Chapter 27
Saying it was cramped in the cafeteria was an understatement. Kaito and I shuffled into a corner with our drinks, commenting on people's level of drunkenness. I kept my back to the wall, uncomfortable with the low cut back on the top Kaito picked for me. Luckily, I was small enough to scurry into the corner, unseen. I took another sip from the cup. The sweet but sour cocktail fizzed in my mouth and sent bubbles along my palate, leaving a hint of cherry flavor in its wake.
"So? Where's Aris?" Kaito stirred his drink with the straw. His nails sported a teal color for the evening.
"Have no idea. He should be here, I guess." I rose to my toes stretching to see over the crowd. "What's going on between the two of you, anyway?" I spotted Tell, who was hard to miss, leaning against the wall with a bored look on his face. A blonde little thing chatted away next to him, her lips moving so fast I suspected she was nervous. "Maybe he's not a party animal."
My eardrums vibrated from the heavy base. Who picked this music? It was some Pop Danthology Mash Up thing, getting people bobbing along whether they talked, or danced. I spotted Lux at the edge of the room, taking a swig from a green bottle, eyes zoned in on something in the middle of the room. A girl was swaying her hips, throwing her waterfall of chestnut curls into a circle when she flipped her head. The hot pink dress clung to her body, revealing every curve.
A devilish smile spread along his lips, sending shivers up my spine. He stalked across over the floor, and people scattered as he closed in. Without pause he spun the girl around, hand on the small of her back, and pressed her body close as he started swaying his hips. She didn't seem to mind, following along with his movement. I looked away and swallowed the lump in my throat. Yeah. I was clearly not his type. Too chubby, not too gifted in the chest area, and my hair did anything but cascade. Don’t get me wrong, I looked fine as hell from a distance in a dark room, but I wasn’t more than a pale shadow compared to her.
Then I pinched my love handles with a smile. Pfft. My friends loved me, and they were amazing, so… If amazing people love me, I must be pretty awesome.
"I can't see him," I turned back to Kaito after my brief wallow of self-pity. Or at least I'd thought it was brief, but I found myself talking to a wall. Where was he?
I spotted his bleached blonde waves on the part of the floor that worked as a dance floor for the night. I shook my head, laugh smattered in my chest.
"Not dancing?"
I rolled my shoulders when Cas' voice rustled around in my heart. "No. Not much of a dancer.”
He held out a hand, an encouraging smile on his lips, and a wiggle of fingers. "Just take it slow, and you'll be fine."
I mulled it over for a second, my eyes flickering from his face to his hand and back. Why not? I smiled, and let him lead me to the dance floor. We swerved between hopping and grinding people, making our way to the center. I missed his warmth when he released me. We’d managed to become good friends during our late-night chats. His ability to read my mind helped sometimes, but scared the shit out of me at others. The pounding music swallowed me up. I swayed along, fighting the awkward feeling of not belonging. A body pressed against my back; I flicked my head around and caught a glimpse of Martin, broad smile, hands raised above his head. Golden liquid swished over the brim of his red cup, and I ducked away to avoid getting soaked. He shrugged with an apologetic smile and emptied the cup in deep gulps, then threw it across the room. He grabbed my hand and spun me around, laughing, his brown eyes sparkling.
My cheeks ached from smiling., My body felt light and airy, but my h. Heart burned hot in my chest. I spun and caught Cas' open, and glowing expression, but my eyes were drawn to the hot pink dress moving behind him. I watched Lux slip through a door, the girl dragged along by the hand, and my gut got pummeled by a freight train. It slammed through my body like a pinball. I forced a smile at Cas' questioning look, gesturing that I needed a new drink. I pressed through the crowd, hurried down the hall, and clutched my stomach. The music faded behind me. I leaned against the wall, forcing back the jealousy. I had no right to feel like this. I barely know him. It’s just a crush. A pretty face getting me all weird.
I edged forward, past the bathroom and toward the library. The door was cracked, a sliver of yellow light falling on the hall carpet. I knew it was them, but I couldn’t stop myself. I peered through, holding my breath. I recognized Lux right away. His shirt ripped down to his elbows, revealing his muscled back. He had the girl in the pink dress pressed against the wall, her legs wrapped around his hips, dress pulled up to her waist, his hands dug into her thighs. Her face dissolving in pleasure. I covered my mouth to quiet my gasp.
Chapter 28
"Hey, Mira? Come back and dance with me!" Martin called down the hall.
Lux's eyes snapped to the door, and found me. I darted back, my cheeks flushed. Oh, please tell me he didn't see me. I hurried to meet up with Martin before Lux could make it out of the library. I laced my arm under his, pulling him with me back to the party.
He hit the brakes and chuckled. "What's the rush?" He laced an arm around me, pulling me in, hands roaming over my body. The bitter smell of beer followed as he ran his lips along my neck.
"Stop. Let's just go back." I pressed my palms against his chest.
He was drunk, not aggressive, but he didn’t get the message. I squirmed and shoved his hands away, but he kept catching me and pulling me back. I kept saying no, turning my head to get away from his sloppy attempts to kiss me. After ducking away from his lips for what felt like the millionth time, I smacked my hands over his ears.
He staggered back, covering his ears. "What the hell?"
I crossed my arms over my chest. "I said no. And since you didn't seem to hear me, I needed to check that your ears actually work."
"You crazy bitch." He stalked over and grabbed my wrist in a vice grip. "Think you can be a tease, and then just walk away?"
I bit down the fear, and forced myself not to yield. He had at least sixty pounds on me, and almost a foot.
"Yeah. Actually. I believe it's my right." I tugged on my arm, but he had me locked down. "Firstly, I didn't tease you in any way, and secondly, If I say no, I mean no." I did another tug on my wrist, praying he'd let go. I pushed my chin out and stared up at him in defiance. My heart was pounding, and cold sweats made my skin prickle, but I refused to turn away. Then I gasped, and started kicking when his hand slipped under my top.
"Stop it," I cried, my voice drowned out in the heavy base. My hands curled into a fist, ready to defend myself.
"Let go, and you'll live to graduate," Lux growled.
I flinched. I hadn't seen him exit the library. His shirt was untucked, the buttons still undone. Whatshername stood behind him with her hair in complete disarray, a satisfied smile on her peach colored lips.
Martin's jaw clenched, his eyes thin like slits as they flickered between me and Lux. "Fine. Whatever." He scowled at me and removed his hand, then threw my wrist free.
Lux glared after him until he turned the corner.
"You okay?" He buttoned his shirt, tucking it into his slacks.
I bit my lip and nodded, fighting the jealousy that still crawled in my chest, but the fear rested like a heavy lump, and the tears threatened to break free. I lowered my chin, intently studying the pattern of the rug. Damn it. Another brick in the wall.
"Come on." Lux put an arm around my shoulders, and guided me into the library. I protested at the door. I didn't want to go in there, where he and... Where'd she go by the way? Lux caught my hesitation.
"I swear I won't try anything. You're safe."
Oh yeah. Not his type. Ouch.
I swallowed the rejection, both relieved and disappointed. He tugged me through the door, closed it behind us, and turned the lock.
"Sit down." He pointed to the loveseat, throwing himself down next to me after pouring a drink. "Here."
I took the glass from him, and sipped carefully. The tension trickled away. I glanced sid
eways. "Thanks." Still not sure where I had him, I gripped the glass with both hands; a deep sigh slipped between my lips. "I'm not sure he would've let me go if you hadn't shown up."
Lux tilted his head back, resting against the back of the loveseat eyes on the ceiling. "He would have."
I twisted to face him. "You don't get it." I sunk back, shoulder rested against the back of the loveseat, leg folded between us.
He shifted toward me. "Enlighten me." Little wrinkles were at the edge of his eyes, a slight tug on one corner of his lips.
My heart boiled. "You don't care. Never mind." I shook my head, and took another zip from the drink. It tasted of cinnamon, and vanilla. Rolling my tongue through the drink before I swallowed pushed the taste into my nose, and I wiggled it to clear the tickling away.
Lux laughed, short and deep. "There you go again. How do you know I don't care?"
I inhaled, searching for the right words. "Well. For starters... shouldn't you be with whatshername right now? You just slept with--"
Lux threw his hands in the air. "Woah. Hold it. First of all, I didn't sleep with her. I fu—"
I screamed, spilling the drink on my shoulder as I hurried to cover my ears. "La la la la. I don't want to know. I can't hear you."
He shook his head, shouting over my screams. "Fine, fine. You know what I mean. Whatshername knew what I wanted, it's no big deal."
"You don't know her name?"
"Naw." He shrugged, getting up, and walking over to the desk. "It wasn't important."
Okay, so he's an ass. At least he's consistent. "I don't know how guys can do that? Just grab a girl, and... I don't get it."
He poured himself a drink, raising the bottle in question. I nodded, holding out my glass. He returned to the loveseat to top off my drink. "Don't judge all guys. I'm one of a kind." He stared down at me with a crooked smile.
Thank god for that. I didn't think the world could handle one more of him.
"I take it you never grabbed a guy just to... sleep with him?"
"Nope."
"I see."
I studied him, the sharp line of his jaw, the way his Adam's apple bobbed when he swallowed, the subtle stubble on his chin. Something felt out of tune. "So, you can just grab any girl and start making out with her?"
"No. I don't make out with them. I fu..." He glanced at me, snorting at my scrunched-up face. "... have sex with them. No kissing, no fondling, no names, no emotions. I get them off, they get me off. Easy as pie."
I flinched. The handle on the door jiggled, and my muscles contracted. Beads of sweat wet my palms. Lux put a hand on my thigh, and shook his head slowly. "You're safe. I told you."
I exhaled, rolling my shoulders to release the cramping muscles in my neck. "Sorry."
"You're really not kidding? He scared you?"
"Yeah." I slid the finger along the brim of the glass. "It’s hard to explain to someone who’s never felt powerless."
Warmth spread along my leg, a shocking reminder that Lux hadn't moved his hand yet. I didn't mind, which surprised me. I should, shouldn't I? Mind, I mean. I suckled on the question for a moment and decided I didn't mind, and even if I probably should have, I wouldn't.
“How do you know I’ve never felt powerless?” Sad eyes trailed the length of the heavy carpet that ran from the desk to the edge of the loveseat.
Chapter 29
The light rapping of fingertips against the door sent Lux to his feet with a frustrated sigh. He stalked over, unlocked the door and cracked it open.
"Are you coming?" a girl asked breathlessly. Even from where I sat I heard the unsure, but hopeful, tone in her voice.
"No." He closed the door with no explanation, and returned to me. But instead of sitting down, he leaned against the desk, raised his collar, and slid the tie that had been left on the desk around his neck. With secure and fluid movements, he tied it, tugged on the knot, and folded his collar over it.
"You should get back to the party." He took the glass from me, and placed it on the desk.
"Thank you." I followed him to the door, a twang of longing shooting through me when he unlocked it and held it open.
"Anytime."
I wanted to keep this moment like this. I knew, as soon as I stepped out, everything would change. The music still pumped, and the party had spread out in the hall. A couple was furiously making out, ignoring the dancers bumping into them. I looked up at Lux's face, lips pressed together, jaws clenched.
"Where’d you go?" Kaito bounced up next to me, glaring at a completely unfazed Lux. Kaito jerked me forward. "Nevermind. Come on. Dance."
He'd clearly had more to drink since last time I saw him. I glanced back, but Lux observed the drunken crowd. I exhaled, leaving myself deflated.
"You bitch."
I turned in time to see a hand flying toward me. The sting in my cheek forced tears to my eyes. Kaito swore, and shoved Caroli away.
"What the hell, witch?" Kaito stepped between us as she lunged for me. "Are you kidding me?" He fended off her attempts at getting past him.
She screamed, her puffy eyes lined red. "She did it. It's her fault."
The hopping and grinding came to a screeching halt as heads turned to catch the show. Her shrill voice carried over the thumping base.
"He broke up with me." She lunged for me, but this time no one was watching us. All eyes had travelled to Cas, who’d stepped from the cafeteria, wide in shock. I looked to Lux. He rolled his eyes, and shook his head, then walked into the library, ignoring the commotion. I couldn't help it. I started laughing. Hysterically.
Was she kidding? I mean... She’d misread everything. Her twisted mind saw things that weren’t there.
“Calm down. I’m not the reason he dumped you, okay?”
Kaito gaped, brows raised.
I waved my hand. “She thinks I’m after Cas.” I snorted, and that only seemed to make her more intent on killing me. Caroli threw herself at me again. Tell burst through the crowd, hauled her off her feet, and threw her over his shoulder.
“Lunatic,” Kaito giggled.
“I’m sorry about that.”
Kaito hushed when Cas approached, his mismatched eyes a mirror of regret and shame. “She must’ve had too much, and…”
Still defending her. I raised my hand. “It’s fine. I’ve been through worse, remember?”
Kaito cocked a brow. “You have?”
Damn it. This double-life-split-friendship thing wasn’t gonna work. I closed a hand around Kaito’s wrist to keep him from talking. “I’m fine, Cas. Really. Go. Check on your girlfriend.”
We watched him leave, and the party came back to life as the commotion settled.
“Think I’ve had enough of partying for tonight.”
Kaito puppy eyed me, until I laughed and promised to stay. With a beaming face, he pulled me back to the cafeteria, and out on the dance floor.
Chapter 30
Sunday morning, I sat back in the lounge, head rested on the back of the sofa. A grueling hour of psychology homework with a blissful Salma had me puking Jung and Pavlov. The hangover came like a letter in the mail that morning, and my body felt numb, tired.
I’d spent the night alone. Cas never showed, and I didn’t blame him. I let my head fall to the side. Salma and her study buddy, Elize, sat nose deep in book at one of the round tables in the corner opposite the sofa. Pens flew over paper.
I sat up with a sigh, eyes falling to the half full coffee cup. I shuddered. Nothing tasted good this morning, not even coffee. Odell flipped through channels at the other end of the couch. His shirt was wrinkled, and the sweater vest was thrown across the armrest next to him. A few other students gathered at the tables, voices like white noise in the back of my skull. I blinked against the dryness in my eyes and rubbed my face, pressing a couple of fingers to my temples. I needed sleep, damn it.
"What's up?" Odell asked, the TV turned off, his focus on my face. “You look like shit.”
“Awww, thank you.”
"No. Honest. How are you feeling?"
“Tired. Hungover.” I snorted. “Think I need to go to bed.”
"Go for it. You’re not missing anything. It’s Sunday, go be lazy." He tossed the remote on the table, sunk in to the couch and threw an arm over the back.
"Hey? Before I forget. Did you at least have fun?”
“Uh huh. As if that’ll ever change.”
I alternated staring between his eyes in a vain hope that I’d stop seeing three of him.
"Okay. You really need to go lay down.” He lifted his finger and circled around my face. "You’ve gone several shades beyond pale. You’re transparent."
The piercing pain behind my eyes laced through my forehead, and bit down around my head. "I think you’re right. My head’s killing me." I stumbled to my feet, taking a moment to aim for the door.
"Do you need anything?" Salma asked, but I waved over my shoulder to let her know I was fine.
My feet dragged, nails digging into the back of my neck. Hands clasped the railing of the stairs, and my legs folded under me. The cool wood of the railing felt so good against my forehead. I could just stay here, right? No need to go to my room. This would do.
"Mira?"
My head swayed as I looked up. I squinted through the stabbing light. Lux’s face wobbled, all three of them.
He kneeled, a hand to my forehead. "Damn it." He gathered me into his arms.
His dry and warm aroma folded around me like a blanket. My eyes fell shut, and I rested my head against his chest. “This is nice. Can’t I just stay here, forever?”
"Get Cas." He snarled at steps approaching, and they quickly faded away.
The vibration in his chest when he spoke hurt my head.
"Lux? What’s wrong?" Cas' voice, laced with worry. The steady beating of Lux’s heart soothed the throbbing pain.
"How do you do it?"
"What?"
"You hear this all the time, from everyone?"
"Yes." Cas lowered his voice.
"I'm taking her to my room. Can you get Rigel?" There was a pause, a breath shook through his chest. "And Lyra."
Before Limbo (After Life Book 1) Page 11
