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Malia-Tarni
Lessons in person have finally been reinstated, following a second murder last week. That’s two within a really short time frame. The second one didn’t happen on campus, but it is the second death of an SCU student. In fact, it happened at the beach club the night I was there with Cove, and I’m not sure how I feel about that.
Two girls have died now, and Summer is freaking out because both victims had blonde hair and brown eyes. But I don’t think it’s such a big deal. Obviously, the deaths are serious, but I don’t think the blonde hair link is anything to worry about. I mean, the killer has a type…but I don’t have blonde hair anymore. She’s overly paranoid.
And I mean, two deaths don’t mean there’s a serial killer on the loose…right?
The university has put safety measures in place, and amped up security. There was a rumour going around that people were being questioned, but I haven’t been approached. There’s even a curfew, though not many people are paying attention to that. It doesn’t feel like an unsafe place to be.
My phone buzzes in my pocket as I’m walking to my lecture and listening to Staind’s ‘It’s Been a While’. I check it and smile when a message from Cove pops up. We’ve been texting a lot since that night and have even been surfing together a couple of times. I gave him back his golf cart the next day, but he insisted I keep his shirt. It felt weird to keep it to begin with as I wasn’t sure what I should do with it, but it turns out it’s actually pretty comfy to sleep in, so I’ve been wearing it a lot. It still smells of him, which I like, and then I chastise myself for being a creep.
Cove has been flirty, friendly, an annoyingly perfect gentleman. No kisses. Part of me wonders what would have happened if I didn’t freak out and run away that night, and I’ve spent far too long thinking about the press of his lips against mine, which always makes me smile. I can't believe he kissed me and that I liked it but ran away.
How you doing Mai-Tai?
I grin and message him back. It’s nice to have a friend besides Summer. Even if I really fancy him. I just don’t know how to tell him that. Or even if it’s a good idea to.
I’m fine. On my way to class. Heard the surf is looking good this afternoon. Wanna hit Shark with me?
My attraction to him has only grown since spending more time with him. Especially in the water. We’ve had a warm spell and he’s ditched the rashie so I’ve been ogling him a lot.
Yeah, you can stop at my place afterwards for some dinner if you like? It’s nearby.
I send him a thumbs up and grin as I stow my phone away, entering the lecture hall with a bounce in my step. I take my usual seat and get ready for the lesson to begin. I’m the first to arrive – I always am since that day I was almost late – but when no-one turns up, I start to worry. Even the sounds of ‘Stellar’ by Incubus can’t soothe me.
It gets to five minutes before the lecture is due to start and I panic.
I pull out my phone and quickly check my university email. There’s nothing from the professor. I check the student forum. Nothing. I switch to the campus Whatsapp group for my course, but it hasn’t been updated since last night. I’m just puzzling over what might be going on when I think to check the online classroom where the professor has been posting our lectures and assignments while we’ve been remote learning.
He posted a room change fifteen minutes ago. And it’s right at the other end of the building, on the top floor. I’m going to be late.
In a frenzy I pack up my stuff and race out of the lecture hall towards the nearest staircase. Taking the stairs two at a time, I power my legs to move faster even as my lungs scream at me to slow down.
I ignore them.
Breathing can wait.
Learning can not.
I make it to the new classroom with seconds to spare, bursting through the door before I’m able to slow my momentum and panting hard.
Everyone stares at me.
“Good of you to join us, Miss Van der Zee,” the teacher says snidely. “While I appreciate your efforts to be on time, I do not appreciate the theatrics upon entering the room. Sit down.”
I blush and race to the only available seat in the room: the back row, and right next to Bhodi. Internally, I groan.
He grins at me as I take my seat.
“You’re late.”
“I made it on time.”
“Just. And by your standards that’s late.” He has a point. “Need a little touch to make it all go away?”
“What?” I freeze. He winks at me.
“You know you love it when I touch you. I hear all your little sighs and moans. You’re gagging for it.”
