Boyfriend.

Eli

"The Great Beyond? Are you fucking insane, Maya?"

She raises an eyebrow "What? I needed to know if she was strong enough and look, she is."

I glare at her "She could've died!"

"But she didn't. She just needs bed rest and then she'll be as good as new." She shrugs

I grit my teeth "We're not doing this anymore."

Her eyes narrow "What do you mean?"

"Exactly that. This is getting out of hand and we're no longer taking her powers."

She scoffs "Speak for yourself. I'll have her magic with or without your help."

"Maya, if we were to steal her magic then that would make us exactly like him"

She goes quiet and I think I got through to her but then she says "Please don't tell me you actually like her."

I scoff "What the fuck? No. Of course I don't."

"Good, then we'll continue our plan." She smirks "Now all we need is a piece of her hair then we can mix the potion and find a way to make her drink it"

I let out a low growl "Did you not hear a thing that I said?"

"Oh I did, I just decided to ignore it." She steps closer to me "If you don't help me then I'll just do it myself and I can't promise that Bailey will be okay by the end of it."

I know that Maya is unhinged, she's reached desperation and she'll do anything to get what she wants. At first I was on the same page with her but now? I want something else. But I know that Maya would definitely hurt Bailey if I don't help her and I don't want a single scratch on Bailey's perfect skin.

I grit my teeth as I glare at her "I'll get a piece of hair."

She hums "Always so helpful"

She starts undoing my pants but I grab her hands "I'm not in the mood."

"So? I'll just make you in the mood" she says with a smirk that's starting to piss me off

"I said I'm not in mood so fuck off."

She huffs as she drops her hands "Such a kill joy" she rolls her eyes "Anyways, get the piece of her hair for me okay?"

I nod and she walks out, I rake a hand through my hair in frustration at Maya, at myself and at this damn awful situation I'm in.

I stand by the nurse's office and watch Bailey through the window like fucking Joe Goldberg. A hint of annoyance goes through my body when I see Tyler on the bed next to her, typing on his phone as he bops his head to the music coming from his earphone. My eyes slide over to Bailey whose eyes are closed and I notice she has the other earphone in her ear as she taps her fingers on her thigh and my chest tightens seeing her so vulnerable.

I continue staring at her for a while until I realise how creepy it looks so I head inside. Tyler spots me first and nudges her, I almost drop to my knees when her entire face brightens as she spots me "Hi"

"Hey" I say and for some unknown reason my voice is suddenly softer than it's ever been. I glance at her roommate with a mild glare on my face and he mutters something about having a class to get to. I wait until he's gone before I take a seat on the chair next to her bed. "I just came to check on my favourite student. How are you feeling?"

"Slightly better now that you're here" she winks

I feel my lips twitch "Flirt."

She hums and says "I think I got a hold of my powers now"

My eyes narrow "I would hardly call it that seeing as you completely blacked out."

"Wow thanks for bringing me down from my high" she says with a frown

I shake my head and move to take hand into mine but remember where we are, so instead I just drop it "That's not what I'm trying to do, Bailey. I'm being realistic. If you were to black out after every spell that you do, then you're just causing damages to yourself."

She sighs "I know but I think I got it from here."

I raise an eyebrow "Do you now?" She nods and I ask "What did the nurse say?"

"That I'm in the clear and can leave when I'm ready."

"But you're still here. Why?"

"I knew that you would probably want to see if I'm okay but would never show up to my dorm." She nods to me "I was waiting on you."

A lump forms in my throat at the thought of her staying in this bed because she was waiting for me to show up. And without even meaning to I think about how heartbroken she would've been if I didn't come. I clear my throat before saying "You know me better than I thought."

"Well you are my boyfriend, Eli." her eyes widen and she slaps a hand over her mouth

My heart starts pounding in my chest to the point where I can actually hear it but I try to look nonchalant, I smirk "Boyfriend? I haven't been referred to as a boyfriend since I was eighteen."

She huffs "Right I forgot you're ancient" I send her a half-hearted glare and she raises her hands in surrender before saying "But I do apologise for making such an assumption, I don't know what came over me just now."

I stare at her as she rakes a hand through her brunette hair and can't help but feel mesmerised by the sight and before I know what I'm doing, I say "If you want me to be your boyfriend then that's what I'll be."

Her eyes snap to mine "Yeah?"

I nod "I'll be your fucking doormat if you need me to be as long as I'm yours."

Just when I thought her eyes couldn't get more softer, it does "I would like that very much."

My smirk widens "What? For me to be your doormat?"

She laughs "No, silly. The last part."

I let out a hum as I glance around before leaning closer to her "Does that mean you'll be mine too?"

She tilts her head slightly "I've been wanting to be yours ever since that day in the shed, Eli."

My eyes roam over her face and I burn every little detail into the back of my mind "No one can know about this."

"I know" she says softly "I'm okay with keeping it a secret."

"Good girl." I lean even more closer to her "I have a house off campus, why don't you come over tonight? I'll take care of you and cook for you."

A smile makes it way onto her face and suddenly my day feels fulfilled "You'd do that for me?"

"Of course. Meet me at the statue at 6."

"I'll be there."

I move to kiss her but I hear footsteps coming and I immediately stand up before clearing my throat just as the nurse comes in "I hope you feel better soon. I'll see you, Miss Harper."

She gives me a slightly amused look "I'll see you, Mr Matthews."

I give her a subtle wink before walking out. I should get ready for tonight.