006 - Mistake

Leithe’s POV

{*Gunshots*

His high-pitched voice makes it obvious that he is terrified and frantic as he says, "No! Please! I’ll pay you tomorrow! I promise!"

The owner of the leg that the previous man was desperately clutching on to smirked just as more gunshots rang out. The sound of cries and screams reverberates across the room.

“Ah, I’m too lazy to come here again.”

“N-No! Ple-”

As the man pleaded, a gunshot pierced his forehead. Even though the victim appeared to be down cold, the gunner continued to fire more rounds.

“Don’t play with me.” *Shoot*

“JUST DIE!”}

“Leithe!”

I heard my name being called out. Because I got up quickly, I hit my head on my car's mirror. While rubbing my head, I looked at the passenger side of the car, which was the source of the sound.

Seeing a figure peeking in the window made me jump, but after I recognised it through the window, I was able to calm myself down. It’s just Griffin. Then I let out a sigh and let him into the car.

"Hello, friend!" he exclaimed as he smiled and closed the door behind him. I remained silent as I fixed my gaze on him. I was really drained by the whole ordeal.

It’s just a dream. Relax.

“Hey, whaddup, Leithe? You don’t look too good. You okay?” He said, resting his hand on my shoulder. Being too exhausted to say anything, all I could muster was a smile and a nod.

"You sure?” He inched closer to my face and observed, "You appear to be very pale." In order to conceal my face from him, I posed to the other side. I do not wish to scan anyone anymore, either intentionally or by accident. I already have plenty of memories today.

“I’m okay. A little tired. That’s all.” I said. As I watched people enter the faculty building, I noticed that the parking lot was already full.

“If you say so.” I maintained my silence for an instant longer, my gaze still fixed on the crowd.

“When is this?” Griffin asked. To see what he was holding, I merely turned my head. It’s the coffee from Moonstruck. This serves as a reminder that I haven't drunk it since I bought it.

I averted my gaze once more. “This morning.”

Griffin took a sip before humming, showing his approval of the taste.

"You’re free to take. If you don’t, just throw it away." I stated. My appetite for that drink had waned. It reminds me of that baldy.

Griffin gave me a sceptical look and stared at me intently. His statement, "You did not drug me, right?" brought a smile to my face, which was my first chuckle of the day.

“Of course not. What am I? A kill-kidnapper?”

“Who knows? You might put something in this, and then kidnap me.” He gasped. “You’re not gonna kill me, right?”

The mere mention of the word "kill" has my heart pounding, I can’t lie. ‘Relax, Leithe. Griffin always joke about that.’

As far as my frail body would allow me to go, I punched his arm. “Just drink it, you prick.”

Laughing, he took a sip of the coffee. His face scrunched looking at me. “Thanks. Even if it’s hella bitter, I’m gonna finish this anyway since it’s free.”

I just laughed it off, as I was expecting that line. He has always been a sweet tooth, and despite being a crazy rich bastard as he is, he could never turn down free food.

He took another sip and then said, "Let's go." He starts grabbing his belongings and exiting the car, but I refuse to budge.

“You’re coming?” The question was posed by the ajar door.

I rejected him, shaking my head, and removed my glasses before meeting his gaze. “No. You go. I’ll pass this one. See ya next class.”

He sighed after glancing at me. I would have expected him to have dragged me to class if he had not seen my expression. “Okay, take care, Leithe. I’m serious. I wanna see you breathing later.”

He slammed the door and walked to the building. I watch him go till he turns the corner and disappears.

I opted to stay at the library instead of going home because my next class is at 11 in the morning, and I am too exhausted to drive. Plus, returning home will be a complete waste of time given that I will only be there for a couple of hours.

My mind needs a break, and I hope that break comes soon.

As I stepped out of the car, I slipped my glasses into my pocket. I got an aspirin from the health centre to ease my headache, and then I headed to the library.

In order to avoid prying eyes, I scouted for a seat in the far corner, concealed by the bookcases. Fortunately, the library is quite empty, so I was able to secure the seat of my choice without any difficulty. Everyone appears so focused on their studies anyway, even if I weren't able to get it. No reason for concern on my part.

Right as I settled into my seat, I set my bag down on the table and slipped on my earbuds. So, I turned up the volume to the maximum and put on some heavy metal songs. I popped on the hood of my hoodie and lost myself in the music, completely oblivious to my surroundings.

I close my eyes and dwell on it while my head moves in time with the beat. I am making an effort to feel better.

It dragged on for a long time. In any case, I no longer care about attending the 11 am class; I have completely lost track of time. My promise to Griffin is still fresh in my mind, but I can feel myself drifting away from reality and consciousness.

As my eyes remained closed and my body was engulfed in the music, I suddenly felt a touch on my hand that was lying. My eyes sprang open as I was taken aback.

It’s Bella. She’s sitting right in front of me while smiling.

She responded by laughing and hiding her mouth with her hand. Presumably making a concerted effort to maintain silence, given that we are in a library.

I tossed my still-playing earbuds on the table without even trying to place them in their case.

“Bella! You scared the shit out of me.” With a mix of a whisper and a roar, I said. My heart palps with a racing rhythm. This is not only due to the aftermath of the shock but also because Bella is the last person I want to see right now.

She wipes her tears and smiles, trying to unwind. “Relax. I’m not gonna kill you or anything.” She assured me. Just the word “kill” set my stomach in knots.

“What’s the matter? You never spat out like that.” Perhaps sensing a shift in my demeanour, she remarked. Of course, Kairo and Griffin are the only people I ever curse at.

With a sigh, I cast my gaze down. “I’m fine.” I muttered, trying to conceal my emotions as I ran my fingers through my hoodie-tucked hair.

“You’re not fine, Leithe.” she replied. Another sigh escapes me. In a word, yes.

"Look at me, man." I finally looked up at her after a while. She extended her hand to touch my tabletop clenched fists. I flinch at the thought of her touching me, but I do nothing to stop her.

“Your hair is a tangled mess, and your eyes are watering. Oh my, you look fucked up.” I can’t deny it; she’s right. I feel fucked up.

I smirked at her and gave out a mocking laugh. “I’m always a hot mess. It’s nothing new.” As I said that, her facial expression changed. For the time being, it does not matter to me whether I offended her.

Suddenly, she stood up and casually made her way over to me. As she moves the table slightly to make some space between me and the table, I observe her quietly.

She approached me, and then all of a sudden, she went and straddled me. It made me freeze. One of her hands was resting on my shoulder, and the other was gently stroking my cheek.

“And I really enjoyed this hot mess side.” she said with a mischievous grin.

I come to my senses, and with a firm grip on both of her wrists, I ask, “What are you doing, Bella?” I was surprised to discover that she seemed amused by my behaviour rather than shocked.

“It seems like you never get dirty, Leithe.” I was compelled to shut one of my eyes as her thumb caressed it.

"A gentleman." Now she is carving my lips with her other thumb, following their curve.

I stared into her eyes, attempting to get in her mind, as I am unsure if she is high or it is just her being herself.

Just one more memory for the day wouldn’t hurt.

“…ver let your demons slip away," she whispered as she continued to gently touch my cheeks, this time with both hands.

At this point, the distance between our faces was no more than an inch. My face is being touched by the warm air that arose from her breathing.

Why can’t I read her?

I have no problem making out her pupil and iris, currently gazing directly into her eyes, but my attempt to enter her mind was futile, despite our close proximity. What happened?

“Why’re you lookin’ at me like that? You liked this too?” She asked in a flirtatious tone.

“You wish.” Gently taking her hands off my lap to place them on her own. If we were not in the library, I would have considered smacking it off.

Since I cannot read her, asking her the old-fashioned way is my only option.

“What do you want, Bella? I don’t have time for your bullshit.” I purposely growl in an attempt to scare her, but she seems to be enjoying herself.

Giggles escape her red lips. She edged closer to me and added, “You should threaten me even more, Leithe.”

I hold onto her wrists and forcefully move her backward so we don’t end up kissing. Let me give this another shot.

{“Where’s your shadow, Griff?”

“He’s not feeling well.” Griffin answered without looking.

She then went out and wandered around the faculty after making up an excuse to use the restroom. She ended up in the library after what seemed like an endless hunt for someone.

She continued to circle the area until she finally came across me at the corner, hood pulled over my face and head lowered.

“There you are.”}

She shook her hands off my loosened grip and seized the chance to draw nearer to me once more, our foreheads touching and her hands returned to my cheeks.

“I was planning on playing innocent, being the good girl you like, and just gonna accompany you.” she said.

As she proceeded, her tone became more breathy. "But the fact that you appeared to be all messed up and vulnerable made me wanna act up." In an effort to rouse my junior, I felt her beginning to move her hips, which were positioned directly on my groin.

“Get the fuck off me before I make you.” I growled, but my words, however, simply served to make her laugh even harder.

“Yes! Talk dirty to me, baby. It’ll only make me pumped up.” She then slammed our lips together with all her might. Out of disbelief, I grabbed her shoulder and shoved her.

Realising that her saliva was all over my mouth, I quickly wiped it off. “Bella, we’re in the library for fuck sake.” I spit out the words, glaring at her amused face.

She panted while looking at me. “So what? Don’t you wanna do things with me?” The brazen manner in which she uttered the comment shocked me.

"No one’s here.” Whispering, she said, "No one is going to find out."

I mean, I picked this spot on purpose so I could sleep without having the librarian knowledge, but not THAT.

She reaches out for my hands and places both of them on her thighs. She guides it so it’s caressing her bare thighs since she is currently wearing a leather miniskirt.

It began innocently on her mid-thighs and gradually worked its way up to her ass. I could not help but feel the urge to massage her cheeks under my palms, and so I found myself voluntarily stroking them gently.

"Yes, that is it," she said as she gently pecked me.

At this point, it does not matter what I do; her desire will only grow. Whatever I do now will simply make her more lustful, I have realised. This is really infuriating me. I am going to show this slut the ropes since she wants it that badly.

My grip on reality begins to weaken at this point. I swear everything is fuzzy after that, and all I can remember is grabbing her butt. It seemed as though my body was going on autopilot.

She slithers her fingers into my baggy hoodie and touches my body underneath. She whispers, "You’re crazy for hiding these, Leithe. We should showcase these packs more often.” She emphasised the ‘we’.

Then she seemed ready to remove my garment by grabbing its hem. "Let's see that body," she replied, gazing down at me with sparkling eyes.

('Leithe check. Griffin’s next, then my bucket list is completed.')

At that very moment, I froze while Bella was still showing her devotion to my body by planting kisses on my neck and running her hands over my torso.

Wake up, Leithe. This is wrong.

As the result of me shoving her away, she fell on the floor. Incredulous, she glanced at me.

In the same bewildered state as Bella, I gasped as I witnessed my mistake: the scene before me, her button-up blouse ripped open, exposing her red lace undergarment. In addition to her smudged red lipstick, her hair is in a tangled mess.

No words came out of my mouth. I snatched my bag and ran away without even bothering to fix myself or apologise, leaving her baffled.

I apologize for the confusion for the past five chapters because there was no 'bold' and 'italic' feature. So, {} refers to the memory and ( ) is for thoughts