Chapter 11
“Dude,” Raven says, nudging me slightly in the back. “Keep walking. It’s just a coffee shop.”
“Erm…” I mumble.
Crystal chandeliers hang lower over the seating areas, their warm glow reflecting off the polish mahogany floorboards. One wall hosts floor-to-ceiling bookshelves with well-known literature and some non-fiction texts. Plush couches and leather armchairs provide cozy nooks for reading or quiet conversation.
The main counter is sleek dark gray marble with gold trim, displaying pyramids of brightly colored macarons and cream-filled pastries under glass domes. An intricate brass espresso machine takes center stage. Given the number of levers and buttons, I doubt I could learn to use it. Molecular compounds are more straightforward.
“This isn’t just a coffee shop,” I whisper to Raven as she bypasses me. “This is… a work of art.”
What I really want to say is this is somewhere I don’t belong. This coffee shop is the nicest place I’ve ever stepped foot in, besides walking across this campus. I thought I could handle people throwing their money in my face, but I wasn’t prepared to feel inadequate because of a vintage-looking espresso machine, for fuck’s sake.
Raven glances back at me with amusement sparkling in her eyes. “You just wait until I take you to Brewed Awakenings. This place sucks in comparison.”
The employee behind the register purses her lips at Raven and I shrug as if that’ll excuse her rudeness. Note to self: Raven has a bigger mouth than I do.
She orders something that should put her into cardiac arrest. I end up getting a regular latte with caramel. It’s fancy enough for me.
“Do you want to sip and walk or finish up here first and then go exploring?” she asks me.
“Let’s sit for a little bit.”
We settle into a couch located directly in front of the window, surrounded by the comforting aroma of coffee and the gentle murmur of conversation. I try not to moan when I take my first drink, but I’m totally a slut for caffeinated sugar.
Raven stirs a packet of sweetener into her cup. “So, are you ready for the inside info on navigating this pretentious institute of higher learning?”
“Bring it on.”
“If I was you, I’d make nice with the baristas here on campus.”
I scoff. “You haven’t.”
“That’s because I go to the one off campus.” She waves a hand in dismissal. “Trust me, you’ll want the caffeine when pulling all-nighters writing papers on… whatever the fuck psychiatrists care about.”
“What else?”
“Let me see your class schedule. That way I can tell you about the professors and which ones are assholes.”
I pull up on my schedule on my phone, ignoring the pang of disappointment that rises when I find I have no texts from Ben.
Raven takes my phone and stares at the screen with a hum. I swear my heart pounds in time with the tapping of her dark lacquered nails against the phone case.
“Okay, so definitely keep Dr. Yamamoto for English Composition. She’s tough but fair. I also hear she’s an awesome mentor if she’s not already tied up for the semester. You have good teachers for College Algebra and Human Growth and Development.” Raven hums. “Dr. Ames for General Chemistry should be avoided as much as possible. Sure, he seems charming with those custom-tailored suits and that Rolex watch, but everyone says he nitpicks papers to avoid giving A’s.”
I frown. “Damn. It doesn’t sound like I can do anything except work my ass off and pray for a B. I was hoping college was less about power trips than high school.”
Raven gives me an exasperated look. “This place is nothing but a gazillion power trips between students, professors, and the administration. Never underestimate the wealthy’s love of power. Besides, academia breeds pretentious bullshit. Just make sure you don’t step in it.”
“Right.”
“Raven!”
We both turn our heads in the direction of the speaker. A petite girl with a pixie cut and winged eyeliner stops in front of us. She’s dressed up in a pleated skirt and cardigan, with the first couple buttons undone and exposing generous amounts of cleavage.
I can’t tell if she’s a sexy nerd or a porn star.
“Hey, Juniper,” Raven greets with a friendly smile. “Did you have a good summer?”
“Oh, my gosh, yes! I discovered three new obscure mathematical theories to immerse myself in. They kept me busy.”
I blink up at her. Is this girl a math genius? Niiiice.
Raven bumps my shoulder with hers, breaking my stare. “Don’t mind my new roommate. Delilah is new, a fresh escapee from suburbia-land. Be gentle.”
“I’m June. Nice to meet you.” She tosses her blonde hair, and it bounces back in place. “Are you guys going to orientation?”
“Yeah.” Raven rolls her eyes. “Must be nice to be a sophomore and not have to go. What are you up to? Want to come with us?” Raven asks.
“It’ll be full of nerds.” She pops her bubblegum and sighs. “All of the hot guys won’t be there. Have you heard of any parties happening tonight?”
I shake my head, although I’m positive she isn’t asking me.
Raven does the same. “Sorry, girl. Looks like you’re not getting laid tonight.”
“Maybe.”
My roommate turns to me. “June is riding on a full scholarship for her brain. A math genius by day and a femme fatale by night.”
The blonde curtsies. “Keeps things interesting.”
“I was just about to give Delilah a tour of the campus,” Raven says. “Want to join us?”
“Sure.”
We follow Raven from the coffee shop with the sound of June’s heels clicking against the floor. Once outside, my roommate leads us past the library, a stately red brick building. Weathered by centuries of harsh New England winters, there is erosion along the corners. Ivy climbs along the sides as if wanting to obtain the knowledge within its walls.
“Do you see that garden in the back?” Raven asks. When I nod, she continues. “That’s the perfect spot for studying, or letting someone into your secret garden.”
June laughs. “Did you grow up reading Victorian romance or something, Raven? If you say manhood, I’m going to punch you in the face.” The woman turns to me. “Delilah, people go back there to get their dicks sucked and to suck dicks. It’s far from romantic, but it is fun though.”
“Speaking from personal experience or speculation?” I ask.
She winks at me. “Yes.”
I grin.
“Obviously, I know people go back there to hook up,” Raven says. “I just meant it’s good for privacy in general.”
June waggles her eyebrows. “Oh, it’s definitely good for privacy. Oh, my God. Look, it’s him.”
“Who’s him?” I whisper.
Our conversation halts as a tall figure emerges from the garden, walking with an air of confidence. And possibly… satisfaction? His dark brown hair is tousled across his head in an artfully mussed style. Or someone ran their fingers through his hair a lot.
His eyes glint with a smirk playing about his generous mouth. In contrast to his light-colored eyes, his clothing is completely black. A fitted t-shirt that accentuates the muscles of his biceps and torso, as well as the expanse of his back. His forearms are covered in dark ink, matching the rest of his attire. The cargo pants are tucked into boots that make no sound as he walks on the grass. He wears a watch that looks expensive even at a distance, and a single gold ring.
From this far, I can’t tell if it’s similar to Ben’s. Given the fact that we’re at a university, there’s a high probability he’s also part of the same fraternity.
June gasps, turning to me. “You don’t know who Xavier Donovan is? He’s only the most intriguing guy you’ll ever meet. Mysterious, brooding, and a bit of a legend around here.”
“Now who sounds like they read bodice rippers?” Raven says, jamming her elbow into June’s side.
The blonde lets out a feminine grunt. “Fine. He’s rich, hot as fuck, and supposedly has a gargantuan dick. Happy now?”
Raven looks over at Xavier and nods. “Actually, yeah.”
“Everyone calls him ‘X,’” June says. “I’ve heard it’s because he’s like the drug ecstasy. Once you’ve been with him, he makes you feel so good that you’ll get addicted after one hit.”
My mouth falls open. “Wow.”
She nods with a dreamy sigh. “Yup. He’s the one equation I can’t solve.”
“Don’t be such a whore.” Raven groans. “Yes, X is a challenge and everything, but like drugs, he’s bad for your health. Get over him, June.”
“I make no promises.”
Our conversation halts for the second time when a young woman with long chestnut curls emerges from the garden entrance, discreetly adjusting her clothes. She calls out to Xavier. He stops and turns to look at her over his shoulder before walking away, leaving her to chase after him.
“Pathetic,” Raven says. “I bet she’d be on her knees again if he asked, even though he just used her.”
June purses her lips. “I don’t know… There’s a reason why girls want him, even though he’s obviously a dick. Rumor has it that he’s not selfish in bed. That he gets off on you getting off. Probably some male ego thing, but it works for me.”
Raven nudges me and then June to start walking. “I have no doubt he’s hard to get over, but I think it’s better not to get involved in the first place. That man cares more about conquest than actually connecting.”
“You’re such a poet,” I say.
“Thank you.” She gives me a smile. “Now, let’s continue the tour on our way to orientation. I know it won’t get you laid, June, but Delilah wants to go so I’m going to support her.”
The blonde shrugs. “I’ll go. It’s not like I have anything better to do right now.”
I push all thoughts of Xavier out of my mind. Although I can’t deny his raw sexuality paired with his confidence sparks something in me, I’m not interested in having my life fall apart. It was broken for years, and I have no desire to return to that dysfunction.
Still… an image of his ring won’t leave my brain.