I glanced at the other students but they seemed oblivious on what these guys are up to. Those who noticed were just laughing. None of them paid attention that I am close to being bullied here. They didn't care. I was never been bullied even during grade school. And I'm receiving this kind of treatment now that I'm in college? This is too childish.
"Hmm. Want to spend the night with me later? Though your boobs are not that big, I think you'd pass. Wanna try? I am a good in making women scream in pleasure," he said with low voice but I'm sure the students around two meter radius heard it.
I clenched my teeth as my cheeks flushed in anger. I was never been insulted that way. That was the fucking first time.
"Really?" I asked through gritted teeth and scanned his body for a brief moment. "You think you can make me scream? With that simple body? I don't think so. My standards are quite high for you to reach."
His friends' laughters echoed in the room. The nearest group of girls raised their brows on me, obviously annoyed.
I can't believe I'm receiving such despicable treatment. I was used at being the center of my social circle, never been bullied, never disrespected. I could accept it if I did something wrong, but as far I remember, I did nothing. So I don't understand why they are treating me this way, like I'm a very unwanted intruder. Like a freak destroying their town's balance.
"You're pretty savage, huh? And slutty, too. Well, of course you're the daughter of a slut and a user. No wonder you have that kind of attitude."
A loud slap echoed in the room. I can accept all his insults about me, but disrespecting my mom is another thing.
"How dare you insult my mother! You don't know her-"
"Why? Do you know her too well?" His face was serious, eyes were bloodshot. For a second, I thought he'd return the slap. But it didn't come. He only looked at me angrily with our classmates silently looking at us like watching some sort of action movie.
"Of course. She's my mom. I know her more than you do."
His jaw moved furiously. He opened his mouth, about to say something when his gaze darted at the doorway. The anger vanished, and he stood straight quickly. The next second, he was out of my sight. Silence took over the whole class and no one was left standing but the man who just walk inside the room.
Hard. That was the first word that came out from my mind the first time I saw his features. His thin lips pursed grimly, his meticulously shaven jaw was angular, and his chocolate brown hair which was cut neatly like a military man who was just dismissed from the service. All of those looked heavenly, inhuman. His skin was pale, like any other student here. Though, his seems a lot healthier, like he consults a dermatologist every month to ensure the quality of his skin.
He looked much more manly than any man I had met. Not sure if it's because of his lean, yet muscular built and height of about 6'3 or 6'4. Or because of the way he handles himself like no one could ever break him, even a huge granite. The way he walked towards the center of the room, it was screaming in gracefulness in a manly way. Like a damn royalty who has better etiquettes than any of us.
He's wearing a navy blue button-down long-sleeved shirt, rolled down to his elbows, looking like pagan god a few years older than me, absolutely not a sophomore. He even looks like a teacher, not a student. But, is he?
"Hi, Carter! You're Dr. Rellis' sub again?" a girl asked. Sub? So he's not a teacher. Perhaps, a med student?
"Yes." I gasped at his deep, baritone voice. His answer was almost silent but that was enough to make the girls gasp in astonishment. Even me wasn't an exception.
"Is he a student here?" I asked the guy with thick glasses beside me. He was the only one who was polite enough to take the seat next to mine. He turned his head to me in a lazy manner, but unlike everyone, there was no hint of disgust on his pitch-black eyes.
"Yes. First year med student. Son of Dra. Roselle Rellis. He's her sub for the next two months."
First year med? So I suppose he's three or four years older?
I smiled at him. "Thanks. I am Everleigh, by the way. But you may call me Eve."
He gave me an anxious smile. "J-Jason."
Thankfully, at least I have someone who's not disgusted with my face. Though he's not an ideal friend, he's not bad for an acquaintance. I don't want to be a loner the whole school year. Thinking about that makes me want to go home to Dad and chase Natalia out of our house.
When I faced front, I almost choked in my own breath when I saw Carter looking at my way. No. He was staring at me... at my eyes. Like he can see through me, like he can read all the thoughts running on my head. My anxious heart started beating frantically. Then, I felt the low breeze from the wide-open windows. It blew my hair, and I felt its coldness against my warm skin.
I pressed my lips tightly, shivering at the fact that those ruthless sea-green eyes are looking at me. Sea-green, but a lighter shade, more emphasized, more alluring. Staring at those, I felt like I was under a spell that keeps me wanting more of it.
"You must be Everleigh Delluci. Am I right?" he asked with a lower voice, still fixing his eyes on me.
"Um... yes."
He nodded, pursing his lips in such firm way, making it appear that he was clenching his chiseled jaw. He stayed still, staring deeply at me without blinking. I buried my knuckles on the desk, wondering why his stare was more peculiar than those annoyed gazes the people around are giving me. The wind blew again, this time, colder. I shifted uncomfortably on my seat, very much curious on why our substitute professor is giving me that odd look.
The paper flew out of the desk and he snapped out. Though, he didn't break his eye contact with me. Due to uneasiness, I bowed my head a bit and shut my eyes. After a few seconds, I sighed and faced front. I was relieved when I found him not staring at me anymore.
"So, I assumed that all of you already know Miss... Everleigh Delluci, Mayor Walter's daughter." Then he looked at me again. I curled my toes in my shoes, slightly stomping my left foot. I admit, he's inhumanly gorgeous. And it's kind of intimidating.
As if hearing my thoughts, still staring at me, the corner of his lips rose a little. It happened very quick that made it seem only an illusion.
"Let's start the lecture," he said.
During the whole lecture of Anatomy and Physiology, I was quite distracted with Carter's eyes. The girls were quiet fond of him and most of them tried to catch his attention through asking questions. I was only silent, noticing how his eyes would always end up on me after he answers every query. Perhaps, it's because I'm a new face? I don't know.
* * *
"What were you doing in Lucia's place? I'm asking you, Felix!"
"I told you, I have to interrogate her son about the case."
Felix and Mom's argument woke me the next day. Though I was upstairs, I could clearly hear their loud voices echoing in the whole house. I closed the door and went to the bathroom. I didn't take breakfast and went straight to Edmonds. I don't want to hear more of Felix and Mom's argument. Not that they were unaware of my presence. With Mom's anger, she didn't mind it.
I gripped on my bag firmly as I walked towards the entrance of the campus. I was lucky to survive my first day even the people's eyes were killing me. I don't really know what's wrong with them. Indifference is fine with me, but to be insulted like that, especially my Mom, that's below the belt.
"Oh, the feisty dove is here."
Leaning on my locker, my annoying classmate gave me a sharp look. At his back were his three friends. I looked at him sharply. I haven't forgotten what he did yesterday to smile at him. Not that I'll ever forget it, though.
"Move," I commanded.
They laughed. I'm sure their annoying laughters reached the end of the hallway. With my anger, I felt like I could punch them on their faces. Sure I can hit even just one of them. But I guess if they would hold me, I could do nothing.
"It doesn't mean that because you're the mayor's daughter you can boss us around. You don't have the right, dovey."
I sighed. These bullshits are getting into my nerves. My day is just starting but they are already ruining it.
"Look, I don't know what's your problem with me. But whatever is it, I don't really care. All I want is to study, so leave me alone," I said firmly. Honestly, I badly want to know what's the problem. But then, its also possible that they are just the usual bullies of the campus. I didn't know it's still a trend in college. I thought this act is only for grade schoolers.
Again, they only laugh.
There were students passing around, but they didn't even bother to give a damn. All of the students here seem to see me as a complete antagonist. I sighed for the nth time. Looks like these bullies won't give me my way. Maybe I should just leave. I can put my things later in my locker, when they are gone.
Yes, that's right, Eve. That's what you should do. Stay out of trouble.
"Mr. Clarkson," from a manly voice behind me. "Do you know that bullying is against the rules?"