The Queen of the Rogues

The Dream

Amanda woke up in a sweat. It was still dark out so she knew it was early. Glancing at her phone she noticed it was only 3:03am. Groaning she laid back down and tried to close her eyes.

She’d had the most wild dream. It was exciting and exhilarating. Jake and Professor Shawn, squaring off, trying to prove their love to her. She was embarrassed that she was excited about these 2 incredible men fighting over her. Because deep down that wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted a mate. She thumbed the pendent around her neck as she tried to shrug off the dream. It was ironically in the shape of a crooked heart.

When Amanda woke up to her alarm the next morning, she felt far from refreshed. Groaning she hit the snooze and went back to sleep.

Just as she was starting to drift off, her alarm went off again. It was then she knew she had to move.

She jumped up and went to the washroom, freshening up since she had her shower the night before. In an attempt to tame her thick dark hair, she pinned it in a half up hairstyle, the sides braided into a crown shape and the hair at the back cascading down to her bum. She added her make up, gentle with a lot of mascara and some black eye liner with sandy blush gloss. A quick brushing of her teeth and she felt better already.

After slipping on a pink tank top and her favourite ripped jeans, she then grabbed her favourite cropped grey cardigan and sliding on her white converse shoes; she felt she was ready to conquer the day. Tossing her needed text books in her bag with her laptop, she gave herself one more glance in the mirror before heading down the stairs.

Kyle was already there, waiting with a coffee in a travel mug for her.

“Didn’t think you were going to ever come down Princess,” he grinned, his green eyes full of mischief. Amanda was grateful she had Kyle for her guard. He was fun.

“I am truly a student!” She grinned at him. “I hit snooze!” They both laughed as they headed out the door.

“What’s your schedule like today?” Kyle asked as they started the 1.5 hour drive. It wasn’t ideal, but it was also a “close enough” school that she could make the commute and far enough away that she wouldn’t be recognized.

Amanda scrutinized her schedule. “Stats”, she groaned. “First thing. Then a 2 hour break, then Criminology, then a half hour break then Substance Use and Harm Reduction,” she read off her schedule.

Kyle made a face. “That sounds heavy girl,” he told her.

Amanda scrunched her nose. “It really does doesn’t it?“ she agreed.

“I will be floating around here,” Kyle told her as they pulled up to the university. “Mind link me if you need anything,” he told her.

Amanda gave him a salute. “Yes sir!” She grinned as he rolled his eyes while she got out of the Suv.

She found her stats class right away (with kids help) and quickly regretted it. Professor King was ruthless and when the hour was up, Amanda already felt like her brain was going to explode. Numbers weren’t her thing. People were her thing.

She headed over to the coffee shop near the book store and after standing in line for what felt like an eternity she finally got her coffee and found a quiet table by the window. Sighing, she pulled out her stats text book and started to work through the exercises they had been assigned.

Amanda was getting frustrated and was only halfway through the exercises when she slammed the book shut. Her brain felt like it was going to explode. Glancing at her phone she realized she still had 45 minutes until her next class.

Groaning, she was about to re open the dreaded stats book when she looked up and saw him. He was in line waiting to get coffee. He shot her a wink and she swooned internally at those blue eyes. He got his coffee and indicated that he wanted to join her. She nodded and put away her stats book.

“How are you today?” He asked her with a smile once he had sat down.

“I would be better if I didn’t start my tuesday mornings off with stats,” she sighed.

“Math and numbers are kind of my thing, I could help you whenever you’d like,” he told her then took a sip of his coffee. She couldn’t help but watch his bulging biceps as he lifted the cup to his mouth. Like he was flexing without flexing.

“I may just take you up on that,” she sighed. “Numbers are definitely not my kind of thing,” she sighed.

“What are you taking anyways beautiful?” He asked her.

“Social work,” she smiled at him.

He looked surprised but quickly returned to his cool confident self. “I’m in my 3rd year of studying business and accounting,” he told her.

“Clearly first year here,” she smiled sweetly at him.

“How did you make it to class this morning without me?” He asked her teasingly.

“I will have you know, I found it all by myself,” she grinned, leaning forward to tell him.

He chuckled. “I’m proud and sad that I won’t be needed anymore,” he smiled back at her, his gaze holding hers.

Amanda was confident she felt her heart fluttering again. “I didn’t say I knew my way everywhere,” she flirted. She felt bold. He didn’t know who she was and he was enjoying her company. She was enjoying his. It felt like a dance, the way they teased and flirted with each other.

“Where’s your next class, counsellor?” He asked her.

“Not far at all,” she told him, holding his gaze.

“How long do you have?” He asked.

She looked at her phone. Seeing a text from Kyle. “Less flirting more studying” it read. She felt her cheeks blush then answered his question. “20 minutes but it’s only down that hall and around the corner,” she told him.

He nodded thoughtfully. “Are you from around here?” He suddenly asked. “I’ve never seen you before.

Amanda blushed. “Not too far at all,” she responded. “Just outside of town,”.

His eyes held hers again as they made small talk before rising to get up.

“Now, I know you’re not far from your class, but would you be opposed to me walking you?” He asked.

“I would love the company if it’s not out of your way,” she grinned at him.

He went grab her empty coffee cup to throw it in the trash, his hands briefly grazing hers, leaving the slightest trickle of electricity.

Jake looked at her with surprise. Amanda realized then that he had felt it too. “Stat-icy today Mr. Jake?” She asked with a raised eyebrow. “You need more fabric softener,” she smiled as they stood.

Jake took a moment to gain his composure.

“Come on,” she said, trying to act composed herself when she really felt like her heart was going to explode out of her chest. “I don’t want to end up in the front row again,” she smiled.

They walked in silence. There was no way that he was her mate. Plus she was wearing this stupid necklace. She thumbed it carefully. ‘It was only a quick tiny shock’ she told herself. ‘It was nothing. Coincidence’.

“Thanks Jake!” She smiled as they reached her room. “Hope you have a good rest of your day!”

“You too Amanda!” He had regained his composure. “Thanks for the coffee. I hope to bump into you again,” he grinned at her.

She gave him a quick wave, avoiding any physical contact, before fluttering into the classroom. She quickly took a seat near the back and exhaled a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.