CHAPTER 7

"Come on," Malachi stated, moving forward to stand by Jude.

Jude mimicked his movements, pushing it between his lips and looking at Malachi.

"That's it. Now suck it in, like when you take a breath when you're surprised." Malachi acted like he was surprised, opening his eyes wide, and smiled when Jude raised an eyebrow. Malachi grabbed Jude's shoulder and placed his hand on Jude's chest. "Don't hold it in your mouth. You need to pull it down here." He smacked Jude's chest.

Jude took a breath, and Malachi smiled.

“That’s it. Now hold it in,” Malachi said, mimicking taking a deep breath and holding it with Jude.

Jude couldn’t look away from Malachi’s eyes. He swear Malachi was moving closer.

Malachi breathed out. “And let it out.”

Jude did as he said, breathing the smoke out almost in Malachi’s face. Malachi didn’t seem bothered.

“That’s it.”

Jude tried to hold Malachi’s gaze, but his eyes watered at the effort. He pushed Malachi back as gently as he could and doubled over, coughing. Malachi laughed lightly and patted Jude’s back.

“Sorry.” Jude coughed some more.

“It takes some getting used to.” Malachi began rubbing slowly over Jude’s back.

Jude straightened, and Malachi’s hand slid to Jude’s shoulder.

Jude handed Malachi the joint, shaking his head. “That was worse than beer,” he said, coughing again while Malachi smirked.

Malachi pulled the flask out of his pocket, opened it, and offered it to Jude.

“No, thanks,” Jude said again, and Malachi drank.

“You’re right. Maybe smoking is enough for tonight,” Malachi said, walking back and away from Jude. Just as Jude was about to start missing Malachi’s warmth, Malachi leaned on the ledge next to him, his thigh pressing against Jude’s. The contact sent a thrill through Jude. Jude eyed Malachi, admiring the way the dim light highlighted Malachi’s jawline and the tousled locks of his hair. Malachi stared back at the house, his eyes unfocused, lost in thought.

Are you okay?" Jude asked, not able to hide his concern.

"I'm great, Judey. You?" Malachi replied, lazily grinning as he blinked slowly and Jude's heart skipped a beat. Malachi's expression was peaceful, but the slow blink gave away the fact that he was loose and relaxed.

"I'm okay. I don't know if that helped, but I'm okay," Jude replied, captivated by the way the corners of Malachi's eyes crinkled when he grinned.

"Are you sure?" Malachi asked.

Jude sighed. "I don't know. I don't know what it's supposed to do," he told Malachi.

"Well, you're not usually this chatty, so that might be something," Malachi said.

Jude couldn't suppress the laugh. Malachi grinned at him. Jude couldn't keep a straight face.

"Shit," Jude burst out. "That's it, right?"

"Yeah, that's it." Malachi directed his gaze in the direction of the house, and Jude kept staring at Malachi until he realized and stopped.

"Do you know what you're majoring in?" Jude asked.

"No fucking clue," Malachi replied, slouching his shoulders ever so slightly. "I don't even know why I'm back here," he went on, smoothing out his hair.

"What else would you do?" Jude asked, really perplexed.

"Exactly, Judey, exactly." Malachi smiled, a hint of sadness in his gaze. "There isn't much else you can do."

"Are you going to join the team?"

"No team would have me, trust me on that. I'm too flaky," Malachi said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Why?"

"I don't show up, lose the plot, get too drunk or stoned. Choose one," Malachi deadpanned.

Hearing Malachi talk like that weighed on Jude's heart. "You've been showing up," Jude corrected, but Malachi just made a derisive sound.

"I'll hold back. That's what I do," Malachi said, showing Jude a smile that didn't register.

Jude was uncomfortable. He had no idea how to answer that.

"What about you?"

"Engineering."

A look of shock crossed Malachi's face. "Get out of town," he said.

Jude snorted. "Why's that such a surprise?"

"I don't know. I guess I just figured you were muscle. I didn't know you were smart too," Malachi said, flashing a grin.

Jude laughed again, feeling a little stung by his tone. "Well, fuck you," Jude replied, also grinning.

Malachi fell into laughter. "I'm sorry, I don't think that sounded right."

you mean you weren't attempting to tell me that you believed that I was thick?" Jude asked.

"No, sorry. What I was trying to say was I believed you were wagering on the athletic scholarship," Malachi clarified.

Jude guessed that was a little better.

"I'm still a little offended," Jude told Malachi.

Malachi laughed. "You'll get used to this too."

"What?" Jude asked.

Malachi was ridiculously gorgeous, with sharp bones and messy but immaculately looking hair. But it wasn't only his looks. The effortless manner in which he smiled and talked to you gave you the impression that you were the only person in the building. His charm was strong, and Jude couldn't help but be utterly drawn to him. They had nothing in common whatsoever except volley ball, and even that didn't factor as much because Malachi wanted to stop playing and Jude couldn't ever imagine wanting to. But even with that, all Jude could think was how in the hell do I get close to him? How do I get him to keep looking at me like this?

"I say a lot of things I don't mean," Malachi said, looking over his shoulder back toward the house.

Malachi was a gigantic red flag, and Jude's instincts were screaming at him to get as far away from the man as he could. But then again, Jude had never felt the urge to be closer to anyone.

They sat on that ledge, chatting, for a long time. Klaus came looking for Jude, and before Jude left, Malachi asked for his phone number. Malachi went back into the party, and Jude watched the way Malachi’s back moved as he walked in.

Jude found Malachi’s socials and followed him. Malachi reciprocated about an hour later. Jude looked through Malachi’s pictures and felt even more entranced by him. Each photograph took a different Malachi side: laughing with buddies, somber during an exercise routine, and relaxed in natural photos. His bright green eyes and spontaneous grin were beyond resistance. Jude thought about sending a text message to Malachi but couldn't think of something to write, so he eventually quit. Jude wished to find Malachi at practice that week, but he wasn't there.

Jude was walking to class with Klaus on Friday when he heard Malachi calling him.

"Judyy!"