I gulp at his words. Victor takes a sip of his coffee, but other than that, he doesn’t move. Are we staying here and chatting with her?
Meredith jots down something quickly and looks at him again. “Can you comment on your latest school fight? You’re under investigation. Again. Do you want to share what happened that made you hit this guy so hard you sent him to the hospital?”
Victor’s body twitches slightly, but I notice. Because I’m right next to him. Anyone would have noticed it, right? I’ve never paid attention to people’s body language before, but with Victor it’s different. I sense him when he’s behind me even if he hasn’t said a word. I feel his body’s reactions even if he tries to hide them with his nonchalant attitude and posture.
I’d love to hear his story too. I should be scared and terrified that he sent someone to the hospital. If it were anyone else, I’d jump to a conclusion and judge them harshly, no questions asked. I’ve always taken the side of the victim. But now I want to know more. What if it was self-defense? What if Victor was not at fault?
“I’ve told the story to campus police, and when they’re done with the investigation, you’ll find out the truth. There’s nothing else to say at this point.”
Why is Victor not defending himself? Why wouldn’t he just say what happened and set everyone straight? I’m sure everyone on campus assumes he’s at fault since he has fighting skills. Keeping this story a secret can hurt him more. Someone actually suffered injuries and ended up really hurt. And Victor doesn’t appear regretful for putting a guy in the hospital.
I bite my lip. Even Alek doesn’t seem to know what happened; otherwise, he would have told me earlier. Would Victor be willing to share it with me? I take a long sip of my macchiato and the hot liquid burns my tongue. I wince. Who am I kidding? I’ve only known him for two days.
The girl uses her tentacles to suck Victor deeper into the ocean of her charm. She turns his body slightly to face her, and I find myself staring at his profile and his back. She bombards him with questions. This interview and the attention he’s getting is probably small in comparison to what professional MMA fighters have to do to promote their fights. Fighters have women around them. They give interviews. They travel. They party.
Every single muscle in my shoulders tenses. Victor is about to begin a lifestyle I don’t like. Mine is the exact opposite. I hide, too embarrassed of what my mom does. I like to focus on my goals and surviving.
I’m standing here like a total idiot. And why am I bothered that I’m being ignored? I built my entire life on being ignored.
I clutch my cup and walk straight to the front doors.
Chapter Nine
I’m good at fleeing. I get to the front doors of campus café. I’m about to pull the handle when a mighty hand does it for me.
“Tia, you ran away from me.”
I detect a note of accusation in his deep voice.
“You can finish your interview. I’ll walk back to the apartment. No big deal.”
We walk outside and the sun warms my skin. Victor runs his hand through his hair.
“It is to me. Do you want me to show you the food court? We can get something to eat there.”
“Ummmm. I don’t know.” I chide myself for being happy he followed me. Is this babysitting, or does he truly want to be around me?
“Let’s go then.”
“You’re relentless.”
Victor grins. “You’re a quick learner.”
The food court looks a lot like one in a mall but smaller. Every type of cuisine is displayed on neat trays. Victor leads me to a table in the middle and asks what I’d like to eat. I draw in the last sip of my sugary drink.
“How about a cookie and a bag of chips?”
“Really? They have salads and sandwiches here. Lots of healthier options.”
“Why can’t I get a cookie and chips?”
“I’ll get you what you want, but I was hoping you’d reconsider the sugar and oily junk foods you chose.”
Victor is just as bossy as Alek.
“That’s not fair,” I pout.
“What’s that?” he asks. Victor rakes a hand through his hair again and sits down in front of me. “I don’t want to make you angry, Tia, but maybe… you can start making better food choices.”
