CIRCUS!

Chapter 2: Please him

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E D A

"Edward, move!"

It is always Geno's gang who acts as if they own the length of the campus hallways. I would hurry and scramble off to safety even though I wasn't the only one in the lounging around. There were plenty others of students scattered about but it was only I they prey on.

I waited patiently for the mass of sweaty and muscly men to march their way out of the building and into the adjoining football field. My eyes followed their tall figures as they retreated before I emerged from my hiding spot, and once the danger has passed, I swiftly walked to my next lesson. Algebra. Joy.

I groaned inwardly. My day has just gotten worse and worse as the time passes by.

When I entered the lecture hall, I overheard everyone discussing about the previous night's celebration. Their buzzing gossips about the hottest party of the century, a subject I could never relate to, at least not in this lifetime.

I made my way stealthily to the very last seat in the far back, directly beside the window. This is my happy place. Sitting alone at the rear has its perks, not the least of which is that no one will dare bother me.

Until I realized I was wrong.

"How did you get here?" I croaked out in a trembling voice, caught aback by his sudden appearance.

He dragged the empty chair from the row ahead of us and sat next to me. At the very least, there goes the banging beat of my heart going insane.

"What are you doing here?" I asked once more.

"Why else do you think? Bring out your workbook, Sir. Maurer requested that you complete page..." he trailed off as he removed my notebook from my backpack and scanned through the pages, halting at the very last activity that I had attempted to do last night. The keyword is attempted. As a result, I've slept late but I just couldn't afford to fail this time around.

"D-Do not... check my answers," I dragged the book away timidly, but he firmly gripped it on his desk. His free hand tugged the base of my chair and pulled it closer to him.

Then, he snatched the pen from my pocket and quickly scribbled the correct answers on a scrap of paper. "Get closer," he said.

I immediately obliged, inching my head to the paper, but he only clicked his tongue and repeated himself, "Closer," he grumbled once more.

I dropped my head as I approached my workbook even closer. I could feel his hot breath fanning the back of my neck. My nose was assaulted by his intoxicating cologne. Ah, he smells scrumptious.

"All right, observe that there exist numerous integer trios (x,y,z) that satisfy x2+y2=z2. These are referred to as Pythagorean Triples and include the numbers (3,4,5) and (5,12,13). Now, are there any trios (x,y,z) that satisfy x3+y3=z3? The answer is no, as Fermat's Last Theorem demonstrates..."

My heart flutters as a result of his intellectual ramblings. My gaze would dart between his graceful scribbles and his facial features, the way his brows arched higher as he corrected my equation or the way his lips pursed together whenever he contemplates.

How could he be so beautiful?

"Did you get it?" his abrupt question jarred me awake. I averted my gaze hastily, scratching my nape in discomfort. Was he aware that I was staring at him?

"Y-Yeah..." I spoke, lying through my teeth.

"Could you tell me what Fermat's most recent theorem was, Eda?" He raised a wry brow at me.

My fingers clenched together into fists. He sounded so seductive as he mouthed my nickname. Eda rolls perfectly in his tongue.

His slim fingers were raised in front of my face before he snapped them to avert my gaze. I swallowed as I watched him prop his elbow on his desk, resting his chin on the palm of his large hand.

I bit my lips.

"W-What are you doing here?" Noises rushed out of my mouth before I could even choose my words. Where do I even got this courage from? I've developed a loose mouth recently and this has been turning into a habit. A very bad one.

What if I suddenly talk back to Geno, The Great? Oh boy, that would be the end of me. Uengk! Just the thought of him gives me goosebumps.

He seems surprised by my sudden boldness to speak. I can't blame him; I keep my thoughts to myself most of the time.

"Well..." he paused to collect his thoughts.

"Why are you in this class? Are you sure you're not repeating the subject? Every single person in this room failed algebra. How could the math wizard's undefeated champion be here right now?" I spoke without faltering due to the wave of unknown confidence.

That is a first.

A tiny smirk crept onto his lips as he placed my workbook on my desk and slipped my pen back into my shirt pocket. His fingertips slightly brushing against the edge of my collar. His touch lingered against the fabric of my shirt.

Is this what you mean when you say "flirt"? My head shook. No. Alexis Donovan couldn't be flirting with you, Eda.

"You are right; that is none of my concern. Sorry." I continued as if he hadn't already made me feel euphoric inside, pushing my feelings to the back of my mind and back to the stuttering mess, I became.

I heard him blew a deep sigh before standing up from his seat and walking out of the room, like what he always does.

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As soon as the classes were dismissed, I dashed to the back of the school building and leapt over the fence, stripping off my blazer in the process. I then raced into a dark alleyway, taking the shortest route to the Barden, the pub where I work.

"Hey, chica, you're on time!" Pam was the first to welcome me, followed by Johnny, her boyfriend, and my obnoxious brother.

"I apologize for being late!" I tossed my backpack across the room, and Johnny effortlessly snatched it mid-air and slid it backstage, where he stores broken pub appliances.

"She just said you're earlier than usual, dumbo," Johnny mocked, sneering at my appearance.

As if my life depended on it, I leaped onto his back and ruffled his hair. "You're the i***t!" I retorted before jumping into the bar and joining Pam as she separated empty alcohol bottles from the new ones.

I assisted her in stacking them into a single box, which I then carried out the back door, where we all dump our trash. Pam and I normally avoid the back door since a lot of junkies cluster in the spot at midnight and it's never safe for us. Johnny also made it clear that he would be the one to dispose of rubbish, but I reasoned that it was still early, the sun had not yet set, and I could do this chore myself.

At least just for today. I am feeling kinda daring!

I wrenched my body free from the door frame by kicking it open. As soon as I went outside, the harsh winter wind swept across my exposed face.

I set the box next to the dumpster before looking up the beautiful sky for a moment. The formation of clouds have never failed to console me.

"Are you watching us from above, Mom and Dad?" I mumbled inwardly.

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Unbeknownst to Eda, Geno stood at the far end of the dark alley, holding a lit cigarette between his lips. His toned body leaned against the rough cement as he silently eyed her. Every movement she makes never fails to amuse him.

He almost felt as though she needed to be corrupted, and he cannot wait to corrupt the precious girl. It would be his job, and his alone.

"Is she your new target, Captain?" wondered their team's goalie. If they are spotted parading around the red light district, they risk being expelled and losing their scholarship, as well as their ability to play in the football team.

They could risk of losing everything, but this fact alone enticed Geno's cunning interest. He isn't one to back down from an opportunity to enforce dominance upon a frail defenseless girl. He was insatiably hungry. Apparently, the typical torments she endures at school were insufficient. She always finds a way to avoid danger, which irritates him.

He wanted her helpless and vulnerable. A powerless prey, awaiting the arrival of a predator like him to destroy her whole being. God, it turns him on.

This thought further fueled his voracious desire.

He shoved his body off the filthy pavement and entered the Barden, deaf to his team's pleas to leave.

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G E N O

"Hello, welcome to the Barden!" As I entered the shady pub, a weird lady cheered me on. The place wasn't hideous, though, I've seen better, and plainly this place hasn't.

I made my way to the bar and spotted the girl I've been following for few months now. There you are, little girl.

She froze in place when she saw me. My lips curved into a devilish smirk. I touched the inside of my cheek with the tip of my tongue. Her skin-baring blouse aroused my interest.

"Irish. Neat," I grazed my tongue over my teeth before sucking on my lower lip when I caught a glimpse of her ample bossom, fully displayed.

You know, I'm pleased she doesn't dress in this manner at school; otherwise, I could lose control and endanger my reputation by throwing myself at her straightaway. Though, her body will eventually drive me insane, if I'm not already.

"Hey, pretty boy, eyes up here," A tall man dressed impeccably in a crisp button-down dress shirt grumbled.

"Are you, by any means, her boyfriend?" I snarled and pushed his hand away from my shoulder. I hate it when somebody dares touch me.

But, I have yet to find out if I'd enjoy it if Eda was to touch me.

"No," he replied swiftly.

"Good, now, leave me alone," I spoke, glaring at him.

"I'm her brother," he added, quite late.

Brother? Eda has never been mentioned as having a brother. Then again, no one ever attempted to get to know her. Nobody. No thanks to me.

"Hey, Eda. You're making this punk a glass of whiskey?" As the man questioned her, his sister seemed too terrified to respond, even more so when I was hurling daggers at her. Her gazes shifted back and forth between her brother and I. My jaw clenched as I conjured the most menacing expression possible to entice her to submit to me, and only me.

"Yes, Johnny," she mumbled. Ah, my nerves are soothed by her sweet voice. Isn't she lovely? I smirked.

"Punk, are you legal enough to be offered a glass of whiskey?" The man called Johnny snarled.

If he continues to refer to me as "punk", I'm going to close this establishment this instant.

I yanked my wallet from the rear pocket of my jeans and slammed it against the tall counter aggressively. He flicked it open and studied my I.D. before gently setting it back down and giving me one final grimaced glance before walking away. Good f*****g riddance.

"You have one bothersome brother, doll," I said quietly, my wrath lessening as her fingertips delicately brushed across my stiff knuckles when she laid the glass on the coaster in front of me.

"W-What?" She stammered; her bottom lip curled in between her teeth.

"Stop doing that," I said, swigging the drink down in one gulp.

Man's thirsty. Both metaphorically and literally.

"S-Stop doing w-what?" she stammered, her delicate fingers fumbled with the hem of her top, unconsciously tugging it even lower.

Fuck.

"Go out with me, Eda."