She didn’t believe me.There was cold hard evidence before her eyes and she did nothing.
My breaths come out in short, sharp bursts and I slide to the floor, my chest tight.I gasp, clawing at my throat, trying to get my airways to open up.Eventually, air bursts into my lungs and I cough and splutter, rolling onto my hands and knees.
My hands shake violently as I hold my head in my hands.
He’s dead, and yet, he still has this much control over me.
I clamber to my feet, shaking, anger rolling through me.I turn, sending my fist straight through the wall.
9
NORA
THE WORST PART OFattending classes on campus is carrying these damn textbooks everywhere.
It’s hot, the walk between classes is long and it feels like my bag is getting heavier and heavier as the day goes on.I wipe my brow, trying to pat the sweat off and not rub off my make-up at the same time.
‘The sun is sunning today,’ Cami groans, also dabbing her forehead as we wait at the bottom of the library steps for Anya, who’s stayed back after class.We somehow all landed in the same Academic Writing class, so we get to hang out and work on the assessments together.
Cami leans back against the building, scrolling on her phone.I adjust my backpack, trying to relieve some of the weight as I survey the courtyard before us.The tables are steadily filling, since a lot of people just finished class and it’s nearing lunch time.
‘Tell me why Professor Nirven thinks we’re all working onherclass full time,’ Anya complains as she approaches, swirling her iced coffee, which she must have grabbed on the way here.
‘Because she’s a Virgo,’ Cami says without looking up from her phone.‘Control is her love language.’
I laugh, always learning lots when it comes to astrology from Cami.‘Honestly!Her expectations need to be adjusted.’
‘She’s tragic,’ Anya says.
‘What’s tragic is her wardrobe,’ Cami mutters.
‘Okay, no need to pick the woman apart,’ I intervene.
‘I’m serious,’ Cami says, peering over her cat-eye sunglasses.She always has a different pair, depending on her outfit.She is a fashion icon, whereas I feel like I throw on whatever’s clean and hope for the best.Every time I’m around her, I question why I am wearing the outfit that I am.‘Double denim?What era are we in?’
I shake my head in amusement.‘You’re too much.’
‘Never too much,’ she replies, blowing me a kiss.‘Let’s find a table, I’m parched.’
We locate a table and I quickly shrug off my bag, feeling instant relief.
‘Hey!’a voice calls from across the courtyard.
All three of us glance over and here they come – Mason, Christian, and of course, Zayden.
Zayden strolls unhurriedly towards us, backwards cap on his head, holding an energy drink.That’s his trademark look.His eyes flick over the group and then land on me.A zing of awareness inches down my spine.His brow inches up, as if to say, ‘We’re still doing this, right?’
After a beat, I nod.
Mason and Christian come to a stop at the table, and Mason leans down, kissing Anya on the top of her head.Christian smiles in greeting and looks around us, as if searching for someone.I’ve seen him hanging out a lot lately with a guy who I don’t recognise.I’m pretty sure they’re dating.
Zayden, however, rounds the table and my heart starts to race.I feel the heat of him as he leans down.
‘Hey you,’ he says, unapologetically flirty, offering me that gorgeous, crooked grin of his.
‘Hey,’ I murmur back, tilting my head so we can meet eyes.
Reaching down, he grips my chin between his thumb and forefinger, securing me in place.I don’t dare to breathe as he leans in and kisses me.Right here, in front of the whole courtyard, but more importantly, in front of all our friends.
