ruined & redeemed | (andy black)

chapter 1: quadratic equations

     the fluorescent lights of the lecture hall buzzed softly above, but all savannah could focus on was the bright red mark circling the top of her college algebra exam. a 62%

she stared at it, her heart sinking right into her chest. she smoothed down the floral fabric of her pastel pink sundress, her fingers trembling slightly as the rest of the students gathered their notebooks and shuffled out into the warm afternoon air. savannah had always been a straight-a student. she went to church every single sunday morning with her family, sat in the front row, kept her bible highlighted in soft yellow and mint green, and always, without fail, smiled at everyone she passed in the hallways. she was the girl who baked cookies for her dorm floor and wore silver cross necklaces and dainty ankle socks. but x and y variables? parabolas and polynomial functions? they were a completely different language, one she was rapidly failing.

"savannah, dear? could you step up to my desk for a moment?"

professor hargrove adjusted his glasses, looking up from his stack of papers. savannah swallowed hard, hugging her leather-bound binder to her chest as she walked down the carpeted steps of the auditorium.

"i'm so sorry, professor," she started quickly, her voice soft and sweet, carrying that gentle warmth that made everyone instantly adore her. "i studied for hours, i swear i did. i just... i get so confused when we hit quadratic equations."

"i know you're trying, savannah. you're one of the sweetest, most diligent students i've had all semester," the professor said, giving her a reassuring smile. "which is why i don't want to see you drop your gpa over one subject. i have a solution for you. i talked to one of my top students—he aced advanced calculus last term, and he's agreed to tutor you. he needs the extra credit, and you need the help."

savannah felt an instant rush of relief, her big brown eyes lighting up. "oh, bless you! thank you so much. who is he? when can i meet him?"

"his name is andy. i told him you'd meet him in the back corner of the campus library at four o'clock today. he knows what you look like, so just sit in the study lounge area."

"i'll be there early," savannah promised, clutching her textbook like a lifeline. "thank you again, professor!"
by three-forty-five, savannah was already seated at a secluded wooden table near the very back of the third floor, hidden away behind rows of ancient history encyclopedias. the library was quiet, bathed in the golden afternoon sun filtering through the high arching windows. she adjusted her denim jacket over her shoulders, her dark hair falling in soft, natural waves past her collarbones, completely untouched by dye or heavy styling. she pulled out her neatly organized pencil pouch, three different pastel highlighters, and her fresh notebook, ready to learn.
four o'clock came and went.

by four-fifteen, savannah was nervously biting her lip, checking her wrist watch. maybe he forgot? maybe he was stuck in traffic?

then, at four-twenty, she heard the heavy, deliberate thud of combat boots echoing against the polished floorboards.

a shadow stretched over her pristine workspace, blocking out the warm sunlight. savannah looked up, her breath catching instantly in her throat.
standing on the other side of the table was a guy who looked like he had walked straight out of a nightmare—or a secret dream she'd never dare admit out loud. he was tall, towering over her, draped entirely in black. a heavy leather jacket sat slouched over his broad shoulders, worn at the edges, and underneath it was a faded black band tee with a neck so stretched out it exposed the dark ink creeping up his collarbone. his pitch-black hair was styled in a messy, razor-sharp mop, thick fringe falling right into his piercing eyes, which were heavily lined in smudged black kohl. silver rings glinted on almost every single one of his long, lean fingers, and a cigarette was tucked casually behind his ear, completely violating campus policy.

he smelled like expensive cologne, leather, clove smoke, and something distinctly dangerous.
savannah blinked, her mouth opening slightly. "um... hi? are you... looking for someone?"

the guy smirked, a slow, lazy, wicked pulling of his full lips that made savannah's stomach do a terrifying little flip. he didn't ask permission; he just pulled out the wooden chair opposite her, spun it around backwards, and straddled it, resting his chin on his ringed hands while staring directly into her soul.

"you must be savannah," he drawled, his voice a low, raspy gravel that vibrated right through the quiet space between them. "hargrove sent me. said his favorite little saint needed someone to save her grade."

savannah flushed bright crimson, her cheeks burning instantly. she pulled her legs together under her skirt, suddenly hyper-aware of how clean, neat, and innocent she looked sitting across from him. "you're... you're andy? the calculus genius?"

"in the flesh, sweetheart," andy hummed, his dark eyes trailing down from her wide, innocent eyes, taking in her modest outfit, her immaculate notebook, and the tiny silver cross resting at the base of her throat. his smirk widened, dark and dangerous, like a predator eyeing a little lost lamb that had walked straight into his woods. "so... show me where it hurts."