We had two classes back to back before we had an hour long break before our next one. It was past noon when we were able to sneak away outside for a much needed weed break. We headed outside and around the building on the side facing the parking lot. Since the others were still in class for another twenty minutes, it was only Stray and me.
Leaning back against the cold brick wall, I pulled the hood of my hoodie up over my head. Hands stuffed in my front pocket as I waited for Stray to pass the joint my way.
“I can’t fucking wait to be done this shit,” Stray said, releasing a plume of smoke. “I’m so glad this is our final year.”
“Me too. I’m looking forward to never having to come back to this place.” I didn’t have a problem with the classes themselves. The schedule is what did me in. I’d much rather spend all morning in bed and start the day when I damn well felt like it.
While Stray and I passed the joint back and forth, we shot the shit about random topics. Eventually moving on to his recent engagement to Codie.
“She wants a summer wedding. That gives us several months to plan. Paris for a honeymoon. That was Codie’s choice. Can you picture me in Paris? Those people are going to hate me.” Stray chuckled.
I nodded in agreement. “Hell yeah they will. I guess you should’ve paid more attention in high school French class.”
When Noah rounded the corner then, my laughter died. At the same time, my pulse quickened. In faded blue jeans and a gray hoodie, there was nothing about him that stood out. Nothing to make me look twice. Still, I couldn’t take my fucking eyes off him. With his dirty blonde hair slightly disheveled andthe overcast winter day making his eyes especially green, he easily held my attention.
“What the fuck do you want?” I greeted him with my usual grim demeanor.
Noah held up both hands as he approached. “No need to be so aggressive. Just here to deliver the information Rebel demanded. Unless you’d rather I keep it to myself.”
“No, it’s cool,” Stray cut in. “Give us what you have.”
Noah pulled his phone from his hoodie pocket. “Give me a number to send it to.”
Stray caught my eye, subtly inclining his head, indicating for me to hand over my number. I knew exactly what that fucker was up to. Sucking the last of the joint down to nothing, I threw the remains into the snow.
“Send it to me,” I said before reciting my number.
Noah stared at his phone screen, typing for a moment. “There. Done. I’d appreciate if you guys wouldn’t screw up my job with that guy. I need to get my hands on him whenever you’re done with him.”
“Yeah sure. Whatever you say.” Feeling my phone vibrate, I checked the notification, finding an address and a few other details.
“Always nice talking with you, Dom. A real fucking pleasure.” Noah gave me a salute, using only his middle finger, before turning to walk away.
I took a step forward, ready to go after him. Stray grabbed my hood, jerking it off my head as he dragged me backwards by my hoodie.
He waited until Noah was out of earshot to say, “Yeah, you two really need to fuck and get it over with already. This shit is getting ridiculous.”
I pointed a finger in his face and hissed, “Shut up about it or I’ll break each of your fingers one by one.”
Not at all fazed by my threat, Stray rolled his eyes. “Whatever, man. Enjoy your blue balls. Let’s go hit the cafeteria. I could go for a corndog.”
I followed him inside, having no appetite myself. Watching Stray stuff two corndogs into his face made my stomach turn. Try as I might to resist, I couldn’t help but scan the cafeteria. I shouldn’t have been looking for him. I shouldn’t have given a damn.
The more I thought about Noah the more I wanted to kill him. If only so he’d never be able to get inside my head again.
After my last class of the day, I promptly left the building, having no reason to hang around. Stray split off to meet up with Codie. I continued on to the parking lot.
With my head down, I pulled out my phone, focused on the screen. I tapped the message from Noah with the information he sent. Against my better judgment, I added him to my contacts list under the name Douchebag.
I was so intent on my phone that I barely noticed when someone stepped out from between two vehicles right in front of me. I really should’ve been paying better attention to my surroundings. I knew better than that.
“Whoa. Careful there.”
I glanced up to find a man standing in front of me, blocking my path. He was dressed for the weather in a thick jacket, a scarf wrapped around his neck. He didn’t appear to be much older than my twenty-two years.
“Dominik Taylor?” he asked.
“Who wants to know?” Eyeing him suspiciously, I put my phone away. I needed my hands free if I was going to have to fight this guy.
