Five

Lenora 

The pit of my stomach churned and my gaze stayed fixed on CJ, unable to tear my eyes away from him. I still couldn't believe that he was here defending me.

Jovita got over her shock and became defensive, trying to justify her actions.

"Sir, you don't understand. This girl is my roommate. She has all the time in the world because she's studying some stupid course, but I am studying robotics, and I'm always tinkering with screws, nails, and other tiny objects. As much as I try to keep myself, and my things organized, there's no way in hell that they won't become a mess."

I pressed my lips hard, wondering how CJ was going to react, considering that he was a professor of environmental management, the same course that Jovita was trashing.

"That's not an excuse," he said coldly. "I know people who are professors in robotics, and they manage to keep their workplace tidy. Why not create separate compartments to organize your tools? You should be respectful of shared spaces and be responsible for your stuff."

Holy cow!

 Now that was a stellar, award-winning response. 

Jovita went mute, and I felt a rush to pull CJ into my arms and kiss him everywhere. I couldn't tear my gaze from him. He'd hurt me by kissing my sister on my birthday, but he was here, standing up for me, and didn't let Jovita's excuse slide, unlike my coward of a boyfriend.

 That made me feel so good.

Jovita's face crinkled like crushed paper and she stormed off. My heart raced with delight. Who'd have thought that the executive director of my daily dose of drama would be floored and embarrassed?

I composed myself, not wanting CJ to see how happy I was or how much he still affected me. When he turned his attention to me, I bit down on my smile, looked away, and tried to act casual.

"Lenora, fancy meeting you in Eldridge? How have you been, and how has school been treating you so far?"

His baritone voice like bottled thunder made desire overtake me like a hot, breaking wave. A confused Ron leaned forward and whispered to me, "Do you know him?"

"Yeah," I said, trying to sound indifferent, ignoring the longing that made my breath come in soft pants. "He's my dad's friend."

 Then I turned to CJ, clearing my throat. "Fancy seeing you here."

His gaze glowed on me like warm lights and a side of his lip twitched. 

"Hmm, it all happened pretty fast," he said, his gaze landing on Ron. And despite his indifference, I could tell he was frowning and didn't like Ron's hand on my neck.

I needed to show him that I had moved on, even if it was not entirely true, so I smiled coyly and played a little game, introducing Ron as my boyfriend.

"Ron, this is Professor CJ, a family friend and my best friend's dad. CJ, this is Ron, my boyfriend."

I didn't wait for Ron to respond before kissing him right in front of CJ, and my hand slipped into him as I tilted my head up to kiss him passionately.

Ron was surprised at first, but his lips began moving. His friends whistled and I became self-conscious and pulled away glancing at CJ, trying to gauge his reaction.

He remained composed, not showing any visible emotion, and it made my heart crush.

"It was nice seeing you," he said calmly. "And meeting you, Ron? I should get going. Have a great time."

Now every happiness and triumph I felt went down the drain, and I felt worse than before because now Ron wanted to continue the kiss. But I pulled back, gently creating distance between them, between us.

"For someone who hates PDA, that was an award-winning kiss," he chuckled, giving me a satisfied look. 

My gaze followed CJ. Ron was oblivious to the longing that I felt for CJ. I stopped him when his hands hovered on my body.

"Can you stop?"

"Come on, baby."

"I said no," I snapped, glaring at him. "Come to think of it, I think you're an asshole who doesn't deserve me because you never stand up for me. Look how quiet you were watching Jovita embarrass me in public. You never defend me when I need it."

Ron was caught off guard and looked confused, trying to explain himself. "Come on, Lenora. That was between you and your roommate. What was I supposed to say? And you know deep down that I will always be on your side."

His response grated on my nerves, and I stood up, picking up my bag.

"If you cannot defend me when you see me in trouble and be there for me no matter what, then why are we dating? If the roles were reversed, do you think I'd act like a coward and remain quiet?"

 His friends tried to beg me, but I had made up my mind and ignored their pleas to stay.

I left, but Ron bombarded my phone with non-stop calls, messages, and gifts, trying to buy my forgiveness. 

He was suffocating me, and when I told Mariselle, she said he was probably obsessed with me or genuinely remorseful.

I couldn't ignore him forever, so I rolled my eyes, listening to his heartfelt apology, and forgave him. After all, breaking up with him meant that I still secretly wanted CJ.

"You want him, you idiot," my subconscious mocked me. 

To seal up my forgiveness, I agreed to attend the frat party, hoping that would distract me from the thoughts of CJ. 

After selecting my outfit and applying my makeup, I got ready, and Ron came to pick me up. The party was in a frat house, and blasting music filled the air. Boys and girls my age were dancing and groping themselves.

After taking some pictures, I stuck with Ron because he was the only one I knew there. The frat boys and sorority girls were wild, drowning in booze and weed. I watched the usually fashionable and chic girls wasted, either giving guys lap dances or outrightly making out.

"Come on, baby, let's dance," Ron breathed on my neck, his pupils dilated. 

I had no choice but to go with him to the dance floor. His hand immediately groped my butt, and I winced, trying to make it seem bearable by pretending it was CJ dancing with me and kissing me.

"Let me get you a drink," Ron said, and I agreed. He made his way to the bar and returned with a cup filled with vodka. I raised it to my lips, taking a sip. The bitterness hit me but Ron urged me to take several more sips 

We continued dancing and sweating, but the effects of the drink began to take hold of me, and the room spun in a slow, dizzying dance. My head felt light as if floating on a cloud, unsettling me.

I struggled to keep up with the dance until I couldn't bear it any longer and stopped.

"I feel so dizzy," I said to Ron.

"Let me take you upstairs," he offered and made me lean against him.

We climbed the staircase leading to the third floor. My body sank onto his bed, and I shut my eyes, trying to get a grip on my bearings. But when I felt Ron's body against mine and his hard cock, my eyes flung open and I refused to look. 

"What are you doing?" I said to him, heaving and feeling the need to spit.

"Nothing," his voice thickened and he kissed my nose while his fingers explored my body. 

"Do you know how fucking beautiful you are? I want to fuck you and fill you up, and then show the world that I own you."

He moved closer, attempting to part my thighs, I recoiled in disgust, dreading what he was about to do and wishing to be somewhere else. 

Ron's cock was hard, pressing against me. 

"I want you, Len," he said while kissing my cheek, my neck, and then my lips. I let him kiss me, but when he began to take off my panties, I stopped him.

"Come on, Ron. Not tonight."

"Baby, you and I are a couple, and we must do what couples do. Look at my sack," he said, taking off his jeans and bringing his cock close to my mouth.

They were erect and veiny, scaring the shit out of me. 

"Look, I have blue balls because I can't cheat on you, and I have needs," he whined, trying desperately to make me agree. "Please don't deny me your moist body." 

"Ron, please, I can't," I slurred. I wondered what was in that damn drink. "Not now. I told you I wasn't ready yet before agreeing to d-d-date you, right?"

Ron frowned, his voice going up a notch. "Come on, girl. I promise to make you feel good." His hand was going to thighs. I freaked out, pushing him away. 

On my unsteady legs, I raced towards the door.

"Lenora, wait! Where are you going?" he called after me, but I raced as fast as I could away from him and downstairs, away from the house.

The cool night air hit my face, and outside was bathed in darkness except for streetlights.

 I kept running without stopping, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The streets were deserted, and it was past midnight.

I knew it was a stupid idea for me to leave the frat house, and I was already freaking out when I collided with a solid figure.

With a shriek, I stumbled backward, and the man whom I ran into helped me. Our eyes locked, and my brain immediately recognized CJ.