Chapter 8
Theodore Knight
T ake a picture; it will last longer.”
Jazmine’s voice grabs my attention. My skin burns, heat rising to my cheeks as she catches me staring. What Jazmine doesn't realise is, my eyes will always find her. No matter the time or place.
She hasn't even looked up from her iPad to acknowledge me, which isn't unusual. Jazmine has been immune to my shameless flirting over the past two years but the optimistic in me, believes I'm slowly wearing her down.
“Sure, I’ll store it as your profile picture. You’ll have to give me your number, though.”
“Never going to happen, Pretty Boy.”
My mouth curves into a grin. I know I’m attractive, but hearing Jazmine Allen call me that nickname makes my heart surge more than my ego. It also reminds me of the first night we met. “So, you think I’m pretty?”
Jazmine snarled. I can’t help but grin even more. Every different expression and insult pull further satisfaction from inside me. It’s even better when my comment causes a flush to travel up Jazmine’s neck, spreading across her cheeks. She turns her attention back to the professor for the final minutes.
I force my eyes away from Jazmine and to the lecture for the final minutes.
“In the next lecture, I will assign partners for a research project. It will be worth fifty per cent of your grade for the semester.”
Great. If there is one thing I hate about classes, it is group fucking projects. Just because I play a team sport doesn’t mean I like working with people. Especially when it concerns my academic performance.
“I will discuss the project in more detail on Monday; however, many of you may want to start researching what topics to study. Therefore, I will email the class a document explaining the project’s limitations. And subsequently, the thesis paper you will write in conjunction.”
A thesis paper .
Shit. Football season begins this weekend, so my schedule is going to be overloaded. Being the starting quarterback for the first time as well as gaining the captaincy means everyone’s eyes are on me. I hope my partner will be flexible when we plan the project.
Professor Hart dismisses us, leaving students to file from the lecture hall. This is my only class for the day as Monday I use as an extra training day. Over the summer, I found someone to do gym sessions with in between football training. Although, the harsh summer heat is slowly seeping from the day, it is still too severe and coaches don’t want to risk heatstroke.
I scroll through my unread messages. Austin and Colton don’t have classes today, so it worries me that they are alone. By that I mean, I worry about Austin. He is on a baking kick at the moment, so who knows what he is up to today.
Full House - Group Chat
Austin Jace
Colt, are you home? I can’t remember if I turned the stove off.
Colton Hurst
No, I’m not home. Why the fuck didn’t you check before you left? I swear to god we aren’t going to have an apartment soon.
Theodore Knight:
SERIOUSLY! I’m on my way home now. One day I’m going to kill you.
Austin Jace:
I was distracted. Athena was in a rush. Something about getting the best spot in the library. I thought all the seats were the same.
Theodore Knight:
You might have burnt our apartment down, for a GIRL. God you are pussy whipped.
Austin Jace:
Don’t make me have to hurt your pretty face, Captain. Or worse, your ego.
Colton Hurst:
Do I have to play mediator? Again?
Theodore Knight:
I’m driving now. Jace I’m kicking you out if I even smell a hint of smoke.
This is precisely why I don’t trust him.
I reread the messages as I climb into my car, chuckling at Austin. He and Athena have been dating since the beginning of last year. She is quiet and unassuming. The amount of times Athena has scared the shit out of me because she is sneaking out of Austin’s room is ridiculous. Their relationship surprised me due to them being polar opposites, but they are still together.
My phone continues to vibrate, but I ignore the messages. I park my car, heading towards our apartment. I’m optimistic. There doesn’t seem to be smoke, and the complex is intact. I race to the oven. Everything was off. Thank fuck.
My phone buzzes. The caller ID reads Jayden Allen.
“Hey,” I say.
“Are you still coming for our gym session?” Jay asks.
We usually meet after my last class, Psychology of Physical Activity. “Sorry, had to come home. Austin thought he left the stove on.”
Jayden’s laugh echoes through my phone. “Fucking idiot,”
“I know, I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
Jayden is the one Allen sibling who welcomes my presence. He is the captain of the Lakewood Hawks—our ice hockey team—and we ran into each other in the gym last summer. Only a tiny part of our preseason and competitions crossed over, but that didn’t prevent us from becoming gym partners.
The afternoon breeze slams into my exposed skin as the daylight dwindles. I drive to the other side of campus where the gym is located. For me, it is the most distinguishable building. The pale grey painted facade has the logo in a neon blue sign and as I enter, a whiff of sweat and sanitiser hits me.
“Fuck off,”
Jayden is boiling with anger—his face red and chest heaving. I edge closer to Jay. He throws his phone away, slamming into the ground. This isn’t good.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
Jayden grits his teeth. “Just Willow Rogers being a fucking pest. The usual, ”
He doesn’t expand on the comment, but I do have some context. Over the summer, Jay told me about ice hockey and his goal is to play in the NHL. He sounds determined so I won’t be surprised if he makes it.
Willow Rogers, however, was a name that came up numerous times. Jay didn’t delve into detail but he did say Willow is Jazmine’s best friend and also plays ice hockey. There is tension with a capital T between the two of them. I could smell it from a mile away.
I offer Jay a reprieve. “Want to punch something with me?”
“Please,”
Jayden punches the bag first, while I hold it in place. We alternate for half an hour, our grunts and limited small talk fill the gym. Eventually we switch to weights before performing a cool down to finish the session.
The sun has disappeared and the icy temperature settles over my skin when Jay and I exit the gym. My muscles ache after every step I take. An ice bath is calling my name. Our cars are parked in the lot on the right side of the gym, it seems the university decided to modernise everything but the car park.
“Did you see Jazmine today?”
I snap my head towards Jayden. “Yeah, happy to see me as always.”
Jayden’s mouth plasters on a cheesy grin. “Maybe stop flirting with her. She would be nicer,”
The first time I asked Jay for help with getting Jazmine to like me, he was no help. And it wasn't because he was protecting his sister but because even he has trouble cracking the vault known as Jazmine Allen. This does ease my ego, which continues to hurt from her rejection.
Jay's question swirls back into my mind. “Why do you ask?”
“Just,” He stops, a crease forming across forehead. “Just worried about her. Usual big brother stuff,”
Laughter booms from my chest. “You’re twins,”
“I’m eight minutes older,”
I chuckle.
Why is he worried about her? Jazmine’s face from class flashes in my mind. The cracks weren’t there but she has walls constructed higher than the empire state building around her heart. Jazmine’s death glare is there, carved into my brain.
My phone intrudes before I can ask Jayden about Jazmine.
Dad.
I contemplate answering but decide against it.
“Not important?” Jayden asks, nodding towards my phone.
“Nope,” I lie, hiding behind a smile.
***
After my roommates, plus Athena, arrive home, we order Chinese takeout. Our small talk and life updates fill the room as we wait for our food to arrive. It doesn't take long before we are sitting around the small glass coffee table in the middle of the lounge room which serves as our makeshift dining table.
We pass the various meals around to each other, while continuing our conversations from before. Athena has a blinding smile on her face as she describes the new book she is writing. I'm confident the only way to make Austin read a book is if Athena writes it.
Colton and I sit opposite them on the remaining couches. My lips curve up as I reflect on the moment. This is a usual Monday night for the four of us. Ever since sophomore year, we have had dinner together on Mondays. It’s crazy how fast the years have gone and how close Austin, Colton and I have become. I can’t imagine university without them.
After dinner, I retreat to my bedroom. The week is only beginning, so I need to be fully rested. A sigh escapes me as I collapse onto my bed. Fatigue washes over my body, invading my muscles. Today wasn't even the busiest day of my week, yet I'm exhausted.
I fear for the rest of the semester, as I have more assessments to complete and football games that are high stakes.
A ringtone blares, bringing me back to the present. My jaw tenses as I read the caller ID.
Dad. Again.
I take a deep breath: Inhale. Exhale.
“Hey, Dad,”
“Theodore. How is football going?”
I roll my eyes at his lack of small talk. Just another day of him only caring about my future football career. The pressure from my father and his legacy are heavy weights on my shoulders. I thought earning captain would ensure a break from my father's expectations but there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.
“Great, our first game is on Saturday.”
“Ah yes, I will be watching. Don’t let me down,”
My chest constricts, tighter and tighter. Breathing is a choking hazard with oxygen stuck in my throat. I need to end this call.
“I won’t, I’ve got to go. I have an assessment to finish,”
Tears prick the corners of my eyes as my breath slowly returns. I wipe them off my face quickly. Acknowledging the effect my father has on me increases my anxiety, pushing me closer to tipping point. All I want to hear is that my father is proud of me, no matter what I decide to do.
I don’t think that day will ever come.