C04

Theia had concluded that if she was going to die, she would have at least been closer to a century, had a few kids, maybe also some grandchildren, and probably lived a life of simplicity, the usual, however, those kinds of thoughts were very far from what she had just experienced. Alexander Kasimir was not a patient driver, neither was he a safe one. He had just about run four red lights, ignored merging traffic and recklessly gone over and above the speed limit. Begging to touch grass as soon as they reached the parking lot of the college, she stepped out of the car and held her head. Everything spun around her, the sky flashed colours of the rainbow and God help her, the grass was starting to look purple.

"If those people don't kill me, you will. Holy hell, who drives like that?" she rubbed her temples and stabilised herself, still holding on to the car while slowly walking around it.

"You're still alive aren't you?" he pulled a cigarette out and casually lit it up as she took a minute to catch her bearings.

"Barely! You can't smoke on campus! Put that away!" despite her obvious frustration, she had pointedly reached for his cigarette when he held her hand away and straightened her up in one pull, leaving her arm to dangle a bit by the grip on her bicep.

"What are you? The campus police? Why don't you change your major to public service if you love nagging people so much?" was all he said before taking a pull and puffing the smoke right at her without much of a conscience. Her eyes burned, coughing loudly at the sudden smoke in her face, barely fanning it away and shooting him a glare when she decided there was no point in arguing with him over this anymore.

"Asshole" was the only thing she muttered, turning away and hugging the strap of her bag as she found herself heading straight up the entrance to the business block.

Her first class started in about 15 minutes, she had half expected Alexander to follow her directly into the lecture hall, but when he told her to go on ahead, she took the opportunity to happily make her way to classes. She was especially happy that for the next two hours, she wouldn't have to deal with the man right up in her business and next to her. Settling right in the middle of the hall, she preferred an end seat, for the convenience of legroom, easy escape to the exit, and of course, she was in direct view of her lecturer for the subject.

"Hey, you're early" a voice spoke next to her, taking her attention from the book she pulled out to date and prepare for class. The owner of the voice belonged to a young man by the name of Elliot Saunders, about six feet tall with a rich olive complexion, that paired nicely with the copper highlights in his chocolate-brown hair. He had been in one of the girl's previous classes last semester, and although he had good intentions, he was always miserably struggling to make up credits to finish a semester.

"Have I ever not been? How're your assignments coming along?" she asked, knowing from the nervous laugh he gave that it was probably not looking all that good after all.

"Well... It's getting there..." He admitted, rubbing his neck and then swiftly changing the topic.

"I didn't see you at the games this weekend" he mentioned, the question bringing about a minute of pause in the girl's mind as she thought it over and then cursed softly under her breath.

"Oh no... I forgot. This weekend was a little hectic, I'm guessing it went well? I haven't seen anyone crying in the hallways"

"More or less, we won the first few rounds but sucked in the last game. They were just waiting to tire us out and bring in their real stars. Kind of sucks if you ask me" he shrugged.

While Theia was not much of a sports fan, she still supported her college in their sporty adventures, which included retail at the peanut stands during last year's baseball game and being a first-aid standby at last semester's basketball game. It was also where she had met Elliot, conversing with him further and learning that he was only really doing college because his parents wanted him to at least get a degree. The boy was far more interested in woodwork, but because of familial pressure, he was stuck doing a business degree he hadn't quite enjoyed.

"Whatcha talking about guys?" joining them was another friend, Feya Grace, a short brown-skinned girl with a mess of curls for hair and bright hazel eyes. Theia always loved looking at the girl's bouncy hair texture, each time she shook her head or nodded it seemed to have a life of its own. Feya was in most of her classes, she had also been the only person in her major to help her around the first day at college and was supposed to graduate the current year but had lacked a few credits.

"Hey Fey, just catching up. I missed the games this weekend, did you get a chance to go?" Theia asked.

"Of course, the love of my life was playing, I wouldn't miss it for the world" she grinned, propping a chin on her palm as she wiggled her brows.

"Jared? I thought we were over this? Trust me, he's bad news" Theia frowned, not happy with her friend's choice of romantic interest. No one on the campus hadn't known about Jared the creep who only went after freshmen and had muscle for a brain.

"She's right, even I can tell you he's bad news" Elliot chimed in, snorting softly at Feya who glared at him.

"Look, deep down he's a good guy, we had a class together and I worked with him... I know he's got potential" she pressed her fingers together, hoping to convince the other two as Theia and Elliot both shared a glance and sighed.

"Of course, you were his ticket to passing a class. How many assignments did you do for him, Fey?" Theia asked, narrowing her eyes at the hot flush of embarrassment over Feya's warm skin. She was right.

"Feya... Ha, when are you going to learn?" taking a soft breath and then feeling a bit guilty for her friend's dampened expression, she hadn't meant to deter her feelings or upset her, but she didn't want to see the girl hung up over a guy who was going to ruin her life. At first, Theia thought she was in the same situation as her, unrequited love for a man who was sent straight from God, but when she had learnt exactly who she fell for, Theia was beyond appalled.

Class began shortly after the trio was finished with their conversation. Socioeconomic Relations was not a terrible course, but it did bring about several open discussions that had Theia zoning out midway. She hadn't noticed it much when Alexander was with her, but the minute she stepped into the lecture hall, she found herself feeling uncomfortable, almost as if she was being watched. Brushing it off once she was with Feya and Elliot, she had distracted herself enough to forget about it. Maybe she was being paranoid and was a little tired from studying all weekend, a coping mechanism (excuse) to not run into Alexander around the house.

"So, does this mean you won't come with me to the club this weekend? It's just for an hour or two, I know I know. Jared is bad news, but, I think he's changed" Feya asked her shortly after saying goodbye to Elliot who had mentioned something about making up extra credits with community service.

"Why are you so stubborn?"

"Please? You can spend the night with me, I'll even prepare our outfits" Feya hugged her by the arm, giving her those irresistible big puppy eyes as Theia held back a laugh and shook her head.

"I don't think an outfit is a problem, Fey. Let's think about this rationally. We go, you meet him, and then?" stopping shortly to look at her, her friend's gaze brightened.

"Then, we hang out, stay close for safety and return home!"

"Right. You know, normally that would be the part where he takes you to his place, you guys do the dirty while I save your ass from getting in trouble" Theia pointed out playfully, watching her friend turn into a mess at the talk about it.

"No! That's not it... Actually, there's something else..." Feya's eyes lowered, her grip on Theia's arm tightening as she swallowed hard and avoided the other's gaze.

"Something else?"

"Yeah... I think... I think he might be dating someone... And I just want to confirm..." she admitted. Ah. So that's what it was. Theia couldn't help but feel a bit guilty, maybe Feya was doing her best to get Jared out of her system, and right now she needed a friend to be there for her when shit gets caught in the wind.

"Alright, so we go, confirm the situation and leave. I don't know how I'm going to convince my brother with this one" Theia sighed, feeling the smaller girl wrap her arms around her tightly and squeal in her ear.

"Thank youuuuuu! I'll text you the details!" with that, she waved at the girl and ran off in excitement, a small tight smile forming on Theia's lips as she chuckled. Great. Now how was she supposed to bring this up with Alexander? Thian would flat out refuse, and the ogre for a bodyguard wouldn't even pretend to listen.

Turning to head to her next class, Theia's body froze, it was happening again. There was an uncomfortable drop in her stomach and she had found herself alone in the hallway. Nobody was around, but it felt like she had a million eyes on her, something was near. No, someone was near, and from the quick movement at the corner of her eye, she had panicked, her memory flashing back to the day she had been first attacked by a weirdo trying to get into her car. Was it another attacker? Was it those guys who were after Thian? Had they followed her into the campus grounds? Forcing her feet to move, she picked up the pace and rounded the corner, almost screaming when she bumped right into someone, fear flashing in her eyes but the comfort of Cedar wood and pine settled her instantly. Alexander held her by the shoulder, his dark hair framing his face as he stared down at her and shortly pulled her face to his.

"What happened?"

"Oh, God... Ha... No, I... I just..." her words came out in a mumble of mess, her thoughts all over the place and for once she was glad to see Alexander.

"Did someone attack you?" he asked, moving closer to search her eyes but she immediately shook her head.

"No. I was just paranoid. Did you finish your business?" she asked him, pulling away and putting enough distance between them. When he hadn't replied immediately, instead, taking a minute to just look at her, she turned her head away and hoped he would quickly say what he had to.

"You should get an updated schedule by this evening, I also collected some... Data... From the cameras, when my people are finished reviewing it, we can determine which areas you'll be allowed to stay within" he said.

"You hacked the cameras?"

"A brief security breach, nothing personal" he shrugged.

"Of course. Anyway, does this mean you don't have to follow me around at school anymore?" she asked, almost hopefully but when he chuckled and leaned into her, she already guessed the answer.

"Be grateful you at least get to pee on your own" was all he said before straightening and not even attempting to move when she kicked him in the shin, the attack doing nothing more than tickling him as he shot a brow up at her.

"Didn't know you had a piss kink" she snorted but instead of an answer, he remained silent, watching her stomp away.