Chapter 14 14: Between Hate & Something Else
"I still can't believe you. He bit you?" Cam said as they walked into the campus the next morning.
Baby had a face mask on that morning, his blonde hair falling over his forehead to cover half of his angry eyes. He had forgotten to apply an ointment on his lip and when he woke up, he realised that it was slightly swollen. It's not good for his image.
"He did," he muttered as they walked into the hallway.
"Unbelievable, out of all self-defence techniques, he chose a bite to the lip? He is one crazy and unpredictable fellow," Cam shook his head in disbelief.
He had been shocked since he learned that Saint had bitten Baby's lip, he tried to think of it in almost sort of way but none of them made sense and he could only conclude that Saint needed to get invited into the asylum and not THC.
The man was crazy!
"Hey, Baby," Rode walked up to them, slinging his arm over Cam's shoulder.
"What's up, man?" Cam asked, shaking hands with Rode.
Rode's eyes were on Baby, who was unusually quiet.
"Baby, are you okay?" He moves over and falls in step with Baby.
Baby nodded, "Great." He muttered.
Rode reached out a hand to hold Baby's hand but paused and let it fall back to his side. He continued walking beside him.
They were approaching Baby's class and Rode's steps slowed. He didn't have the same causes with Baby and he hadn't said what he had to say.
He suddenly held Baby's hand, causing his Captain to halt his steps.
"What's up, man?" Baby asked, raising his brow.
Rode didn't release Baby's hand, he stood in front of him and cleared his throat.
"Speak already, Rode, we're late and I don't have the willpower to face that young, beautiful Shannon," Cam urged.
Baby simply stood, his mind replaying a particular scene in his head: Saint's teeth sinking into his lip.
Throughout the night, it was the only thing that occupied his mind, and each time he recalled it, his body felt hot, like feverish hot and his pulse raced... feelings he liked to describe Cam's irritation.
"Baby, will you come?" Rode's voice drew Baby out of his 'irritating' thoughts.
"What?" Baby asked, blinking slowly.
Rode sighed and glanced at Cam, "I was wondering if you'd come to my friend's birthday party tonight, at my place... I know THC is watching, but you don't have to worry, it's gonna be quiet... kinda. Will you come?" He asked, staring at Baby's considering face.
Baby thought carefully. Nickel had asked him to be stealthy, but Rode said the party would be quiet...kinda. Maybe, he could go and practice his stealthiness either the stealthy ladies.
"Sure. We'll go, right?" Baby turned to Cam, smirking behind his face mask.
Cam smiled, "Sure, Rode, don't disappoint us," He winked at Rode and headed into the class.
"Ugh... Rode?" Baby called as he realised that Rode was still holding onto his hand.
Rode gently let go, not taking his eyes away, "Then, I'll see you tonight, Baby." He nodded once and walked away.
"He's too obvious," Saint spoke behind Baby.
Baby froze, his heart slipping a beat as he heard Saint's deep voice behind him.
Saint hadn't slept in the apartment last night, and it suddenly felt like ages since he last saw him.
Slowly, he turned and looked at Saint. He looked clean, like always, only a faint red tint by the side of his lip told the tale of their violent exchange last night in the apartment.
A black hoodie and baggy brown pants.
Baby couldn't understand why Saint never flaunted that body of his whenever he showed up at school, it almost seemed like he was trying to avoid attention.
He snapped out of it and frowned, "Stay away, Saint. I meant it." He turned to enter the class but Saint grabbed his wrists, gently pulling him back.
"Really? You're asking for trouble again?" Baby questioned, clenching his fists.
"No. I'm here for this," he raised two identical green cards to Baby's face.
"And, how does my life align with these cards?" Baby asked.
Saint released Baby's hand and pushed one of the cards into Baby's pocket.
"Therapy, Baby. Every week, and this card is our access to the therapist, who by the way is expecting us in ten minutes," Saint explained.
"Of course, another day to torture myself by your side," Baby murmured as he realised that he would be cancelling class for the morning.
"Wouldn't be torture if it were Rode?" Saint asked seriously.
Baby grimaced and cocked a questioning brow at Saint, "Did you get drunk already this early? What nonsense are you on about?" He murmured and started walking away.
Saint followed, "Nothing. I'm just pointing out something very obvious." He replied.
Baby nodded, "Good, thank God I don't understand your obvious reasons, so, shut the fuck up," He said and stepped out of the hallway.
"You're either really naive, or plain dumb," Saint said, falling in step with Baby.
Baby ignored him, walking faster to get away from him.
The health and wellness centre was within walking distance of the academic building, so they walked in silence, each harbouring their different thoughts.
Saint quietly followed Baby as they walked past the basketball court, briefly glancing at the guys playing on it.
"I play basketball, too," Saint said, bringing his eyes back to Baby.
"Didn't ask. Don't care," Baby responded.
Saint chuckled, "You should watch me play sometime." He invited.
"I'd rather stay locked in for a month with my grandma's old cat," Baby murmured.
Saint laughed, "Trust me, I'm just as good as I am on the ice –"
"Saint," Baby paused and spun around, standing right in front of Saint, his blue eyes frowning slightly.
"Yeah, Baby... what's up?" Saint's casual response brought a scowl to Baby's face.
"Please, stop bothering me. I hate you. Okay?" Baby spoke softly as if he were speaking to a kid.
Saint flinched subtly, jaws flexing.
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to that low timbre that always got Baby's pulse racing for the mountains, "What if I don't want you to hate me?" He whispered.