by Ivy Clyde
“Stop freaking me out,” he said in an annoyed tone. “There’s only so much I can stress about without my head blowing up.”
Someone called our names just as we entered the classroom. It was Liam and Gabrielle who were already seated in the second row. This was another change that started with the new term. Liam and Gabrielle were openly friendly to me. It drew everyone’s attention to me and people stared at me with open curiosity. Brianna and her friends, of course, remained hostile to me but their snide hisses and name-calling became old and ineffective. I walked past them in corridors without a backward glance.
“Let’s go sit with your boyfriends,” whispered Lucas as he waved at Liam and Gabrielle.
Zoya spilled the beans on me as soon as she met Lucas but they still had no idea where I’d disappeared on the night of New Year’s Eve. After those moments of intimacy with Nik, Liam and Gabrielle in that dark tower room, it didn’t feel strange to think of them as boyfriends. Nothing was official yet and we barely got time to talk after school reopened, but I felt easy and lighthearted when I walked to their row and took a seat beside Liam. Lucas took the desk beside Gabrielle. Since we’d been partnered for the Physics project, it made more sense to sit together in this class.
The bell rang within a few seconds of our sitting down.
Dr. Lincoln entered the classroom, looking as grim as always. He didn’t even have to tell the class to quiet down as he connected his laptop to the projector.
“Before we start the lesson, I have an announcement,” he said, straightening up as the wall behind him flickered to life with the cover page of the slide show. “Everyone needs to submit their project proposals and all the action steps you would be taking towards completing it. It has to be a detailed report and you have a week to submit it. There are marks for it, so prepare it well.”
A collective groan rose in the classroom.
“And now, we get into the calculation of a rotating body’s torque…” Dr. Lincoln gave us no time to complain and started the lesson.
“Do you have the next hour free?” whispered Liam.
I glanced at him to find his deep azure eyes gazing at me. I nodded, swallowing down a gasp as his fingers traced a pattern over the skin of my thigh.
“Can we meet in the library and talk about the project assignment?”
“Sure,” I whispered back, pushing his hand away. The touch of his warm fingers did wicked things to my body. A satisfied grin lifted the corners of his luscious lips as he slowly turned to face the front.
Dr. Lincoln made us work on problems related to the formula he’d just discussed, leaving us no time to whisper-chat.
After class, Lucas and Gabrielle headed to the cafeteria for coffee and snacks while I followed Liam to the library on the other side of campus.
The cold wind made me shiver despite the thick academy winter coat. Liam took hold of my hand and put it inside his coat pocket. Warmth spread through the tips of my fingers to the rest of my body as I gazed up at him with a smile.
“What’s the next class that you have?” he asked, strolling through the barren fields that led to the library.
“It’s Chemistry.”
“I was hoping we could get some coffee afterward but I guess you’ll have to go to class.”
“Yeah,” I said, looking down at my boots. “My schedule is packed for the rest of the day.”
He squeezed my fingers gently. “Then we’ll have to make the best of the time we’ve got.” His voice turned huskier as he glanced at me with an intense look in his blue eyes. Instantly, I knew he had more on his mind than discussing our assignment for the project work.
Reaching the library, we headed to the vast second floor that had rows of desks covering the whole space. This was the place where students came to study during the exams or to have discussions with study groups without the librarian breathing down their necks for talking loudly.
At this time of day, the place was completely deserted. Liam strode forward and dropped his bag onto a nearby desk. “Come on, let’s get the assignment sorted.” Reaching him, I took off my coat and laid it on the back of a chair.
We’d already chosen our topic before winter break. Since Liam had a vision for the project, I let him lead me in his direction. Most of his suggestions were amazing because he always thought of the practical aspect of everything. While most things in Physics were plausible in theory, we were limited by available technology.
“Do you mind if I draft the proposal?” asked Liam. “It is something I plan to present in the next few years to the board of directors in my own company, so it would be a good exercise for me.”
“I would have to look through it too,” I said, not willing to give him complete rein over our project.
“Of course,” he said at once. “I will make the first draft and send it to you in three days. Go through it and make or suggest changes. We can get together again and go through it together.”
“Sounds good,” I said with a nod.
“Now that’s out of the way,” he whispered, shifting his chair closer to me. “We can spend some time together.”
He leaned in, letting the tip of his nose skim the side of my neck while I looked all around us wildly, afraid someone would see us. Even though both Liam and Gabrielle had been openly friendly since school started, they never touched me with people around us. Nik was always quiet, keeping to himself most of the time, so not many people associated me with him.
“What if someone comes in?” I whispered. My breathing turned erratic as Liam slowly kissed his way up the column of my throat. Heat flooded through my veins, heating me from the inside as his fingers deftly opened the buttons of my maroon cardigan.
Placing his hand on the back of my head, he pulled me close for a deep kiss. I moaned into his mouth, feeling his other hand squeezing my breasts over my shirt. Within seconds, my mind shut off all thoughts of being seen. It was so much more enjoyable to drown in the pleasure throbbing through my body.
Liam’s hand gradually went down to my thighs.
“I’ve never touched you down here,” he whispered, looking me straight in the eyes as he slid his hand inside my skirt and palmed my sex over my panties. My breaths came out in small, irregular gasps. “It’s mine too, right?” he asked, letting his fingers slip inside the waistband.
“Oh god,” I moaned, closing my eyes. My cheeks burned with my arousal as he gently stroked my nub.
“You’re wet for me too,” he whispered with awe, easily slipping a digit inside me. His thumb stroked my clit while his finger went in and out of me at a rapid rate.
“Liam,” I breathed, feeling my body tighten. “I can’t come here.”
“Why not?” He didn’t stop his ministrations, driving my body to the peak of pleasure. “Because it’s the library? This is your holy shrine, nerd queen.” I moaned as my core tightened. With the way, he was going, I was helpless against the pleasure he offered.
“You’re mine too, Paris,” he said in a deep, throaty voice. His lips skimmed over the shell of my ear.
A whimper escaped me.
“Come,” he commanded, locking his lips with mine.
I gasped into his mouth as my body jerked against him. My core pulsed around his tightly embedded finger as waves of pleasure cascaded down on me. Liam kissed me deeply, his tongue tangling around mine as he tasted every crevice of my sweet mouth.
“Don’t forget how good I can make you feel,” he said, sliding his finger out of me. He held it before my eyes as strings of clear liquid dripped from the end. My cheeks burned with embarrassment and desire as I looked away. Wiping his hand on his pants, he stood up and picked up his bag. “That will keep you feeling good all day,” he said with a wink. Flashing me a grin, he walked out of the room, leaving me panting and thoroughly relaxed and aroused at the same time.
It was past one P.M. as I strolled towards the cafeteria after Chemistry class. Lucas walked with me, his head buried in something he was watching on hi
s cell phone. Zoya was already supposed to be waiting for us at our usual table, so I picked up my pace.
“Hurry up, Lucas!” I called as he fell behind. “We’ve got classes after lunch.”
We’d reached the entryway of the cafeteria but he still stood some feet from me. He looked up at me with a strange expression on his face.
“Come on!” I said, striding inside the hallway. He called after me but I didn’t wait, heading further inside the cafeteria. My groaning stomach couldn’t bear hunger anymore.
Only when I’d slumped in a chair opposite to Zoya did I realize something had gone wrong. People were looking down at their cell phones and then looking back up to point at me. Some laughed, some sneered.
“Why did you come here?” Zoya hissed from the other side of the table. “I texted you not to come here.”
“I didn’t get to see your text,” I said. “I just got out of class. But what’s going on?”
Zoya turned her fiery glare over to Lucas. “I sent you a text too!”
“You did but by the time I finished watching the clip we were already here,” said Lucas, looking sheepish. “Sorry.”
“You’re gay!” she fired. “Why would you need to watch the whole thing?”
“Hey, nothing wrong with watching,” said Lucas, chuckling nervously. “Besides, I wanted to make sure it was really Paris and not some weird clip where someone edited her head into it.”
“What clip?” I asked. “What are you guys talking about?”
Before either of my friends could reveal the sudden mystery about a video clip and why people kept staring and pointing at me, the disturbing voices of Brianna, Holly, and Gianna descended down on me.
“There you are, gutter whore,” said Holly, eyeing me like a piece of candy she couldn’t wait to grind between her teeth and swallow.
“Just look at her,” said Brianna in a cool, mocking tone. “Still pretending to be one of us.”
Chuckles and harsh whispers of “whore” and “slut” followed after her statement.
“What? You don’t suck dick for popularity?” threw Zoya at her face.
Confused as I was, I wondered why there was a sudden increase in slut-shaming.
“She still doesn’t know we know,” said Gianna with a laugh. “Someone show her.”
“Here,” whispered Lucas, thrusting his phone in my hand. It was a youtube video. I clicked on the ‘play’ icon and watched a familiar scene. It was the second floor of the library, the same place I’d been to that morning. The footage was hazy but soon cleared as the focus went on to the two people in the corner.
My heart skipped a beat when I recognized the people in the video. It was me and Liam.
“Oh no,” I groaned, watching Liam moving his chair closer to me. “I can’t look at this.” Turning the phone over, I gave it back to Lucas.
“How dare you go after him?” seethed Brianna. “He’s the son of your benefactor. Just wait until I send it to Mrs. Davenport. She will see what a snake she’s been sponsoring by keeping you in her home and sending you here.”
“Please, don’t.” I hated the pleading in my voice but the clip was too embarrassing for both Liam and me.
Brianna laughed, her jet-black eyes flashing with triumph. “Get out of Knightswood or I will send it to her. In fact, it’s up on youtube and everywhere else. I can send the link to every employee in the entire Davenport Corporation.”
“You’ll do no such thing.”
All head turned towards that cold, commanding voice.
It was Liam, standing with Gabrielle at his side. His eyes held cold fury as he leveled his gaze with Brianna.
“Has her pussy made you that blind?” cried Brianna. “You are sucking faces with a girl from the street. She is filthy and might give you a disease.”
“Shut up,” said Gabrielle coldly. He looked even more enraged than Liam. I’d never seen him look so angry before. We were used to his easy smiles and carefree demeanor. Now, he towered over the three girls, looking menacing.
Holly’s smile faltered. She took a step behind Brianna, avoiding Gabrielle’s gaze.
“Don’t tell me you’re in love with her too,” spat Brianna. “Seriously, how good is she at sucking cock that you don’t care even after seeing what she’s been up to with your best friend?”
“I am in love with her,” said Gabrielle. His voice put me on edge. There was no warmth or friendliness in that tone. “And yes, it doesn’t matter if my best friend likes her too.”
The whole cafeteria went silent at the declaration. The waiters had long disappeared as was the norm when a confrontation or fight broke out in the cafeteria.
“You guys are totally serious, aren’t you?” said Gianna, looking baffled.
“Delete that video, Bri,” said Liam. “Make it all go away or I’ll make you pay.”
“We should make her pay today,” said Gabrielle in an icy tone. “How many times did we tell her not to mess with what’s ours?”
“Enough times,” agreed Liam.
Brianna’s look of triumph waned. The cruel mirth in her face disappeared as a frown marred her delicate features. “There’s nothing that can be done about it. The video has already been uploaded to youtube and being shared as we speak.”
“Are you being serious?” asked Gabrielle. “We all know it’s you who uploaded it. Even if it’s not, get the video taken down from your portals and servers immediately. Don’t tell me you can’t get your company to do something so simple as that with just a phone call.”
“Don’t bring our businesses into this,” she hissed.
Liam shrugged, digging his hands in pockets. “You started it, honey. End it or I’ll ask my company to take off all ads from your servers?”
“Same,” said Gabrielle. “I am sure the Ivanov group of hotels and chains will do the same if you don’t stop this bitch act.” Before Brianna could utter another word, he held up his hand. “I am going to get our team of private security to trace the phone that was used to upload that video. How long will that take, you think?” He waited as Brianna’s face grew ashen. In fact, a green tinge appeared in her skin. “Liam will wipe the floor with your ass in court.”
Liam walked over to me and grabbed hold of my hand. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” He tugged at me, making me get to my feet. “You guys coming?” he asked with a backward glance at Zoya and Lucas. They nodded, coming to stand beside me.
“Delete that video,” said Gabrielle. “We won’t tell you twice. You have fifteen minutes.” He turned away from her and strode out of the cafeteria. Liam and the rest of us followed after him, leaving a loud buzz to rise up behind us.
“I am so hungry,” groaned Lucas as we walked away from the cafeteria. “I didn’t even get to sneak food out today.”
“How can you think of food?” said Zoya, hitting him in the arm.
“Ow! That hurt!”
“Come to my cabin,” I said, coming to a halt. Everyone gathered around me, looking anxious. I smiled, letting them know I was fine. With Liam and Gabrielle’s warnings, I doubted Brianna would do anything further to provoke them. Even if she was a complete bitch, at least she was sensible enough to know what was good for her. Loss of ad revenues from big firms would damage the reputation of her company. And if Gabrielle could really trace the video to her cell phone, the lawsuit would definitely cost her and her family money and face.
“We will have Korean fire noodles for the main course and cookies for dessert,” I said with a grin. “There’s going to be poached eggs and melted cheese over the noodles too.”
“Yum,” said Zoya, skipping forward to grab my hand.
“I don’t like spicy stuff,” complained Lucas.
I chuckled. “I won’t add the hot sauce to your noodles and it’ll be fine.”
“Paris’s home-cooking is the best,” said Gabrielle, his sea-green eyes full of warmth again.
My friends and I walked into my cabin.
Turning on the heater
s, I headed into my small kitchenette to put a saucepan on heat. There wasn’t a lot of time left for lunch hour to get over, so I made the noodles in one large pot and opened the tins of cookies that Ruben gave me earlier that week. We ate the cookies while the noodles got cooked.
I brought the pan to the center of the room and placed the saucepan on the floor. “Gather around,” I called. “This is going to be an authentic dining experience of Korean ram-yun.”
Zoya and I were both into K-dramas, so we were happy enough to dive into the steaming mass of noodles with our forks. The boys watched us for a moment before getting into action as well. Soon, my little cabin was alive with the slurping noises we were all making as we thoroughly enjoyed a lunch of instant ram-yun.
32
Paris
Things calmed down by the time Friday rolled around.
People at the academy now looked at me with awe. The video clip was probably seen by everyone at school that day. They assumed I was seeing Liam and that Gabrielle was interested in me too. Two kings involved with the same girl. If they only knew about Nik…The clip was deleted from YouTube and everywhere else on the web by that evening. Brianna’s family-owned tech companies all over Silicon Valley, controlling major servers and portals.
Brianna and her friends still threw dirty looks my way but kept their mouths shut from throwing insults at me. I could see them chewing on their tongues, struggling to keep their wrath in control but none of them dared to go up against Liam and Gabrielle openly.
Zoya and Lucas seemed more relaxed too.
Lucas enjoyed the status of being friends with them too. He was often seen with Gabrielle as they were both working on the architectural design of a self-sustained domestic hub. It was only natural he would start hanging out with Liam too.
It was late on Friday afternoon when Lucas missed a Chemistry class. I’d seen him earlier that day at lunch, so it was strange how he couldn’t make it to class later. Anxiety swirled in my belly as I walked away from the science wing. Did he get in trouble with Lucien again?
