Chapter 34: Annoying Jake

KRIS:

"Beep beep.” My phone sounded for the nth time, distracting me from the lesson.

I didn't need to look at it to know it was another message from attention-seeking Jake.

Yes! I was mad at him for his wrong assumption.

If I could change seats, I would have done that the moment he walked into the class and sat next to me. But sadly, that had to be the only seat left.

So, I was stuck with his sorry ass trying to get my attention by texting every second.

He thought he could just text an apology and I'd throw my arms around him saying he's forgiven.

Trying once more to not zone out on what's being taught, I focused on the teacher.

And again, my phone beeped. I was seconds away from hauling it at him but I had to control myself that he wasn't worth it.

Picking up my phone from the desk, I set it to flight mode before releasing a breath.

I relaxed into my seat, giving the teacher my undivided attention, completely drowning Jake out.

Few minutes later, the sound of a pen clicking against a desk caught my attention.

I clenched my teeth.

Jake was at it again.

I ignored him as much as I could but he wouldn't stop.

I whipped my head towards his direction.

"I swear I'll cut off your balls and shove them up your ass if you breathe out a sound again.” I muttered through gritted teeth.

The look on his face was priceless and it brought immense satisfaction to me.

After that, he never disturbed me again. Once the class was over, I hurried out of the classroom not wanting anymore encounters with him.

Luckily for me, I made it till lunch break without running into him.

My friends and I strolled into the cafeteria to get our food before settling at our usual table.

Once seated, I wasted no time before going to town on the food.

I finished my meal in time to see Jake slipping into the seat next to mine.

It was moments like this I wished Lucian was in school. He wouldn't have allowed him to come near me.

Without acknowledging him, I stood up to leave but he grabbed my arm.

All eyes were now on us.

Great!

"Kris, I'm sorry.” He muttered.

Staring into his soft brown eyes, I knew he meant it.

He looked remorseful.

Damn my soft heart. Why isn't it made of bricks?

"Fine," I drawled.

"Thanks.” He pulled me down and pecked my cheek.

"You're the best.” He added.

"I know. You can't do without me.” I grinned cheekily.

The rest of my day went well after that.

*****

School had closed for the day and I had to hitch a ride with Paige as Lucian didn't come to school.

"Hurry up bitch.” Paige shouted from across the parking lot but I ignored her, counting my steps.

"I swear I'll drag you by your hair if I get to you.” She huffed, coming my way but I only smirked, aggravating her anger.

She wasn't really angry. She just wanted to get home quickly and plan her night adventures since it was Friday.

Before she could get to me, an arm draped around my shoulder.

"How about I take you home so she wouldn't have to murder you?" Jake asked from beside me.

Hmmmm...that might be a good idea but…

"Hmmm..." I narrowed my eyes pretending to be in thoughts.

"Fine. I'll take you to get food before I drop you off. Take it as part of my apology.”

I grinned.

"You know me well.” He shook his head smiling.

"Yo! Paige, see ya later.” I said before skipping over to Jake's car.

"I'd still kill you some other time.” She yelled back.

I stuck out my tongue at her. Her face turned red.

I got into Jake's car and he pulled out of the parking lot.

He drove for some time before pulling into a little diner downtown.

"How have I never been here?" I frowned as I hopped out of the car.

"Because you needed me to find it.” He grinned and I rolled my eyes.

Holding his arm, I pulled him into the diner and we settled at a table after getting our meal.

He ate for a while before excusing himself, saying something about checking on something.

I watched him disappear into a door at the far end of the room.

I finished my food and waited a while for him but he wouldn't come out and it was getting late so I decided to go look for him.

I left my table and walked towards the door I saw him entering.

I opened it to see a set of stairs leading down.

Must be the basement.

A little voice in my head kept telling me to go back but curiosity got the best of me.

I took the first step still contemplating but then I decided to just go.

If Jake is there then it probably isn't bad right?

I climbed down the stairs steadily till I began to hear muffled voices that sounded like a cheering crowd.

Getting down the stairs, I saw another door and the sounds became louder.

Hmmmm... strange.

Without letting second thoughts cloud my decision, I opened the door to see a small sea of bodies cheering loudly.

Now the rate of my curiosity just skyrocketed.

Not wanting to draw attention to myself, I quickly closed the door and stepped in.

Getting lost in the sea of bodies wasn't in my options so I quickly sent a text to Jake telling him of my little escapade.

Soon, he found me by the door.

"What are you doing here?" He shouted so I could hear him over the ear-splitting noise.

"You took so long so I had to look for you.” I pouted.

Seems I wasn't supposed to find out. Anyways I'm here so suck it up dude.

"Lemme take you home.”

"No. What's going on here and where's this?" I asked, my eyes roaming the scene before me.

"Nothing you should know of.” He replied gruffly.

"Well, it's either you tell me or I'll find out myself.” I stared at him defiantly.

He looked down at me, clenching his fists.

"Fine" was all I said before walking towards the sea of bodies.

He grabbed my arm before I could get away.

"It's an illegal fighting ring.”

Ohh. Definitely looks like one.

"I wanna watch.”

"Shit.” He muttered more to himself than me.

"You can't.” He said "Watch me.” I made to walk away again but he held onto my arm.

"Fine.” He finally succumbed. "But you can't tell anyone I brought you here. Okay?" He stared at me intently, waiting for a reply.

"Okay.” I nodded.

He pulled me into a little walkway I hadn't noticed and somehow, I found myself at the front of the arena.

My eyes widened as I saw two men who could only be described as monsters fight against each other.

I watched on with my eyes glued to the scene.

I'd never seen anything like it before except on TV. It looked so brutal.

With each passing moment, I felt bile rising from my stomach.

As if the brutality of the fight wasn't enough, one of the men held on tightly to the one on his back, strangling him to death.

A little gasp left my mouth at the sight, my eyes widening in shock, as my heartbeat accelerated.

My roamed the audience, searching their faces to see they were clearly enjoying the madness called combat.

Do they realize they're all an accomplice to murder?

I'm also an accomplice. A small voice whispered in my head, causing bile to rise in my throat from the realization.

I couldn't take it anymore.

"Let's go.” I held on to Jake's hand, pulling him away. But then something stopped me.

Between the boisterous cheers of the crowd, the announcer called the next fighter.

"Next is Death himself, Luc!!!" He hollered.

Wondering who'd have such a name, I turned my head in time to see him walking into the ring.

My heart dropped.

Lucian.

Jake's eyes flew to the ring.

"Shit.” He cursed. "Come on. Let's go.” He tried pulling me but my feet were stuck to the spot.

"Trust me. You don't want to see what's gonna happen.” He said but I didn't register his words.

My eyes were glued to the ring.

He is going to fight that big guy that just won.

Oh my God.

What if he doesn't win?

He'll die?

My heart was thumping hard at this point.

Not wanting to go with Jake, I flung my arm from his grasp and watched the fight with fear covering me like a blanket.

My doubts were cleared a few minutes later when Lucian snapped his opponent's neck.

A wave of relief flooded me but then it was quickly replaced with anger.

I still couldn't believe he'd be into stuff like this.

I finally let Jake drag me out.

Once we got out, he tried pulling me towards his car but I refused.

"I'm not going with you. I'll wait for him.” I said defiantly.

"No way. After seeing that, I'm not letting you anywhere near him.”

"Then be ready to let him know you brought me here.” I stared at myself.

His shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Kris ...you really need to stay away from him. You've seen for yourself that he's not good for you.” His voice softened.

"No. He has to explain.”

"What more proof do you need?" He yelled.

"Just leave me alone Jake.”

"Fine.” He huffed before getting into his car and pulling away.

My eyes searched the parking lot till I saw a car that looked like Lucian's.

How had I not seen it when we first arrived?

Walking towards it, I rested on the hood, awaiting his return.