Chapter 9

ZULEKAI 

I saw him again and this was the tenth time he was crossing my view. And the day hasn't ended. He was playing with his team on the ice, fully dressed in his gear. He was talking to someone, more of like he was instructing them — which reminded me now he was the captain of the college hockey team — but I didn’t even try to look properly and find out what he was saying or doing.

I acted like I didn’t see him. I kept walking straight like he wasn’t even there. Like I never knew him. Not like I knew him. I knew him as the best friend to my brother, Zade,  and well my roommate now. That helped... ignoring him and pretending to know who he was helped other than gathering round the stand and watching them play and cheer on like the other girls were doing. If I didn’t see him, maybe I could get him off my mind. Maybe I could forget what he said to me this morning. Maybe I could forget what he did last night. Maybe I could forget how I felt when I was around him.

I walked fast away from the ring, pressing my books to my chest. I had to go to the science block to pick up my report. I didn’t even want to come outside today, but the teacher said we had to collect it in person. I sighed and kept walking.

I haven't seen Freckles since I arrived at school this morning with lanvini. Then 

I was five blocks away from the science when I heard someone behind me say, "Wow... I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone that beautiful around here before."

I turned slowly to meet a tall guy with curly brown hair smiling at me. I haven't seen his face anywhere near the school, and it wasn't like I knew everyone, but incredibly handsome guys like the one standing in front of me tend to get popular and become well known. My eyes snagged on the Blackstone University logo on his shirt. He wasn’t from our school.  He had this funny grin on his face, like he always got what he wanted. Although his expressions were cold and off, like I didn't know what he was thinking. I stepped back a little.

He smiled more and said, “Where have you been hiding, huh, baby?” He drew the last words and rolled his tongue out so that he was licking his lips.

Is he sexualizing the name or me?

I blinked, taken back by his behavior. “I haven’t been hiding,” I frowned. “You just don’t know me.”

He laughed, his rich voice ringing out and making the airs on my body rise. “Fair enough. You’re not from Black Stone, are you?”

I shook my head and made a disgusting look which he laughed off again. “No. I go to this college. You’re the one from somewhere else right?” I pointed to his logo.

He nodded. “Yeah, we’re here for the inter-school tournament. We arrived this morning before school started, and we've been resting our bodies off from the long journey. I’m Dorian by the way. And you?”

“Zulekai.”

“Zulekai,” he repeated like it was a song. “That’s a nice name. You’ve got a nice face too.”

I didn’t answer. I didn’t smile. I just wanted to get my report and go back to my room. I didn't have time for all this drama. Or whatever it's Dorian from whatever university is doing.

“You wanna go out with me sometime?” he asked, his voice low now, like he was trying to sound cool.

I blinked again. Is the nerve for me? Asking a girl he just met to go out with him? What if she's a serial killer? Or a thief? “I… I can’t. I need to study.”

“Come on, just for a little while. One hour.” he pressured trying to grab my hands.

“I really can’t.” I started stepping back, and clasping my hands and books behind me so he couldn't try to get it. “I have a test coming.”

He raised both hands. “Alright, alright. No pressure. But if you ever change your mind, I’m around. You just have to look for the Blackstone lodge and ask for Dorian.”

I gave a small nod and turned away. I walked fast again, trying to give as much possible distance from home like he was some kind of plague. Surprisingly my heart beat fast too. Not because I liked him. But because it felt like trouble. He felt like trouble. I didn't know how I knew about that, I wasn't a good judge of character but I could tell who a person was from the vibe they give. And although Dorian had been normally nice, I still detected he was trouble. And trouble meant keeping far away from them.

I made a mental note to keep the name on my mind, and his features, so I'd avoid him anywhere I see him.

And besides that — apart from me feeling like he was trouble — I told myself I didn’t want this. His intentions were clear, he wanted to have something with me but I didn't want any man now. Not after the little stress I had gone in the hands of Lavini. I didn’t want someone to come close and then disappear. I didn’t want to feel that in my life. I wanted peace. Dorian looked like the kind of boy that would make you feel special for a week, then forget your name the next.

I was walking towards the lab when I saw someone else coming out from the left building. I slowed down. It was Zade. My brother. He had left school earlier this morning and left me with Lavini.

Apparently, he seems to have been standing there for a long time. I prayed silently that he hadn't seen me with the Dorian boy. But guess what, Zade didn’t speak at first. He just looked at me, long and quiet. Like he was reading my thoughts or something. His brows pulled low.

“What?” I asked, pretending I didn’t feel nervous.

Zade didn’t answer. He looked behind me, like he was looking at something. Then back at me.

I glanced over my shoulder. Dorian was still standing far off, talking to his friends now. But still looking my way stylishly. 

“I’m going to the lab,” I told Zade like the information was important.

Zade kept looking at me. “You were talking to one of them.”

I pressed my lips together. “I would not put it that way, we didn't talk. He stopped me and just said hi.”

Zade stepped closer, his gaze narrowed at me. “Which one of them stopped you and said hi?”

I shrugged like he didn't mean something. And I wanted him to see I wasn't moved by which of them stopped me. But he was acting creepy and over-protective and I didn't like it. I could see the outcome of where this discussion would go but I didn't jump into the conclusion.

“Well, he said his name is Dorian.”

Zade cursed under his breath. “You need to stay away from him.”

I blinked. “Why?”

He folded his arms. “He’s not the type you should be around. None of them are. And I meant the Blackstone guys. Especially not him.”

I frowned. “You don’t even know what he said. Or you don't even know him yet. They just arrived today and you are asking me to stay away from them like they were some kind of bad people.”

“I don’t care what he said,” Zade said. “You don’t know what those boys are like. They’re from Black Stone and thankfully you know already. You think they came here for friendship? For school work? No. They’re just here to play, win, and chase after girls.”

“He didn’t do anything,” I whispered.

“Yet,” Zade snapped. “He hasn’t done anything yet. But he will. He will say nice things, smile, make you feel like you matter. Then he’ll disappear. Don't forget they're just here for the inter-school competition. They won't stay here forever.”

I froze at his harsh words. My fingers tightened on my books.

“I have to. Because I know how you will after it all happened if you give him a chance. You are going to cry at night and feel so bad. You'd stay in your room and skip school for weeks. You'd even stop eating." Zade’s voice softened.

I looked away. The wind felt cold even though the sun was hot.

“You’re not going through that,” he said. “Not if I can help it.”

I shook my head slowly. “I don’t even like him. I told him I had to study. I said no to his invite.”

Zade nodded once. “Good. Keep saying no. Stay away from him.”

I stood there for a moment. My throat felt tight. “I didn’t even do anything wrong.”

“I know,” Zade smiled at me. “But boys like him, they don’t need you to do anything wrong. They’re always looking for the next girl. Don’t give him a chance to make you feel small. Don't give the Blackstone guys a chance. Especially Dorian!"