Chapter 2

The next morning I woke up with a major headache and in the most uncomfortable position anyone can ever wake up in. I looked at my surroundings at I wasn’t sure where I was but when the person next to me stirred, I nearly fell off the bed.

“What the actual fuck. Who are you?” I yelled but then grabbed my head to stop it from spinning.

The guy’s eyes bulged open and he stared at me with his mouth agape with utter disbelief and disgust but no words came out of his gaping mouth. I tried to recall what had happened the previous night but my memory was all messed up. Feeling shame with myself for allowing this happen, I grabbed my phone and jacket and bolted out of there as fast as I could. I had over ten missed calls from Keith, two from Nick and Kai and one from an unknown number. I dialled Keith’s number as I sat by the curb of the road, not feeling like I could make it if I continued walking.

Keith picked up on the second ring, “Yo dude, where the hell are you? I looked for you everywhere but everyone said you left with some guy or something like that and I didn't know whether to be worried that something had happened to you or dismiss it,” he said frantically.

“Just pick me up, I’ll send you the address,” was all I said before I hung up and sent him the exact location of where I was.

I didn’t take long for Keith to show up in my car and I got in the passenger’s side.

“Whose place is this anyway?” Keith asked but the look on face had him shutting up immediately. “Gotcha, take you home and probably not get killed for letting you miss you morning class.”

I stared out the window the entire drive to our apartment while I tried to remember who exactly that guy was and why I was in his bed. Did I really leave with a stranger last night and not remember it because I was so wasted? My brain was turning but I had no answers, everything after Keith and Leah left was slightly a blur.

When Keith pulled up in the garage for our apartment, I immediately got out and made my way to our apartment and straight into my room where I locked myself up. I had to remember what I did last night and why I was in that guy’s bed. I walked into the bathroom, took a quick shower and changed into a new pair of clothes and then I started pacing back and forth.

I recalled walking out to the balcony and then a guy with a British accent spoke to me and I think we had drinks or something as he told me about his girlfriend. Now that my brain was less clouded with alcohol, I could remember some things but not everything. I remembered that we got drunk though I was still sober and then…. Then everything clicked.

After we talked and I tried to console him, he got so drunk and I wasn’t too far behind myself then I offered to help him find his friend but then we kissed instead. Holy shit, I kissed a guy. Did I kiss him or did he kiss me? I couldn’t tell but there was definitely kissing involved. Fuck, that was the last time I ever went out with Keith ever again. How could all of that have happened and Keith, my ride back home was nowhere and to top it all off, I missed my class.

Sighing, I walked over to my desk and pulled out my notebook and then opened my laptop. I had a lot of catching up to do which meant calling Nick and letting him know I was okay.

I opened up FaceTime and dialled him and it didn't take long for him to answer.

“Why didn't you pick up? Kai almost had us on the next flight there,” were the first words that Nick said flatly.

“I was out.”

Nick frowned as he looked at me, “that explains the dark circles under your eyes. Glad you are finally going out now and finally getting to live your life.”

It was my turn to frown but before I could say anything, Kai’s face appeared on the screen. “Oh my god, Jake? You’re still alive,” he practically shouted. So much for him growing up.

“And it is that a hickey I see?”

My hands flew to my neck so fast and I looked away from Kai. This was not how I expected my Saturday morning to go. “It’s not, it’s just a pimple.”

“No, I know what a hickey looks like that is definitely it.” I could hear the humour in Kai’s voice and it just frustrated me more than I already was but it wasn't his fault but my own. “You went out and came back with a hickey, damn Miller, who knew you still had it in you. But then again…” Kai paused and I finally looked back at the screen. “I always thought you didn't like that kind of thing. So, who is she?”

“Shut up, it’s nothing,” I replied in a panic. I knew they wouldn't judge me if I told them it was a guy but if they found out it was a complete stranger, I wasn’t ready for the chastising I was going to get. “Just forget about, it’s a pimple and that’s all I’m saying on the matter.”

Nick sighed and then grabbed his phone, “look, you have every right to have fun and explore your options. You’re just 19. Let the past remain the past,” the last words came out quietly and I could see that it still affected him. Heck, even Kai’s smile dimmed.

I took a deep breath in to stop the emotions from leaking out. I still was ready to talk about it and even after months in therapy, the only progress I’d make was being able to acknowledge that it had happened and as much as my therapist kept pushing me to truly open up about it, I just couldn’t do it. “I know, but it’s not easy. She-“ the words got choked out and I had to stop myself from saying anymore.

“I know,” Kai said softly, “we all feel it but that shouldn’t mean we should stop living. I know James won’t be happy to hear you’re still holding on so tight to the memories and aren't living.”

“He’d probably take the first flight just so he can slap me and then drag me out or something. He’s just that crazy enough to do it.”

Kai burst out laughing. “Of course he would. That’s why we don’t tell him such things,” he said still laughing and then turned serious. “But serious, find yourself something to do other than your classes and art. And just so I know you actually listened, I’ll have Keith report back to us about everything.”

I groaned, “don’t even get me started with him. He’s the reason I went out yesterday and then he ditched me for his girlfriend.”

We talked so more about everything and how they planned on visiting during Summer break which I had to admit, I was looking forward to. I hadn't seen them since I up and left home.

*******

I spent the rest of the day locked in my room drawing and sketching up things for class until the very familiar voice of Keith interrupted my work.

“Jake, someone is here looking for you,” Keith yelled making me groan.

Who could be looking for me? I didn't particularly hang out with many people and when I did, it was from the Art department when we had a show to prepare for.

“Dude, hurry up,” Keith yelled again.

Groaning, I got up from my desk and left my sketchpad and pencil haphazardly. “This better be serious or I swear I’ll hit,” I said as I entered the living and looked around but I couldn’t see anyone. “Is this funny to you? Seriously?”

Keith smiled nervously as he looked toward the door. “The person didn’t want to enter, I insisted but they refused. Said they had to see you.”

I furrowed my eyebrows in question but Keith shrugged and went back to what he was doing. Now I was a little apprehensive of what was going on. Who could be looking for me and how did they know where to find me? Composing myself, I walked over to the door and opened it and instantly froze.

What in the world was going on? Was I dreaming? Was any of this even real?

The guy standing in front was clad in all black like last night but this time his hair was covered by his hood with his face slightly obscured but he stood tall and composed, exuding confidence. His eyes were a bright green now that I could see him in the daylight and he wasn’t bad looking either. In fact, he was quite handsome.

“What are you doing here?” I asked as I quickly closed the door behind me. “How did you find me?”

“I’m here for you and the details of how I found you are irrelevant,” he replied coolly making me angry than I already way.

“If that’s all you had to say, bye,” I turned to leave but suddenly I felt his hand wrapped around my elbow and spinning me back to face him. “What do you think you’re doing?” I glared at his hand that was still wrapped around my elbow slightly painfully.

“Something about you Jake Miller intrigued me for some odd reason and I can’t seem to get you out of my head,” he responded as he tilted his head to the side and looked me straight in the eyes. “I don’t usually go out of my way to find someone, much less show up at their doorstep.”

I narrowed my eyes at him and gritted my teeth, not wanting to cause a scene since there were people passing in the hallway. “Maybe that’s why your girlfriend broke up with you. No one likes someone who controls them,” I snapped and tried to pull my elbow out of his hold but he just tightened it.

The guy narrowed his eyes at me as he spoke. “I always get what I want and this time, I want you,” he said flatly. “You can run but I will always find you even if it mean burning the entire world just to find you and believe me, I will find you at all costs, so don’t even think about running away.” Then he let go of my elbow and walked away.

I was left speechless and confused. What was all that about? Still confused, I went back inside and Keith was looking at me expectantly.

“Well, who was he and want did he want?” He asked as I walked over to the couch and joined him. “I don't think I’ve seen him around campus but then again, I couldn’t really see his face.”

My head was reeling from what had just happened. “Honestly, I don’t think I know either,” the words came out of my mouth but it didn’t sound my voice.

“That’s strange because he seemed to know you, like he knew a lot about you,” Keith went on. “Maybe it was my imagination but he looked rich and very much sounded British. How is it that you know such rich people and you’ve been here for like what? Two years while I’ve been living here for all my life,” he said and threw his hands in the air in exaggeration. “This is so not fair. At least I have you.”

“Keith?”

“Yeah?”

“If he ever shows up here again, don't let him in and don’t tell him I’m around,” I said, “wait, actually, just call security to have him escorted out of the premises. I don’t know him and there is no need to entertain the thought of even knowing him.” I wasn’t about to get thrown into a world I wasn’t ready for, even if it was by a handsome guy with a dark and alluring presence.