Chapter 4 Tamara Ramirez

Eyes followed my every move as I enter the campus. Consciously, I tried hiding my face on my locks of brown hair in the hopes of covering my face from their curious eyes. Phone in hand, they stare at me and back on their phone as if they were comparing something. I stared at the floor and continued walking to the cafe inside the campus to meet my friends. 

Even as I enter the place, customers had their eyes on me. I looked around and saw the familiar dark brown hair I have come accustomed to. I walked to our table and was greeted by two sets of ocean blue eyes. 

Artemis was quick on her feet when she saw me. Her dark brown hair is swept up into a side ponytail, making her vibrant ocean blue eyes stand out more. She had a smile on her face as she pulled me into a hug and then on to sit on a chair. "Have you seen the pictures?"

Her twin brother, Apollo  was quick to intercept any further question before I could give an answer. He gave Artemis the nastiest glare he could manage. "Let her breathe, Art."

I stared at the twins in confusion. "What is going on? Everyone's creeping me out." I told them as my eyes wander on the people around us, only to find them sneaking curious glances at me, yet again. 

Art's eyes widen a bit more, if that was even possible, as she leaned in with half of her body almost lying on the table between us. "You noticed?!"

"Of course I did. They followed my every move since I got out of the car." I said as I took a sip of the mocha latte they ordered for me before I even got here. I relish the taste of coffee and a smile made it to my face. I'm in love with coffee.

Apollo pushed his phone across the table and on to my reach. "They took pictures of you and your Dustyn yesterday. You guys look really intimate in there."  he commented. I did not missed how he said your  right before Dustyn's name but I chose not to comment on it. Instead I reached for his phone, curiosity getting the best of me.

I opened the photo in question and boy, did it look bad. 

Dustyn's hand were around my waist as he lifted me up into a hug. I had my hands around his neck and my head was down onto his shoulder which looked like I was kissing that part of his body. Dustyn's tight grip on me was noticeable along with the fact that he kissed me on the cheek. There's even a picture of us smiling at each other like a couple who had not seen each other for years.

I looked at the site and was not surprise it ended up on the gossiping site of the university. It made statements like 'lovely couple' and 'the brat found her sugar daddy' kind of stuff. Most of the comments are demeaning, some are just straight out envy talking. I expected  the backlash but I never realized that people taking our kind of education had no class at all.

"So like, are you guys dating?" Artemis asked as she grinned at me with curiosity glistening in her blue orbs.

I rolled my eyes at her and gave Apollo back his phone. "Nope. Not even in the slightest. I just missed him, that's all."

"Really?" She asked suspicion was clear on her voice.

"Yes. But Alec told me I was invited to dinner by Dy's father this Friday." I said, wishing the ground would swallow me right up with the squeal that Art let out. Heads turned their directions to our table, everyone was almost too ready  to catch a rumor or confirm it.

I was surprised when I found out this morning during breakfast. Alec woke up late and was all over the place mumbling to himself when I got out of my room. He's back was to me as he mumbled a good morning to me. But just before he went out of the room, he told me the invitation of Dustyn's father for dinner at their house tomorrow night. I was too surprised to ask him the details but I'll make sure to ask him tonight.

"I can take it down. You just say the word, Mara." Apollo said with determination. Apollo has the craziest talents. For one, he is a god when it comes to hacking sites. Just like he said, he can take down the pose in a snap of a finger. He has never been caught and I don't think he'll start to get caught now. 

The twins are total opposites of each other's personality. 

Artemis is a sweet, gentle angel who wouldn't dare do something illegal or wrong. She doesn't lie and loves to write for the journalism department. Meanwhile, Apollo has been the devil out of the two. With his bright blue eyes and light brown hair, anyone could mistakenly take him for an angel much like his sister. But Apollo is attracted to everything that screams dangerous and illegal. As they both always say, they're soulmates so it made sense for them to even out both of their different personalities.

"That's illegal." Artemis tutted at her brother, flicking his nose playfully. 

Apollo rolled his eyes. "You think everything is illegal. Technically speaking, the pictures got posted without any permission. I could just take the problem to the administrator and have the whole thing shut down."

I held up my hand to stop the both of them into getting in any more arguments about what is illegal and what not. "Just leave it. Everyone has seen it anyway. No point in taking it down."

"Are you sure you're not dating him? I mean, come on! He's hot!" Artemis exclaimed.

"I'm not listening to this." Apollo said and stood up. He dropped a kiss on his sister's forehead and on my cheek before walking away.

"I hear you having sex all the time!" Artemis complained after him. I cover Art's mouth with both of my hands as I send apologetic looks at the professors in the cafe.

"Jesus Art! You trying to get a bad rep or something?" I told her as I pull her out of the cafe. As expected, the eyes of the other students found their way to us.

Who wouldn't?

My name and my pictures are being dragged all over that gossiping site and Art, who is pouting like a kid beside me, is one of the hottest freshman there is in campus. She's already being called the Journalist sweetheart and here I am still being dragged with the rich brat. 

Sometimes college can be like high school. So damn dramatic.

"People say the word sex all the time!" She grumbles at me as she walked away. I shake my ahead after her, a soft smile playing on my lips. 

The day continued and still people can't get enough of my face as they stare and sneak glances at me. Some got even called out during class for it which was pretty funny to me. Some of the more 'courageous' students even came up to me just to confirm the rumors. Much to their disappointment, I completely  blew them off.

As it is, my day wasn't going so well when Alec called me and told me some more bad news.

"Hey. I just got out of class." I told Alec as I pack up my things and head out for the exit. I can hear the shuffling paper on his hide. "Everything all right?"

"No." he groaned out. "I'm gonna have to go to London and oversee the final stages of the project there."

"Okay. When are you heading out?"

"Already on the way to the airport actually."

My jaw dropped at his words. "WHAT?! You're going to go now?" Alec never leaves without proper preparation. More for my security than his own. 

His sigh was loud and I could already tell he's regretting the circumstances. "I'm sorry baby girl. Just stay with Art and Apollo for the night. I'll be back Friday evening or Saturday afternoon at the latest."

"Fine. It's not like I have a choice." I grumbled out as I have finally and successfully made it out of the building I had my class in.  I wasn't mad at him but the shock forced me to sound more biter than I intended to. 

"Baby girl, I'll make it up to you, okay?" He pleaded. When I didn't reply he continued, "I love you and I'll be back before you know it. Oh and don't forget about the dinner. I have to go."

"Love you too. Have a safe trip, Alec."

"Oooh who you talkin' to Mara?" Apollo's teasing voice reached my ears forcing me to look up from my phone and to his blue eyes. "Mr. Lover boy?"

I rolled my eyes at him. He's just as bad as his sister. "That was Alec, FYI."

"Man, I thought those were just rumors on the gossip site. Was it true?" One of his friends asked. I raised one of my eyebrow at him and rolled my eyes at them. Even guys love gossip.

We waited for Art for a few more minutes before we all got inside their Jeep. Art was psyched to hear that I would be spending the night at their house. Despite the pile of school work we have, she managed to blab about movie night and some other stuff she loves to do.

Unlike my house, the Fields live in a much smaller house. Its gives off a very home-y vibe to me every time I enter their house.

Autumn, Art and Apollo's mom, welcomed us with a hug and a sweet smile on her face. She welcomed me just like she did with the twins. She's an awesome painter and a very cool adult.

"Can I stay the night, Autumn?" I asked her while the twins scour for food in her kitchen.

Smiling she places a plate of cookies in front of me. "Of course, honey. Have some of this before the monsters eat it, okay?" she said, setting off to find some milk.

"We're your children mom!" the twins grumbled from beside me to which I giggled.

"Well, I would've liked someone like Mara much more. Polite and with manners." Autumn replied winking t me playfully. She loves to rile up the twins all the time, yet the twins never seemed to learn that playfulness is in their mother's blood.

Apollo frowns. "I am polite."

"Oh dear. Are the pigs flying?" Autumn asked sarcastically.

The night was filled with laughter and when Mr. Fields came home we all had a nice dinner with both the adults still teasing the twins. It was better than a night at the house.

Before I knew it, it was already Friday.

Dinner would be at the Franco residence and I cannot be anymore nervous than I am now. Mr. Franco is a wonderful person. He's a smart and funny man but I couldn't say the same with his wife. The woman hates my gut for no apparent reason. 

Dustyn has been in my life since I was a kid. He was six years older than me. He is one of my only friends back then and he loved to take me out on drives once he got his license. He did everything he could to make me smile and forget all about the bullies in school who loved calling me brat. Alec and him practically raised me with their endless mantras and rules I was bound to follow even up until now. 

Before Dustyn left, he gave me a camera which I used to take my first ever picture with him as the subject. 

"Why are your hands shaking?" Apollo asked from my bed where he's laying down. His head is resting on his arm that is bent under his head. Artemis and I sent him a glare. He raised his hands up in mock surrender. "Chill girls. I'm just stating the obvious."

I threw the hairbrush in my hand at him which to my dismay, he dodge. "Get out." 

Apollo ignored me and stuck his tongue out instead. "You love me."

"I'm thinking about it." 

None of us had afternoon classes, so right after our morning class, we headed to my house so Art can help me prepare for the dinner. Apollo tagged along just because he wanted to. 

Art dressed me in a simple black dress that reached above my knees. She found suitable heels in my collection and even painted my nails so they look presentable. She let my hair down on their natural waves. She glam me up to the best of her abilities but I drew the line when she tried to put make up on me other than a lipstick.

"Mara, you need make up! It makes you look even more beautiful." She said, stomping her feet like a kid. She turned to her brother to ask for help but thankfully, Apollo had my side this time.

"I think Mara looks best without make up." He said and winked playfully at me.

"Ugh! You guys are hopeless." She mumbled, giving up on the idea of make up. I sigh in relief at this. I hate make up more than any cliche that exists in this whole damn world. "But I do love your heels." 

I smiled at her. Art was never one for high heels. She preferred sneakers and doll shoes but once in a while, she falls in love with my collection. I, for one, am addicted to high heels. I just could never get away from heels or buying them whenever we go shopping. Even Alec has let e indulge in this addiction of mine as long as I don't go over board with shopping expenses.

We lounged in the room until Dustyn came to pick me up for dinner. One of the maids must've escorted him up to our room because when he sent a message that he was here, I wasn't expecting to see him right outside of the door.

"Mara." He said as soon as I opened the door. He seemed breathless as he said my name and I wondered what would suddenly make him sound like that. "You look beautiful."

I smiled at him and his compliment. "Well, I cleaned up for once." I said, teasing him. 

Laugh rumbled out of him, "Don't remind me."

He looked so much younger when he laughs. Suddenly, I was lost in the sea of his almond brown eyes. His laughter echoed around me like a soft melody. My hands shot up and I touch his face with a soft caress. 

A new emotion blossomed inside me as I gaze into his eyes with the same emotion. It was like he was seeing something unbelievably existing. In his reality, it seemed like someone like me could never exit. His eyes were telling me stories. Stories I would never want to know if I was feeling like myself. But I was so lost in his eyes it blinded me.

Then his laughter stopped, and I was pulled back in to reality.

"T-there was something on your chin." I mumbled out, embarrassed of what I had just done and how my heart is beating so damn fast.

"A-hem." Apollo's unimpressed voice behind me snapped my head back to him. Beside is Art with her ever present grin, her eyebrows wiggling in suggestion at our compromising position.

"Right. This is Dustyn. Dustyn this is Apollo and Art." I said, walking to the side to let them greet each other.

Dustyn nodded thoughtfully. "Chief Fields' kids, right?"

"You know Dad?" Apollo asked his as they shake hands.

"Yes. Over speeding was a big deal to him back when I was a kid." Dustyn said, chuckling in amusement. He must've seen the similarities between Mr. Field and his children. "Anyway, it was nice to see you guys again. But we need to go."

"Right. I'll see you guys later." I told them as Dustyn and I head out. 

"Have fun!" Artemis shouted after us before they fully closed the door of the room.

But neither of us expected the night to be a disaster.