Whispers After Midnight

CHAPTER FOUR: “A NIGHTMARE.”

Kat ran towards me as soon as I was done with my second class and wrapped her hands around mine. “Rhea, guess what?”

I smile slightly at her, she hasn’t changed at all since high school. I was quite surprised when I saw her in freshman year, I didn’t know we applied to the same college. Soon enough, we bonded. Two years in and she’s one of the females whose company I truly enjoy.

Come to think if it, most of my high school classmates attend this college.

Yuck! Talk about constant reminder of my past life.

It’s quite surprising considering the fact that most people would likely pick a college far from their hometown or at least a distance away from where their high school was. But it’s different, with the college being few miles away from my high school, I get to see it every time I go home.

I’d have gone to a different college if I could but I can’t, I have to start home. For now.

I take notice of her sweaty palms, her dilated eyes and her breathy voice. “Your artwork got ruined?”

Kat’s eyes widened in surprise at my words. “Are you psychic? Bro you literally read my mind.”

“I don’t know, but I think I am?” I struggle to remove my hands from hers, what the hell is her and Perry’s obsession with physical contact? “Kitty Kat, I need space.” I say after failing to untangle myself from her.

Kat immediately removed her hand from mine and took a step back. “Sorry I keep forgetting you hate physical contact.”

Hate was an overstatement, the reason I avoid contact is because I am mostly covered in bruises but there’s no way I’d tell that to Kat or anyone.

It's better they think I hate physical contact.

“How did your artwork get ruined? You spent weeks on that and wouldn’t even let me touch it.”

Kat is obsessive. Once she likes something, she becomes a maniac. I’m slightly concerned about this, she spends most of her time painting. I know it’s normal since art is her major but who the hell sleep paints?!

“I know.” She whined

“So what’s the catch? You don’t seem too bothered about it.” I notice her subtle habit. For someone whose— art baby as she liked to call it got ruined, she didn’t seem so bothered at that.

“Well I was up until an hour ago and then the craziest thing happened.”

“What happened one hour ago? “

Kat giggled and she twirled her long hair around her finger. “I found another muse.”

“Another muse?”

“Yes, haven’t you heard?”

“Clearly I haven’t?”

Kat sighed and shook her head. “Rhea, sometimes I wonder if you’re truly in this school.”

I giggled at her comment, it was quite amusing. “Just because I’m not nosy like the rest of you guys doesn’t mean I’m not in this school. But spill, you’ve piqued my curiosity.”

Kat looked around and leaned over as if she was about to say the highest secret. “The youngest self-made billionaire in the world is going to attend our school.”

“What?! That’s absurd, why’d they come to this backwater town?”

“I know right? Apparently they’re doing this program and it’s kind of a reality show. Haven’t you noticed how excited everyone has been lately and the whole cameras and car?”

So that’s why everyone was excited this morning.

I nod my head in agreement .“I remember seeing the cameras and vans but I thought they were doing a shoot. Who’d have thought it’ll be a reality show showcasing a rich person experiencing mediocre life.” I slam my locker, rolling my eyes at the hypocrisy.

Kat continued talking, ignoring my change in mood. “And the crazy part is that we know the person.”

I raised my eyes in question. Since when did know a billionaire? If I did, I’d have probably leeched hard on them. God knows I need more than a few bucks right now. “And who’s that?” I ask.

Kat’s phone alarm rang before she got to answer me and, she waved goodbye, shouting how she was late for her class as she ran away.

“Typical Kat, always leaving more questions than answers.” I walked towards the opposite direction, I have no desire to be late for the last class. If I’m late, I’ll miss the greater part of the class and I’d have to put in extra hours to cover up— it would clash with my work hours.

Was a lady supposed to be this busy?

“Good morning Ms. Frankie.” I muttered a greeting at the history lecturer before I made way to an empty seat.

The seat beside me was empty and I smiled at my luck. This must be a good day because every class I had today, I was alone. I wasn’t too keen on discussions today, I just want to go home.

After some minutes, Ms. Frankie closed the lecture room door and faced us, ready to teach. This was her policy, she hated tardiness so any student that didn’t make it in time after the thirty minutes grace, they were going to be struck out of a week’s worth of attendance, regardless of their excuse. Death was in fact that only thing that seemed to deter her wickedness.

“Students, I’ll continue from where we stopped in our last class. Today we’ll talk about cold war…”

I zoned out immediately the lectures began, scribbling away on my jotter. My attention span is quite terrible and if I don’t do anything to keep myself busy, I’d probably fall asleep.

I admired the garden that I was drawing and decided to add more flowers and butterflies. I stopped briefly to look at my artwork and decided to draw humans. Perry and Kat came into mind and I sighed softly, feeling sad that neither of my friends were in this same class as me.

Dirty foxes. They avoided the course when they realized that Ms. Frankie was the one lecturing. According to them, “they could not keep to her punctuality rule.”

Irresponsible filthy scheming children, that is what they are!

When will this bloody class end? I looked at the clock and groaned in distress when I realized that only 30 minutes had passed. Was it the right time to question my existence? Oh well, at least it’s a peaceful day, I might as well enjoy it.

“And tell me mister why you are over an hour late to my class?”

I continued scribbling, not caring about whoever just came in. Who the heck was that foolish to come to her class this late? It was better to just miss it entirely.

“Ha the i***t will be punished!”

“Wait, he’s such and eye candy!”

I mentally cringed at the compliments they were throwing at him. What in the name of glazing was going on?

“Omg, is that the billionaire?”

“It’s him.”

“He’s so f*****g hot.”

Some girls squealed behind me but I didn’t raise my head, choosing to focus on my drawing. I’m pretty sure this guy is not even that cute but why are the girls screaming?

“Silent class!” Ms. Frankie ordered the students. “I remember the Dean telling me about your arrival. I’d ask you about it but it’ll interrupt the class, you may have a seat anywhere you like.”

Wait, was he getting off with that? Because he’s supposedly cute? Because the Dean told her? Isn’t this monopoly or something.

I rolled my eyes at the display of partiality and continue scribbling away.

“Can I seat here?”

My hands paused at the deep husky voice and my eyes twitched at the familiarity of the voice. Something was wrong.

I shook my head without bothering to look up at him and I continued drawing, gripping unto my pencil harder. Thank heavens that I have long hair, at least he won’t be able to see my face.

I couldn’t see his face but I could smell him and boy did he smell divine. It was a mix of mint and the sea and the air seemed to be warm around him.

“She’s so lucky, she gets to sit beside him.”

Please, let’s trade seats!! I want to scream at the girls behind me. Gosh this is so awkward.

“Sorry to bother you but, how far have we gone?” He asked.

“I’m not paying attention.” I replied bluntly, not wanting to prolong the conversation.

Please time, fly!

He chuckled slightly as though what I said was funny and I took a breathe in at the pleasing sound. “Rhea, you never change.”

I snapped my head up at the use of my name and for the first time, I glanced at his face but nothing, absolutely nothing would have prepared me for who I was seeing. Familiar gray eyes stared back at me and the lips that I was sure I had forgotten, was turned up in a smile.

“W-What the f**k?!” I shrieked in surprise as I stared at the face of the person that I had not seen in four years.

What the hell is Rowan doing here?

Well not exactly him because his hair is now extremely long, and he looks so mature and beautiful?

“Lady at the back, can you explain to me why you are using such vulgar languages and interrupting the class?” Ms. Frankie said sternly.

I turned my focus from his face and I waved my hands apologetically. “I’m so sorry ma, I thought I saw something.”

“That is no problem but you wouldn’t mind me kicking you out of my class, would you?” She sneered before she proceeded to her teaching.

“Sorry, I guess it’s my fault.” Rowan muttered apologetically but I don’t reply because I am convinced that this is a dream, a very horrible and terrible dream.

There is no way that the guy that I was having an affair with, who disappeared for four years is seating beside me, smiling like he didn’t leave for that long.

Someone, anyone, please wake me up.