“As you all begin your day, I would like to personally introduce myself… Dr. Joy Vaughn. The new dean and the first non-First Family president of Drew Collins University.”
Groaning, I slipped back into the bed, settling in the sheets after realizing what was happening.
“While you all settle into your academic life and get a feel for the Grounds, you will notice there are some major changes. The Holmes family has provided for this school for decades since Drew Collins was born right out of the Civil Rights Movement for United Negro Mythics and Magics alike. Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost the true spirit of Drew Collins, and I am here to bring back tradition, honor, and persistence. Each student has been given a Code of Conduct guide on the new rules approved by me, the magic system, and alumni…”
I attempted to close my eyes, sinking my head further into the pillow.
“Every Wednesday going forward, you are expected to dress in formal attire as it is our Dress for Success Wednesday. There will be no accessories added to your uniform and if we find you are out of dress code, it can be a cause for removal. Every day, a student’s uniform is what he or she is showing up to their peers and professors. No pajamas, no hoodies, no bonnets, and no slides. If you are on the Grounds, you will be in uniform at all times.”
My phone started to buzz on the nightstand with incoming text messages that I knew were from the girls. I could hear Ayira coming out of the bathroom before going back into her room to close the door.
“If we find you are fraternizing with a teacher or staff on the Grounds, you will be automatically removed from the Grounds without further notice. Please see the Code of Conduct guide, section 1.C for further details.”
The thin burgundy sheets moved about before Namir’s head popped up from the hem with his eyes closed, nostrils flared and throbbed for a sniff before he opened one eye.
“What did she say?” He asked, voice scratchy and groggy from the throat. Namir had crust in the corner of his eyes and mouth where he probably drooled all over the sheets. He was attempting to grow a little bit of waves, and his beard was fighting to be a full-blown bush that he shaved down. “What time is it?”
“I don’t know,” I muttered, irritated. “I’m just waiting for it to go off.”
“Smoking illegal substance, using any form of magic as a means to transport such as black smoke–––”
The soft knock on my door let me know Ayira was hearing it in her room too.
“Maggie? Are you–––”
“Yeah, yeah I hear it,” I dragged. “I don’t know what this is about. It will shut off in a minute.”
I could hear her walk back to her room like she was rejected when really, she was probably just upset it broke her sleep. That damn girl wasn’t going to her classes anyway.
“The previous Dean has been lenient on you all, but I want to restore Drew Collins back to its glorious name and reputation. In order for us to do that, we need to weed out the bad. The final rule is, if your grades slip below a C after exams and class exchange, you will be reconsidered for admissions into the school on whether you truly belong here or not. It’s too many resources readily available for you to be average at best in the most prestigious school. There are no students here that should be here based on what they are. We are looking for whatyou can do, moving forward. The First Family is no longer in control…the school belongs to those who belong to it. Have an amazing rest of the week, Drew Collins Trojans.”
The speaker screeched loudly before going off as the Grounds became deadly quiet. Namir slipped his arms underneath the pillow and laid back down with his eyes closed. I turned over to face him and brought the sheets up to our necks as we waited for the sun to slowly rise, providing a dim orange glow of light in the corner of the room.
“What time is your first class again?” He asked, eyes still closed.
“What time is your first practice?” I threw back. Namir opened one eye to look at me before growling as he mushed his face into the pillow for a slow rub and inhale. He was secretly marking his scent on my shit. I knew better now. I thought it was cute at first, oh my boyfriend loves my scent when he can smell me. No, he’s marking his scent for any other man that might potentially come in here. It was insulting until I realized he truly could not help himself.
“Tell me why you won’t get off-campus housing with me again?” He asked as he turned to face the wall, keeping the back of his head facing me. “Why can’t you, a grown fully capable adult woman, stay with her man?”
“Mmmm because life is too short not to do ratchet shit with my friends,” I said. Namir picked his head up for a moment before turning to look at me. I flashed a smile that probably smelled like nightmares and plaque. He groaned as he slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to his chest that felt like pure heat. I managed to slip my arm underneath him as I picked at my nails high in the air while he laid on my chest.
“It’s not natural to me,” he said with his mouth pressed against my skin making some of the words sound muffled.
“What’s not natural, pup?” I asked, concentrating on my nails.
“Us not sleeping with each other.”
“Mmmm…sex has never been an issue–––”
“It’s not about that.” Namir picked his head up to look down at me. “By nature, I have to touch and be touched…Stay near you, protect you, eat with you…You are my mate for life. I don’t think you realize how serious this is.”
I pulled my eyes from my nails to look at him and his piece of crust crumbled up around his eyes and mouth.
“Sooooo…it's not about having hot intense magical supernatural doggy style type of sex?” I asked. Namir suddenly growled before coming down on my neck and coming for my ear to bite as I squirmed underneath him in laughter. “Okay okay! Namir!?” I squealed. Relaxing underneath him, he laid limp against my body as he began to drag his tongue against my neck for a lick. I knew once he gripped my hair to pick it up out the way, he was in his groove, lapping up the skin, probably tasting body wash and salt somewhere in between.
He’s such a freak of nature, literally.
“Have you spoken to Bellamy or maybe heard from him lately?” I asked. His tongue froze in midlick as he pulled back to look down at me. “He’s back to ignoring my calls and texts any time I ask about my mom.”
