3. Wolves
1545 Words
Mc: Heyyyyy!
Lucien: Oh yeah, my part.
Lucien: Sorry, I'm still a bit caried away by your picture.
Lucien: So any information yea?
"I just got a reply from Lucien!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my excitement. I let out a high-pitched squeal and did a little victory dance.
"What's going on?" Sarah's voice echoed from the next room.
"Lucien messaged me back! He didn't ghost me like I feared," I shouted back, still buzzing with adrenaline.
"Oh, you're still into him? Come on, get ready for school, girl," Sarah replied, her tone a mix of amusement and curiosity.
"I'm coming," I replied, rolling my eyes playfully but unable to hide the grin spreading across my face. I dashed over to the couch and flopped down onto it, not willing to end our concert yet.
Mc: So, tell me about yourself.
Lucien: I run my own business.
Mc: Kind of figured that from your profile AI pic – it screams entrepreneur vibes.
Mc: Tell me more about it.
Lucien: Hold up.
Lucien: Let's keep talking; you'll learn more about me.
Lucien: Plus, you've already guessed something about me.
Mc: Which is?
Lucien: That I'm a businessman.
Mc: Not cool, playing dirty now.
Lucien: sends laughing emoji
Lucien: You sound like you threw tantrums as a kid.
Mc: Really?
Mc: Well, I am the baby of the family.
Mc: Growing up, it was my way or the highway.
Lucien: Should've guessed.
Mc: What?
Lucien: That you're the youngest.
Mc: But I don't act like it.
Lucien: You sure about that?
Mc: Absolutely.
Mc: Give me examples of when I did act like the youngest.
"Girl, Jacob's calling," Sarah announced as she emerged from her room, sporting camo jeans and a baggy shirt. Her long hair cascaded down her back, and she slung her bag across her shoulders with a casual air.
Jacob, my ex, the one who ghosted me for a week before I finally had to end things with a text. He's in architecture, which unfortunately means our departments are close, adding to the reasons I'm hesitant to go to class.
"Well, block him. We're so done. I told you," I insisted, feeling a surge of annoyance at the mere mention of his name.
"He said he had a good reason for..." she began, but I cut her off.
"I don't care," I snapped, my frustration evident in my tone. Sarah met my annoyed glare with a raised hand in surrender.
"Okay, fine. I hear you. I'm off to class," she relented, her expression softening slightly as she understood my reluctance. "It's your call."
"See you at school," I replied, forcing a small smile and blowing her a kiss as she exited the house. I followed her to the door to lock it behind her.
Alone again, I sank back onto the couch, the weight of Jacob's call hanging over me like a dark cloud. Contemplating whether to at least hear him out or not, I stared at my phone, uncertainty gnawing at me.
Lucien: Still here?
Lucien's texts pops up and my mind is once again drawn to just him.
Me: Missed me already?
Lucien: Not really.
Me: You did so!
Lucien: Your confidence is persuasive.
Mc: Are you persuaded then?
Lucien: It depends on if I get another picture of your lips.
Mc: You're surely crazy.
Lucien: See, you've figured out something about me again.
Mc: Which is, That you're crazy?
Lucien: Yes.
Mc: Well, everyone is a little crazy nowadays.
Lucien: You sound pretty level-headed to me.
Mc: Do I now? Any I need to go eat and do my assignment I have classes by 11.
Lucien: Did I do something wrong?
Mc: Not at all.
Mc; It's just school calls.
Lucien: Okay
Me: Text you at night.
I finally gathered the courage to tear my gaze away from my phone and step into the shower. The bathroom, a cramped space in my room, was adorned with peeling paint and cracked tiles, a reflection of years of neglect from our landlord who just refuses to get any job done. At least we have running water. Despite its shortcomings, it served its purpose, providing a sanctuary for moments of solitude for me to clear my head.
After washing off, I emerged from the bathroom with a towel tied around my chest and was greeted by the familiar sight of my cluttered living room. Piles of textbooks and notebooks littered the coffee table, mingling with half-empty coffee mugs and crumpled papers. The worn-out couch, adorned with mismatched throw pillows, bore the marks of countless study sessions and late-night Netflix binges. I arranged the living room and washed the dishes before returning to my room, which was always tidy. In one corner, a makeshift study desk stood adorned with sticky notes and textbooks, with my laptop on it. Across from my bed was my makeup and dressing table. I arranged my bed again before going to the closet to look for what to wear.
I slipped into a pair of tight jeans and a snug white shirt, accentuating my curves. My mother's gift, a striking snake-skin green bag, hung proudly from my shoulder as I slid into a pair of small-heeled sandals.
A quick glance in the mirror reassured me; I was satisfied with my appearance. The jeans hugged my wide hips, something I inherited from my mother, though we both shared small, perky busts. With a black mother and a white father, my skin tone leaned towards a light complexion, but my curly hair ensured I wasn't easily mistaken for anything else. In the summer, I often ended up darker than Zendaya herself. Though people have told me I'm the more curvy Zendaya, I don't think I look like her, especially because my lips are way fuller, though I have high cheekbones and slanted cat eyes. Anyway, there's no resemblance to me. People just say that because I'm biracial, I think, as I added the final touch to my makeup and let my curls cascade freely around my ankles.
As I stepped out of my room, I waved at Coraline, my nosy neighbor and her annoying dog she was on her way to take the dog to the park, that's her morning routine. Despite her intrusive nature, I had grown accustomed to her presence. However, I knew that I would soon bid farewell to this place after graduation. For now, though, its proximity to school and its safety were reasons enough to keep me here. Though this building is almost falling hopefully it doesn't fall on my head one day I'm sure my parents will cease the opportunity to tell me they told me so, but I would rather this building fall on my head that go to college from Home. My parents and siblings are sweet and all but as the middle child I just need rest from home. It doesn't matter if the rent is coming from my allowance and I have to let go of things for it eg that Rare blush omg. I'm still mad about that one.
Descending the stairs, I hailed a cab, which dropped me off in front of my department in less than five minutes. Just as I stepped out of the car, my heart sank at the sight of Jacob standing there, waiting for me.
"s**t!" I cursed under my breath, instinctively attempting to evade him. However, he caught me before I could escape.
He stood in front of me, stopping me from walking away. "Hey, Allison," he called out, closing the distance between us.
"I told you to stay away from me," I retorted, my voice tinged with frustration and anger.
"That breakup message you sent me was s**t! You didn't even care that I had gone missing. What if I had died?" Jacob's tone was accusatory, his words drawing unwanted attention towards us. I knew most of Jacob's admirers were watching. He's a fine man, exuding an aura of confidence and charisma. He's tall and athletic, moving with an effortless grace, his every gesture oozing with self-assurance. I heard the girls refer to him as the chocolate prince, of course they love him; he's the son of a black millionaire, with an impeccable sense of style adding to his appeal. What I love most about him is his ring collections and diamond earring collections. But he's a flirt. Can't be with a man that ghosted me for a week.
"I was attacked by a wolf, which knocked me out, Allison," Jacob insisted, desperation creeping into his voice.
"Oh, was he with a lion? Was it like a pack or like one wolf?" I quipped, rolling my eyes at his absurd explanation. Jacob attempted to approach me, but I instinctively recoiled. "Stay away from me," I warned through clenched teeth, before turning on my heel and walking away.
As I hurried off, the vibrant atmosphere of college life enveloped me. Students bustled about, their animated conversations blending with the hum of activity. The law department is always filled with confused and tired students, and right now, I'm confused and tired.
Jacob must think I'm a fool. How dare he tell me he was attacked by a wolf? There are no wolves in this city!
- Writer
