Hidden
All Rights Reserved.
Ayana Love
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Chapter 1: Introduction.
His teeth were yellow, his face brought up into a twisted smile. He cackled before coming forward, his hands stretching out before me. I blinked, hoping he would go away. But when I opened them again, the stench of alcohol wafted into my nose and his bloodshot eyes were right in front of me. He was no longer the father I loved, he was a monster. His hand raised and I grimaced waiting for the impact.
My eyes shot open, my chest rising and falling quick. The tips of my digits fingered the satin sheets I slept in but they felt wet. I sat up and wiped my dangling curls out of my face. It had been a year and a half. He hadn't found me, so why were the dreams still occurring? I flung the sheets off of me, noticing a big sweat puddle staining my bed. I sighed, shaking my head before stripping them off. I bundled them up and brushed them to the side on the carpeted floor. I walked into my kitchen grabbing a mug from the cupboard. I filled a pot with water and turned the stove on to boil the water. I made my way into the bathroom, looking into the mirror. Dark, purple bags covered the underside of my eyes and my cheeks seemed sunken. I turned the sink on cold and splashed some water onto my face, yet I didn't feel any more awake.
Flicking the light off, I went back to the kitchen to see my water boiling. I cut off the stove and steeped the tea bag. The sun was just rising and the city was beginning to move, just like it always did once it hit dawn. I wrapped my hands around my mug, hoping some of the warmth would sink into my body. My feet padded against the hardwood until I sat myself firmly into my plush couch. I wrapped my sherpa blanket around the length of my body and watched as the city woke.
Looking at the clock, I realized class started in an hour. It was cold, it was November. Minnesota was always cold. Minneapolis was probably the one place he wouldn't look for me and university here wasn't so bad. I lived in a student apartment, however it didn't mean I fraternized with my peers. To me...they were a distraction.
I swallowed the rest of my tea before I walked into my bedroom to get changed. I slid the silk slip off of my body and slid on some jeans. I drifted through my closet trying to find the right sweater until I came across a thick cream sweater. I pulled it on over my head and found some boots to compliment the outfit. I had to work at the office later today but that wasn't until after class. Plus having two online classes didn't bother me at all or my schedule for that matter.
I grabbed my bag, filled with my books and headed out. I locked the door behind me and plugged in my earphones. Twenty-one pilots traveled through the ear piece and then I set off towards class.
"Jace! Man!" Nick called out.
I rolled my eyes and chuckled, "What's up man?"
"Coming to Mu Gama's party tonight?"
"We'll see." I shrugged.
I walked into Professor Anrig's class and set my books in my seat. A girl with blonde curls sat at the next table. I had seen her a couple times before but never up close. As if she could feel me staring, she lifted her head, revealing beautiful baby blue eyes and tan skin. Her lips were plump and pink but everything about her face fit perfectly. She had a few noticeable freckles on each of her cheeks and her curls were matted to just the top of her forehead.
I waved slightly and she looked right back down to the book. She was nothing if not gorgeous and something in my body told me I needed to speak to her. I pulled a chair out from the desk and she looked up at me once again. This time her brows were furrowed. Her slim fingers pulled an earphone out and she tapped her phone.
"Yes?" she spoke out softly.
"Nothing, I just couldn't help but notice you...sitting here all alone." I shrugged.
"Okay?...and that means?"
"Why?"
"No reason...I need to study. So if you'll let me get back to it." She sighed.
"Yeah sure."
I wasn't used to girls not even glancing back a second time and she obviously had no interest.
"If you don't mind me asking...what's your name?" I asked before she whisked herself back into her music.
"Why?"
"Just curious."
"Brinley." she nodded.
"Brinley...?" searching for a last name.
"I don't give out personal information."
"Your last name won't kill you."
"It just might." She murmured before going back to her book.
I sat there for a minute contemplating before getting up and pushing the chair back in. I walked over to my friends, seeing Michelle and Kate, the two groupies that always tried to get with me and Nick.
"Michelle. Kate," I nodded curtly. "Nick can I talk to you for a sec?"
He nodded, turning to walk with me.
"What do you know about Brinley?" I clapped my hand on his shoulder.
"Girl with the blonde curls in Anrig's class?" He asked.
" Yeah."
"Brinley Covington...Adam was trying to get with her a few weeks ago but nothing happened. She wouldn't budge on anything. Apparently she's a prude." Nick dismissed with the lift of his shoulders.
"You know what grade she's in?"
"She's a sophomore with a associates' degree in Physical Therapy already."
"Really?" I asked, my eyebrows raising on their own.
He nodded, "The girl is smart. She tutors science...any classes but especially anatomy and biology. That's how Adam met her."
"Nice...I am failing anatomy. Maybe I should get her to be my tutor."
"You're not failing anat- ohhhhhh I gotcha. Go ahead and sign up in the library. She does separate sessions for whatever depending on your schedule. But do it soon, finals are coming up soon."
"Alright...I'll get on that." I chuckled.
"Let's go man, class is starting." Nick laughed.
Walking back into class, I was determined to get to know this girl. She was intriguing for whatever reason, and I was determined to see why she was.
