Chapter 7
858 Words
SERAPHINA:
What the hell was I thinking? I run as fast as I can away from Dameon’s room. I knew the kind of man I was dealing with. He's constantly being followed by girls, so why would he treat me any differently than them?
The tears burn my frozen cheeks as my feet pound the pavement beneath me, wanting to get as far away from the temptation as possible. I’m only halfway across the parking lot when my chest begins to tighten and I struggle to inhale. I’m forced to stop in my tracks, clutching my knees for dear life. Despite the cold, my face is on fire. My scalp begins to feel as if a million pins and needles are piercing my skin.
Touch is pain. Touch is anxiety. I can’t let anyone touch me ever again. I try to control my breathing and get upright long enough to make my way back to my room for a good, long cry. Maybe even some sleep if I'm lucky.
—-
Beep... beep... beep...
I've already hit the snooze button five times. Today is my last exam of the semester before winter break, but I can barely muster the strength to get out of bed.
Beep... beep... beep...
My ears are still ringing with the aftershock of my last panic attack, and my eyes are still burning from the tears. I should have known better than to let my guard down for a pretty face. I angrily smash my alarm clock and fling the covers off, struggling to sit upright without getting dizzy. I rub my crusty eyes, the dried tracks of tears still staining my face.
I hurriedly brush my unruly hair, throwing on my ugliest sweatpants and a torn t-shirt. This will help me go back to being invisible. I remember to grab my coat this time as a rush out the door.
Of course Lamia is waiting outside, leaning against the opposite wall. Why does she always seem to be waiting to pounce on me when I'm at my weakest?
Her haunting black eyes are glistening like onyx, and her silky black hair cascades down her shoulders. Her skirt is barely longer than a large belt, exposing her long, perfectly sculpted legs. She has a high-heeled foot propped up against the wall. How does she look this beautiful so early in the morning? Does she even sleep?
“Did you find Dameon yesterday?” She asks me with a devious smile.
“Oh… yeah. I did. Thanks, Lamia.” I look down at my feet and clutch my books to my chest.
"Did you get what you wanted?" She asks, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
I look up at her, wondering why she's so interested in my personal life all of a sudden. "Not really," I answer defeatedly. "I have to get to my philosophy exam, though. Thanks anyway for your help." as I rush out the lobby door, trying not to look at her. She's probably holding back laughter right now. Suddenly, a sickening thought creeps into my head. What if she and Dameon set this whole thing up as a cruel trick?
She’s always at Dameon’s side, but not one of the giggling swarm that typically follows him around. She’s just... there. Watching him like a protective raven on his shoulder. I was shocked when she offered to help me find him. I still don't know why I went back to her and accepted the offer. I've never done anything that brave in my life. "Let's just say he's a... family friend," she had slyly said as she walked me to his room. She left me with a wink and a smile at his door, probably knowing what he was planning to do to me.
Now they’re probably both laughing at my audacity, relishing in my pain.
I'm running late for my exam as I rush across campus. Anyone else would think of this as a magical scene, everything around me is brushed with a light kiss of snow. The Christmas decorations hung from the buildings and light posts seem to bring such joy and excitement to the students milling around me. Some are rushing off to exams like me, others are carrying overly stuffed suitcases packed with clothes and presents. The cheerful energy among them seems so infectious.
Not for me. Everyone else is heading home for winter break, but I have nowhere to go. I’ll just stay in the empty dorm and sing carols to myself like I always do. Somehow my passionate encounter with Dameon yesterday has made that prospect seem even lonelier.
My worn tennis shoes crunch in the newly fallen snow on the way back to Overmyer Hall. My toes are wet and frozen by the time I get there. I finally manage to look up when I reach the steps, and my heart skips a beat as I see the place where I first saw Dameon just two days ago. How can someone affect me so deeply in such a short amount of time? Why has he consumed me so completely when I barely even know him?
I rub my pounding temples and steel myself for the exam. I need to focus.
- Writer
