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◢◤◢◤◢◤ Circuit 26 ◢◤◢◤◢◤
"Ouuuu, you all look fancy. What's the occasion?" I chirped, seeing Theo approach the lockers in the hall with the two familiar faces beside him.
"Sainz! Good to see your face again. How was your weekend?" Kade is the first to greet me with a suffocating hug as he pulls out the cherry lollipop from his mouth.
"It was good. Yours?"
"Divine," he described. "Spent the day at the beach with Skye and we had popsicles. Did you know there's corn-flavored ice cream? I don't know what world I was living in but damn was it good. It even looked like a real corn! What was it called again?" Kade's excitement is directed toward his other friend.
"Corn Ice Cream." Russell lowered his cell phone as he looks up at me with a grave expression, "It's just called 'Corn Ice Cream', Kade." His presence, a stark contrast to Kade's, shifts the atmosphere, changing the playful mood to one of seriousness.
We exchange a brief glance and I greet him with a grin. He nodded his head as though he was fully aware of my presence but couldn't care less to say hi.
"You went, too?"
"Out of my own free will," Russell grumbled.
"That's not true!" Kade exclaims and takes his phone and pulls up a photo of Russell in nothing but black shorts, lying beneath an umbrella with his legs tangled and shades on top of his nose. "You were clearly having fun."
"Seemed like he was," I giggled softly before Russell could pry the phone away from Kade's hold. "I couldn't tell if he was asleep or not."
"Oh, trust me. He was. You should see the picture I took when he was drooling all over the picnic blanket-"
"You are not going to show any more of my fucking face without my permission, motherfucker." Russell hissed at him before he finally gave up, "I am going to break your hands before you can."
While the two were distracted, I glanced at Theo, shamelessly checking him out as I admired his pulled-back hairstyle, then to the long sleeve sweater rolled up his arms and the matching dark trousers, the watch around his forearm, and down to his shiny Balmain dress shoes.
God damn.
"Oh, we have interviews for a scout team from a potential Ivy League school." The quiet boy answered as he awkwardly scratched the back of his head, causing his shirt to ride up slightly if it weren't for the leather belt holding everything together.
He gulped and adjusted his posture, standing a bit taller in anticipation of the challenging yet exciting opportunity that lay ahead.
However, there was a lack of excitement in Theo's eyes compared to the gleam across Kade's features.
I watched as the muscles in Theo's chest and biceps tightened with each of his movements. I imagine my freshly coated Kuromi-inspired nails tracing each and every crevice of his bones and flesh, gently and then with tantalizing pressure as I admire the miniature gems cured on top of my nails catching a glimpse of light while I proceed down his abdomen, never stopping until my hands are above the waistband of his belt.
Then, I'd ask him, beg him to take it off and bend me over a fucking desk just to thrash it against my skin. I can only imagine what it'd feel like to have him do that - I shudder at the thought.
Stop being a horny bitch.
I take a deep breath, reminding myself that this is not the right time or place, and I reluctantly look away.
Russell cleared his throat, taking me out of my thoughts as he asked, "What's your next class?"
Heh. I stop the urge to smirk at myself, realizing this is the first time Russell Adams is voluntarily initiating a conversation with me. I don't know if I should be flattered or offended.
However, I successfully hid my reaction. Instead, shrugging my shoulders and mumbling, "I got Physics after. Why?"
Russell throws his sling bag over his shoulders along with the signature black leather he only seems to adorn. I don't think I've ever seen him without it, or the vape he always has in the back pocket of his blue denim jeans. And when I think about it, he doesn't actually wear his uniform as he should. If he isn't wearing a fancy dress shirt under the leather jacket, he veers for a plain white shirt and never with patterns or lively colors.
The all-black outfit and grave choice of fashion sense are all very . . . Russell Adams.
He's the complete opposite of his little sister. Or should I say, his step-sister.
I recalled what Skye had mentioned a few weeks back during our daily girl talks over the phone and I had mentioned Russell. Cat failed to get the tongue and I was curious as to why they had different surnames.
Skye was an open book and I didn't have to apologize for being too forward. The girl kindly explained it to me. She went on to tell me that her father, a South Korean man, married Russell's mother, an American when they were 9 and 10. And ever since then, they have been inseparable. People thought they were twins. They never bothered to correct them, though. The reactions they got from strangers when they told them were satisfying. It was admirable that despite differences in their blood, they shared an incredibly close bond.
"I was just on my way there if you'd like to walk together." I could barely believe that the same words were coming out of Russell Adams' pretty mouth, and I almost choked on my saliva. I couldn't believe that Russell Adams was actually asking me to walk together, and I was almost ecstatic.
"Did you just ask me to walk with you?" I repeated to make sure I wasn't just hearing things.
"You heard me, Sainz." Russell sighed almost as if he was regretting his decision. "Do I really have to repeat myself?"
I blinked, still in disbelief. Then, I finally snapped out of it.
"Let me just get my stuff." I quickly took my books from my locker and shut them with a clank, looking over to Theo to send him a smile. His brows creased as his gaze shifted between his friend and me.
"Geez, fucker. You don't have to be so harsh," Kade shakes his head at his friend, earning an unbothered glance. "Tsk. You'll never change."
"Not for you," Russell replied nonchalantly as I perched my bag over my right shoulder with a soft chuckle.
"Do you guys ever not get down each other's throats?"
"Argh. That sounds disgusting. Please don't ever say that again." Kade makes a gurgling sound in his throat as Russell narrows his cold eyes to me. I smiled sheepishly which only caused him to look away.
Something unfamiliar flashes in Theo's eyes as his lips form into a straight line.
I cannot point my fingers at whatever it is that he's thinking.
My eyes fell on his lips. I had to fight the desire to lean in and claim his lips in front of everyone. Or the fangirls who are sneakily stealing glances at him from their cellphones.
My irritation grows.
I don't know how long I can wait.
The only question is— how the hell am I able to get him to trust me?
I have to find a way. I need to find a way because I am running out of time. I only have just over a month before I go back to reality and I have to leave everything and everyone else behind.
With no fucking regrets.
"How was your weekend?"
My head snaps in Russell's direction.
"I'm not that much of an asshole, Sainz." He chuckles, causing my eyes to widen even more. I've never seen this man crack a smile. I almost thought he was disguised as a robot. Man, even Baymax was more expressive.
"It was great," I said, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. His eyes finally met mine and he gave me a nod of approval, his baseball cap worn backward. Russell's ebony hair was a bit longer and I noticed a single dimple on his left cheek before it quickly disappeared.
Students were filing into their classrooms before the bell sounded through the speakers, signaling us that we had five minutes left before the doors would close. The headmaster marched through the halls to make sure everyone showed up to classes. His firm, authoritative presence had a palpable effect on the student body, ensuring that attendance was always at its highest.
Schools could only receive funds if students showed up. That's how it was in California.
"Why are you suddenly curious about me?" I nudged his shoulders as we walked down a couple of flights of stairs to our class. "Must be something you need."
"Nah. I've already got shit to think about. My head might explode," Russell muttered lazily as he reached for something in his back pocket. He threw it up in the air before catching it.
I give him a look as if to say 'what the fuck?'.
"You want a hit?"
"You know smoking kills you."
Nonchalant, Russell brings the pen to his lips before inhaling the aerosol. He breathes in before a whiff of nicotine and smoke leaves his nose.
"Sweetheart, it's a fucking vape. Calm your tits."
Russell's cloudy gaze meets my judging eyes.
"You know what, do you." I muttered with a shake of my head, "We only live once. Although yours will be shortened."
The boy fucking snorts.
"Smart ass," he buzzes, his tone laced with sarcasm. "We'll all end up at the same finish line anyway," he adds, the smirk on his lips betraying his true sentiments.
"Great, you go on ahead first. I'll take my sweet time getting there," I added pointedly, holding his gaze.
"So you can stare at my ass?" He scoffs. "Yeah, no thanks."
My hand flies up to his biceps as I gasp in disbelief. "I am no pervert!" I defended weakly, knowing damn well it was a hobby of mine I couldn't seem to stop. Admiring boys' asses and thinking about how lucky they are to not have to go to the gym.
"What makes you think that I-"
"Oh, fuck off. You think I don't notice when you stare at Kade's or Theo's behind." He looks off into the distance, failing to keep his amusement hidden.
"Whatever," I say. "Don't tell me you don't do the same!"
"I am not interested in guys, Sainz," he stated. "So, absolutely not."
"Girls, then?"
He rolls his shoulders back as he says, "Please, I don't even watch porno."
I rolled my eyes at his words. "Now, I know you're lying out of your fucking ass, Adams."
He turns his focus back on me, smirking.
"Why is that so surprising? You think I can't get a girl to get me off when I want?"
It was my turn to scoff at his ridiculous response. "Didn't really take you as that kind of person, no offense."
"None taken," he tells me. "You're right. I don't sleep around unless I really am feeling someone."
"That's logical."
"Why, thank you." He said. "That's nice of you."
"Shut up," I lightly cackled.
"Do you?" He throws the question back to me.
"To fuck around without getting attached?" I paused, considering the meaning of his words carefully; despite the fact that I was familiar with this type of lifestyle, I knew it wasn't the right decision for me. "No, not really."
My answer was firm. As I thought about the question, I felt a weight in my chest and a thought looming in my mind. I simply could not lie, sharing too much of what I intended to share with the boy.
It only made sense too, partly because Russell had shared more with me than he would have with someone he had just met a few weeks back. It was only appropriate to share my gratefulness that he was finally seeing me as someone worthy of his inner thoughts and not someone who had suddenly forced her way into his friend group.
As such, I was grateful that he now saw me as someone he could trust to keep his thoughts and feelings safe, and not as an intrusion into his life. I appreciated it more than he knew.
"Mhm, I can see that." He mumbles after getting another hit of his vape and forming a cloud in front of us.
I held back my amusement, watching as he curled his lips to suck in more of the poison. "See what?"
"That you're too pretty to be caught up with idiots."
"Pretty, huh?" A grin made its way to my lips and I looked up at him with a playful glance. "Are you secretly in love with me, Adams?"
"Ugh," he groans, hiking the strap of his bag up the crane of his neck. "Please don't tell me you're one of those girls."
"What the fuck does that even mean, fucker?" I feigned offense as I pushed him from the side. His deep, but comforting laughter filled the halls.
"It means you both need to get to class."
A deep, creaky voice spoke behind us as our arms touched in surprise. We stopped in our tracks and muttered curses under our breath as we slowly turned our heads.
There stood the headmaster in his usual stance. His hands perched on both of his hips as he stared down at us through his glasses.
I hadn't seen the old man in weeks but I sure don't remember him going bald. I almost snorted at how the sunlight coming from the windows shone on his shiny head.
"Good day Mr. Brown." Russell greeted me flatly as I stood there speechless.
"What's that in your hand, Adams?" The man snarled seeing the familiar pen.
"You know what it is," Russell answered as though this wasn't their first interaction. He was so nonchalant it gave me chills.
"I know. But why do you have that with you when it is clearly not allowed. How many times have we gone through this?"
I think that's my cue to leave.
"You're welcome," Russell whispered beside me before I dashed down the hall without looking back.
"Miss Sainz!" The furious man called out. "I will find you later!"
"C'mon Mr. Brown, let's talk this out inside your office. You're disturbing the other classes."
"You do not get to tell me what to do with you."
The boy raised his hands in defense and sneakily buried the device back in the open slit of his backpack.
"It was a mere suggestion," he explained.
"Enough talking, Adams. You will not get away with this again." The headmaster warned as the wrinkles on his face were apparent. "Follow me."
Russell let out a sigh before trailing behind him. He was tired of the stupid rules the headmaster set in Whitehaven. Three years ago when he wasn't the one ruling the school, everything was easier and somewhat enjoyable. Now, he could barely walk through the hallways in peace.
"Lead the way."
"Miss me already?" I smirked on my way out of Physics class just in time to find Theo leaning against the wall opposite the entrance, brows furrowed and eyes lowered to the watch around his wrist.
He looks up at me through his long lashes.
"Ola." My name smoothly slips off his lips and a few students, specifically, the girls, pass me odd looks as Theo pushes me off the wall. "I'm sorry for showing up without notice. I didn't have my phone on me."
With my hands buried in my back pockets, I stand in front of him, having to crane my neck to meet his eyes.
God, Theo was big. Quite large in all the right places. His arms, thighs, hands, and don't get me started on his nose—God, I love the snub on the tip of his nose. It was exactly right for me.
At least in my eyes, he was.
Despite his natural, timid behavior, he gave off so much dominance just from his build. This boy was covered in muscles, it was almost impossible not to look.
He was the type of dream boy you'd pass by at the mall or in one of those sneaker stores and do a second glance even when you didn't look your best.
"You know I love seeing you."
He immediately blushed at my sweet words.
It took all of my strength to stop myself from leaning in and pressing a kiss to his jaw like I always do when it's just the two of us. I hated how I couldn't show him off freely.
All I wanted to do was make him mine.
I wasn't too short for my height but the way he hovered over me and the way his wide shoulders gave him a sense of dominance. I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if he took over me.
"What's this about?" I questioned as though I hadn't sent him a risky photo of myself just a few days ago when I came over to his house and spent the day with his sweet mother and adorable little sister.
It was scary how close I was getting to them and how welcoming they were to, well . . . someone like me. Thea had already been calling me through Laura's phone and asking me when I would be coming over to their house again. She asked me when we could play house and run around their backyard.
She was a bubbly little girl, almost too intelligent for her age. It made me stupid to hear her talk about space and things like astrology.
I didn't know a shit about that. However, she was slowly rubbing her knowledge of me. I stayed up all night searching for Theo's star sign and if we were compatible in the slightest possible way.
He's a Virgo. Born on the tenth of September. Mercury is his ruling planet. I was so invested in trying to find out if we could be compatible that I stayed up all night scouring the internet for any information that could tell me if a Virgo was compatible with me. The only thing I didn't get was the time of his birth.
I figured it was too creepy for me to know, so I let it be.
Although I will have to hold off on getting too sucked into it. If we were really compatible or if our ruling planets were aligned.
In truth, I really didn't want to find out if those goddamn stars said we weren't.
"Am I in trouble?"
"No, I just . . ." He paused as if gathering his thoughts. From where he stood a couple of feet away, I could tell he was anxious about our interaction, especially when there were prying ears and eyes around us.
Suddenly, I took his hands out of mine and pulled him in the direction of the exit. We hurriedly made our way out.
"Let's head to the library. It's quieter there." I said, and Theo didn't say anything more as we rounded another door to get to our destination.
The library had become our own little space on campus. We both knew that the library was the perfect place for us to go, as it offered us a space to relax and focus away from the hustle and bustle of campus life. I didn't care about the eyes following our steps but I couldn't speak for Theo.
He was clearly not liking this public act of us being seen together.
He kept his head down, trying to avoid eye contact as if any connection with the public would be detrimental.
The most sought-after boy on campus and the newest girl in town. His reputation preceded him, and he was determined to keep a low profile. But among the dispersing crowd and owl's eyes, there were blue, piercing ones that held a growing hatred for me as I softly tugged at the boy's hand.
Quickly, we passed by the librarian and proceeded straight to our usual spot in the far corner, where the old bookshelves were.
We took refuge in the corner, careful not to draw too much attention, and I could feel an intense pair of eyes following us until we were out of sight.
"You can tell me what you need to say." I waited for him to start as I leaned back against the edge of the table with my arms crossed.
"I just wanted to let you know . . . before you find out from someone else." Theo contemplates as if he was fighting an inner battle with himself.
I was really getting impatient now.
"Okay. What is it?"
"I, uh . . . I don't know how to say this without hurting you—"
"Fuck hurting me." I tried to keep my voice as gentle as possible but with each passing time, I was growing anxious and an uncomfortable feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.
"Theo, just say it."
"E- Elle is back in Whitehaven."
My mouth parts and my arms settle at my sides as he intently watches my reaction. I don't give anything away but rather purse my lips.
"Okay, I've known that. So what?" I shrugged my shoulders as if that would help hide my frustration. All along I thought that bitch would give up after I threatened on smashing her face on a pole in the school's parking lot when I saw what she tried to do to Theo.
If there was one thing I regret, that was forgetting to break her fucking face when I had the chance to.
Theo frowns, unsure what to say to calm my anger. Still, he thinks I shouldn't have reacted this way after he already forgave her for the nasty shit she pulled. My intent was clear, and I wasn't going to be satisfied until she faced the consequences of her actions.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know it until the headmaster called me in to help her get settled into her classes."
And as if that wasn't enough to ruin my day, I went on to ask, "You even saw her?"
"I will have to see her every day for the remainder of the school year since she is staying here."
Biting my lip, I pushed myself up and picked up a random fucking book from the nearest shelf to distract myself. The thought of seeing them together - seeing what they were like before me - messed with my head.
Even as I held the book in my hands, I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy at the thought of them together.
Elle was undeniably gorgeous, that was no secret. Everyone with eyes knew that and Theo - he was just as good-looking. I couldn't help but feel envious of the chemistry they so obviously shared in the past.
I could see why they liked each other in the first place. But her appearance wasn't my main concern. I was pretty confident with myself and my looks and the way I presented myself.
I was taller than her by a few inches and my legs were longer as well as my hair. Above all, I was a good-hearted person. Although I did not convey it well, Elle had one thing I didn't have.
History.
They began as childhood friends before they even became lovers. Family ties were just as strong between them, and they spent the better part of their lives together. There was no way I could ever compare to that. I didn't even have a complete family to start with and my mom would never approve of whatever was between Theo and me.
In spite of what she had done, it was obvious that they still had a close relationship.
"Are you upset?" Theo's gentle but husky voice rang in my ears, and his smoky eyes followed me closely. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Ola."
I stopped to look at him when he spoke.
"Why would that hurt me?"
"Because you said you liked me-"
"I like a lot of people, Theo."
A flash of unpleasantness flashed through his eyes. A look of surprise and . . . hurt?
"S-sorry. I must have misunderstood." He fiddled with his hands. "I just thought . . . what you said back in my room, that's what you meant, right?"
I didn't think it could get worse than this, I replied. "It wasn't anything deep."
Because I suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotions I craved my real feelings, it seemed the only easy way to escape this hole I dug myself was to lie my ass out of it. And damn was it high.
With his cold, yet gentle eyes, I almost wished I could wrap my arms around him. My pride was a bitch, just as my ego was. Over the past few days, I've worn my heart on my sleeve without hesitation. The picture was now dominated by someone's presence.
The boy stands back from me, his shoulders slouching, as if he is afraid he will aggravate things, "Right," he says clearing his throat. "Okay, I'm sorry."
"Stop fucking apologizing for everything, Theo!" I exclaimed frustratedly as my voice rose without intention. A tense feeling spread through his body as my gaze softened.
"I didn't mean to-"
"It's okay. I'm fine."
The moment I reached for his hands, I quickly withdrew them, feeling guilt gnawing at me. There was a sudden lapse into silence, which turned the light atmosphere into an uncomfortable one. My stomach churned as I realized the weight of my mistake, and I could see the glumness in his leaden eyes.
"Let me make sure I'm understanding this correctly," I finally said, emphasizing the importance of clarity. "You're okay with her being back here for good?"
"Well, I can't do anything about it, can I?"
Once again, I was left speechless. This was the first time Theo had responded to me in such a way. In his voice, there was a coldness and an unfamiliarity.
The conversation was a far cry from the way he usually talks to me, and it reminded me of how we started out. There's a sense of him slipping away from me and I hate how it makes me feel.
Then again, maybe I deserved it.
My behavior deserved his wrath. He has tolerated me for the last few weeks without telling me off, and this might be the beginning.
I wondered if this was the end of it. Of our agreement.
In a low voice, he asked, "Do you want me to leave?" He was still sympathetic, like the person he was. My feelings were worsened by it.
No, I wanted to say.
Instead, "I'll go," was the only appropriate response. Besides, this was his space at first, and I was merely intruding.
"Ola, you don't have to," said Theo. I swallowed the thick lump in my throat before I met his downcast gaze.
"We're still meeting for my tutoring sessions, right?" I inquired. "I have my physics exam next week. I'd like to review a few things."
"I- yeah."
"Okay, good." I nodded, offering a more convincing smile. "I'll see you then."
Despite my desire to stare at him constantly and be near him every second of every day, I quickly left the building before he could reply.
I know I'll regret this in the morning.
I hope you guys enjoyed this long chapter. I apologize for the slow updates, I am so busy these days that I barely have time for sleep and self-care. I didn't mean to leave you guys hanging so I wanted this out as soon as I could!
Ola and Theo are entering a rough patch because Elle is back in town! What are your thoughts on Elle enrolling back in Whitehaven? Do you think Ola's frustration is reasonable? Or do you think she's being dramatic?
We all know our girl is obsessive over her boy toy, will she be able to stay away for long?
Don't forget to vote and follow me to get notified of updates and spoilers on the next chapter! <3
~ vee