When we reached the cafeteria, the place was packed. After getting our food we managed to grab a table that some other students had just left. We sat down and Payton introduced me to the girls. Erika was a slim, pretty girl with blue eyes, auburn hair and cute freckles sprinkled all over her nose. Gemma was also slim, with brown eyes. She had short hair, dyed bright white with a slight pink hue.
"So, Payton says that you were captain of your cheerleading squad. Are you going to try out for the team here?" Gemma asked as she bit into her pizza.
"Um, I haven't decided yet. To be honest, as much as I loved it, I'm trying to get away from that whole scene. I think I'm just going to concentrate on my studies, and have some fun," I replied while stabbing my fork into my fries.
"Aww, that's a shame. We're going to try out, you should come with us," Erika suggested.
I glanced over to Payton, but she kept her eyes down while she poked her salad. A few seconds later, she peeked up at me and shrugged. After everything that happened in high school, she agreed a break from the cheerleading and jock crowd would be a great idea. I loved the popularity and attention that being a part of them brought, but when I had gotten kicked out of that crowd, it had turned me into a target. Not only by them but also, by all of the kids jealous or envious of them. I became the school outcast I really didn't need that at college too. I peered over to the table that was filled with cheerleaders and jocks, noticing their flirtatious laughter ringing through the dining hall.
I sighed and shook my head. "Sorry girls, I'm going to pass. I've lived that life and I don't think it suited me. But thanks for thinking of me."
Erika and Gemma looked at each other for a second before their eyes landed back on me.
Plopping her elbows on the table, Erika grinned. "Well, come to tryouts anyway. You can at least cheer us on."
My eyes fell on Payton, and I tried to use them to tell her to help me out of this, but she only shrugged and smirked my way. When I looked back at the girls, they had their hands pressed together in a praying gesture, and their puppy-dog eyes begged me to say yes.
With a sigh and a roll of my eyes, I picked up my burger. "Ugh, fine. But only to cheer you on. I'm finished with that world." I took a hefty bite, hoping that would stop the conversation for a time.
They both cheered and high fived each other like they’d won the biggest trophy on the planet. It made a warm smile spread across my face.
One of the cheerleaders from the table across the room looked over at us. She was a beautiful blonde girl with a fit build and an angelic face. After staring at me for what felt like forever, she gave me a wide, beaming grin. I politely returned the smile, then looked at my new friends again. Their eyes snapped away from the cheerleader and fell to their food after. How strange…
Shrugging it off, I took another massive bite of my burger. I didn’t know them well enough to judge if they were acting strange, and they seemed nice, so I could ignore it for now.
Taking another bite, I almost wished I could stuff the whole thing in my mouth at once. I was starving, so much so I didn’t even care if I looked like a pig.
The sound of a chair scraping the floor alerted me that someone had sat at our table, but I was busy eating so paid no attention to the person, thinking it was just someone needing a seat. I could smell the guy’s cologne though, and it smelled amazing. Dragging the chair to the side of me and straddling it, the guy draped his arms on the back of the chair, before plopping his chin in his hands and gawking at me.
Still holding my burger, I glanced up, my eyes landing on Erika and Gemma first. Their mouths hung wide open as their nervous gazes drifted from the guy and back to me. I moved my gaze to Payton, who was scowling at the guy. Her face told me exactly who it was. I dropped my burger onto my plate, wiped my hands on a paper napkin, then threw it onto my plate, making my irritation known.
"What?"
"Do you have any idea how cute you are when you're pissed off?" His seductive smirk did nothing but piss me off. I huffed and rolled my eyes at him. "What do you want, Chase? Or were you just placed on this earth to annoy the crap out of me?"
He chuckled. "So sassy, I love it. I was just wondering if you had an answer to my question?" Removing his shades, he slipped one arm past his plump bottom lip and chewed it.
I gulped as I watched his tongue tease the arm of his shades. The side of his mouth curled into another smirk right before he set his sunglasses on the table.
"Well? How about it, wanna be my date to the party?" His voice was low, smooth, and like velvet caressing my skin.
I heard Erika, Gemma, and a few others from the cafeteria gasp, and whispers erupted around me. While mesmerized by his tongue and lips, I hadn't realized that the entire room had turned silent. My eyes grew wide as I searched the room, only to find everyone staring hard at me.
"What the fuck?" I whispered to Payton.
"I haven't got a clue. It's fucking creeping me out, though. Just answer him so we can leave," she said, her voice so low I could hardly make out what she was saying.
I turned back to Chase and made the mistake of making eye contact. Instantly, I was lost in his emerald-green eyes. My body temperature increased, and my heart raced. The longer I stared into his eyes, the fainter and more flustered I felt. And then I looked even deeper. Shaking myself, I couldn’t erase the image I’d seen shining from his eyes: Chase and I kissing. Squeezing my eyes shut, I pinched the top of my nose.
"No." I shook my head for extra emphasis. No way could I go out with this guy.
The whole room let out a gasp, and I immediately opened my eyes, dropping my hand to look at every one. Some were whispering again, and some were holding back snickers. I looked at Erika and she had her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide in shock, and Gemma just shook her head at me in disapproval. I scrunched my brow, then turned back to Chase. He had put his shades back on and was clenching his jaw. His knuckles were turning bright white as he tightened his grip on the metal back of the chair.
"Look, I'm sorry Chase. It's nothing personal but you're just not my type," I said in a monotone voice.
It was the only voice I could fake to make sure I didn’t give away the fact that I was lying. My body definitely wanted him because I was soaking wet as soon as I smelled the guy's cologne, and when I heard his deep, velvety voice, I almost creamed in my panties. I mean, I was probably only seconds away from slip-sliding right off the damn bench. But with everything that had happened with Kyle, the last thing I wanted right now was to jump straight into bed with Murston's resident playboy. I needed time to settle in, and not be called a slut within the first week of being here.
I opened my mouth to say something else, but Chase cut me off by placing his index finger on my lips. Standing up, he leaned in, his breath on my ear when he whispered, "Is that so? Then why can I smell your excited pussy from here? And why is your heart pounding so hard that it's making your boobs bounce?"
Chase inhaled the space between my neck and my shoulder, and my body quickly betrayed me, letting out a quiet moan as his soft, plump lips grazed my skin. I could feel his lips curl into a smile, and it made every hair on my body stand up in excitement.
After a few seconds of leaning too close to him, I straightened in my seat. "I'm sorry Chase, but even if I did want to go out with you tonight, I can't. I have a huge migraine and..." My voice was shaky, and I knew he didn’t buy it.
"It's okay, I get it. No need to pull the ‘I'm too tired, I have a headache,’ married couple bullshit. But you can't deny that you want me. I can smell the arousal all over you. But I can wait for you to admit it to yourself," he whispered into my ear.
I stood up and began to walk away, not quite knowing what the hell just happened. Everyone in the cafeteria glanced at me as I passed, then went right back to whispering. I sighed and moved faster, trying to hide my face.
Slap!
"Feel better soon beautiful!" Chase yelled as he ran out of the cafeteria.
He’d slapped my ass. Again!
The whispers got louder, and people started pointing at me. I looked around and at least three cheerleaders were practically snarling at me. If looks could kill, I'd be well and truly dead, probably even buried.
Great, that's all I need, stepping on some cheerleaders’ toes over some guy on my first fucking day! I thought as I closed my eyes, running my hand down my face. I turned around and opened my eyes, wanting to find Payton and just disappear. She stood at the table, shaking her head while she held out my phone, which of course I’d left on the table.
I sighed and strolled towards her, grabbing the cell from her hand. Turning around to leave, I spotted the metal chair that Chase had been sitting on. Feeling bewildered, I tilted my head as I ran my fingers along the top where Chase had been gripping it. There were indents as if he’d squeezed the metal so hard, he’d crushed it. What the fuck!? That's impossible, no one is that strong. Maybe that's the design or something? Yeah, that's got to be it, he couldn't have done that, it makes no sense!
"You coming?" Payton called while standing near the doors.
"Yeah, wait up!" I shouted, jogging to catch up to her.
I followed her through the corridor, and we headed back to our room. When Payton opened the door to our room, she immediately grabbed a magazine and laid on her bed. Not me. I’d relax after a cold shower, so I grabbed some clothes, but a loud knock on the door made me freeze. Shooting a glare at Payton to open it, she rolled her eyes and sighed as she dragged herself off the bed and answered the door.
"Hi. Oh, who are they for?" Payton asked the person at the door.
"I don't know, they just gave me the room number and told me to deliver them," a guy replied and then left.
"Aww, they're pretty," I said as I turned around and saw a gigantic bunch of flowers.
Maybe they’re from her parents, wishing her luck or something? I thought when she buried her nose in the roses and stepped closer to me.
"Mmm, they smell delicious. But, um, they're not for me."
"Huh? Then who are they for?" I asked as I walked over to the shelves to pick up a towel.
"They're for you. Look," she said as she held the card in front of my face.
Brie,
Please forgive me. I'll do anything to win you back. I love you.
Kyle x
I just rolled my eyes while grabbing my wash bag, before storming towards the door. I struggled with the door handle a bit, so Payton opened it for me. I stepped out into the hall and made my way towards the showers.
"What do you want me to do with the flowers?" she shouted out the door.
"Throw them in the trash!" I yelled back, not bothering to look at her.
As I passed Chase's room, his door opened and I got a huge whiff of his cologne, which made my bud pulse instantly. Ugh, stop it, Aubrey! He's just a normal guy, he's not that special! I told myself as I kept moving.
"Off for a shower, beautiful? Do you want me to wash your back for you?" he called.
I shook my head but kept my mouth shut, not slowing down. When I heard his footsteps behind me, my shoulders slumped as I sighed.
"Look, only joking. Do you need me to carry anything for you?" he asked when he caught up to me.
"No thank you, I'm fine," I replied, almost jogging to get away from him.
I spotted the showers and attempted to push the door open with my shoulder, but Chase thrust it open for me and said, "Here let me."
"Thank you." Stepping into the shower room, I threw a quick glance over my shoulder at him.
I walked over to a bench by the showers and placed my things on it. Exhaling heavily, I was happy that Chase was gone, and knowing that he couldn't get to me in here made me feel a bit better. I got undressed and hopped into the shower, wetting my hair and shampooing it. The water felt like tiny fingers massaging my skin, and after such a stressful day, it was just what I needed.
"So, who are the flowers from?" Chase inquired curiously, from right outside my shower stall.
“Um, excuse me, but what are you doing in here?" I asked, my voice shrill even with the water running.I held the shower curtain to my chest and then poked my head out. I glared at him waiting for an answer, but he just stared back, his face flushed an interesting pink color. The shampoo on my head ran down my temple onto my cheek, and my bright idea was to blow at it, hoping it went away. Of course, it didn’t, and my gesture blew the bubbles right into my eye."Well?" I snapped, the instant burning in my eyes making me close them in hopes the pain would stop, but more bubbles fell and made it even worse. "God damn it! Hand me that towel, would ya?"I couldn't let go of the shower curtain, so I thought I'd wipe my eyes, put the towel around me, and confront him, which should make him leave. Then, I could finish my shower in peace.He handed me the towel. "Well, you're in the men's showers," he replied in a gentle voice, but I swore I heard hum
Payton stormed over toward me. “What the hell are you doing here? She isn't interested in anything you have to say, so leave!" Payton yelled at Kyle as she pushed me out of the way and slammed the door right in his face. I strolled over to the bed and dropped my towel, put on my bra and thong, and pulled my dress over my head."Fucking nerve of that guy! What is he doing here?" Payton spat."I don't know Payton, but the sooner we get out of here the better," I replied as I began to pull my dress over my tummy.I heard the door open, followed by Kyle's cringe-worthy voice. "Holy cow, I've missed that ass!"I closed my eyes and rolled them behind my eyelids. I promptly pulled the dress over my butt and turned to face him. Before I had a chance to say anything, Payton went crazy on him."Who the hell do you think you are, barging in here uninvited?" She poked him in the chest."Mind your business, Payton, I'm here to see, Brie. This
Chase took out a blue shirt from his closet, threw it on, grabbed his keys and wallet off the table, and then buttoned his shirt, all in the time it took me to stroll from the bed to the door. The guy was super-fast and extremely excited.On my way to the door, he ran in front of me to open it first, then held his hand out for me to exit before him. I gave him a sweet smile and stepped into the hall. My eyes drifted to my door, and a twinge of guilt and worry hit me for what might have happened to Kyle."Don't worry, he's fine. The boys and I just roughed him up a little." Chase placed his hands on my shoulders, spinning me around to face him. "Trust me, he will be fine. He's stronger than he looks. I had one of my boys drive him home, so don't worry. Just forget about him and enjoy tonight."I couldn’t stop it when my eyes drifted to my room again. I didn’t know why I was so worried, especially after what Kyle had done to me, but I could
I couldn't believe my eyes. Chase was hanging on to Bear’s back for dear life, while he thrashed and bucked around like a raging bull trying to throw Chase off. The guy had gone completely insane. One minute, I'm joking around with Bear, and the next, Chase tackled him, sending him hurtling into the food table, smashing the thing to pieces and making all the food fly into the air, like some invisible people’s food fight.Then, as Bear tried to get up, Chase jumped on his back, growling and snapping at his neck like some mad man. I shook my head at them while I watched them wrestling, and I decided right then and there that they were both as bad as each other.Connor and the guys that I'd seen earlier on campus came sprinting into the room, and it took twelve of them to pull the two apart. Chase had two people holding his arms, and one of the poor guys got flung across the room like a rag doll. Six of the others had pinned Bear to the floor and two of them wer
Knock, knock, knock.I began to stir, as the tapping on the door got louder and louder."Come in," I called out, not even bothering to open my eyes. My head was killing me, my mouth dry and tasted like cigarettes and beer. I heard the door open and someone came into what I guessed was a room. I could feel a duvet over me, and a pillow beneath my head, but I didn't know whose room I was in."How are you feeling?" Chase called out in a quiet voice."Not good. My head is killing me. What happened last night?" I asked as I sat up in the bed and tried to peel my eyes open. I winced at the light as it attempted to blind me. Chase reached over my head and pulled the curtains shut."Is that better?" Backing up, he sat on the bed across the room."Yeah, thank you," I replied as I opened my eyes after a few hard blinks.I couldn't remember anything from last night, so I grew suspicious of his behavior. I just assumed I'd drank too muc
We got into Chase's Lotus and drove to an incredible little bar/restaurant. We strolled in and Payton stood up from a table at the back and waved at me. I smiled and made my way over to them. Chase followed behind me and when we got to the table, he kindly pulled the chair out for me. I hugged Payton and then took a seat.Connor stood and asked, "What can I get you to drink, Aubrey?"I replied, "Um, I'll have a Pepsi please.""Coming up."Connor and Chase went to the bar, leaving me and Payton alone for a while."What happened to your nose? It looks swollen," Payton asked."Chase hit me with the door, and then I head butted the wall.""Oh my God, only you," she said with a chuckle."Yeah, I know. It’s gonna bruise like a bitch later. So, enough about me, where the hell have you been?" I raised a curious eyebrow.She blushed and bit her lip a little as she glanced at Connor. I turned in my chair just in tim
I woke up feeling like I'd been hit by a train. Luckily classes didn't start for another week, so I didn't have to worry about going anywhere like this. I'd already put a pretty good plan together, though. I wanted to be a criminal profiler.I know, not what you'd expect from Barbie right? But for as long as I could remember, catching criminals was my dream job, and being a profiler fed into my curious nature. I just needed to get my classes sorted this week, plan everything out, get my student ID, and then sign up for track.Payton and I were supposed to be signing up for classes together, but she didn’t sleep here again last night. She also wanted us to rush, so we needed to be together to pick the right Sorority. I picked up my phone and even though it was on the charger, I'd forgotten to turn the thing on.Sitting up in bed, I turned it on. As soon as it powered up, it went crazy with notifications, messages, and missed calls. There were a bun
I began to stir, and my head was banging. It was all foggy like I'd been drinking the night before. I moaned lightly as I tried to sit up."Hey, take it easy. Let me help," Payton said softly. I opened my sore eyes and tried to focus on the blurry figure that stood beside me. She held onto my arm and helped me to sit up."Why do I feel so crappy? And what time is it?" I asked her in a crackly voice."I let you sleep in, it's nearly eleven in the morning. You haven't seen yourself yet, have you?" Payton rushed over to the dressing table, coming back with a mirror that she held in front of my face.My face slowly came into focus and I gasped. "Oh my God! That looks so much worse than I thought it would," I said in a hushed voice as I poked at my nose.I had two black eyes and my nose was really swollen. I prodded at the discolored skin beneath my eyes and winced in pain."How the hell am I supposed to walk around campus like this?" I asked Pay