by B C Morgan
Damn I am so morbid, guess I better get the show on the road. I pull the door open and Ivy falls into my room. If Elijah hadn’t caught the back of her top, she would have ended up planting face first on my floor.
“Take it easy woman, who set a rocket off up your arse?” I ask, earning another round of laugher from Eli. I wonder why he doesn’t mind me calling him that.
“Didn’t you see, you’re in the advanced classes for maths, English and science. You’ve also been selected for the track team, do you know what this means?” Ivy is brimming with excitement and is jumping on the spot.
My look is enough of an answer because no, I can’t see any real significance not for them anyway.
“Means some people get all the luck,” grumbles Elijah and I’ve never seen a look so dark and full of anger like the one Ivy is sending his way.
“Ignore this prick, he’s just sulking because it means he doesn’t get to share any classes with you now. That honour goes to Noah,” she’s directing her words my way but I think she honestly wants to kill Eli right now.
“What is going on between you two?” I ask and they look at the floor in synch.
Sod it, I don’t have the effort or reason to press them, instead I lay back on my bed and Elijah tries to join me, but I push him off quick. I’m not going to push Ivy off, and she is thoroughly enjoying rubbing that fact in.
“There is a slight issue with your new classes, Noah isn’t on the track team and he won’t be in your maths class. Which means you’ll be riding that one solo with Harrison and Finley.”
“Hang on, Finley is in maths with us. Why would he be in that class?” I ask.
“Because he’s a privileged arsehole and is never where he’s supposed to be. The only reason he was in our class was because you were, he’s got detention for joining your class, but he won’t suffer for it. Perks of being the son of the assistant head,” says Elijah, crouching on the floor beside me and dragging his fingertips up the underside of my arm.
I’m trying not to react but it’s making me want to curl my toes, in a good way. It’s ticklish but it’s also lighting a low ember inside me. I know if I pull away it’ll only encourage him, but I don’t know how long I can keep up an air of indifference, besides how many other girls does he flirt with? I’m not willing to be just another number or the only one, I’m complex so shoot me.
“Lija, back off, you know she’s not interested,” states Ivy as she tries to bat his hand away, but he uses his other one to deflect her.
“She can pull away if she wants, besides it’s harmless, just a little stroking between friends.” He winks at me as he licks his lips suggestively.
Okay, that makes me choke on my own laughter and my hands goes flying to my mouth.
“Bloody hell, she can laugh. I was starting to think she didn’t have it in her,” says Eli and even Ivy is snickering at that.
“Sod off you two, let’s go grab something to eat while I have an appetite and then you can tell me what extra classes are safe to take.”
Elijah is smirking and I know he’s going to suggest a few that he’s in and surprisingly, it doesn't sound all that unappealing now.
By the time we’ve had our dinner and walked back to my room I’ve already decided on a few extras that I’m going to try out. Horse riding will be with Ivy, and everyone swears she’s a goddess in a saddle. There’s a self-defence class that Amias is taking, and after my run in with Mr. Terrifying, I’d be an idiot to not give it a try. And then there’s the one that Elijah insisted I had to take, photography. He thinks he’s the next Joel Meyerowitz and I’m intrigued to see what he’s like in that kind of environment.
The self-defence is on Wednesday and Saturday evenings, the photography is on Sundays and the horse riding is at the end of the school day on Fridays. I can’t start any of my extras until after my first week, but Amias surprised me by offering to start me on his training programme. He’s not huge like Elijah but he’s still bigger than I’d like to be. He did make it perfectly clear he only intends to help strengthen my core and endurance. How could I refuse? I tried but nothing came to mind. Come tomorrow morning I’m going to discover what kind of training partner he is; something is telling me he won’t go easy on me for my first day.
It’s Saturday, why did I agree to this. It’s five thirty in the morning and he’s already pounding on my door, I think I may have to kill him.
I roll over so quick that I smack into the floor, for crying out loud that hurt. I slowly get to my feet and plod over to the door, I’m so tired I can’t even work out why he’s staring at me with his mouth hanging open and his pupils dilated. What’s wrong this time? Why are his eyes travelling down my body? I can feel my eyes widening to match his as I duck behind my door and rest my head against the wall.
Amias comes into my room and closes the door behind him, fuck me sideways on a pogo stick.
“Get a good eye full?” I ask, owning the embarrassment. So, I’m only in a pair of girl boxers and a cami, it’s not like I’m naked.
I move into my bathroom and close the door so I can get ready, and it’s not lost on me that he hasn’t said anything. He was just staring at me.
He’s sitting on the edge of my bed as I come out of the bathroom, in a pair of yoga leggings, sports bra and workout top. It’s so comfortable and keeps me from overheating due to its backless design, except from a panel across my shoulders to hold it in place and a knot at the bottom.
“If you’re ready, let’s get going.”
“Okay, what’s first on the agenda at this ridiculous time in the morning?” I ask. I want to laugh at the fact he won’t meet my eyes but now I’m starting to feel a little self-conscious.
I mean, it wasn’t that horrible was it? Damn I am not one of those girls who obsesses over guys or what they think about me. Nope, not doing it I do not care what he thought when he saw me like that. Maybe if I think it enough, I’ll start believing it.
“I don’t know what you can handle and how hard I should go with you.” He pauses when he sees how hard I’m trying not to laugh and narrows his eyes at me. “No. Don’t go there, I have enough to deal with when it comes to Elijah twisting everything into something sexual. Just no.”
“Don’t worry Amias, I’ll behave, I would hate to make you uncomfortable,” I say sweetly. and I don’t know how his gaze can get any narrower than it is right now.
He leaves my room and leads me to the fitness centre. The treadmill and rowing machine are our first point of call, and once he makes me work up a sweat, he leads me into a room covered in floor mats.
“Have you ever done any yoga?” he asks, staring me down.
“Yes I have, and it’s left me very flexible,” I reply and I’m having to hold back my laughter as he turns his back on me, I’m really enjoying messing with him.
He drops down into the plank position, staring up at me without saying a damned thing.
“What are you waiting for?” I ask, causing him to shake his head at me.
“I want you to engage your core and get into the plank position,” he informs me.
It’s a piece of cake but I have to stop after forty-five seconds, whereas he doesn’t relent until one minute-fifty. How he is now doing push ups I have no idea; my body is on the verge of shaking.
“I want you to do 20 push ups and sit ups everyday as well as the plank. And I want you to hold it for 5 extra seconds a day until you can hold it for two minutes, without shaking. You can begin now with your sit ups and make sure you don’t just sit your top half up straight, I want to see you curl up and curl down. Seeing as you’re so very flexible.”
“You are such an arse,” I say, as I get into the push up position, and I think I’m doing pretty well.
I mean my arms are shaking and I haven’t got past five yet but it’s progress.
“Oh, come on Henleigh, keep your back straight like you are doing the plank,” he barks at me, and it’s so hard not to flip him off.
&nbs
p; I’m about halfway down when he gets up and comes closer, I’m trying to shut him out until he puts one hand on my stomach and the other one on my lower back.
“Up and down, I want you to do at least five full press ups, don’t worry I’ll help you just the once.”
I’m gritting my teeth as I work my way down and I’m hating how good it feels to have his hands on me. The issue is his hand on my back has found its way to my bare skin, and it’s making my skin feel hot and a little tingly.
I drop back down for number three and my arms just give out, I push myself up and can’t miss the fact that he’s still touching me.
I look over my shoulder to see him crouching down beside me with a strange look on his face. I push up onto my knees so I’m kneeling beside him, and he still isn’t removing his hands, what’s he playing at?
“Is everything okay?” I ask, and I feel almost sad when he removes his hand from my stomach, and I’m waiting for him to remove his other hand, but instead he applies pressure.
I’m not expecting it, and pitch forward slightly right as his other hand slides across my cheek and pushes into my hair. And then his mouth is on mine.
I’m not reacting, I’m just kneeling here with my eyes open as he kisses me and then he starts to pull back.
“Sorry, won’t happen again,” he grumbles, and it’s like a slap to the face as I seize both of his cheeks in my hands and pull him back to me.
We groan in unison and as he brushes his tongue against the seam of my lips I willingly open to him. I know this isn’t right, I don’t know him, and I’m not cut out for a relationship, but he tastes and feels so good. I would be a fool to pull away. I also can’t help the breathy moan that surprises me when his hands slide onto my hips pushing my top up a little, and his fingers tease my bare flesh
Damn! Amias, I will never look at you in the same way again. As he pulls away, I hate how I follow him before I catch myself and get up to my feet.
“That’s a good start, we definitely have something to work towards,” he says, so I guess that’s over then.
“Sure, thanks for the training, I’m going to go run a few laps,” I mumble out as I head towards the door.
His hand is on my arm in seconds and I’m being spun around to face him.
“This isn’t a brush off, after what just happened, damn I don’t think I could stay away if I tried.”
He pushes me up against the wall as his mouth falls back down into mine, and I push up onto my tiptoes to make up for the slight difference in height as I wrap my arms around his neck.
I stroke my fingers across his neck and pull gently at the hairs on his nape, causing him to growl. The kiss intensifies, growing harder, and as his body pushes flush against mine, I can tell it’s not the only thing that is growing harder.
I don’t know why this is making me laugh and I really hope I haven’t pissed him off, but he’s grinning down at me and I can’t look away as he adjusts himself.
He drops one last kiss on me before pushing away from the wall. “Enjoy your run, see you at breakfast,” he says and then he leaves me and my head in a tailspin.
Five
Even with the way I’m pounding the ground, I can’t get Amias off my mind. His kiss has consumed me, what am I supposed to do? I mean sure, it was just a kiss and it doesn’t mean that we’re now together, but what do I hope will come from it?
I really suck at relationships; I’ve had friends that I’ve fooled around with, but I’ve always refused to make anything of it. The way I’m going, I’ll probably die a virgin. Damn it.
I push harder until my chest is heaving and my legs are burning, and I’m still not done. Not until my head switches off, that’s my plan anyway but nothing ever goes to plan when it comes to my life.
“Take it easy, you’ll end up passing out,” says Finley, as he appears on my left-hand side.
I give him the two-finger salute and he laughs before making the same gesture, although he goes one step further and puts it to his mouth, flicking his tongue back and forth.
“Do you have to be so lewd, sod off mate I’m not interested. Keep running to your girlfriend,” I say, although my breathing is laboured and it’s a struggle to force any words out right now.
“That’s no way to make friends babe, I’d rethink your tactics,” he says with a laugh as he carries on running, and I just sit down on the track and try to catch my breath.
I’m finally ready to head off and I see Finley with his tongue down some random girl’s throat, I really need to figure out the paradigm here. Cause Chelsea hates it whenever he shows me an ounce of attention but she’s fine with him making out with whatever poor sap falls for his moves. It doesn’t make any sense, ah sod it, time for a shower and then I’m going to get myself something to eat.
It takes me fifteen minutes to get ready, and I love being out of my uniform. I’ve got my wet look leggings on, with a pair of knee-high boots and a figure hugging, sleeveless grey jumper dress. My hair is falling in loose curls and I have a pale pink gloss on my lips with light eyeshadow and a dash of mascara. I am not doing this for Amias; even my brain is calling me a liar.
I open my door to find a letter taped to it, I’m too hungry for whatever is in here. So I tuck it inside my boot and hurry off to the canteen.
Amias is already here and his eyes lock with mine instantly, I’m not blushing it’s just really hot in here. He has this sexy half grin on his face and I’ve never rushed so fast to get my breakfast in my life.
I drop my tray down opposite him, inhaling my bacon and eggs, the best breakfast in the universe, but his grin has gone.
“You’ve put your tray in the wrong place,” he says, his face completely blank of any and all emotions.
“Fine, enjoy your table,” I say back as I pick up my tray and go to walk away.
“You’re supposed to sit next to me,” he shoots out and I meet his eye and see that half grin has returned.
“Okay I’ll play along, but don’t start thinking you can tell me where I can and cannot sit.”
I take my seat and almost jump as he pushes his thigh against mine, I glare at him before starting on my breakfast and I’m not even going to attempt to hold back the moan that passes from me as I eat my bacon.
“Can people stop taking my spot, why are you interested all of a sudden?” asks Noah as he pops up out of nowhere.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, we’re just having breakfast,” replies Amias, his dark look returning as the canteen starts to fill up, and Harrison strolls past.
If looks could kill, I’d be buried tomorrow. Why does he have it out for me so bad, it can’t just be because I sat in his chair that one time surely.
“I heard golden boy got caught smoking the old Mary Jane by the track the other night, one guess what happened to him,” comes from Ivy as she sits opposite me, her eyes taking in our reactions.
“If it was my old school then the teacher probably would have confiscated it, expelled the kid and then got high on it himself,” I reply as I look morosely at my bacon free plate.
Suddenly four more rashers of bacon appear before my eyes and Noah looks away when I look up to see who had done it. Ivy looks like she’s about to shit a brick and Amias looks angry, hungry, something like that. He’s always got dark, menacing eyes but I know now that they can also be filled with heat and I’d love to cause that reaction again.
“You don’t share food, if anything, you claim everything she leaves behind. And let’s not forget the bread fiasco of two weeks ago.” Ivy is getting louder, but her voice still has that husky quality that I’m sure most guys love.
“The bread fiasco?” I ask, as Amias has a full-blown grin on his face and Noah face palms.
“I missed all the good lunch because I got detention, and none of these bone heads thought to grab me anything. So, I came in absolutely marvin and all that was left was some tuna and sweetcorn sandwiches and soup.” Ivy sends dirty looks at Noah as he lowers h
is head down to the table, clearly dreading where this is going. “Now I do not eat sweetcorn, so my only option was soup; and we all know that without bread or a roll it isn’t going to be all that sustaining.” She says the word sustaining with such disgust I want to laugh. She rolls her eyes before continuing. “Now ‘Nono’ over here had a lovely stew and three bread rolls and he wouldn’t give me a single one. How selfish is that right, so when he got up to get a drink I... took one. You should have seen him when he got back, he threw the biggest hissy fit I have ever seen.” She slaps both her palms onto the table.
I’m staring at Noah, the guy who painted my locker and gave up his bacon. The same guy who offered to help me even if I wasn’t willing to play nice with him and his friends, and I can’t imagine him doing anything like that.
“No, that’s not the whole story, something else was going on to cause that reaction. That’s if you're not exaggerating it a bit,” I reply and Amias has that sparkle in his eyes again, shit is about to get stirred.
“Ivy had this boyfriend that no one could stand, and when it went sideways she was in a really crappy mood for well over a month. Biting our heads off, punching anyone who even looked at her the wrong way. She was angry that we had been right, and Elijah reminds her of it even now. Anyway, Noah asked her for a favour or something and she told him to go and shag a horse, and she wouldn’t do anything for anyone, and wouldn’t ask for anything either. A month later she stole his bread and he reminded her of her own outburst in a less than mild Noah manner.” Amias filled in. Sure, I have questions. What was the question? Who was the guy? And why and what does Elijah do to still remind her that they had been right in their assumption?
