Chapter Three

My parents were coming home today. It was the last day before spring break and Luna, Mykel, and I were planning to go to Hawaii for the next week. We were in school currently and I was walking next to Luna. Mykel was behind us as usual, following at a distance. Luna was recording for her Snapchat, excitedly talking about the vacation as my body grew weak.

"I'm going to Hawaii with my bestie!" She beamed into the camera. "Say something, Jas!" Before I could even smile, my legs buckled. I could feel arms wrap around me before I hit the floor, but I couldn't see who because I blacked out. When I finally woke up, Mykel held me in his arms and checked my pulse on my watch. It was on my left wrist which meant he would see my mark that said my soulmate was zero miles away. I gazed up into his hazel eyes. I found them beautiful and felt as if they drew me in.

"Hey, Mykel." I smirked weakly. "Nice catch." He looked from my wrist to my eyes.

"Are you okay?" His voice was so soft that it was almost a whisper. He didn't care about the students that crowded around us.

"Better."

"Relationship goals!" Luna squealed, pointing her camera at me. I blinked wearily. There were so many people staring.

"Can you help me up?" I blushed.

"Give yourself a moment." He brushed the hair from my face gently with his fingertips. "Don't worry about the people staring." My face grew warmer as I stared up at his face. His features were strong. He had a nice jawline and everything was proportionate.

"Alright! Clear the hall! Get to class!" A teacher called, shooing everyone. The students around us scattered. "Do you need the nurse?" The teacher looked at us on the floor.

"No, sir." I sat up, my hair catching on Mykel's bulletproof vest. He quickly pulled my hair free before shifting. "I'm okay. Thank you." Mykel helped me up carefully then helped me to class. I didn't want him to carry me so he just let me lean against him. I sat in my usual seat next to Luna and put my head down. He crouched next me, placing a hand over my arm on the desk.

"Do you have a water in your bag?" He questioned. His eyes squinted slightly.

"No. My water bottle is empty." I sucked in a deep breath. "There's a dollar in my bag. Will you get me a water from the vending machine down the hall?" He looked across my back to Luna.

"Don't worry. I've got her." She told him. He went into my bag then left the room. When he left, I realized that he was being a little affectionate and caring.

"Hey! It's the girl that fainted! What's up weirdo?" A guy named Jake came over. "What? Did Mister Guard get you pregnant?" I lifted my head to look at him.

"Back off, Jake." Luna got to her feet.

"Why does everyone assume that when girls faint, it's because they're pregnant?" I thought.

"So you have everyone protecting you, huh?" Jake laughed. He pulled me out of my seat, but I was too weak to pull away. Just standing was a struggle. "Stand up for yourself, whore."

"Get your hand off her. Now." Luna frowned in a way that made her a little scary.

"Jake, that's enough." The teacher said.

"No. I'm sick of this rich bitch acting like she's everything." He shoved me, making me fall. "You're such a fake! Pretending like you're fainting and that you're weak so that you have some guard dog." I looked up at him to see Mykel towering over Jake from behind. Jake hadn't noticed him yet.

"Touch her one more time and I will break your arm before you can say 'ow'." Mykel growled deeply, holding a bottle of water.

"Oh, it's the soulmate. So scary." Jake said sarcastically as he turned. The second he reached for me, Mykel grabbed him -still holding the water-, slid his arm under Jake's, and pressed his hand to the back of Jake's neck so that he couldn't move one of his arms without dislocating it. He slammed Jake down on a desk so that he bent over it with his arm in an awkward position against his back. Luna yanked me to my feet.

"Mykel, It's okay. Let him go." I told him quickly. The teacher didn't dare to step in because Mykel was a bodyguard. He could do more damage than the teacher and was supposed to protect me. Mykel looked at me for a long moment then released Jake, letting the teacher pull him out of the classroom. "Thank you."

*~~*~~*~~*

When we got home, mom came to us quickly. She looked like she was being chased by something and it made me stop just inside the door.

"Jay! I heard about that fat, old, bodyguard that you used to have! Thank goodness Micah was here." She huffed, her blonde hair bouncing with its fake curls.

"His name is Mykel." I corrected.

"Whatever. Are you ready for your trip?" She smiled, no longer looking like she had run from something. Her switch from caring to not caring made my face twitch with confusion.

"All packed." I nodded.

"Good. Good. Your father and I have some business first in Cuba." She informed me. "So we will meet you in Hawaii. Toddles for now!" She turned and walked away, further into the house. I watched her as she walked like a model in her pink heels. I wondered if she actually cared about what happens to me or if she just pretended. I turned and looked up at Mykel before sighing and continuing into the house. I went upstairs and into my room where I pulled my homework out and began to play music. As I did my work, deep in my own world, I noticed someone at my door. I glanced up to see Mykel.

"Um.... Hi." I set down my pencil, confused as to why he was standing at my door. "What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering what I should bring on the trip." He took a look around from the doorway. "Should I just bring my gear?"

"No way." I stood. "You should bring swim trunks, a few t-shirts, some jeans or shorts, and whatever else you want to bring." I moved towards my dresser.

"And bring soap. Hotel soaps are horrible on your skin and hair." I grabbed my hairbrush and turned back to him. I tripped over the rug on the floor. As the floor came closer, arms wrapped around me and kept me from hitting the wooden surface. Swiftly, I was pulled off the floor and upward. I blinked as my face was suddenly next to Mykel's. He smelled like pine needles and shaving cream. It seemed very masculine and being close to him made my heart pound. I hadn't accepted if I liked him or not, but my heart seemed to scream when I was close to him. I looked into his eyes, wondering if it was alright to kiss him or not. When my face grew hot, he blinked and put me down.

"I-If you don't have any swim trunks, you should get some." I backed away and went to my homework. "I have work to do. You- you can go now. Thank you." There was silence, but I had already pulled my eyes from him and was too afraid to look back up at him. I heard his footsteps leaving the room and at that point, my heart calmed down. I took a deep breath and continued my work.

"This trip is going to be something else." I thought to myself as I wrote.