Chapter 67: Chapter sixty seven

Drayton

There are certain things in life that just shouldn't exist together. Like electricity and water, fire and gasoline, and most importantly, Daniel fucking Watson and I sharing the same room.

I wasn't one to throw tantrums, but it had taken everything in me not to throw my phone across the room when I saw who I was paired with.

Room 12: Daniel Watson and Drayton King.

I couldn't fathom why anyone would put us in the same room. Granted, we've barely had any physical confrontations, so it's impossible for anyone to assume I didn't like him. Infact, the only time I'd ever spoken to him was whenever he butts into my conversations with Arielle. The girl he was currently hugging like he had the right to.

My girl.

“I don't think he's going to drop dead no matter how hard you glare at him.”

I averted my gaze from them to see Jack grinning beside me. I wanted to punch that cocky grin off his face. But again, I refrained myself.

“They seem pretty close.” He nudged towards Arielle and Daniel.

They've disengaged from their hug and were laughing. I wanted to know what was so funny that she laughed like that. The way her eyes squinted slightly. The joy radiating from her. The way she seem so relaxed around him.

My fingers curled into a fist. I wanted to go over there and punch Daniel for being so close to her when I couldn't. I wanted to grab her chin and kiss her right there so everyone knows exactly who she belongs too.

Mine.

I uncurled my fist and released a shaky breath. I averted my gaze from her and began walking away. Jack followed me.

“Fuck off, Sinclair.” I groaned, but of course, he never did as he was told. He kept following me, falling into the same pace as me.

“Why did you even come here? You hate these things. You always grumble through the entire thing.” Jack asked.

“What do you mean? I attend the school trips every year since middle school.” I responded without slowing my pace.

“Except last year.” he pointed out.

I hadn't attended the junior trip last year because Arielle wasn't there. She was the only reason I kept showing up every single year. And last year when she was in the hospital, it felt wrong to go.

“Well, I just felt like it.” I shrugged. I felt Jack's gaze on me. I didn't look at him.

“Uh uh.” Jack nodded.

I was starting to wonder if reconciling with my best friend had been a good idea. Jack Sinclair had made it his life mission to torment me ever since we reconciled.

“You know, I'm seriously starting to consider cutting you off again.” I scoffed.

Jack grinned widely, his entire set of teeth on display. “Well, that's unbelievable. I'm a delight. And I'm just trying to point out what you're thinking. You want to murder Dan for been so close to your woman.”

My feet skidded to a halt. “She's not my woman!”

But as I said it, I knew I was lying. I had claimed Arielle before I found out what she tasted her. She'd tasted like mine. And after finding that out, I was never letting her go no matter the circumstances.

Jack let out an exasperated sigh. “Seriously, King, stop denying it. It's infuriating. ‘Cos I have a perfect solution for you.”

I began walking again and pretended I didn't care, but my entire focus was on Jack.

“What solution?” I asked casually

Jack smirked, fully aware that he had snared my attention. “Ask her out. It's as simple as that.”

For some reasons, I found that amusing. The solution to my years of fixation couldn't be that simple.

“Ask her out?” I repeated.

“You know this situation where a guy asks a girl to be his girlfriend, instead of just glowering at every guy who goes close to her. Yeah… that.” He grinned, clearly pleased with himself.

“It's not that simple.” I muttered.

“Well, it might not be for you since you've literally never asked out a girl.”

He was right. I've never liked anyone enough to go through the hassle. I've never needed to. Not when I had the looks and the skills. Girls came naturally.

“All you have to do is ask her to be your girlfriend. But not in a boring ‘would you be my girlfriend?’ way. You have to make it memorable. Something she can't resist. She would have no choice but to agree.” He smirked.

I found myself considering what he said. I did like the idea of claiming her publicly. Been able to drag her away from boys with a death wish, like Daniel, without anyone questioning it. There was no better way to do that than to be her boyfriend.

But I told her I cared about her and I had shown her just how much, what other way could I make her choose me without fully expressing what I felt?

Because what I felt for her wasn't sweet or kind like in those romance books she loved so much, it was dark, consuming. If she knew the depths of those thoughts, I had no doubt that it would scare her away.

And I would sooner put a knife in my chest then let go of Arielle now.

“There's no place more magical or romantic than our current destination. All you have to do is prepare a nice dinner for her by the lake after our hike tomorrow, some flowers or thoughtful gift, and a likeable facial expression, of course. She would be blown away, and she'll say yes and save all the boys in our school from disappearing unexplained when they got too close to her.” Jack sighed dramatically.

I loved the idea very much, and Jack had painted the picture so well that it was irresistible. The wheels began turning in my head as I made plans to set up the perfect date.

“What are you planning?” Jack asked.

“None of your business.”

Jack gaped. “Drayton King, I cannot believe you're making plans and leaving me out of it. I gave you the idea.”

“And I appreciate it.”

“Then tell me your plan.”

“No can do.”

“Yes can do.” He paused as if contemplating something. “I could ask my roommate to switch with you so you don't have to spend the whole weekend with the guy you want to throttle.”

We were just few feet from my room when I was reminded of my awful roommate situation. It was only the reminder of my plans for later that kept me sane as I turned the door knob and entered my room, which was mercifully empty.

I sent a silent prayer to whoever was listening that Daniel had switched with someone. If he hadn't, I prayed that Jack was wrong and i didn't kill him before this weekend was over.