Chapter 5: Lucas

Willow's POV 

I pushed him off immediately, wiping my lips. “What was that for?” 

“I just saved you from another confrontation. You are welcome.” He said, tracing his tongue over his lips.

“Whatever. I am leaving.”

“What about the rules?” 

“They can wait.”

“No, they can't. I'll be at your dorm later. Pick up your damn phone when I am called.” 

I rolled my eyes and didn't bother replying to him and walked to the door.

***

Kian freaking Maddox kept to his word and turned up at my dorm.

“First rule. No random kissing unless it's necessary and in public…”

“All those ones were necessary.”

“No hugs, no touching—stay ten feet away from me unless people are watching, no sex, and lastly, no feelings, poster boy.” I wrote everything in my book.

“Fine. But you'll also have to stick to my rules if I am sticking to yours.” 

I didn't know when I rolled my eyes—surprise that someone like him has rules.

“And what are they?” 

“You would have to attend all my games. Wear my jersey to every game and also attend all my parties.” He said, his smirk growing wider.

Jerk! 

“What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't attend your stupid parties? Of course I'll come.” I replied, sarcasm dripping from my tone.

“Good. Anything else?” 

“No,” I alighted from his jeep to see students eyes on me as they whispered among themselves.

“Hey. Before I forget. There's a party coming up to celebrate my win. Be there and wear something sexy. I hate black.” He winked before reversing his car.

I went back to my room, thinking about the crazy things that happened in the last forty-eight hours.

I couldn't help the sigh that escaped me. This is going to be a very long semester.

***

We stared at each other for a few seconds; my smirk grew wider and wider with every scowl on his face.

When he said he didn't like black. It became my favorite color and what I decided to wear to the party.

“You look beautiful.” His scowl turned to a smile instantly. “Black looks good on you.”

Now it's my turn to be confused. “You hate Black.”

“No, I love it.” He ushered me in, and his team let out a loud whistle.

“Oh my God. What are they doing here?” I asked as my eyes landed on Lucas and Delaney.

“Why? Are you afraid?” He snickered. 

“Who says I am afraid?” 

“Your face kind of says it all.” 

“Don't look at my face.” I swatted him on the arm.

We sat down, and Delaney's voice came. “Willow! Did you borrow that outfit?”

“What?” 

“I mean, did you borrow it from the charity bin? It looks old.” She cackled. Lucas didn't look at me once.

“Ignore her.” Kian whispered.

I did just that. Delaney kept throwing snarky remarks till it was time for swimming.

She looked my way and smirked.

“Take off your clothes.” Kian said as he shrugged him off.

“I don't swim.” I stood awkwardly fidgeting. 

“Excuse me? You are lying. It's either you can't swim or you don't want to swim with me.” 

“I just don't like swimming. Since people have seen us together. Can we go?” 

The team all looked at us expectantly, and I had to wrap a protective arm around me as my insecurities slowly crept in.

“Seriously, Willow. You know what? I don't care. You can leave if you want.” He stormed off.

“Wait…” I tried to say, but he was already in the house.

“Well. Well. Isn't this so refreshing to watch?” 

“Delaney. Leave me alone. I am not interested.”

“Where's the fun in that?” She laughed. “Aren't you such a little slut and a betrayer? Getting off your brother and then dating his rival?”

“The same rival you wanted to get in bed with?” My brows raised in question.

She looked taken aback but didn't falter, and I applauded myself even though I was fucking flipping inside.

“Aren't you here to have fun? Let's have fun then.” 

“What are you doing?” I asked as she stalked towards me.

“Having fun,” she said and yanked my kimono. “And making sure Lucas sees the real you.” 

“The real me?” I tried to cover up my scar marks. “You are the bad person here, and I am going to make sure Lucas knows the kind of person you are.” 

“You want to test that theory? We'll know who Lucas is going to believe.” She roughly grabbed me. “You still have that fear of water? Let's go swimming.” 

“Ahhh. Delaney.” A scream tore out of my throat as we fell into the water.

She started screaming and calling for Lucas while I was trying not to gulp water or dunk my head so I don't drown.

A body slammed into the pool, and Delaney stopped shouting—I couldn't keep my head up as the water was weighing me down.

I didn't know what happened because I was starting to feel lightheaded. One minute I was about to drown. The next minute, I was at the surface coughing my lungs out.

Kian was hovering over me. “Are you okay? Why would you jump in when you know you can't swim?” 

“She… pushed… me.” 

“That's a lie. She pushed me.”

“There's no way Delaney pushed you. When she can't swim and is afraid of the water.” Lucas said through gritted teeth.

What? Delaney and afraid in one word. Not possible.

“Lucas, how can you believe all these lies? She's lying to you.” I tried to reason, but he shunned me.

“Delaney would never lie to me, unlike some backstabbers.” He sneered.

“Watch it, man. Don't insult my girlfriend.” Kian sneered back, glaring at Delaney.

His words hit me like a train wreck. For a minute, I couldn't breathe. Backstabbers? How did I stab him back?

“Come on. Let's get you cleaned up.” He took me to his bathroom. 

“Thank you again.” I said softly.

“I am sorry for walking off like that. Why didn't you tell me you can't swim?”

I let out an awkward laugh. “Who's going to believe that a grown-up can't swim?” 

“Me? It's nothing to be ashamed of. If you can't do something. You say it instead of putting yourself in a harmful way.” 

I could swear I heard a strain in his voice, but it might have been my ears.

“Please don't.” I begged as he tried to take the towel off.

“Hey. Don't hide yourself from me. You are the most beautiful girl I have ever come across.” He murmured.

“Is this what you tell every girl you're trying to sleep with? It's not going to work with me.”

“Nope. I am serious. You are perfect. Your scars are perfect. They are your story. Own them.”

I didn't bother arguing as he dried my hair. 

For once. I didn't feel broken. It felt like somebody finally see me for me

Then…

Bang Bang Bang! A loud knock hit the door and then the voice I dreaded.

“Willow? Open the door.” 

Lucas