. Funny, considering how they used to sneer at me when Gabriela was still around. Not that I held grudges. First, grudges don’t take root in me.

Second, I honestly don’t care enough to bother.

“Let me guess, you spent all night talking, didn’t you? Or maybe you drained all the drinks lined up at the party last night.” I teased.

“I don’t feel well, Pria. I wasn’t even there. But if I had been, you’d have been the very first person I’d drag into the chocolate fountain.” Freya’s weak voice carried a shadow of her usual sass as she slid her chair closer to mine. She leaned on my shoulder. I reached up to touch her and confirmed what I already suspected, she was burning up.

“You should’ve just rested.” She shook her head faintly. When Professor Sandoval walked in, he excused both of us so I could take her to the clinic. She refused to let anyone else come with her, leaving me with no choice but to agree. Not that I didn’t care about her, but honestly, she had more friends here at V.C.U. than I ever did. Plenty of people could’ve watched over her. And besides, today was supposed to be our long quiz.

Sometimes I wondered how she’d become so close to my friends. The last thing I remembered was waking up in the hospital and seeing her already chatting and laughing with them as if they’d known each other forever. At the clinic, after the nurse examined her, she was given medicine to take. 37.6°. Definitely a fever.

“Pria, could you take my place?”

“Take your place where?”

“As our department’s candidate for Miss Intrams.”

“No way. That’s just extra responsibility, and I don’t want it.” I’d never joined that kind of competition before, nor did I enjoy watching them. I got bored too quickly. And if it was just for extra points, I could always excel in academics without parading around on a stage. I looked at Freya when she suddenly broke into tears. Oh great. Just because I said no, she was trying to pull this on me?

“He cheated, Pria. He left me for Cheska.” So that was the real reason.

“So that’s why you look like an i***t with a fever?” I teased. She shot me a sharp glare, which only made me laugh for a second.

“You’re so mean. That’s why you don’t have a boyfriend.” If only you knew. There’s actually a professor courting me right now.

“What did you even see in that womanizer Calvin? It’s obvious he’s just playing with you. How could you take him seriously? He can’t even introduce you to his parents.” She fell silent at that. Because it was true. Calvin dated anyone he pleased, yet it was Freya who kept pouring all her effort into their relationship. She spoiled him more than a sugar mama, while he pranced around looking good with an empty head. His brain probably carried nothing but dust.

I never understood it. Why would she settle for a guy with absolutely no redeeming qualities, aside from being handsome and the governor’s son? Useless, spoiled brat. I let her cry and rant in front of me, gently patting her back until, eventually, she fell asleep. I lay down on the other bed and stretched. Might as well nap, too. There was nothing else to do here, I’d only get bored staring at the clinic’s white curtains. It wasn’t long before I woke up earlier than Freya. She was still sleeping peacefully when the nurse came in, with someone I never expected to see. Celine.

Right, of course, they were siblings. She gave me a small nod, and I returned the gesture. Then she lifted the sleeping Freya in her arms. Before leaving, she glanced back at me and thanked me. That could only mean one thing, she wouldn’t be able to go to Professor Sandoval’s office now. Since my friends still had class, I went straight to the library to borrow a book. While walking, my fingers unconsciously brushed against the necklace Knox had given me. Good thing none of my friends noticed it earlier.

Biting back a smile, I entered the library, secretly giddy. I chose a book and went to sit in my usual corner seat. I turned a few pages, but my mind refused to focus. Thoughts of Knox kept intruding, how he said he would court me. Just remembering it made me want to roll around in delight. Things between us were uncertain, yes. But I no longer wanted to hold back what I felt for him. I closed my eyes for a moment, and for some reason, I could almost smell his intoxicating scent. Was I losing my mind? Even here, it felt like he lingered around me.

I leaned back in the chair, eyes still shut. Since when had these seats become as soft and fragrant as him? My eyes snapped open like lightning when I felt a gentle nibble on my ear. And there he was, the most striking, devastatingly beautiful man I’d ever seen. Knox chuckled softly, leaning against the table with his arms crossed. I could only look up at him, since I was still seated.

I straightened my posture and tried to calm myself, even as my heart threatened to leap out of my chest.

“What are you doing here, sir?” Wasn’t his class already over? He glanced around quickly, and once he was sure we were alone, he turned back to me with a dangerous, tempting smile.

“You didn’t go to my office.”

“We had a deal, sir.” I reminded him.

“I’m working on it, okay? Don’t tell me what to do.” He was the one always making decisions for me, and yet here he was acting like I was bossing him around. He sat beside me and slid his hand into mine under the table.

“Sorry.” I looked at him, puzzled.

“Sorry for what?”

“For being so hard sometimes.” Sometimes? He was always like that. I wanted to say it out loud, but decided against it, otherwise, I’d ruin his mood again. Instead, he tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear, his gaze piercing into me. I quickly looked away before he could notice my burning cheeks.

His hand, which had been holding mine, slipped onto my thigh, and I quickly stopped him. I always forget not to sit too close to him, especially when I’m wearing a skirt.

“Sir.”

“You look ravishing.”

“You’re such a pervert.” He chuckled softly at my words, his hand still stubbornly pressing where I tried to block him.

“Am I?” he asked with feigned innocence. Wasn’t he supposed to be courting me? Then why was he like this? Every time we were together, it felt like he just wanted to take me to bed.

Which, let’s be honest, you want too.

No. It’s just that I’m irresistible, and he can’t help himself. Still, I can’t even imagine how wild he could really be. I tightened my grip on his hand when two students approached. They were from the Architecture department, judging by their uniforms. The way they shoved each other forward, it was obvious neither of them wanted to deal with the cold, strict professor who was, unbeknownst to them, groping me beneath the table. I wanted to pull away, but Knox’s daring hand held me firmly. Confusion flickered in their eyes when they saw me. No doubt wondering why I was here, seated so closely beside Professor Sandoval.

“G-good afternoon, Professor Sandoval.” He merely gave them a serious, unreadable look.

“A-about the pa-paper—”

“Speak clearly.” His deep, stern tone made both students flinch. I darted my eyes between them, silently praying he’d finally move his hand away.

“It’s about our research proposal, sir.” He gave a curt nod. One of them continued explaining, but I nearly gasped, biting down hard on my lower lip as I lowered my gaze, unable to meet their eyes.

Knox’s hand slipped free from mine and began caressing my thigh, slow and deliberate. Damn it, why couldn’t he stay still? Why did he have to tease me like this? I pretended to be reading, but my hand remained frozen on the book instead of shoving his away. He was relentless, like he had a limitless supply of energy drinks fueling him every day. If I moved, they’d notice, and that would draw all attention to us.

So, I hid behind the book, holding it close to my face as his hand slid dangerously close to, fvck. Damn it. I almost moaned out loud. I clamped my thighs around his hand, trying to trap it, but he kept moving as if nothing was wrong. I was wearing cycling shorts beneath my skirt, but that offered no protection. Sweat prickled my skin despite the chill of the library. I couldn’t control my body, it betrayed me, trembling, giving in to every touch of his hand.

I gripped the book tightly as his daring fingers finally reached my most sensitive spot. He traced slow, deliberate circles over the fabric. Oh, God. I wanted to moan, loudly. I couldn’t even look at him, if I did, I’d lose every ounce of self-control and strip right here in front of him. I hated this, but at the same time, my body was craving it. I hated this, because I wasn’t satisfied with just this. I wanted him above me. I wanted him to kiss me like there was no tomorrow.

Damn it, Knox. This was literal torture. Just when I was about to break, when that swelling wave inside me was ready to explode, the students finally finished. And at that exact moment, he withdrew his hand. Like nothing had happened, he simply picked up the pen the students offered him and signed their document. My breathing was ragged, uneven. I wanted to scream at him, to punch him, to curse him. Damn you, Knox! You left me hanging, you bastard!