Chapter Twelve #2
“Who said anything about that?” she asks. “And technically true murder mysteries are Reality TV shows, just without the bombshell drama.”
I open my mouth to speak but freeze when I glance outside and see the same Hispanic guy who Wraith and I ran into earlier looking at me. He turns when I spot him and gets in his car before driving off. Huh... weird.
“Are you okay?” Brunelle asks, looking in the same direction I am.
“Yeah, I’m fine, it’s just I saw a guy in the parking lot and Wraith and I ran into him on campus earlier, our encounter not sitting right with Wraith.” I respond.
The sky begins to darken and I remember its monsoon season for Arizona and the weatherman said to be expecting some rain sometime this week.
I guess today is that day. I hear Wraiths name get called and I watch him grab his order before he stalks out of the place.
He places his food in his backpack, gets on his bike, puts his helmet on, then rides off.
As soon as he exits the parking lot lightening strikes the sky and rain begins fall from the gloomy, black clouds.
“Well that’s just great.” Brunelle said. “Now how am I supposed to get to my classes without getting absolutely soaked?”
I chuckle. “Lucky for me the rest of my day is canceled.”
“Oh shut up!” Brunelle snaps before mumbling. “Lucky bastard.”
It ended up raining for the rest of the day and most of the night. It did me a favor because it helped me finish all my homework which makes me finally caught up in my classes from all the work I missed while I was busy being kidnapped.
***
It’s the day before the race and Brunelle hasn’t hushed about it all day.
She’s so excited since we missed the last one that happened some time ago.
I’m currently in math class and the class is almost over and I notice that Wraith is absent today.
The professor is just about to wrap up the lesson when Wraith opens the door and strides in with his helmet in hand.
Everyone looks at him, some of the girls and gays gush at him, while everyone else just watch him.
My eyes fall to his hand and I see that they are dirty and I begin to smell a burnt scent.
It wafts in the air like a new knockoff cologne so I’m assuming it’s coming from Wraith.
“Hello Wraith, you missed the class today.” The professor says.
“I know, I’m here to collect the work I missed and I’ll be on my way, I’ll be sure to have it to you by Monday.” Wraith says.
“Oh I didn’t pass out any worksheets today we’re going to be heading into a new chapter on Monday and I was just prepping the class for it.
” The professor explains. “But if you’d like you can catch up with a classmate and they can tell you what you missed today or stay after school and I’ll be more than happy to do it myself. ”
Wraiths eyes make direct contact with mine and immediately my blood turns to ice. I see him smirk as I turn my eyes to look at my notebook.
“I’ll catch up with a fellow classmate.” His deep voice booms.
It seems like his voice has gotten deeper but maybe that’s just me.
“Okay, whatever works best for you, you know your learning style. And with that class is dismissed, have a wonderful weekend everyone.”
I look up and don’t see Wraith anywhere.
Packing up I leave the classroom and enter the hallway when I see Emma and Kinsley giggling while twirling their hair.
They’re surrounding Wraith as they talk about whatever they’re talking about.
I don’t care and couldn’t care less. Wraith spots me and I head straight to the exit of the building.
Wraith bursts through the two girls, leaving them a in state of shock and frustration as their college crush charges after me.
I practically run down the stairs when Wraith grabs my elbow, spinning me around before pinning me to the wall.
“You avoiding me, Grey Eyes?” he asks.
I look him in the eyes as I huff and puff, trying to control my breathing but failing. Wraiths eyes track my face and linger on my lips for a moment and he leans in slightly. I suck in a sharp breath anticipating a kiss from him, but he doesn’t kiss me, we just share the same breath.
“What do you want?” I ask.
“I asked you a question first.” He says.
I arch an eyebrow at him and he just stares at me. He smells of burnt rubber and wood and up close his flesh is decorated with debris and rubble.
“Hey, eyes up here.” He says. “No checking me out.”
I snort laugh.
“You wish.” I say pushing against him but his hold on me only tightens.
“I want you to show me what I missed in class today.” He says.
“There are other classmates you can ask for that.” I state.
“That’s true but you were the only one taking notes.” He says.
I stare at him in disbelief.
“How do you know I was taking notes; I could have been doodling.” I state.
“But you weren’t.” he says.
“You can’t prove anything.” I spit out.
“No?” he asks challengingly.
I shake my head, confident with myself.
“Were you doodling?” he asks.
I’m caught off guard.
“Look me in the eye and answer.” He continues. “If you can’t do that or fidget I know you’re lying.”
I debate on my options here for a second before picking defeat. I sigh.
“You didn’t miss much.” I state. “The real stuff won’t be taught until Monday so make sure you’re in class that day because I won’t be tutoring you.”
A light growly hum comes from his throat before he says,
“Meet you at your apartment same time tomorrow.”
“For what?” I ask as he lets me go.
He pulls out his phone and maneuvers his way through it as he replies with,
“To tutor me on today’s lesson.”
I watch him walk down the stairs, finally leaving me alone. I can’t believe this.
***
“Why don’t you just fuck him so he can get you out of his system?” Brunelle asks as she puts in her earrings.
Like Wraith said yesterday he met me at the apartment for me to tutor him on what he missed.
To my surprise he actually did take it seriously and let me tutor him.
I thought it was a way for him to be around me, but he actually took his own notes, paid attention, and even asked questions when he wasn’t completely understanding something.
Now Brunelle and I are in my room getting ready for the race she’s dragging me to.
“I mean the guy broke into our apartment and gifted you things, he took you to Vegas, it’s obvious he has the hots for you.” Brunelle continues.
I shrug.
“I mean honestly if he breaks into the apartment again I might have to call the police for invasion of privacy and things of that sort.” She adds.
“I don’t know Brunelle.” I say. “I guess I’m not really turned on by him.”
That’s a fucking lie, although Wraith has been smothering me since I met him at that party at the beginning of the year, I have to admit the guy is fucking hot!
“Bullshit, I’d ride his dick until it fell off his body if he were into ladies.” Brunelle said. “I’d ride him like a cowgirl with no limits.”
I chuckle at the last statement she mumbled. It sounded like a thought she meant to keep for herself but accidentally spoke it aloud.
“What I’m telling the truth, he’s like the perfect guy from every girl and gay guys wet dream, tall, handsome, he looks like the protective type, muscular, rides a fucking motorcycle, bad boy, and just delicious.” She smiles. “You’re missing out on an opportunity Harsh.”
“And if I don’t wish to have sex with him?” I ask.
She turns to face me.
“Well then you don’t have sex with him.” She says. “Even as a person who loves sex, I know there’s more to life than sex and I know of the Asexual sexuality.”
“You know I’m not Asexual.” I state, reaching for my shoes.
I begin to put them on.
“That I do know.” She smiles. “So why haven’t you fucked anyone on campus yet?”
“The year is still young.” I said. “I mean you’ve only had sex what like once so far this year.”
“Yeah but I’m looking for my second lay tonight.” She says matter-of-factly.
She exits my room to enter hers before reentering, smelling like her favorite perfume. I finish tying my shoe and stand up before looking at Brunelle.
“How are we getting there?” I ask.
“On the bus or a ride, the racing area is not that far from campus.” She says as we walk out of my room.
“Um this isn’t professional racing which makes this a tad bit, if not, completely illegal, are they sure they won’t attract the attention of the police?” I ask.
“I’m sure they know what they’re doing.” Brunelle says. “If not then we know how to hold our own.”
She grabs her purse off the couch before turning to me.
“Ready?” she asks.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” I sigh.
She squeals with excitement as we make our way to the front door.
“This is going to be so much fun, I can feel it!” she exclaims.
Yeah... I don’t think I can say the same.
We get downstairs and Brunelle calls for a ride.
“The driver will be here in five minutes.” She informs me.
I nod then look around. It’s a Saturday night and the streets are full of college students going out to experience all that life has to offer to them. Drinks, good time out with friends, date nights, hook ups, and more. Brunelle takes a deep breath and smiles.
“This is the life isn’t it?”
“You can say that I guess.” I say, my gaze darting around at different people.
My gaze then lands on a man. He’s tall, dressed in mysterious clothing, and stares directly at me with an intense gaze on his face.
I haven’t encountered anyone in a Mexican gang since Vegas but that doesn’t mean anything.
They could be laying low ready to strike at any moment, specifically a moment I’m not expecting them to.
I then start to think about Wraith and his protection.
I don’t know why but thinking of him oddly comforts me.
The guy is still staring at me so I grab Brunelle’s hand and guide her behind a line of parked cars and we both lean against a streetlamp.
“Why’d you do that?” she asks.
We’re out of the man’s line of sight which relieves me.
“It’s nothing.” I shake my head.
I’m still watching out for the guy and I must have a panicked look on my face because Brunelle starts to look on edge as her gaze darts around us.
A group of college students begin to walk our way and a few feet behind them is the man.
He crossed the motherfucking street. Where is our ride because it’d be nice to get away from him without alarming Brunelle.
The students laugh as they talk about whatever it is their talking about and the man’s gaze is glued to me.
I try to look down to see if he has any weapon in his hand but I have an obscured view of anything below his chest for the most part.
Brunelle gasps and pulls me into the street.
“Our ride is here!” she says, dragging me to the car.
Thank fuck. We approach the car and I open the back door for Brunelle.
Looking behind me the guy is still on the sidewalk but he has stopped walking as he watches me enter the car.
My skin is decorated in goosebumps as chills run up and down my spine.
Who knows what would have happened to me and Brunelle if our ride didn’t come when it did.
Would we be attacked and or killed, kidnapped, purposely drugged?
I’m just glad we’re unharmed... for now.