2. Alistair

~ ALISTAIR ~

I hate most Mondays.

Especially the Mondays in which I have a 9am lecture. Unfortunately, I hate all Mondays this semester. I have 9am lectures throughout.

And escaping is not even an option. Comes with the entire final year shit package.

I adjust my leather jacket before grabbing my backpack and my key. And I mentally let out a sigh of relief when I step out of the now empty house.

Everyone's gone, more to my advantage.

I start my car and speed off to one of the banes of my existence… school. Some minutes later, I pull up into the lecture hall's parking lot before stepping out of my car and slinging my backpack over my shoulder.

Outside is almost empty and the last bit of students are already disappearing through the double doors. 

Looks like I'm the last one. Again.

With a shrug, I make my way into the hall. I walk for a few minutes before pushing open the second door of the lecture room.

A grunt tears through my throat as Professor Wilson's eyes lands on me as soon as I step into the room since everyone was already seated.

“Morano!” He calls gruffly and I hiss.

“Come here.” He says, pointing to the seat at the front.

With a malicious smile, I dip my hand into my pocket, my eyes darting to Rutledge who sits behind the class - his hood covering his curly hair - in disdain.

Till later.

I walk to the front before settling in the seat the old man points at. He continues with his lecture, talking about some shitty final year project.

Of course, I wasn't really listening to any of his shit. My eyes were on my tablet, doing… nothing.

“...group of twos.” He adds, slamming his fist against the stand.

I lean back into my seat. Someone would pick me. They always did.

My brows raise in confusion when the shawty beside me springs to her feet and darts to the back, not even sparing me a glance. 

I glance beside me in boredom before my head snaps to the back, watching as most of the ladies screech while hurrying to the back of the lecture room. To a particular Calvin Rutledge!

Professor Wilson slams his fist against the stand again, gaining their attention.

“No one should pick Rutledge!” He orders, descending the stairs that lead to the podium.

Boos and whines follow his orders and I scoff but I can feel a stinging feeling in my belly as I interlock my fingers between my thighs.

“I repeat, pick anyone except Rutledge unless, I will be forced to pick a partner for each and everyone of you for the project!”

I watch as their hands latch to their seat partners, friends rushing to their other friend's seats, boyfriends grabbing girlfriends by the waist. Most are in pairs and worst? No one approached me. Not even my friends.

I didn't expect them to though. Or do I?

My gaze flickers to Ray's and he turns away just as my eyes meet his as if picking me would be a bad choice that would lead to a total disaster.

I hissed.

“If you don't have a partner, raise your hand.” He orders.

The old man claps. “Okay, Blackwood, you go with Darksong, you, go with the girl to your left, Nana, go with him, Rutledge, go with Morano, you, go with —”

Huh?

I gulp, standing up just as the old man ascends the stairs and leans against his stand again.

“With all due respect sir.” I say mockingly, my hands starting to shake from anger. “Can you–”

“Yes? Rutledge is your partner for the project defense. Take a seat, Morano.” He commands.

I grit my teeth hard, my eyes boring holes into the old man's skull as my butt meets the soft cushion of my seat.

“Your father won't buy you out of this.” I hear someone snicker from the crowd behind me and my gaze snaps back in anger but I couldn't find the owner of the voice.

“Basically, this project is one of the major deciding factors of whether you graduate or not. We have groups containing two individuals.” He starts.

“For your project defense, each group member must contribute something. The success of each group member depends on their partner. It's like the two sides of a coin, each side depends on the other.” He adds.

Low murmurs and chatter pierces the air again. He clears his throat and the chatter dies down. Then, his eyes darted behind me before landing on me.

“That’s all for today. Morano and Rutledge should wait behind.”

I dig my nails into my palm as I drop my tablet and stylus pen into my backpack, watching as they flood out of the lecture room.

A strange heat crawls up my spine as I place my twitching fingers on my thighs. A lie burns at the back of my throat. I want to lie, want to say I don't care but my chest is fucking tight!

Then, I stand up and turn to professor Wilson,

“Unfortunately, I won't be able to wait behind. I've got a lot of things to do.” I say with a shrug, grabbing my bag.

“What things in particular?” His annoying voice which grates on my nerves sounds from behind me and I turn to him, pinning him with a glare.

He has that carefree vibe surrounding him again.

“I'm so fucking going to kill you.” I grit between clenched teeth, my hold on my bag's strap tightening.

“Hey easy.” Professor Wilson interrupts, banging his fist against the stand again.

I turn to him, chest heaving. “I don't have all the time in the world for this pointless conversation, professor. And yes, I'm not interested in being partners with him.”

“I'm not interested in being his partner either.” He says, his voice soft. “Can you kindly find me another partner please?”

I glance at him over my shoulders with an angry glare, noticing the smirk on his lips. 

Fuck! He's enjoying this!

Does he have any idea how many people want to…

Umm, no…

Why do I feel… dumped?

Like, I don't want him too. His entire presence makes me want to punch the grin off his face!

With a huff, I turn back to professor Wilson who has his gaze behind me, on him.

“Rutledge boy, I know he can be quite a hassle. But can you accommodate him? The project's preparation will only last for three weeks and the defense is in the fourth week which makes it a total of one month only.”

I hear him sigh behind me and I fear I might grit my teeth to dust.

“Unfortunately, just—”

“ —I know you can do it, boy. Just do me this favour.” He says to him. Then, his eyes landed on me. “If you know what's best for you, you will hold him tight. Daddy's money and your trust fund wallet won't buy you a degree even if you are one of the heirs.” He says bluntly as he pulls down the lid of his laptop and slides it into his bag.

“And you should consider asking him to coach you for lessons. The exam is fast approaching. Unfortunately your father won't buy you out of this situation. He's even in support of it so you won't have an extra year.”

I watch the back of his bald head as he slings his bag over his shoulder and makes his way towards the door and out of the room.

Still stupefied, my eyes darted to Rutledge. His eyes meet me and a low chuckle slips past his lips. 

Then, his shoulder shakes as his chuckle turns into a full blown laughter, his eyes crinkling in amusement, grating on my nerves.

Anger.

More anger.

I spare him a last glance, my hands balled into fists as I grab my backpack. I should say something, wipe that smug grin off his face. But my jaw locks shut and my feet move before I can stop them.

Ain't no way.

Ain't no fucking way!