chapter 5

Days later, my ankle's healed up pretty well. Me and Vixen have gotten closer, not too much, as he's not very open about his feelings, but it's progress. Walking through the university, me and Lyilah finally sit and eat lunch together.

"So tell me, how's it going with Brady?" asks Lyilah.

"God, nothing, Lyilah! We're just friends-"

"Blah blah blah. Don't give me that shit, 'just friends' my ass." she says playfully.

"It's not shit! I told you, I'm seeing someone." I say, eating the grapes I packed this morning.

"Yeah? So where is this guy? Does he go here? Does he live around here, is he close?" she questions.

"I'm not telling you anything Lyilah!" I say, nudging her arm.

"I'm not gonna believe you until I see him for myself."

"You're insistent." I say, palming my forehead. "You could've saw him the other day. He was here. He's the one who broke Josh's nose." I say.

"He's the one who did that? Everyone said he knocked him out off one punch. If he can do that, imagine how muscular he is." says Lyilah, eyes wide.

"He didn't knock him out. He was pretty damn close though." I say, finishing up my grapes.

"Oh shit." says Lyilah.

"What?" I say.

"Basketball team, behind you."

"What? No way." I say.

"Mhm." she hums with emphasis.

I stand up and I turn around, facing Josh. His nose is purple and blue from the damage Vixen put on him. He walks up to me, snarling.

"Your little friend broke my fucking nose." he says, making me back up cautiously.

"Yeah, I can see that." I say with an annoyed tone.

"You think you're funny huh?" he says.

He pushes me and I stumble back. I walk up to him, raising my head to step up to him. "Keep your fucking hands off me, J." I say, menacingly.

"Yeah? And what'll you do about it?"

"Back off, Josh!" yells Lyilah.

"Shut up, you nerdy bitch!" he spits, quite literally.

I rear back and I slap him in the face. "Watch your mouth." I say, threateningly.

To my father, I'd never be this bold, but against someone like Josh and anyone else, my confidence and fierceness comes out.

"You know you're just a little cunt." he says.

"Picking a fight with a woman, I'd say you're the pussy here." I say.

He laughs and slaps me, then my eyes fill with fire and anger. I look back up and I punch him in the face, making his friends back away. He looks back at me and swings and I dodge his punch, wind rushing against my face from his speed and use of force.

Jaxon's words come to my mind as I fight with him. Wear him out, you've gotta be quick if you don't want to take a hit though. Be confident. Let your body flow.

I move around quick, making him miss every hit. Then I see an opening. I run up to him and I bring my knee to his groin three times, making him drop to his knees, then I bring my foot up to kick him square in his face, and he falls back, spitting out blood.

"Reed!" I hear someone who can be none other than a principal yell out to me. "Office, now!".

"I'll come with you." Lyilah says.

I smile and I nod at her, grabbing my lunch and going to the office. I call Vixen and he gets there in 5 minutes. He runs to the office, meeting my eyes as soon as he sees me. "Kyla, what happened?" he asks, looking at me from head to toe.

I look over at Lyilah and her mouth is wide open, gawking at Vixen. "Lyilah, you can close your mouth now." I whisper.

"Kyla... why didn't you tell me your boyfriend was this hot?!" she whispers aggressively.

"Husband." says Vixen.

Lyilah looks like she's about to die. "Husband?!" she nearly yells.

"Lyilah!" I say, smacking her arm.

"You're married?!" she continues to aggressively whisper.

"We'll talk tomorrow, Lyilah." I sigh. "Let's go, Vixen." I say, walking out of the office. Then I forgot I have to check out. "Right after I sign this paper." I say, walking back into the office.

"I've got it." Vixen says. "Go to the car." he orders.

I don't dare to disobey him, I turn around, waving goodbye to Lyilah, and I go to the car. Minutes later, Vixen comes to the car and opens the door. He sits down and puts the car in drive and starts the drive home.

"They expelled you. 4 days." Vixen says, sounding a little pissed.

"You mad at me?" I ask, looking over at him.

"Hell yeah, I am. But at the same time, no." he says, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Why not?" I ask.

"Because you stood up for yourself. And your friend. And you beat his ass." he says with a smile on his face. He looks at the road and back at me with a smile and it fades as he notices the print on my face from Josh's slap. "What the hell? Kyla, he hit you? Why didn't you tell me?" he says, scolding me.

"Because I'd be expelled and you'd be getting arrested. You can't afford that."

"I can afford a lot of things."

"You know that's not what I meant." I say, rolling my eyes.

"You just... roll you eyes at me?" he says with a smirk.

"Yeah, and?" I spit back.

"You'll find that that bratty attitude won't get you far with me." he says, warning me. I try to ignore the way he's making me feel right now, my body hot and bothered. "I have question though." he says, changing the subject.

"Okay, what's that?" I ask.

"I was thinking we could go on a date tonight."

My head shoots up and I look at him, surprised.

"A-A date?" I ask to clarify.

"Yes. A date. We should get to know a little more about each other, I think." he responds. I smile at the thought of this. I won't lie, we don't really know too much about each other. I think this would be good for us. "Your silence is killing me." he says.

I smile as I give him my answer.

"Yes. I'll go on a date with you, Vixen." I say at last.