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Sucking up my pride, I revealed, “My dorm. It’s clothes. Life hack,” I coolly explained with a laugh. “Want to give me a hand?”
“To Eden Hall,” he said, knowingly. It was the cheapest dorm, nicknamed the slums. The place housed scholarship students, and those who weren’t grandfathered in. After an incredulous look, Anubis swung my bags over his shoulder. “Who’s your hero?” With a wink, he led the way with ease. I watched his glorious backside before I caught up to him.
Anubis slowed down. On the way, we made the smallest of small talk.
“What’s your major?”
“Journalism,” I said with pride. But that meant nothing here. I could take any class I wanted to make up my degree. The university granted students that freedom.
“Right, you were the paper girl. I remember.”
“I delivered papers. Crestwood didn’t have a newspaper.” His family had it shut down. That’s how much power they wielded.
“Yeah, that’s what I meant. Did you bring your bike?” he teased me.
I couldn’t believe he even brought it up. Remembering the time he passed me in his Porsche while I was on my bike in the rain, I shivered. Talk about an illustration of our statuses. He splashed me good. I thought it had been an accident. That was until I went to school the next day, and he told everyone he’d gotten me so wet last night.
He’d always been a bad boy, but that was when he became the bad guy in my story. He humiliated me. Especially after what had recently happened to me. What the whole town knew about me. And for him to suggest I was easy… I was so mad at him. But I ignored it. So, my bad guy was onto his next victim.
“No.” I sold my bike, like most of my stuff, but he didn’t need all the details.
Eden Hall impressed me once we made it there. Even the lowest housing option would feel luxurious compared to what I was used to. Pleased, I smiled big. I couldn’t help it as I thought about the big private room I’d have.
“We should tear down this dump.” Anubis’s eyes were slits as he took in the accommodations.
After all that, I expected him to bolt like my mom and Rock had. However, as I scanned in, he held my bags, waiting. Silently, we cut through the crowd to the elevator.
“Fourth floor,” I said.
Soon, Anubis was setting down my bags beside my bed. Running his hands through his hair, he corrected the damage the wind did. I was also patting my hair and straightening my clothes. After examining the room with a disapproving air, he went to the window to look out.
Turning, I stuck my bags in my closet.
“You have a view,” he announced.
“Of what?” I asked, joining him. I couldn’t help but notice our arms were touching. Staring out at the beautiful fall landscape, I crossed my arms to remedy it.
“Me. I’m heading to practice.” He pinched his shirt, pointing out his uniform.
“You’re on the Rowing team?”
“The Edenvane Crew.” Smiling, he cocked his head as if he was getting ready to brag. But he didn’t utter a word. His lips flattened as his eyes locked onto mine and wouldn’t let go.
His pupils erupted in green and brown circles. They were witch eyes, my mom always said. They were magical, alright. I had them too, but I wasn’t so in love with mine.
“You always looked great in green.” Anubis’s eyes descended.
Glancing down at my dress, I remembered I’d worn something conservative. A green button up dress with petite white flowers paired with a white cardigan. I thought I’d look the part. Compared to the other girls here, I was lame.
Anubis reached out and touched my upper arm, the scar. I flinched. He’d heard what happened to me. Everyone in town had.
Did he remember?
Leaning in, he whispered, his breath on my neck, “I’m captain. I can be late.”
My chest became tight. “Why?”
His lips found my ear. “If you want to repay me,” he purred.
