Luka sat on the bench across from the café, his cigarette hanging loosely from his lips as he watched his target through its glass windows.
She was chatting distractedly with her friend, unaware of his studious gaze. He had seen her tear the note he'd sent and while it had initially infuriated him, right now it sparked his curiosity.
Was the human girl that dense?
Luka considered the possibility that she could be intellectually challenged, but scoffed at the thought. From what he could tell she seemed to be quite smart and even if she were a retard, she should still know better than to cross him. After all, the campus was rife with stories of his brutality, making him something of an urban legend.
The treacherous Prince of Hell.
He cringed at the cliché but befitting title his fellow students had given him. They feared him; often keeping their distance and speaking in hushed tones whenever he was near. Even now, they all walked a good way off from where he sat, gazes averted from his general direction in order to avoid eye contact.
The young vampire quite liked it, however.
Being feared came with many benefits; solitude was one of his favourites. He was never a social butterfly, preferring to be on his own with his languid thoughts. Other than Mr. Samuel, he hardly spoke to anyone in Henderickson including other vampires. His interactions were kept to a minimum and were nothing more than casual sexual encounters or violent fights.
Perhaps that was what inspired his guardian to pair him up with this lowly human girl.
He scoffed at the silly idea, wondering what made the dean think he would ever befriend such a person. As far as he could tell, there was nothing special about this girl. She was just another random student, albeit a very nerdy one. Though she wasn't ugly, she wasn't anything stunning either and she was certainly not his type. In fact, the only thing spectacular about her was the fact that she was brave enough to slap him.
In his opinion, that just made her incredibly stupid.
Tossing his cigarette down, he crushed it with his feet. Standing up, he cast a final glance in the café's direction. The girl sat laughing with her friend, still oblivious to the eyes watching.
Pulling the hood of his black sweatshirt over his head, the pureblood walked away. He wasn't sure what the dean had seen in her but of one thing he was certain;
Keisha Brown was going to pay.
-
Keisha and Shalini strolled out of the lecture hall, glad their math class was over.
Though neither of them was majoring in mathematics, the university had made it compulsory for all students along with a few other 'core' courses.
"Class sucked," Lin groaned, stretching her arms as they walked away from the classroom. "I'm pretty sure I flunked that pop quiz."
"Same. I guess I'm actually going to need to study now."
Keisha yawned in exhaustion, the thought of studying already wearing her out. Both girls strolled to a nearby vending machine and after paying, took out their energy drinks. Despite the fact that they were both good students, the intense curriculum of Henderickson was taking its toll.
"We need a break," Shalini whined, to which Keisha nodded. "All we ever do here is study!"
"I agree. I thought college was supposed to be fun."
"Exactly! Where are the parties? Where are the cute boys? Where is the great sex?"
"I'm not sure about the last two but I think I can help with the first thing."
The girls nearly jumped out from their skins as Mr. Samuel appeared behind them. Snickering, the man apologized.
"Sorry for scaring you ladies. I've actually been looking all over for you, Keisha."
"Me?" Keisha yelped, her body tensing up as he smiled at her.
She'd been avoiding him since the embarrassing incident at his office and at the campus square in hopes that it would kill her crush. Unfortunately, it hadn't worked and the last thing she wanted to do right now was to talk to him.
"Yes, actually. Every month the school hosts a little campout for the students. It's mostly for juniors and seniors, but I was wondering if you'd like to attend?"
Keisha had heard about the infamous campouts. As Mr. Samuel had stated, it was only attended by college juniors and seniors. This was because they constituted most of the popular kids on campus, and while the school would never admit it, the event was just a popularity contest. Getting invited was an automatic ticket to social stardom and it was every freshman's dream to go.
"What?" Keisha was confused. "Me? Why?"
"What do you mean why?" Shalini interjected, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Girl, you just got invited to the most important party in school!"
"I know, but isn't it meant for the popular kids?"
"Not really," the dean explained. "The student council chooses who to invite so I suppose they choose their fellow seniors or students they know. If you want to attend, I can put a word in for you and your friend."
"Really?" Shalini gasped, turning to her friend animatedly. "Keisha, you have to say yes!"
"I don't know, Lin," Keisha drawled, unsure. "Parties are not exactly my scene."
Mr. Samuel offered her a sympathetic smile. "I understand, Keisha. It's okay if you don't want to go. I just thought it'd be a perfect opportunity to socialize and meet new people."
He was referencing their conversation at his office and Keisha felt flustered that he still remembered that. She'd hoped he would've forgotten about that entire encounter, but alas, that was just wishful thinking.
Sighing, the freshman responded. "I'll think about it."
Shalini groaned in disappointment while the dean simply nodded. "Alright then. Don't take too long though. The campout is tomorrow night."
Keisha bowed her head in acknowledgement and he gave her a soft smile. Ignoring the backflip her heart just did, she smiled back.
As much as Mr. Samuel gave her butterflies, Keisha didn't want things to be awkward between them. He was her dean and although he was incredibly kind to her, their relationship was strictly platonic. It was time to put on her big girl pants and bury her feelings for him.
"Mr. Samuel?" she called out to him as he was about to leave. Turning, he raised a quizzical brow, bidding her to speak.
"Can I talk to you in private?" she glanced at Shalini, motioning to her friend that she'd like to speak to the dean alone. Catching the cue, Shalini wordlessly excused the pair.
"Is something the matter, Keisha?"
She shook her head at his worried expression, shuffling awkwardly from foot to foot. "I actually wanted to apologize, Sir."
"For what?"
"For hugging you. It was really inappropriate of me. I was just really happy that you gave me a chance, but that doesn't justify what I did. I'm sorry."
She looked up at him apologetically, clasping her hands nervously. The dean let out a soft chuckle, his brown eyes lighting up.
"It's no big deal, Keisha. Let sleeping dogs lie. What I was more concerned about is the way you keep running away from me."
"Oh, that." She visibly cringed, earning a laugh from the dean. "It's actually really stupid."
"Really? Pray tell."
"Actually, at your office I thought I saw something so I freaked out and ran away. Turns out I was just hallucinating and I felt so embarrassed. When I saw you at the campus square, I was still so ashamed, so I ran away!"
Keisha hid her face in her hands, embarrassed at her confession. "I'm so sorry, Sir."
Mr. Samuel let out a sigh of relief, thankful that she hadn't figured out the truth. Now he wouldn't have to lie or wipe her memory, neither option being something he was comfortable with.
Placing his hand on her shoulder, he squeezed it reassuringly. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about, Keisha. We all make mistakes. Although some are sillier than others."
"Hey!" she swatted his arm playfully. "Don't tease me!"
"Where's the fun in that?" Mr. Samuel snickered, pinching her cheeks. "Plus, you look cute when you're flustered."
Keisha gasped at the contact, her face heating up. The familiar feeling of fluttering filled her stomach and she quickly averted her gaze from him not wanting him to notice her blushing.
"See what I mean?" he teased, poking her arm. "Cute."
Feeling beyond flustered, she quickly turned to leave. "Goodbye, Sir. I'm late for my class!"
She could hear his boisterous laughter as she speed-walked away from him, and she couldn't help but smile like a fool.
Why did he have to be so cute?
Rejoining her friend, they both headed to their next lecture, her giddy smile not fading the whole way.
-
When Keisha returned to her dorm room, Steph was already sound asleep.
Though it was only 6 pm, Keisha was tired from all the day's classes and assumed the same for her roommate who would usually not be asleep this early. Crashing into her bed, Keisha heaved a sigh of relief.
Finally, she could rest her weary head.
A glint of light caught her eye and she looked up to see where it was coming from, slightly annoyed. Noticing it came from her desk, she realized it was the mirror of a compact powder that was reflecting light into her eyes.
Steph had probably left it on her desk, she thought as she stood up to shut it. But it was odd that Steph left it there as she usually did her makeup in the bathroom.
Reaching her desk, Keisha noticed a piece of paper folded neatly underneath the compact. Wondering what it was, she picked it up and gently opened it.
Her eyes fell on familiar neat handwriting, and her eyes widened in realization. That asshole had been in her room!
Immediately looking around for signs of damage and finding none, she locked the doors and windows, suddenly feeling unsafe. The dorms had tight security yet somehow that creep had found a way to break in!
The thought the he had been in her room scared her as much as it angered her and she felt her blood pressure rise. What kind of psychopath was she dealing with?
If he thought she was going to sit back and take this, he was dead wrong! As soon as she woke up tomorrow, she was taking his note to the authorities and reporting him.
Speaking of the note, Keisha still hadn't read it yet. Returning to where she had left it on her table, she opened it slowly and scanned its content.
'I'm a ravenous wolf, and you're a little lamb
I don't forgive, I don't forget
By now you should know exactly who I am
So meet me at the place where we first met
Don't make me wait, little girl'
Keisha scoffed at the letter. He must be crazy if he actually thought she would meet with him. He clearly needed help and she was going to make sure he found it in jail.
Crumpling the note up, she angrily tossed it in the bin. She was fed up with this creepy boy's antics! Stomping back to her bed, she swore that she was going to teach him a lesson he would never forget.
That idiot had crossed a line and she was going to make sure he lived to regret it.