NEFARIOUS

CHAPTER 4:WOUNDED

Teressa was on her way to the library after class for Dracen's tutoring session. Before that, she had gone to the convenience store to buy some drinks as she hadn't had her lunch yet plus she was feeling a little too tired. As she looked at her phone while walking to her destination, she heard some loud noises from the corridors where the boys' toilet was located. She didn't pay much attention to it even though she was curious about what was going on. "Boys are noisy sometimes. It's not like they will fight," she thought to herself while continuing to walk to the library.

She was waiting for Dracen while doing some of her assignments. It has only been 10 minutes so she didn't think much about it. Thirty minutes later, someone sat in front of her. "What were you doing that you came--" She stopped talking when she saw the boy's state. "What happened to you?" she asked in worry. "Nothing you should worry about. Let's just start the lesson,"

"While you are bleeding and all beaten up?"

"Why are you worrying too much, Aldine?"

"Shut up. You are coming with me," Teressa dragged him out of the place.

"Where?"

"My house,"

"Why?"

"To treat your wounds,"

"You don't--"

"Shut it, Amherst,"

Teressa opened her front door and made the beaten up boy sit down on the couch in the living room. The boy watched as the blonde walked about her house taking the first aid box and a glass of water before returning. He watched quietly as she took out the medications and a few cotton balls. She poured some disinfectant on the cotton balls. She was sitting on her knees and stood a little to reach the boy on the couch. "This is gonna sting a little," she said before gently wiping the cut on the boy's cheek.

Dracen just sat there quietly watching the girl treating the wounds on his face. She was a little closer to him and he took the time to admire her features. How her fingers were gentle, the way her dark brown eyes were focusing on the bruises and cuts, her soft plump pink lips in a pout and the feel of her warm breath near him. He was dazed.

Teressa finish plastering up his cuts and was now working on his bruised knuckles. She bandaged it up and got up, collecting the stained cotton balls and gauzes and walking up to the dustbin before throwing them in. She came back and gave Dracen the glass of water before putting everything back in the first aid box and putting it in the cupboard.

She came back and sit next to the black-haired boy. "What did you do to get beaten up like this?" Dracen looked at her with a smirk "Care about me so much, Aldaine?" Teressa blushed a little and looked away. Seeing this, Dracen leaned a little closer to her and in a deep voice said "Cat got your tongue, baby?" "Shut up, Amherst. You should go home now. It's nearly evening," Just as she said that the sound of thunderstorms could be heard and it started raining cats and dogs.

"Guess the rain isn't allowing me to go home," Teressa sighed as she looked at Dracen. "You can stay if you want. There's a spare room," Dracen looked at the girl as she walked up the stairs. "Are you gonna follow or not?" she asked. With that, the bruised guy followed her to a room. "Here, it's my brother's. Freshen up and come downstairs. I will prepare dinner,"

Dracen watched as Teressa walked away and back at the clothes in his hand and to the bandages on his knuckles. He sighed and close the door. "What are you even doing to me, Tessa?" He whispered to himself, a small smile forming on his face before entering the bathroom and taking a quick shower, careful of his bruises. He then wore the clothes given to him and walked quietly downstairs. He stooped in his tracks when he hears a soft singing coming from the kitchen

Is it just our bodies~

Are we both losing our minds?~

Is the only reason you're holding me tonight~

Cause we're scared to be lonely?~

Do we need somebody to just feel like we're alright?~

Is the only reason you're holding me tonight~

Cause we're scared to be lonely?~

"Gosh, she sounds so good,"

Even when we know it's wrong~

Been somebody better for us all along~

Tell me,how can we keep holding on?~

Holding on tonight 'cause we're scared to be lonely~

Teressa continued taking the plates and putting the tuna and avocado wraps she made on it, still unaware of Dracen's presence.

Even when we know it's wrong~

Been somebody better for us all along~

Tell me, how can we keep holding on?~

Holding on tonight 'cause we're scared to be lonely~

The girl turned around and saw Dracen near the stairway. She called the latter over and placed the plat in front of him. They both ate in silence and Teressa was reading a book when the house phone rang. Teressa placed her book down and went to pick it up. It was her sister, Alexa.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Lil sis,"

"Hey, Alexa,"

"So, I just called to tell you Mum and Dad will be home only next week since an emergency work came up. Mike and I will be staying over at our friends' house since the rain doesn't seem to stop,"

"Okay.Uhmm...Lex, I have a friend over and is it okay if they stay over for tonight?"

"Sure. Make sure you have dinner and do not stay up late,"

"Okay,"

"I'll hang up now, Tessie.Good night. I love you,"

"Love you too, sister,"

"Bye,"

"Bye-bye,"

Teressa put the phone down and walked into the kitchen to see Dracen doing the dishes. "I didn't know the school's bad boy know how to do dishes," she said in a playful tone and a smirk plastered on her face while leaning on the countertop.

"Is there anything wrong with it?"

"Nope. Just amusing to watch," the girl chuckled.

Dracen scoffed and just shook his head while the girl wiped the plates and put them in their places. Then she turned to look at the boy in front of her. "I'll be in my room if you need anything. It is just beside your room," she said as the latter only nodded his head. Teressa walked back to her room and took out her books.

"A lot of assignments to do,"