Sophisticated Sophomore (Love 101 #2) Page 15

  "Get her out of here." The same words were spoken the last time the three of us were together.

  Sean tugs at my arm again and says, “You heard him. Let’s go.”

  Before I can turn and walk away, Courtney yells, “Does she know about us?”

  I look at Sean, then to Chris. Chris doesn’t look at me, but he yells, “You’re crazy. You need to get the fuck out of here.”

  I wriggle out of Sean’s grasp on my arm. Walking towards Courtney, I catch a glimpse of a shiny object she is pointing in his direction.

  I stop a few feet away from them and say, “What is there to know, Courtney?”

  She snaps her neck around to look at me. “We are back together. He keeps telling me he is over you.” She looks at him with a smirk on her face as she waves the knife in the air. “But obviously he hasn’t shared the news with you.”

  Trying to keep her calm, I slowly say, “Listen, he’s yours. I was coming over to drop off a few of his things.” Chris looks at me and shakes his head. “Chris, it’s in your room. I’m leaving.”

  The sirens are blaring as I walk away from them.

  Chapter Twenty

  I pound my steering wheel a few times as I stifle the screams trying to escape. My face is soaked with tears streaming down my cheeks. I search my purse for tissues and can’t find anything. Before I wipe my face with my shirt, knocks rattle my window.

  Sean looks in the car and says, “Let the window down.”

  I let the window down and sniffle before whispering, “What’s up?”

  “Are you okay?” Sean looks sincere. Too bad I can’t trust his intentions.

  “No, I’m not okay.” I wipe my face on my sleeve. “Is Chris okay?”

  Sean nods his head. “He’s worth it, right?” He leans against my car and peers into the sky. “You don’t believe what Courtney was saying. Do you?”

  “I don’t believe her, but I just wonder why her persistence isn’t wavering.” My phone rings, and it’s Monica. “I should probably get out of here.”

  “I’ll let Chris know you left, and to give you a call.” He walks away and I back out of my parking spot.

  Monica stops me at the front door. Her smile fades when she sees me. “Laila, what the hell is going on?” She grabs her phone and shoves it towards me. “Someone sent me this picture from the frat house.”

  In the picture, Chris has his arms in the air and Courtney’s face is distorted. “I just left the frat house. Courtney showed up and confronted Chris.” I shake my head at the memory of her waving the knife at him. “I give up. She wins.” I throw myself on the couch. “If I don't give up, someone’s going to get hurt.”

  Monica sits beside me. “I totally get it, but isn’t that what she wants? For you to give up.”

  “Persistence pays off.” I smirk, then close my eyes as I rest my head on the couch.

  “At least the fundraising event went well. Are you ready to plan the next one?” Monica sheepishly tries to change the subject.

  Opening my eyes, I smile at Monica and say, “You were amazing! Who knew that you could own the stage like that? I am ready to plan the next event.” I sigh. “Anything to get my mind off of this situation.”

  Nicole waltzes into the living room and puts her hand on her hip. “Yo, what the hell is going on with Chris?” She looks down at her phone. “Why are people sending pictures around of him and Courtney… fighting?”

  My eyes roll and I look to Monica and let her explain. Monica looks at Nicole and says, “You might as well pull Jennifer in here too.” I nod my head.

  Without moving from her stance, Nicole yells, “Jennifer get in here.”

  Jennifer with her face wrinkled up stands beside Nicole, waiting for an explanation. Nicole looks back to Monica and she continues, "Courtney is crazy as fuck and approached Chris at the frat house." Monica frowns. "Obviously everyone near the frat house has heard about the situation."

  “And I’m done.” I shrug.

  “What?” Nicole yelps. “The crazy chick approaches Chris and you’re done?” She sits down on the couch. “Just like that?”

  Jennifer sits on the floor in front of me, gazing up at me without a word.

  “Courtney was waving a knife at him. If I don’t step away one of us is going to get hurt.”

  “Whoa.” Nicole’s eyes stretch. “Sounds like she needs to be admitted.” Jennifer nods her head in agreement.

  My phone rings and when I see Chris’ name I answer the phone and raise my finger in the air to pause my conversation with the girls.

  “Hey. Are you okay?”

  “I’m good. Where are you?”

  “I’m at my apartment.” Before he can ask any more questions I say, “Courtney has issues. Real issues.” I want to tell him I’m done, but I can’t find the words.

  “She does. Hopefully, the cops will get her straight if nobody else can.” Chris sounds as defeated as I feel. “Can I come over?”

  The girls are hanging on my every word. “Yeah you can, but can you give me an hour I need to finish talking to my roommates.”

  “Just text me when you are ready.”

  “My campaign can wait.” Monica narrows her eyes at me after I end my call.

  Jennifer cocks her head up at me and says, "You love Chris,” She pats my leg. “Although I'd rather you be single, don't give up."

  “Does anyone know how much money we made tonight?” I look to Nicole, who designated herself treasurer of the campaign. “There was a good turnout. What was our cut again?”

  Nicole looks at me with her mouth hanging open. “I’m amazed. You switched topics as if you don’t have a crazy woman trying to take you out and a man trying to save you.” She chuckles.

  I roll my eyes and groan loudly. “How much money, Nicole?” Looking at Monica while I wait for Nicole to respond, I say, “For our next event I say we do a car wash.”

  “I would say we made at least three-hundred dollars.” Nicole looks at me with her head bobbing then says, “Maybe three-fifty.”

  Jennifer perks up. “And we said a thousand is our goal, right?”

  Monica looks at us with her nose scrunched. "We could always skip the shirts, but we'll need flyers and posters."

  Jennifer nods and says, “I’ll have the design ready in a few days.” She turns to me then says, “Can you call Chris now?”

  “Yes.” I stand to walk to my room. Instead of calling, I send him a text.

  Laila: Come when you’re ready.

  Chris pulls me into a tight hug and whispers in my ear, “I’m so sorry.” He pulls back and kisses my forehead. “You don’t deserve any of this.” He shakes his head and I see a tear forming in the corner of his eye.

  “Chris, as far as I know you don’t deserve this either.” I lay my head on his chest. “What’s going to happen next?”

  "I honestly don't know." I feel his shoulders shrug. "I don't know if the cops will keep her. The knife she was waving at me suddenly disappeared when they arrived. At the most, she might be banned from campus."

  “Her parents must be just as deranged. You’d think they would make her stay away from here.” I pull away and look up at him. “Have you told your parents?”

  He exhales. “I did. My mom is worried and determined to speak to her parents.”

  “Maybe that’s a good idea. Our efforts don’t seem to be working.” Chris rubs his hands up and down my arms landing on my shoulders.

  “More importantly. When you said I was hers, you didn’t mean it did you?”

  Tears break away as I try to respond. “I don’t want to lose you.”

  He kisses my cheek and I feel a tear roll off his face onto mine. “I don’t want to lose you either.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “How are you hanging in this class, Laila?” I look up from my notebook and see Stephanie staring at me with a wide grin. “Ready for the exam next week?”

  “I’m keeping up, but I’m not sure I will be ready for the exam.” Since
the Courtney incident I haven’t been able to focus long enough to study for more than thirty minutes at a time. “What about you?”

  Stephanie’s grin fades. “I’ll be ready by then.” She shrugs her shoulders. “I hope.”

  Professor King walks through the door and says, “Class is dismissed for today. Check your emails this afternoon for tonight’s reading assignment.”

  Stephanie and I exchange looks. The class begins to disperse before Professor King can change her mind. I throw my notebook and pens in my bag and walk towards Professor King. Up close, I see her eyes are puffy and her nose is red. “Everything okay?”

  Professor King stares at me for a minute before responding. “I just got word from Professor Douglas’ family that he passed away early this morning.”

  My mouth drops open and I grab my chest. I whisper, “Wow.” My head drops and the shame weighs heavy on my back. I should have taken the time to visit him.

  Professor King wraps her arms around me. “If you want details about the memorial service I’ll pass them along to you.” She guides me out of the classroom and we walk beside each other in silence until we reach her office. “This is going to be a tough time for the entire department, but I know you had a great relationship with him at one time.”

  I nod as I glance in the direction of Professor Douglas’ office. “I should get out of here. But please let me know about the service.” I give her a hug before walking away.

  Before I exit the building, my phone rings, and it’s Evan. I’m sure he’s heard the news by now, but I hope he isn’t calling for me to write an article. I think I’ve done enough already by interviewing the girls who Professor Douglas allegedly harassed.

  I ignore the phone and continue walking to my car. Instead of going to my last class of the day I drive to Lake Ella. The trail around the lake is full of walkers and joggers taking advantage of the moderate temperatures. Doing the same activity mid-summer would nearly cause a heat stroke.

  I walk around until I find a bench, and take a seat alone. My thoughts drift off to the many conversations I had with Professor Douglas and I can almost hear his Jamaican accent as if he were standing in front of me. If only I could go back to before the scandal erupted.

  When our last conversation plays back in my head, tears glide down my face. I was too damn stubborn to stick around to listen to his side of the story. Now I’ll never really know what happened with those girls and why I never felt the least bit uncomfortable around him.

  A slap at my ankle to hit a nipping mosquito brings me out of my daze. The trail is now clear of walkers and joggers. The sun has gone down and I should be leaving too.

  Before driving away from Lake Ella, I promise myself to be more forgiving to those I care about. I pick up my phone, and since leaving it in the car I’ve missed calls and a shit load of text messages. I scan through most until I see Evan’s name and words in all caps.

  Evan: CALL ME LAILA. NEED YOU ASAP.

  I skip to the next messages from the roommates and then I see Chris’ name.

  Chris: Where are you?

  Chris: Is everything okay?

  Chris: If you don’t call me soon I’m going to send out an Amber Alert.

  The last one makes me smile and I click his name to call his number. “Hey, babe.” My attempt to sound chipper falls short, sounding like a faint whisper.

  “Laila, are you alright? Where are you?”

  “I’m fine. Leaving Lake Ella. Probably headed home.”

  The noise in the background seems distant and Chris continues, “Damn Laila. Something is wrong. You are horrible at lying.”

  A lump forms in my throat and I stay silent.

  “Laila? You there?”

  “Yeah, I’m here.” I lean my head against my headrest. Clenching my eyes closed I say, “Professor Douglas. He passed away.”

  “Shit. Babe, I’m sorry.” Chris releases a long sigh. “Stay where you are I’ll come get you.”

  Although I’d rather head home and climb under my covers the offer is tempting.

  “I’ll call you when I pull up.”

  “Okay.”

  Reaching for the radio knob I inch up the volume and try to drown out my emotions. My phone rings and I glance at the screen and sigh.

  “Hey, Evan.”

  Evan gasps. “Laila. Now that I know your phone is working you must be blatantly ignoring my messages and calls?”

  My lips part as a smile spreads across my face. “Not blatantly. I just needed time before I reached out to you.”

  “So you’ve heard?”

  The somberness returns and my smile fades. “Yeah. I have.”

  Evan begins a rant that I half ignore until he mentions an article. I knew he’d want me to write an article.

  I interrupt his rant, “Evan, I can’t.”

  He groans. “Laila, you are blatantly ignoring me.”

  “Wait. What?”

  “I wasn’t asking you to write an article.”

  “I’m sorry, Evan. My mind is all over the place. What were you saying?”

  “Understandable. I can’t believe he’s gone.” Evan begins another rant and before I tune him out, I interrupt, urging him to get to the point. “Right. The cops came to the department today looking for you. They had a few questions about the girls you interviewed. I guess since he has passed they need to wrap up the case.”

  “Thanks for the heads up.” My phone dings with an incoming call. Chris. “Text me the information for the officers and I’ll follow up.”

  “Will do.” I try to end the call but not before Evan asks if we can attend the memorial service together. I hadn’t decided yet if I’d be going. But having someone with me may make it easier.

  I click over in time for Chris to tell me he’s pulling up beside my car. I glance out the window and feel my mood lifting. I raise my hand and give him a slight wave. Neither of us hangs up and he says, “Your car or mine?”

  I open my car door and Chris climbs out of his car to help me out of mine. He locks up my car and we drive away. When we stop at the red light he speaks, "I'll bring one of your roommates back over to grab your car."

  I nod in agreement. “I knew Professor Douglas was sick. I checked in on him a few times before the news broke about the girls.” Chris continues driving but rubs my leg as I release my hurt. “The last time I was in his office…”

  “Laila, don’t blame yourself for how everything went down.”

  “But I should have visited him.”

  “Do you know when the funeral service is being held?” Parking in front of my apartment he grabs both my hands. “I’ll go with you.”

  “Thanks.” I look out the window. “Let’s go in.”

  Chris leans into my ear and says, “I know something that may make you feel a little better.”

  My heart begins to race and I raise an eyebrow at him. His hands are all over me as we walk into the apartment. Nicole is in the living room and Chris nudges me into my room. “I’ll be right back.” He grins and doesn’t take his eyes off of me as I walk into the room.

  I strip my clothes off and throw my hair up into a hair tie. I let the shower run while I rinse the tears from my face. Once the bathroom is steamy I climb into the shower. Before lathering up I let the water run down my back. I close my eyes and say a prayer for Professor Douglas’ family. Amen.

  The shower curtain opens and Chris is standing before me without any clothes. He gazes at me, not looking at my body but deep into my eyes. I reach for his hand and invite him into the shower with me. He turns me around and massages my shoulders. I drop my head and allow the tension to ease.

  After my body is relaxed Chris cleanses me but keeps his distance. The pain from the loss of Professor Douglas is replaced with a throbbing between my legs aching to be touched. I lean against Chris’ body. Instead of giving into my need he rinses the soap from my body and turns the water off.

  He grabs the towel from the rack and dries my body. Holding my hand
he helps me out of the shower before he dries himself.

  I walk into my room and lie on my bed. Chris follows me but doesn't lie beside me. He kneels beside the bed and whispers, "You feeling alright?"

  I nod then stop and say, “No. I want you to touch me.”

  He looks up and snickers. “I’ve been touching you. You didn’t feel me?” He cocks his head and smiles.

  I open my legs and place my hand on my lady parts and say, “Here.”

  He catches my hand and moves it beside me. He runs a finger between my legs and my eyes close shut and I release a sigh. “Now I’m better.” Then he spreads my legs further apart and kisses me. My back arches as he begins to tug on my nipples as he nibbles on my clit.

  Before I can release, he disappears. I continue rubbing between my legs while I wait for him to return, hopefully, strapped with a condom.

  My hand doesn’t have the same appeal and although I know my hot spots my body calms until Chris climbs between my legs. He enters me and my body tenses. After a few strokes I’m panting and between strokes he rubs my clit causing me to moan, “Chris.”

  He kisses my neck and I explode. He climbs off of me and pulls me into his chest.

  “I love you, Chris. Thank you for being everything I need right now.”

  I look up at Chris and see his eyes are closed tight.

  As Chris promised, he was beside me at Professor Douglas’ memorial service. The Douglas family invited a few of the students back to the house after the service, but Chris had to go to class.

  Evan and I glance at each other before walking into their home. “Only a few minutes,” I whisper before the door opens.

  He nods his head as we are led into the house by a man who looks like Professor Douglas, but years younger. Professor Douglas never spoke of kids. I can only assume this man must be his nephew or younger brother.

  The house is filled with flowers, family members, and a few familiar faces from the Journalism department. I spot Professor King, and she smiles as she approaches me.