3 Chapter Three

Contrary to other people, Abby loves morning classes. She enjoys the cold breeze of the morning wind and the feel of the warm sunlight when it touches her skin. She likes hearing birds chirp and the sound of the bustling morning street as well as the smell of freshly brewed coffee at the café on the street across her school. She especially loves to get away from Noah's early morning chatty mouth. Ever since she started treating him civilly, he has never stopped talking or teasing her when he gets the chance. A part of her can't blame him though. She can't imagine the feeling of having to talk to no one for years. She may be introverted but she'd like quiet chats now and then.

Abby's first class was Philosophy at the south building. She still got about five minutes before the class starts so she took her time to walk to get to her building.

"Hey!" a familiar chirpy voice shouted behind her. Abby knew who that was so she started picking up her pace to walk faster.

"Abby!" the voice shouted again. Abby has now decided to run. She also heard heavy footsteps quickly following behind her so she ran even faster. She already turned her down to join her club. Why is she following her still?

She glanced behind her to see if she's still being followed. When she noticed her gone, she slowed down to catch her breath then a hand suddenly gripped her shoulder which made her jump in surprise.

"W-why…gasp…are…gasp…you…gasp…running?" Natasha heaved. She squatted down and rested her hands on top of her thighs to support herself. She held out a finger asking Abby to give her a moment while she catches her breath.

"Are you okay?" Abby asked worriedly.

When she noticed that Natasha's not responding or doesn't seem to be looking better she nervously began saying, "I should go ask for help. You don't look okay at all."

She saw her give out a light nod in approval. "M-y…gasp…phone…gasp" she breathed raggedly, "C-all…gasp…my…gasp…brother…gasp…please…"

Natasha shakily handed Abby her bag and in record time, she took out her phone. "What's your brother's name?" she asked her voice trying to hide the panic she's starting to feel.

"Neil…gasp"

With shaking fingers, she typed in the name of Natasha's brother and immediately pressed call once his number appeared.

Neil Brighton appeared a few moments after the call with a medical team rushing behind him. A medical staff carried Natasha and placed her on a stretcher. Abby watched as they took her away.

Abby picked up her bag readying herself again to go to her first class. She hoped Natasha will be okay. If only she knew her condition, she wouldn't have run away from her. She thought to herself before blowing out a tired sigh.

Her head turned sideways when she noticed Neil walking to her. A part of her wondered why he hasn't left yet. "Thank you for saving my sister." He began in a grateful tone.

"I didn't do anything at all." She tried saying hoping the guilt in her voice is not too obvious. She knew what happened to Natasha was her fault. She really shouldn't have run.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to treat you out for a meal as thanks as well as ask you for more information about what happened?" he looked at her hoping she'd agree.

Abby felt her chest pound, nervous about how he'll react if he finds out that it's her fault that his sister ended up that way.

"I won't take too much of your time, I promise," he added.

Lately, there's one thing Abby started hating about herself and that's her special talent to give in to people's requests. "O-okay." Way to go in digging your own grave, Abby.

Luxurious was an understatement to describe Neil Brighton's Student Council office. Every nook and cranny of the building spits out the word rich. She has never felt so poor before this. She was afraid to step on the floor worried that she might leave dirt on the finely polished gold flooring.

As they enter his brightly lit office, Abby couldn't help but notice the various sketches displayed on his office's walls, carefully encased in expensive-looking frames.

"Did you draw those?" she asked genuinely curious. She found the art on the wall breathtaking. Even if she takes a few more art classes, she doubts that she'd be able to get to this skill level.

Neil looked at the drawings Abby was pointing at before slightly nodding his head in response. "Yes. I majored in art before."

"And now you're not?" Abby bit her lower lip in distress. She wanted to smack herself for asking something that sounded too personal even for her.

He paused for a moment as if thinking if he should answer her or not, "Yes, now I'm not into art anymore."

Abby gulped glad he didn't react angrily or if he was, his face didn't show any of those emotions she was expecting. She was really out of the line this time. The topic of art seemed private for him so she stopped asking him questions about it after that. He guided her to sit on a velvet couch. As soon as they're seated, a woman in a formal business outfit entered with a trolley full of food and snacks.

"I hope you don't mind that I already have food prepared without asking what you like."

"I'm not a picky eater so I don't mind at all." Neil nodded satisfied with her response.

Before they even start eating, the doors to Neil's office opened and Natasha strolled in so gracefully no one would have thought that she was by death's door a few minutes ago.

"Neil, I can't believe you invited Abby to lunch without telling me. I would have run here right away."

"That's the exact reason why I didn't tell you."

Natasha glared at her brother before turning to her new friend with a smile. "Abby!" she greeted. Abby politely responded with a smile still thinking of the accident that morning.

"Oh don't be so stiff. We've bonded a few times already. I can't believe you're still shy around me. We're practically best friends now."

"Natasha…" Neil let out a warning almost glaring at his sister.

Natasha looked at her brother before huffing in defeat as she plops down on the couch beside her.

"How are you feeling?" Abby carefully asked Natasha glancing at her brother anticipating some kind of violent reaction. However, he was on his phone talking with whoever is on the other side of the line. She didn't notice him pick up the call. She's kind of grateful for the distraction though.

An appreciative smile formed on Natasha's red-painted lips and Abby couldn't help but feel more guilt. "I'm sorry." Abby put out in the open hoping they won't have her arrested after hearing her apology.

Natasha's big smile turned into a pout. "It's not your fault, Abby. I hope you're not blaming yourself for what happened."

Exhaling out a nervous breath, Abby gave her a small smile.

"Now that we've settled things, we'd like to get to class, brother," Natasha announced not waiting for his brother to respond before pulling her hand to stand and guide her out of the grand office. Abby tried to give Neil a slight nod of goodbye before allowing Natasha to take the lead out but he still seemed to be in the middle of an important phone call.

Once they were out of the building, Natasha let go of Abby to clasp her hands together as if getting an idea. "Since we're late for class, I suggest that we have a meeting about our paranormal club-"

"It's nice to see that you're finally okay. I mean it." Abby began cutting her midsentence, "-but I can't join you. I have part-time jobs, Natasha. I only have me to support myself." she explained.

Natasha, for the first time, appeared troubled. She watched Abby for a second before blurting out, "I can help you with your part-time jobs."

Abby chuckled. She doubts that Natasha has ever experienced washing greasy plates or mopping dirty floors.

"I can't. Sorry." Natasha pursed her lips, dejected from Abby's decision.

After their conversation, Abby started walking to the library. Since she missed class, she decided to kill time by reading whatever accessible book is there in the library while waiting for her next class. She noticed that Natasha was nonetheless walking beside her, still sulking from the rejection. She let her be and kept on doing what she planned to do.

With the books she needed on hand, she chose a table at the corner of the room, far from the others. Abby loves to read in silence so this table has become her favorite space. Natasha sat on the chair in front of her; set off her things on the table before taking out an iPad from her bag then she started scribbling to herself. Abby went back to reading before her mind drifted to Noah's mystery girl. She made a mental note to herself to find someone she could ask or maybe pay to draw for her. Abby put down the book in her hands and closed her eyes to release the building stress in her gut.

Seriously, how is she even able to get herself into other's businesses like magic? The more she fend off other people, the more they kept coming into her life.

She started rubbing her temples when she caught sight of Natasha looking outside the window before going back to her iPad to draw. Abby slowly took a peek at her work, trying not to get noticed. She nonchalantly sketches exactly what was outside the window easily.

An idea immediately popped inside Abby's mind so she silently clasped her hands together before clearing her throat to get Natasha's attention.

Natasha paused and raised her head to look at Abby. She tilted her head to the side as if asking what it is she called her attention for.

Abby took a deep breath, "Do you accept commissions?"

Natasha loosely held her pen to scratch her chin as if in deep thought. "Hmm…it depends. Who's asking for it?"

Abby bit her lip thinking, "A friend."

Natasha smiled while giving out a thumbs up, "Okay, I don't accept payments though."

Abby shifted in her seat. She knew what Natasha wanted and it's just a matter of time before she gave in. She had to quit her job during the weekends though. She would probably end up dying and then turning into a wandering ghost, like Noah, if she tried to do everything at the same time. Although quitting that part-time job was inevitable, Noah paying her with the Jewelry box made up for it.

That was fine right? She thought trying to make herself feel better.

"I'll join your club." She finally let out. Natasha clapped her hands together, her eyes glittering. "When do you need the drawing?" she asked happily.

***

Recently, Abby has been feeling exhausted more than ever. As soon as she got home, she didn't bother changing clothes. She just let herself fall on her bed and savor the soft duvet until she drifted to lalaland.

The cold wind slowly touched her skin as if a light kiss. The strap of her spaghetti top hung her shoulder exposing her bare nipple. She let out a soft sigh as her hand drifted to his hard muscular chest, feeling his warm skin. He loomed over her, his gray eyes devouring every inch of her now heated skin, their lips almost touching. The tips of his finger faintly touched the nib of her now hardening bud and a moan escaped her lips.

"Beautiful…" he said in awe.

He moved closer, their lower bodies touching even more. She could feel his growing firmness on her cotton panties. The roughness of his jeans grazed her inner thighs. She groaned when he started thrusting into her in a slow tease as he slides his erection across the delicate cloth that separated them, igniting her throbbing need. She arched her back in response. She wanted to feel him even more…

"Abby…wake up,"

Her eyes jolted open as soon as a splash of cold air touched her ears like a whisper. Sweat covered her body while another trickled her forehead. The feeling made her icky all over. Her arms are sprawled to her sides, her legs outstretched while her breathing was hot and heavy. Did she just have a wet dream!? she thought in shock.

Just like in her dream, Noah was on top of her only this time he floated over Abby while worry crossed his face. "You okay? You're sweating buckets. I heard you crying so I ran–well floated here as fast as I can."

The dream still felt fresh so Abby had a hard time thinking of anything else. The bed cover stirred as she moves into an upright sitting position, away from him.

She pulled the white duvet to cover herself in an attempt to hide her stiff nipples. God, she can't believe that she just had a steamy hot dream about the ghost in front of her. Why would she even dream about him and her doing that? Abby mused on exasperatedly.

She must be so stressed to even dream of having sex with Noah.

Sitting casually at the end of the bed, Noah peered at her as if carefully observing if she's okay.

"I-I'm fine." Her voice came out raspy. She needed water. Her throat felt too dry to her liking.

She cleared her throat hoping it would bring her voice back to normal. "You didn't knock."

Noah shrugged in response. "It was an emergency–well I thought it was."

Okay, she can't blame him alright. He didn't know she was having a hot and heavy dream about him. "You can go now. I'm okay." She finally said.

Noah gave her one last look before nodding his head and then he disappeared out of her room. Abby let out a sigh of relief that he didn't ask further.

Now she needed to change her underwear.

_to be continued_