CHAPTER 20

Genesis's POV

                "Oh God. Yes, I...I thought you knew. I thought Jace told you." I shuffled across the room. Back and forth, replacing the books in my bag for some others while speaking to my mum on the phone. I was in a rush. All through the night was utilized in a vigorous research for a homework which was due at 8am on the dot and the saddest part was that I wasn't even done with it yet. Time was running so fast and I couldn't keep up with it.

I hurriedly sorted out the inked white sheets in order of the questions I was given to answer. My stomach twisted each time I glanced at the clock, each second reminding me of how horribly late I was. I'm never this disorderly but there's a first time for everything. I'm dreading this was mine.

                "He didn't. Your dad found out and now he's very furious." The last paper. Where is it? My stomach churned. Oh Lord, where is the last paper? I began rummaging my things again, from the beginning, looking fo the runway sheet. "But...but why would he get a place without even informing us...his parents?"

I got on my feets and rushed to my reading desk, searched the entire surface and found nothing.

Oh God.

I thought I put it in here.

I turned, frantic, "Lana, please tell me you've seen a white paper sheet around. With ink and all."

Her make up brush froze in the air, she wrinkled her eyebrows as she turned to frown at me.

              "It has written things in there. Tell me you have seen it please. I really need it. It has to be submitted at eight today."

She resumed her make up, giving me a flat ass, "No."

My stomach swirled with panic. Tension filled my muscles.

              "You sure you know where you kept it?"

              "I placed it right here last night. I...I don't know where it is anymore."

              "Is it by any chance Dr. Lucas's class?"

              "Yeah."

She snorted, "For real though, that man did me dirty during my first year but he's hot. Old but still hot." She winked at me and resumed playing with her cosmetics.

I sighed, glancing up at the clock mounted on the wall. It read 7:35.

God, I so did not ask for this.

Where is it this traitorous paper?

I left it with the others last night. They haven't even been pinned yet.

I darted to my bag and began pulling out my books from the start. My stomach grumbled. I ignored it. Something else already captured my attention.

                "Genesis, I don't know what else to do with this...thing going on between your father and your brother. I just feel like..."

Christ, I totally forgot mum was still on the phone. I grabbed it from the floor where I had abandoned it.

                "Yeah...I...I don't know too. It's not nice the way things are."

                "I think it has to do with Jace's passion for painting. Your dad doesn't want to hear anything about it. I have been trying to make him see things in a different light, Genesis. Honestly sweetheart, I miss you back home. We all do. It's just too...."

A textbook dropped from my grasp. I squealed, startled at the sound.

            "Genesis, are you okay?"

            "No...Yes...I...I'm okay. I just..."I sank down and picked it up. "Yes I am. I'm just really late for class, you know." I forced a chuckle.

She coaxed, "Honey, you have to get to class. You know that right?"

             "I'm looking for something really urgent mum and I need it so bad."

             "You need it for class?

             "Due for eight this morning."

             "Sweetheart, remember that time when I was searching for my rolling pin." She snorted. "You remember you and I brought down the house looking for it."

I smiled, remembering the day that happened. It was such a very long time ago. "Yeah I do."

              "Only for us to find the traitor..."

I finished up for her, "Under your bed."

My brow wrinkled. A thought struck my mind. On pure instinct, I walked to my bed, bent my limbs and looked under. I had no idea why I thought in that direction or why it came to my mind. It was an impulse, a strong gut feeling.

White sheet of paper with pen ink on the surface which was morphed into words were scattered lines by lines in columns. It sat comfortably on the floor, under my bed. Here under my bed was the stray piece of paper I had been turning my things upside down for all morning.

Stunned and surprised to my bones, I squealed.

How did...?

I gawped, "Mum...."

                "Bye bye sweetheart. You have a lovely day."

In a blink, the line went dead, leaving a little beep behind.

Jaw dropped, for a split second. My brain surferred a lapse. Processing this entire moment was a difficulty.

               "You've seen it?"

I turned to Lana. My body moved as if some inexperienced person was controlling me remotely and my eyes were wide, looking straight at her but not really.

               "Hey, you okay?"

A loud sound vibrated in my hands. I flinched and glanced down. It was my phone. A message just came through.

I opened it.

Hey Baby, meet me outside. I'm waiting.

My stomach tightened instantly. A smile attacked my lips.

In a flash, I gathered my things and grabbed my bag before racing down but just in time to hear Lana yell after me.

I sprinted down the lobby barely missing Ms. Hampson by the shoulder. I yelled a sorry and ran past her, throwing my head back to hurl a goodmorning her way.

Keegan was parked in front of my dorm building. Legs crossed at the ankles, he leaned by the side of his car, head bent and manipulating his phone. Long locks of hair fell over his brow partially concealing what I knew to be a breathtaking face.

I sprinted down the park in a bid to get to him. Glancing down at the little black leather clutched to my wrist. Fifteen minutes before my first class begins and I still had to submit my assignment before anything else. I'm rarely late for class but the previous night was something else. I stayed up all night with my back bent trying to finish up an assignment before the worst happened. I fell asleep and was still not able to complete it. The real problem I would be facing was how to answer the last three questions and submit it before the lectures begins.

My mind was thrown somewhere else entirely. My legs raced forward, soles of my shoes clapping hard and fast against the concrete. Desperate times called for desperate measures. My legs developed a mind of its own but failed to see the little hill in front of me. My feet got caught with it. I tripped, tumbling to the ground, emitting a squeal of fright from my lips. The impact loosened the strong grip I possessed on my assignment papers. They took to the air, floating before weightlessly dropping to the ground at unmeasured intervals.

Dread overcame my senses, my heart got stuck in my throat as I witnessed the scene unfold before me. I couldn't move. I couldn't do a thing. It felt like a strong paralysis had taken possession of my body from head to toe. I watched on, mouth agape, eyes bulging out and tears leaking from my eyes as people stomped on each and every one of my hardwork, topping it with dirt from the sole of their shoes, only leaving their foot prints behind as evidence and yet I didn't do a thing. I couldn't do a thing. I sat on the floor watching them go back and forth. It felt like I was here but then again, I wasn't.

Someone began to move towards me. Their pace fast and athletic. My eyes blurred when the person got closer.         

             "Hey, hey. Baby, c'mon. Stand." With blurred vision, Keegan's face came into view. My lips trembled, my shoulders heaved. I felt so lost.

              "Genny. C'mon. Stand. Let's get you to class."

I choked, "I wo-worked so ha-hard for-for that last night but - but it's destroyed now. It's - it's due today Keegan. I'm going to fail. I have never failed. I- I don't want to fail."

               "Baby, I know. Just c'mon. Stand. Stand up first of all."

               "This hurts."

               "I know and I'm sorry."

               "I'm going to fail Keegan but I don't want to." I cried.

                "Hey, you're failing nothing. C'mon, let's go." He carried me up. I nestled into his neck and closed my eyes, breathing in and out. This felt so wrong. I stayed up all night working on that. An hour of sleep was a luxury and now it was all for nothing.

The door opened and closed and soon his car was put to drive.

I mumbled, "I don't know what to do. I worked so hard on that Keegan. I didn't even lay my head to rest last night and now it was for nothing."

              "Baby, I'm so sorry about that. What was it on?"

              "Determinants of behaviour."

              "Submitted to?

              "Dr. Lucas."

              "Due?"

              "8am this morning."

              "Woah." He glanced at me and back at the road. "Baby, that's - that's crazy."

I sighed, "I know. I just...If maybe I should have been more careful, I wouldn't have slipped you know and I wouldn't...."

               "Hey blame yourself for nothing, okay. It ain't your fault." He paused. "I'll see what I can do."

My brows instantly creased, "What do you mean?"

He turned to look at me, repeating, "I'll see what I can do."

He pulled over and I immediately unstrapped the seatbelt to get out. The door whoosed open. Keegan stood at the other side, offering a hand.

I took it and got out of the car. He snuggled me into his arms and I immediately took residence.

                "I'm sorry you're late to your own class."

                "I said I was gonna get you to yours first."

                "I should have just taken a cab or something. You're going late because of me."

                "That would have been unnecessary when you got me Genny."

                "You're so nice to me, Keegan."

                "You're my girlfriend. I'm meant to make you happy. C'mon, get in." Not wanting to, I detached my body from his, beamed at him and turned to leave but he caught me by my arm and made me twirl so we were chest to chest. The next thing I felt was his soft lips on mine.

              "I love you." He whispered.

I smiled like a Cheshire cat at him and leaned in to peck his cheek.

***

The day passed by in a blur. It was almost coming to an end. Two classes which lasted for two hours attended, one more to go.

I was tired and hungry and still hurting from my unsubmitted assignment. It was worse when I caught sight of some coursemates of mine going into Dr. Lucas's office to submit theirs and I had nothing to hand over. The time of submission had elasped and he announced before time that those who didn't work on it should forget about it. I lost thirty marks. That has never happened. It was hard coming to terms with it. My semester just started pretty well.

I was strolling the campus ground with Michael and Amelia by my side. My mind was out of space. Nothing being conversed sounded logical to me. It was far away from my train of thought. I just wanted to lay on my bed with the covers drawn up so I wouldn't have to see anything.

My arms hugged my body, my mood down. I was feeling downcast. We stopped in front of the cafeteria. Suddenly, Amelia  turned to me, her brows furrowed in thought.

               "Genesis, I've been wanting to ask you something."

I frowned, "Oh. What - what's it?"

               "How were you able to capture that hottie, huh?"

Michael groaned, facepalming.

Confused at her question, I replied, "I don't get you mean."

She wriggled her eyebrows. "Keegan? That fine ass? C'mon, don't act like you've got no clue with me. I see you two lovebirds locking lips everytime, his tongue is always down your throat."

My cheeks turned crimson immediately she uttered that. I glanced at Michael. He mouthed, 'she's crazy.'

             "I didn't know what you meant."

             "Uh-huh. So tell me how you were able to do it. Girl, have you seen tht guy? He's so crazy about you." She turned to Michael. "Have you seen the way he looks at her. My future husband has got to look at me that way, else I'm opting for a divorce."

             "Lord, please help my friend, Amy. She's totally lost it."

             "Oh shut up. Don't tell me you don't want your wife looking at you like that. You should learn to look at your girlfriend that way."

He cackled, "I didn't know I've got a girlfriend, Amy. Why didn't anyone tell me."

I chuckled at their banter, "I didn't do anything."

               "Yeah right."

               "I mean it."

               "No seduction, no voo-doo, no fucking. No nothing. I don't believe that."

Michael groaned again. She gave him a knock on the head and they once again resumed their bickering.

I watched them with a smile on my face. These are my friends and I cherished them so much.

I felt a pair of hands wrap around my waist and a feather-light kiss ghost the nape of my neck. I beamed, inhaling his cologne, leaning into him.

               "Hey." He mumbled into my ear, biting the lobe.

I turned around, wrapping my arms around his hip, "Hey."

              "Do you see? Do you see that? Michael, tell me now you don't want that and I'll slap you again."

              "What's happening?" He asked, darting his eyes between Amelia and Michael.

I laughed, shaking my head at them. "It's nothing."

               "Come." He pulled me, snaking his arm around my waist. "I've got something to tell you."

               "Oh. What is it?"

He grinned down at me, "I did it."

I looked up at him, "You did what?"

               "This morning...the assignment you were upset about. It's submitted already."

I stalled, ears itching, heart racing, mouth agape, "You-you did wh-what?"

               "Your assignment."

Oh Lord, "But how?"

He chuckled, reaching behind to scratch the back of his neck, "I...skipped a class."

               "Oh God." I hid my face behind my palms. "I'm so sorry. Lord, I...you didn't have to...you...It's really...Jesus Christ."

               "Hey." He snuggled me into his arm. "It didn't mean shit okay. If it would make you feel better, I skipped the first lecture only. It's no big deal plus I got it covered. Had Dario send the note to me."

                "Still, I..."

He leaned down and kissed me. "Baby, I'd do anything for you. It's high time you knew that."

I hugged him tightly, highly overwhelmed. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

                "You're very much welcome."

                 "I used the whole of last night and still didn't finish it up and you used a two hour class." It just dawned on me. "How many pages are they?"

                "Uhh...fourteen."

I gasped, shocked. "Keegan, it's an eight pages assignment."

                 "Oh, my bad. Didn't get the info. By the way, I got this for you." He brought out a medium sized brown paper I didn't even see him holding prior.

I giggled, glancing at the wrap and back at him, "What's that?"

              "Uhh...some doughnuts."

              "Oh my God." I grabbed it immediately, "It's my favourite." I unwrapped the pack and bit into it instantly. I moaned, closing my eyes the moment the irresistible taste hit my tongue.

He chortled. "I'm glad you like it."

              "Chocolate frosted doughnut? I love it. Thank you so much Keegan. Thank you. I'm so thankful."

              "Don't mention."

I squeal, laughing when he hoisted me off the ground and onto the hood of his car. He nestled in between my thighs, exerting a slight pressure on my waist before loosening.

              "So how was your day?"

              "Horrible. Starting with Dr. Lucas's class but you just made it ten times better."

He smiled, "Satisfying to know."

I giggled, nibbling on my doughnut, "How was yours?"

               "Cool."

               "You want some?"

He chuckled, "No way, I...on a second thought..." He groped my neck and slanted his head over mine. Pushing his tongue in, he explored my mouth, sweeping his silken tongue all over the corners of my mouth.

In no time, he pulled away, grinding his teeth together, chewing and smiling widely.

               "Mnm...It tastes better from your mouth."

Oh God. "Keegan." I covered my face. "You're just so..."

I heard him laugh, "So what?"

               "You're so....dirty. You do the dirtiest things. You say the dirtiest things."

He chuckled against my neck, trailing his teeth along the sensitive skin till he reached my ears, sucking on the rim.

              "Baby, they are for you ears only."

He resumed dragging his lips along my neck, biting, licking, sucking the tender skin.

I shuddered, breathing, "Keegan, we are in school."

He murmured, taunting me with his lips, "I know."

              "So we - we can't do this - this here. It's...oh God...I...Keegan please."

              "I can't help it."

As much as I didn't want to, I pulled away, breathing hard. His touch and kisses had the most effect on me. I glanced up at him. His eyes had turned a darker shade of blue, his breathing frantic.

After a lot of trials, I found my tongue, "I-I want to ask you something."

He brushed the hair covering his brow, "What?"

            "That..." I paused in a bid to rephrase better. "...thing we did yesterday. "Was I loud?"

His lips twitched, "What thing?"

            "I mean...yesterday. You know you...I...Oh God, I don't know what it's called. Keegan, you know what I mean."

He tipped his head back in laughter, "I'm afraid I've got no clue what's on your mind."  

             "In your room yesterday...you know...you were doing this thing on me with your hips and..." I groaned, hiding behind my palms.

He laughed and I hate to think he was laughing at me. Of course he was.

             "I dry-humped you Genny."

I peeked an eye between my fingers, "Is that what it's called?"

He peeled my hands away from my face, "Yeah."

             "Oh. Why?"

             "Fucking with clothes on or just a shred. No penetration. That's why. Although, I have to confess I would have loved the inclusion of a penetration."

              "I...I'm not ready for that. Keegan, I don't think I'm..."

His lips descended on mine in an instant, "I know. I'd wait whenever you're ready."

I sighed, "Thank you."

                 "Did you like it?"

My lips stretched. I couldn't help it. I darted my eyes away from his but he lifted my chin to look back at him, "I-I don't know. It was nice I guess."

              "Did you like it? A yes or a no?"

              "Yes. I did. It felt nice."

              "Got your moans and whimpers on my phone though. Changed my ringtone.

              "What?"

He chuckled, "I'm only kidding."

I sighed, "Was I loud? I wouldn't be comfortable if someone heard, you know."

               "Those sounds you made were for me and me alone Genny. I made that happen and I take full responsibility." He leaned in, taking my lips into his mouth.

He breathed against my ear, whispering for my sole hearing, "You. Make. My. Heart. Beat."

He glued our lips together, mumbling against them, "Thrice as fast than normal."

My heart swelled. Tingles erupted on my skin as fireworks exploded in my stomach. I beamed, pressing my lips to his.

             "I mean it Genny. I mean it when I say I love you. I'm so fucking, so madly in love with you and I can't do shit about it. I don't even want to either."

I wrapped my arms around his neck, "I know." And pecked his lips. "And while I know, I also know your hair needs a trim."

His eyebrows crashed, "Oh...uh."

                "I can help with that."

He shot me a look that said that called my 'bluff'.

I chuckled, "I mean it. I can actually do it. I use to trim my brother's hair while I was still back at home."

               "Oh, you got a brother?"

I smiled, remembering Jace. "A kid brother."

               "A kid brother. So what are you? The first or what?"

               "First and only girl. One brother only. He came visiting me last week."

               "Ahh cool...hold up...was he the guy I saw you..." He paused, looking confused before clicking again. "Fuck that." He grinned, squeezing my thighs, running his hands upwards, pausing his movements. "So now, you're saying you wanna trim my hair?"

                "Yes I can. If you want."

                "Fuck yeah. Seems like we've got an appointment, eh?"

I giggled, "Seems so to me."

                "Hope it's gonna include other stuffs though."

                "Stuffs like what?"

                "You know...those dirty stuffs...that always gets you soaking wet."

He sipped at my lips, taunting me with hot wet kisses across my cheeks, creating a pathway towards my mouth that kept me wanting more before slacking his jaw wide to take me into his mouth in a passionate, tender kiss that deteriorated my senses. His experienced tongue sweeped along the imsides of my mouth, on a tour to deepest parts. I sighed into his mouth, eager for more of his sweetness, desperate for all that he was ready to give me.

He slanted his head over mine, groping my neck to taste more of me as I delved in deeper to take more of him. A ribbon of fire erupted in my stomach as he scraped his teeth over my bottom lip, tugging, pulling and biting on the soft skin thus taking me to yonder places.

However, a sudden scream, deafening and startling followed with a maddening expression of "fuck" terminated our little moment of intimacy. A chill ran down my spine. It made me shudder as a freezing cold wind would wake someone.

I squeezed his shoulders, alarmed,         "What was that?"

He glanced in the direction of the cafeteria and back at me.

               "Come." He got me off his car and took my hands in his and took off in the direction of the cafeteria.

What I saw next left room for a lot of questions in my head. All eyes were stuck on Dario as he frantically tugged at his leather jacket, hurriedly ripping the cloth off his arms. Next came off his hood as he exposed a thoroughly tattooed and pierced skin, swollen with thick muscles. A distorted look took over his face as he held onto his arm, wincing and breathing hard.

He writhed, grunts and growls leaving his mouth, all the while holding onto a part of his right arm.

Keegan left my side and immediately dashed to him, holding him tightly. I could hear him ask numerously what was wrong. Dario answered with more grunts and groans, clenching his teeth so hard. Pools of sweat trailed down his body. He grunted, cursing time after time.

I watched with wide eyes. My stomach churned as I watched him crumble in pain. I found myself searching for all the ways and methods to stop whatever he was feeling, to bring him more ease and comfort. To just take his pain away.

             "Dario. What's wrong? Fuck, tell me. Where does it hurt?"

He grinded his teeth, "That..." Swallowing, his breathing was deep and fast. "...fucker." He could barely get a word out.

Shooting his head to the right, a murderous glare etched on his face, the sole intent to kill and destroy. He was red in the face, veins popping, jaw clenching. I turned to look in the direction of who or where it was aimed at.

Ian stood at the other corner of the cafe with his arms pressed tightly against his hard chest. I noticed a slight curve on his lips as he stared hard at Dario in retaliation. If felt like the two of them were involved in a staring contest. A dare.

Dario was first to break it. He forcefully wriggled free from Keegan's hold and dashed for the exit, bursting in fury and contempt. Those in his way cleared as he stomped, leaving no room for his wrath to fall upon them.

Keegan rushed after him but not before grabbing his clothes he abandoned on the floor.

I know I shouldn't bother. I know I should let it go. Perhaps, mind my business and go on with my day but curiosity ate at me. I wanted to know what went wrong. I wanted to know what happened. Why it happened. I wanted to know who exactly Dario was.

I roamed my eyes around the cafe, immediately locating Lana. Without wasting a second, I walked up to her. She caught me before I could come up close, her mouth contorting into a small smile.

               "Hey, what happened? Do you know?" I couldn't hide the apprehension in my voice.

She shrugged, wrapping her arms around her model-like physique,

              "I can't really say." She paused and picked up again. "I just know that when Ian almost tripped, he mistakenly splashed some water on him and then well...you know what happened next."

***

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