Eight

I was happy Kiara wanted to leave the bar. She seemed overwhelmed. I wanted to separate myself from Dyani. I have watched Adam touch and kiss her all night. And I will be lying, if I said going over there and whooping his ass hasn't crossed my mind.

We walk hand in hand across the street from the bar where Dev plays. There's a little park, with water, a bridge and a lot of walking trails. It was quiet. Kiara seems like something is bothering her.

"You're quiet, what's wrong?"

She looks down at the ground. I feel bad. Like maybe I am a jerk. She's so beautiful, Dyani should be the furthest thing on my mind.

I stop walking and move the hair from her face. I lift her chin with one hand, so I can look into her eyes.

"What is bothering you sweetie?"

She smiles, "I think you still love Dyani, I can see it on your face every time Adam kisses her."

I rub her cheek gently. "It's hard to see her with someone else. I mean, I'm not going to lie, we've been together for so long and it just feels weird I guess."

She nods. "I think she is a fool, you're all I would ever want to kiss."

I feel my cheeks turning red this time. I bring my lips to hers, kissing her eagerly. I like the taste of her lips. Picking her up in my arms, I carry her to a nearby bench. She sits in my lap, our lips never parting. I was glad nobody else was in the park, cuz I was enjoying kissing her.

It was finally night time before I made it back in Sandy Shores. I know I promised my dad I'll go home for several nights. I don't feel like being around them right now.

I hear Kash ,Kabir and Kanan snoring from their tents. Their campsite in Sandy Shores just consists of a bunch of trees, and since Kabir didn't clear out any of the trees, it was nearly impossible to find at night time.

I noticed that Dev's tent was empty. He should have definitely turned in from playing.

I sit under an oak tree and whip out my phone.

Whose bed are you sleeping in? I text him.

Lizzy's Devs message read. I wasn't surprised, she seems to be his favorite girl out of all the ones I know of.

When are you going to admit that you're in a relationship with her? I laugh sending the message.

I am not, she's just someone I slept with numerous times and won't touch another girl in front of. His message read.

Dev refuses to get into a committed relationship. I know deep down inside it's because of the mark mate situation. He doesn't want to fall in love with a girl, and then have to leave them for his rightful Mate.

Okay, see you tomorrow. I laugh, sending the message.

I see Dyani calling. I roll my eyes, flipping the ringtone too silent.

The next morning, rubbing my eyes, I was super tired walking into school. With a coffee in my hand, I make my way to the locker.

"Sup Chetan," Damien says. He's a boy on the team.

I nod in his direction.

I already hear whispers and feel eyes upon me. I know rumors are flying for the reason that Dyani and I broke up. I mean we were prom King and queen last year, the "it" couple in everyone's eyes.

I see her standing by Adam's locker, I don't even give them a second look.

Then my eyes see Kiara and Zare walking in. Kiara didn't dress as daring as she did in the club, but was definitely dressed differently for her normal self. She wore short shorts and a red checkered flannel. Zare always has flannel and camo stuff, but Kiara normally sticks to a plaid print. She looks like a nerdy type of schoolgirl.

Whatever, I am not sure why she feels like she has to change herself for me.

I grab my first book from my locker, take off my backwards baseball cap, and hang it on the hook. Just like Zare, I am always wearing a flannel. I have always had that country boy look. Even wear my cowboy boots.

"Chetan," I hear Adam's voice behind me.

I turn to face him, hoping I don't deck him in his face.

"I hope there's no hard feelings between us."

I laugh. "Why were we never friends anyway?"

"I just mean because of Dyani and I."

I nod. "Well, if she's truly yours, I would tell her to stop calling me." I laugh walking around him.

I see Kiara watching the situation. I am not ready to be seen with her yet. Not romantically. Everyone already has enough to talk about. And I don't want her to be subjected to more bullying because of it.

Sitting in my first class, I really hoped this day would fly by. I already feel everyone's eyes upon me in the classroom, and I really don't understand what their problem is. People break up all the time. I know I'm the coolest boy in school and she is the likeable girl, but I still don't understand why people just can't accept reality.

I see Kiara walk into the classroom and take her seat in front of me.

"So did everyone study for the test." The professor walks in wearing a smile.

Oh shit, I forgot about that.

I just must maintain a c average. Hopefully, I know some of the answers.

"What about you, Chetan?" Why does everyone feel the need to call me?

"What about me, what?" I know exactly what he was asking.

"Did you study?"

"All weekend." I smirk.

I noticed my peers start laughing.

"Well, hopefully you get that C you're reaching for.

I see the twinkle in his eyes. I know he sees through my bullshit.

"Well, no one ever likes an overachiever."

He smiles, and handed me in my paper

I was literally proud of myself that I actually knew some of these answers. My pencil flies across my paper, as most of the problems are multiple choice, true and false, and of course the asshole had to put some math problems, which we have to show all of our work, gotta love algebra.

I wasn't shocked to see Kiara was the first one finished. She then pulls out a book to read. I was surprisingly the second one done, I slugged my way to the teacher's desk putting down my paper. I happen to see Kiara's graded test, and I'm not shocked that she got 100%.

"Stay right here, I'll grade it in front of you."

"Generous."

He chuckles as his pen flies across paper, marking incorrect answers with red ink.

I feel shocked as he writes down 85%.

"You know Chetan, this is the best score you've gotten in a long time, and I know if you put your effort into school like you do football, you would be more successful."

I feel a little aggravated by his statement, how teachers just think all of my effort goes to football.

I rub the back of my neck. "You know, I do go to practice after school and then work a full-time job." Hence, this wasn't a lie. The protection of Sandy Shores is a huge job. Most days, I have training on how to kill zombies. I help farm the land… and the list goes on.

"Didn't know that."

I walk back towards my seat.

I hear a knock at the door, and I notice its coach.

"Can I borrow Chetan for a moment?"

The Professor nods, and I get out of my seat and walk towards him.

Once in the hallway, I see the concern on his face.

He hands me my last English paper, even though it was a C, I still had to have it signed by a parent. Because my goal was to get a B. Oh Lord.

"You're supposed to have this sign, luckily your dad came up to the school. Or guess what, you couldn't play in the game."

"Shit, yeah I just keep forgetting." I cross my arms over my chest.

"Your dad said you haven't been home in weeks." He raised an eyebrow

What the hell dad. How am I possibly going to explain this?

"Yeah well, I work on the farm, so just crashing there at night makes more sense."

He nods. "You haven't done conditioning either or worked out, you need to put in time in the gym."

Shit, I have training today.

I nod. "Okay."

He smiles.

I pat his shoulder. "It's gonna be fine, coach."

"

I hear him laugh and I walk back towards the classroom.