Complete Me

Chapter 5

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                                                                                    Copyright © 2021 Cassey9

RAIN

My steps are light as I walk through the campus. I was walking on sunshine, if that’s a thing. Clutching my bag straps memories of how wonderful my previous evening had been floods my mind. My phone buzzes and I pull it out seeing the text from Vanessa asking of my whereabouts.

I reply the text and head towards the humanities building where we have all our classes. I feel bad for blowing them yesterday we had planned on hanging out the rest of the afternoon. Knowing my group they'd nag me about my disappearance. But I couldn't think of a better way to spend my afternoon than with the twins. God, I wish I could see Killan and Nillan soon. That's if Prof. Lakewood would permit.

A heavy arm flings over my shoulder out of nowhere. The familiar masculine deodorizer filling my senses. “Hey baby?” Dante says pulling me tighter to a side hug. All the ray and happiness I have dissipates as we walk down the pathway.

“Let go of me,” I say grunting, “Your arm is heavy…feels like a sack of cement just dropped over my shoulder.”

“Baby…Rain I’ve missed you. Give me some sugar,” he says leaning down to kiss me but I move my mouth away.

“Dante please I don’t have time for this. I have to get to class,” I mutter the stubble of his chin tickling my cheeks. His hold lessen but he doesn’t let go of me. His huge hands work on my bag straps taking the bag off of me. As chivalrous as I found his acts, I never really wanted to be a receiver.

“What unit do you have now? I’ll walk you there,” he asks as we walk towards the humanities building.

“I have Media Law class up to noon,” I say ascending the stairs two at a time. I still had a few minutes to spare.  It stood ten floors tall housing offices and lecture hall. The bottom floor had canteens and an entertainment hall. Time to time, my friends and I usually stopped by to watch some dances and acts from the school of journalism drama club.

“Do you have another class after that?”

“No. Just one today,” I say. The elevator door opens and we enter alone. Dante moves closer standing next to me. He leans downs, his hand clutching my waist his wanting to initiate something. 

Compared to him I was miniscule. His height, bulging muscles courtesy of playing football for years and frequent trips gym he was huge, while I stood at 5’6 and tiny muscles from the three sessions of gym a week. I try and push him but it doesn't work for me, “Dante, what...”

“Kissing my baby…”

“Yeah…never,” I reply and stomp his feet forcing his to move from me. “Prepare to lose your entire foot next time you do that.” Maybe being in enclosed spaces with him was a terrible idea. Dante would never hurt me intentionally but it was best not to take the risk. Or unintentionally encourage him.

“What do I have to do to make you mine Rain? Maybe we could hang out after your class…convince you how good of man I can make. I’m free all day,” he says smiling charmingly.

“I have an appointment with my professor after class,” I reply avoiding his gaze. “Then I have to go to the library to look for some books.”

He sighs unhappily, but his usual grin comes up. Dante Silva is the true definition of persistence. Ever since meeting him at a party Van and I crushed two years ago, he was relentlessly in his pursuit for me. He’s a medical student in his third year. He did back off when I started dating Caleb, a fourth year PR student from my school. But after our breakup a few months after, Dante came back all fired up and determined.

Despite his charms and looks I prefer him more as a friend. It was better that way. Dante was one of the few people that worked best as a friend than a lover. Besides love is underrated bullshit, one can do without. Yet knowing Dante, he was hell bent to prove me wrong. “I could escort you to the library afterwards,” he asks. “I need to catch up on some studying too.”

“Maybe another time Dante. Thanks for taking here,” I say as the doors open to a hallway. A few of my classmate’s mill about heading to the lecture room, “Have a great day.”

He hands me my bag as we walk towards the entrance. “Bye Beautiful. I’ll be totally miserable without you.”

“Very funny…” my mock laugh is cut dead when he steals a kiss from me. Not just a peck, his rough lip firmly planted on my own, coaxing me into a kiss while his hands pull me closer. I push him away annoyed very much.

“That ought to turn my day around. For the best,” he laughs back peddling to disappear down the flight of stairs. Kissing and running away, that’s what he always did with me.

“Dante! Ugh. I could kill you right now.”  

Agitated, I enter the lecture room heading towards my friend's usual spot. Vanessa had saved me a sit besides her. Leon and Bella sit in front of us discussing something from their notes and Sam was deeply engrossed in his phone, as usual. 

“Good morning guys,” I great settling down on my seat. I pull out my laptop and notebook getting ready before our Media Law lecturer enters.

I get a handful of replies from them paired with an eyeful of glares, “What?”

“Where were you all day yesterday you lost sheep?” Leon asks rotating on his seat to face me.

“I was busy? Can’t I be busy?”

“Busy doing what?” Vanessa questions.

“Doing important stuff. Can you get off my case please…am here aren’t I?” I reply opening up my laptop. It was a rude reply but I had a short stick to deal at the moment.

“What got your panties in a twist,” Sam asks from the other side. “Bet Prof. Lakewood gave you a hard time.”

I feel myself flush recounting my encounter with her but instantly shelf that thought away. I rub my lips still feeling Dante's touch on me, “Dante…god that guy…” I mutter under my breath.

“Your boyfriend? You were with him yesterday. Is that why you ditched us?” Vanessa asks smiling coyly. “Date?”

“God no! He‘s not my boyfriend!”

“Where’s your laptop?” Vanessa questions again. "It's been a while since you used this one."

“Huh?” I reply annoyed pointing at the device that was starting up, “What’s with the questioning.  I’m in remand or something.”

“What she means is where is your laptop…the other one that you usually use,” Bella emphasizes. I huff playing with the end of my French braid. I always enjoyed braiding my hair, it helps keep it away from my eyes and I didn’t have to run my hand through it all the time.

“If you must know I left it somewhere. I’ll go pick it after class. Is everyone satisfied,” I reply looking each one of them. Sam sets his phone down and concentrates on me.

“You forgot it at Dante’s,” Vanessa says and I feel like smacking her hard and repetitively

“Where were you yesterday really?” he asks “Let me rephrase the question, who were you with if not Dante?”

“No one Sam. Why don’t mind your own business maybe it’d give you something to do. Something better than sticking your nose in mine,” I say smiling at all of them. Bella and Leon take the hint and get back to their work. Sam too.

Vanessa keeps staring and I groan looking at her, “Really where you yesterday?”

“Van seriously. You want to know? Jeez! Fine I was helping out someone,” I say as honestly as I could. Telling them about my afternoon with Prof. Lakewood children would raise more questions than I was willing to answer. It was clear the professor wouldn’t like me divulging that information. “And it was the best feeling and moment of my life. Quit ruining it with the questions.”

“Okay. If you say so. Rain we were all worried we couldn’t reach you that’s all,” she says in a worried voice. I feel guilty and smile at her.

“Thank you. It won’t happen again Van. My phone was on flight mode,” I reply. Vanessa smiles and squeezes my hand affectionately. Just then the lecturer enters the room everything quiets down. Dr. Horace was known for his strictness just like Prof. Lakewood but he also had a funny side to him that we all enjoyed. Especially his jokes.

“Let’s get out our constitutions copies. We’ll be focusing on article 32 through to open 36 of the constitution,” he bellows over the microphone getting all our attention. I pull out my phone sending a group text to my friend. It was an apology for my lashing out and worrying them. I get a few thumbs up an indication that all was well.

The Media Law class ends and I can’t help but let out a long breath of relief. My fingers was tired from all the typing and taking side notes. The lecturer bids us farewell and steps out of the class first.

I relax on my seat rub my eyes to get rid of the tiredness. The lecture halls empty as some students rush out. Some rushing to their next classes but I was free for the rest of the day.

“Let’s head out guys. A new restaurant bar place just opened up just outside the campus let’s go check it out,” Sam suggests showing us the place from his phone. It was eye-catching. I try to decline but peer pressure wins. The walk to the place Sam had shown us takes a while as it was on the far side from school of humanity. The place was also packed being new and all, we have to wait for half an hour before getting an open table.

All through I keep staring at my clock. I needed to see Prof. Lakewood and have a talk with her. I also needed to pick my laptop which I forgot in my rush to get out of her face. Opening my phone I press the gallery icon. The boys and I had managed to take some pictures. My evening with them was one of the best I’ve had in a while. They were easy to talk too and funny.

We even ordered MacDonald's and shared, Killan wouldn’t stop feeding me as we watched some children tunes on ‘Cocomelon’ a kid’s YouTube channel. “What’s that?” Bella asks craning to look at my phone, I instantly switch off the screen pocketing it, “Oh…they are so cute. Why are you being so secretive Rain?”

“Why are you being so nosy Bella?” I retort smiling at her.

“Truce,” she murmurs following the other’s into the restaurant. We get situated in a table and the waiter hands out to us the menus. We are served in minutes, the place only served fast foods with their own twists. Their proportions huge that by the time I finish my burgers and fries I feel like my stomach will burst. Killan and Nillan would love the place.

“What are you thinking of?” Sam asks poking my cheeks.

“How full I am. I've never had that much chips and burger,” I say pushing the empty plate away. This would totally disrupt my progress at the gym. Just then a group of rowdy boys enter the café. Dante and his playmates. He instantly notices our table and marches over.

“Baby!” he yells capturing attention all around. I didn’t have patience for his games after the little stunt earlier.

“Oh God!” Groaning I wish the ground could open up and swallow me alive. Ducking under the table seems like the best option but undoable. Van nudges me snickering in my ear something I fail to catch. If wishes were horses I’d ride them to get far far from him.