Viper's Kiss

Chapter 8

"Is it too late to back out? I feel like this will be impossible," I groaned taking a bite of my sandwich. Not even the taste of turkey and pepper jack could make me feel better. I could only feel as if I was chewing away at my dreams, and it was only making me more upset whenever I thought about class. Dameon had spent the remainder of the class irking my soul, which was surprising because he didn't even bother to utter a single world about the assignment much less at all. He somehow managed to remain perfectly stoic expect for the occasional smirk or scoff that he let out whenever I wrote something that may or may not have conflicted with his interests. However I didn't care because whenever I tried to open my mouth to include him, I was met with blank stares as if he was analyzing me.

It sucked because he had chosen me. Was this some sort of sick joke because of what transpired in the nurse's office? If so it wasn't funny. I had already promised him I wouldn't utter a single word, and I hadn't not even to my best friends despite my mind gossipy side pushing me to do so. Despite the hard questioning Zarina did when I told her a not-so-complete lie about the doors guarded by security and why I had asked her to look into it for me.

So amidst the torture of the uncomfortable silence, I had to bite my tongue every single time his eyes, malicious words sat at the tip of my tongue itching to jump out. I wanted to tell him all about his stupid attitude, his stupid dark aura, his stupid smirk, his stupidly mesmerizing eyes, and his stupidly handsome face. All of it was just stupid.

The only time we had 'direct conversation' during the entire period was when class had finished and I went to pack my things away. I was planning on asking him if he could at least have some decency to tell me when we could meet up to discuss a story idea because I refused to be stuck doing all the work.

I had turned around to put away my pen, and when I turned back around to attempt to talk to him about the project. He was already on his way out the door not even bothering to give me another glance. I clearly remember the way anger spiked throughout me when I look down at the page left on the desk and noticed a phone number. I couldn't help but feel like he was taunting me about it, not bothering to say anything the entire class and then disappear. Who did he think he was? Cinderella? I'd rather be the soaking in Shrek's hot tub after he farts in it if he thinks I'm going to play into his stupid mind games.

Which lead me here, with Zarina who was doing a terrible job at containing her laughter and Greg, who tried his best not to give me a look of stupor. I didn't even get the chance to tell Greg about the stupid agreement that Zarina and I came up with out of sheer stupidity and teenage hormones running wild. I had even reluctantly told the both of them about the brand-new contact that was now under my phone as "Stupidly Attractive Asshole" which only warranted more stifles of laughter from Zarina. I could see her eyeing my phone when I had first started eating, as if indicating to me that I should text him and despite all the inaudible cues, I just kept shaking my head.

"So is anyone going to tell me what the f**k is going on?" Greg asked waving a fry around in the air. He rolled his eyes before chucking it at Zarina who was now a few seconds away from bursting with laughter. Displeasure was written all over his face and I knew my friend was clearly disappointed from being left out of the loop.

"Hey in my defense. It was a stupid dear done in the midst of anger and pain meds." I mumbled through another bit of my sandwich. I had polished it off I about three more bites trying to savor the taste and remains of my light mood which was crumbling quickly. "But in the short Sparknotes version. Zarina had dared me to sleep with Dameon after everything that happened in the club. I've been trying to avoid him because I thought it was stupid despite telling myself that I would. And no matter how hard I psyche myself up to do it I just can't. I can't even think of a logical reason as to why I'd want to get close to the stupid guy for gods sake. Like he pushed me," by now I was rambling, "And despite that he had given me meds in the nurse's office like he knew. I don't know if it was his idea of an apology or something but I keep contradicting myself. But then he decided to sit next to me in class and I couldn't help but feel annoyed at his presence but f*****g scared. It's all freaking stupid. I don't even know why I'm doing this."

By the end of my short ramble Greg was who was getting ready to eat another fry was now sitting staring at me with a wide mouth, and the greasy fry had slipped between his fingers. I could see him trying to fight the smirk that was twitching at the corner of his lips. "Don't you dare," I pointed a finger at him but it was too late. His face housed a huge grin and just like Zarina he was full on cracking up. I stared daggers at the both of them as they laughed, slapping the table and each others backs as if I just told the joke of the century. It took them another few moments to calm down, and with a suck in of air, Greg had let out a huge sigh as he wiped an invisible tear from his eye.

"So let me get this straight," he started. He pointed at Zarina. "You dared her to sleep with the scariest guy in school." He then shifted his finger to me. "And you agreed? But now you're scared."

"Yes," I nodded.

"But why? Isn't he your type?"

"He is."

"So what's the issue? It's not like you haven't done any of her stupid dares before. You made out with Derek for a dare. You submitted a porn scene for class as a dare. You almost streaked the school at 5am. And that's only the tip of stupid s**t," Greg gave me an almost 'duh' look before pointing a fry at me. I watched as he ate it and just shrugged me shoulder in response.

"To be completely honest with myself, I wasn't sure as to why I agreed but I knew I was hesitating because it was my first time and I'm not even sure how I'd approach this situation." I rested my head in the palm of my hand, staring down at my phone. "Where would I even start?"

"Stupid question," Greg sighed.

"Start by being his friend. He set you up with a prefect opportunity. I don't know why or how you lucked out but invite him to the library so you guys can work on your assignment." Zarina chimed in. She tapped the space in from of me phone, as if to show me the obvious answer was right in front of me all along. "You can't hope for progress if you're scared. So I'll retract the dare for now. Be his friend."

I wasn't sure what exactly happened but it felt like a load lifted off my shoulders. And with a goofy smile on my face, I found myself sending him a quick hey asking if he wanted to meet up at the library. I had also included that I'd like him to do some actual work this time and not scoff or make faces at me this time. I hit the send button quickly before I could second guess myself. I flipped the phone upside down and stuff it into my pocket fighting the urge to look at it every two minutes waiting for his answer. I could see my friends racing their eyebrows at me, but it didn't matter.

"I hope you check your phone like this for me whenever I text you." Zarina smirked.

"Haha keep your shitty-" I was about to tell her to stuff it when the bell had cut me off. Her smirk turned into a full blown smile as she stood up from the table. Greg and I picked up our stuff and followed her out the door. As we made our way out the cafeteria and to our class, the hall started to fill with people switching. It had just dawned on me that I didn't get the chance to tell Greg about the CloudPublishing deal, but I figured I'd tell him after class.

With the thought of the bet changing from sleeping with Dameon to just being his friend, my mind had settled quickly and I could feel the smile breaking out onto my face as my phone vibrated.