"This is amaziiing, " she says and dips another fry into the yoghurt and takes a bite.
"I told you lemon biscuit flavour is the best," I say.
She takes the last remaining fry and turns to me, "You win, lemon biscuit it is. Though chocolate chips are still bae." She smiles tilting her head.
"Speaking of bae's where is yours, I don't see his stuff around," I say, my eyes skimming the expensive condo she lived in.
She is the daughter of the country's top fashion designer Ignad Rivers. The sole heiress to Ignad fashion Company. She comes from money like everyone else on our campus.
The institute is for the rich and famous kids. The who and who attend the school. To survive you have to fit in.
Her eyes fall, her hand's fiddle with the yoghurt cup. The back of her hand wipes a single tear that is about to fall. Roxana always loves to play tough, even when she isn't feeling all tough. Like she recovered from a nightmare, she smiles at me.
"I kicked his cheating ass out. I can't feed, house and clothe a grown-ass man and still take me for granted." Her cracked voice betrays her.
I am about to speak when she resumes, "I know you are going to say told you so. I should have listened when you told me he looked too twisted." She admits guilt.
"I'm sorry." It's all I can afford to say.
"And you, what secrets do you keep? You're also twisted."
I look at her, her eyes are piercing through me. I fight the urge to look away. if I do, she will see through my lies.
"I have no secrets, other than the normal one a girl keep in her drawer and it uses batteries."
Her brows cock in confusion and as if a bulb switches on, above her head; She lets out a little chuckle, "Who knew Cara, the quiet Cara can be so naughty. So have you done it?" She lifts her brows curiously.
I wrinkle my nose in feigned pretence, "No."
"Not even with Marceeelooo, oh yeah baby." She pretends to make sensual noises.
I playfully slap her hand and collect the dishes. She follows me still making the noises to her kitchenette.
She supports herself, on the island. She is sporting a white short and a chiffon button-down shirt. Roxana is usually on the petite side. She is pretty; brown-eyed, thin-lined eyebrows and a small upturned nose.
Her full lips tugged up in a knowing smile, "Let's go to the back to school party."
I look down at my phone. It's only 11.39 p.m.
It's still early, considering it's the first day of the semester. We have no school workload, so am not tired.
This time I don't object, "Do you own a red dress?" I ask.
She nods.
"Let's go."
This my first party since I joined Campus, yet I am three months away from graduating.
"You know.....Chad always insisted you were gay." Roxana's voice is loud from her walk-in closet.
I roll my eyes because I am sure, she can't see me.
"But I told him, it's because you both never got along."
Hating the guy is an understatement.
"He was nice in his ways," I lie.
She walks out all dressed with a red dress on her arm. She is dressed in a little fun dress, with prints of ice cream cones. She finishes the look with purple heels. Her hair is loose.
She hands me the dress. I quickly strip down from my denim jeans and a cashmere sweater. The dress is amazing. It is a Short Lace-Applique-Bodice A-Line dress. I match with some Christian Louboutin heels.
Minutes later we find ourselves in a magical world of disco lights, laser beams, and the irreplaceable glow of black lights shinning on people. It's a frat party, decorated to look like a club.
I look around and have to wonder who has time to organize such parties. They seriously need to get a life.
My eyes land on a familiar figure, he is seated in a group of people. He lifts his head, his eyes find mine and he does a double look. A look of surprise mask his face but it quickly fades. Courtney Emerson is seated on his laps. Her head too lifts to where his eyes are trained on, me.
She whispers something to his ears. Quinn doesn't look at my direction again.
I start to speak turning to Roxana. "Parties....." She is nowhere to be seen.
I was with her just a few minutes ago. I start to panic, I push myself through sweaty bodies. Where can she be?
The air is filled with a stench of alcohol. A girl who is dressed to almost nothing passes out before me. I don't bother to check her, not my monkey; not my circus. I jump over her looking for Roxana.
I turn and start walking backwards. Then suddenly I hit something hard and feel a cool liquid running through my dress into my back. I swivel my head, I am met with the green-eyed boy. I immediately recognize him. Ryan, he is one of Quinn's friend, he's very quiet. "Sorry," he mutters.
It is the first time I have heard his voice. His eyes widen in surprise when he sees me, "Cara.." He smiles at me.
I am surprised he knows my names.
"You look hot," he says.
My eyes move past him. "you gotta be kidding," I groan.
Roxana and Chad are making out.
"I am not kidding, you are," Ryan says unaware am talking about something else.
At that moment, Quinn walks in. He is alone, his eyes don't even look at me. Not that I care, I'm used to it.
"What is taking you long, dude?" Quinn asks, his voice is raspy and hoarse.
I take the opportunity to slip away. Not before I hear Quinn say, "She isn't that hot." When Ryan attempts to stop me.
Chad lifts his head when he senses my presence.
"Ugh, Can you please die already?" He groans when he realizes it's me.
"You wish. Roxana, we are leaving." I attempt to grab her hand but she ducks towards Chad as if I am the enemy and he's her protector.
"Leave her alone," Chad says.
"No, I came with her."
"I don't want to go. Just leave." Roxana slurs, then I realize she's drunk.
I move in and grab her hand forcibly, reminding her that Chad cheated on her.
She pushes me away and I end up stumbling back and falling over a table. I am drenched in alcohol since the drinks on the table fell on me.
"Fine." I angrily huff and storm away.
On my way out. I text my brother to come and pick me up.
The weather is chilly outside, and I regret the choice of my outfit. Few minutes pass before I spot a dark smoke and I know it's my brother and his damn car.
Guilt washes over me, at how easily he can drop everything when I need him. It should be vice versa, being the oldest.
I walk to where he is parked and jump in.
"My God, I am not going to ask what you're doing here, but did you go swimming on an alcohol pool?" He is dressed in his pyjamas.
"Just take me home." I groan.
The first thing I do when I get to my apartment is the shower. It's short and sweet. I head straight to bed, I barely get to shut my eyes when my phone vibrates from my nightstand. It's a private number. I already know the owner.
I open the text.
Quinn: I need you.
The road to hell is paved with back arching toe-curling orgasms and devilish looks that silently whisper "baby please".'baby please,' Is the look Quinn gives me.Yeah, i am weak as a frail twig. I gave in to his I need your text, and here I am.His head is tilted, staring at me through his long thick lashes and trying to feign a babyface. Which is a massive fail, because he is Quinn. His features are rough. His perfect chisel face is purple, bruises print his face. Probably he was in a fight. It is not in my place to ask or care. That is the kind of relationship.His faces inch forward, his cold lips brush mine. My body trembles at the simple act. I feel him smoothen the fabric of my red dress. "I like the one you wore earlier." He whispers."Please," I'm surprised I can form any coherent word. His lips lightly brush mine in a teasing manner. My body aches and my fingers itch to grab him and have my way with him and end his little torture game. He moves from my lips to my cheek an
Two days pass with a sluggish pace that leaves my skin crawling. Classes and assignments distract me from Quinn, for a while. Though the thought of him ending our agreement before I put my plan in action nags me. "This is embarrassing but I need your help." My brother, Oliver, says from the other side of the phone."What is it about?" I ask curiously. He never asks me for help it is the other way round."I will meet you in the evening at your place to explain." "Okay," I say unsure if to be worried about the whole help thing. "Bye C.," He says his nickname for me before hanging up. A way to get me to agree to whatever he is planning.I tap my feet impatiently, I look behind me and across. The hall is deadpan silent. I look down on my phone. Only a message from Roxana stares back. It is an emergency meeting, requesting we meet at Cole's Cafe at lunch. I curse at Quinn cause after all these years he is yet to trust me to give me his personal phone number. Now I have to stalk him like
Cole's Café is a fifteen drive distance. All the way I listen to Hey there Delilah by Plain White T's. It was my mum's favourite. And eventually grew to become mine. I was nine years old then when the song was released. She told me the song reminded her of my father. "Why?" I would innocently ask. "Because a long time ago before you were born. We were poor. Very poor. But your father would remind me that one day his dream would pay the bills.""Just like he promises Delilah that his guitar will pay the bills." I would understand.I pull into the Café parking space. Today is on Thursday and the day is usually slow and lazy. As expected the Cafe is almost empty. Friday's and Monday's is when the students hog the tables. To discuss plans for the weekend and later discuss the events from the weekend.Cole's Café is an eccentric shop. Not your usual yuppie coffee place. More like a bar, with Occasional barbecues.I spot Roxana immediately, she lifts her hand and waves, as I get closer I
The group orders their meal. I'm a nervous wreck around them. Every single stare from them makes me shudder. It's like they can tell I don't belong here, that I am a fake. "The gala is still Saturday night, right?" Jermaine turns to Quinn. Quinn just nods.Jermaine goes back to his phone, after a few minutes he lifts his head, with a victorious smile. "I just secured a date to the gala with Elsie." He announces. "Elsie with the big boobs?" Lee asks. "Mmh." Jermaine nods. Ryan scrunches his nose in distaste. He rarely talks. "Up top" Lee high 5's Jermaine."What about you Ryan?" Courtney all over sudden asks. When our eyes meet, I can see a mischievous glint in them. "I plan to go with my parents." Ryan answers."That's sad. Why don't you ask Cara over here." She purses her lips together as she looks at me. "She looks like a sweet girl." She adds. Someone clears their throat. I turn and find it is Quinn. His eyes are narrowed and jaws tightly clenched.I shift uncomfortably o
Quinn's povI zip my leather bag, I turn to find four pair of eyes staring at me."What!" I bark."You just have this goofy look on your face." Lee notes."And you have this moronic look of a face, so?" I state back."You are hopeless." Lee throws his hand."We are heading to Cole's Cafe, do you want to come?" Jermaine asks.I hate the place, it is too overcrowded. The only thing I find tolerable is their coffee and the owner. I became acquitted with Cole in my freshman year. As the rest of my peer partied and lived their youths. I would spend my weekends there. Typing and auditing some of my father's client. Once the place would empty, Cole would join me. We talked about politics, weather, sports, history, the modern woman...and I once mentioned my booty call with Cara. He huffed and sighed to what had become of the women today. On serious days he would talk about how hard it is to run a business in a shitty economy and government policies. He wasn't lucky to serious employment after
I close my eyes and squeeze them shut for a moment. I expected Quinn to call or text. I am a little disappointed. Okay, very disappointed. My little guide book, 'How to make him yours' is supposed to make him beg. Okay, maybe I am exaggerating, I just put in action one step out of twenty steps. A figure blocks my path, deterring me from reaching my destination. I lift my head, the morning sun blocking my sight. "Good morning sunshine? Miss me?" Chad asks. I blink twice to get a better view of him. The sun has kissed his face making him look like an angel with a halo, while in a real sense he is the devil. "Get out of my way Chad, not in the mood." I groan. He leans forward as if inspecting my face. I take a step back."Looks like someone is 'inflammatory' and didn't get a dose of DIClofenac last night. That makes two of us." He says. "So you are finally admitting you are gay." I taunt him."Oh, I can show you how gay I am not." He wrinkles his eyebrows suggestively.I scrunch up
The question is so unexpected such that I am not prepared to come up with anything to say.My mouth works faster than my brain. “No, they are held up on a business trip.” I babble.She glares at me with so much scepticism. Her eyes dart away from me before she speaks again.“Funny that have never met your parents for the entire period we have been on the campus." She says.I know what she means; in this institute, the surname is what gets you known and respected. Almost all parents are deeply involved in school activities except the few hapless kids that get admitted here on a scholarship basis. They are bullied and demeaned in all possible ways.“You will during the graduation ceremony," I reply.“And your brother who studies in Europe?” Her eyes twinkle with curiosity as she asks. “Also him,” I say with resignation.That shuts her up and I am glad when she stops asking personal questions. She pulls up at a large shopping store. With the words, Satisfaction proudly typed on the fron
"Shit. Double hell!" I exclaim.Roxana rolls her eyes, "Just call him, you don't have to be overdramatic." She says.I try to remember if we exchanged numbers with Ryan. He's supposed to pick me up in less than ten minutes for the gala dinner. I quickly skim through my contacts list, until I spot his name and text him Roxana's address. I had initially given him my address but Oliver is there with his girlfriend."I'll get that." Roxana offers when her doorbell rings.I nod and sit on her dresser to do my makeup.Minutes later, she storms in angry. "Ugh! I hate my fucking life." She screams in annoyance."Now who is being overdramatic?" I ask. She bangs a box that was on her arms. "Can't wait to graduate and be free to live my life as I wish." She rips it apart to reveal what is inside. It is a dress. "You got to be kidding me." She says as she lifts it. It is the same as the one she is wearing and got from Satisfaction."Where did that one come from?" "Where do you think? My paren