Chapter Four.

Sapphire's POV.

I got up from my desk, packed up my books, and was ready to make my way out of the classroom cause lectures were over when I suddenly heard a small voice chiming before my desk.

"Hey, girl!"

My gaze shot up in surprise cause no one had uttered a word to me throughout today; their gaze filled with loath and disgust, which made me silently wonder why they gave me such a disapproving look. The voice turned out to belong to the blonde girl who had been taken for granted earlier today by the Biker Devil.

Yes, I nicknamed Aleric Dolce as the biker devil cause that was exactly who he was!

"Hey, girl," I smiled blissfully, happy to find someone interested in speaking to me. "I hope you were not badly hurt earlier," I asked in concern while admiring her flawless skin, brown orbs, and shiny blonde hair.

"Nah, it's fine," She waved it off with a bright smile. "Aleric seemed to have woken up on the wrong side of his bed cause on norms, he would usually have fun with the girls while riding on his bike and stuff like that, but today was just_ different," She sighed deeply.

"That isn't enough reason for him to treat you the way he did. He should have at least apologized to you but No! He went as far as trying to attack and harass me when I tried correcting him! He's such a jerk," I rolled my eyes as I swung my bag over my shoulder and strolled out of the classroom.

"You know, no one had ever dared to speak to Aleric the way you did," The blonde said, trailing behind me as I walked down the hallway. My brows creased because what the actual hell?

"Now I see the reason why he felt too proud to even let out the word 'Sorry'. It's because you guys have been so unnecessarily scared of him. Like, who is he? It's not like he owns the school or anything," I clicked my tongue, still annoyed by what happened that morning.

"He is the biker gang leader, plus his father owns this school! That's the reason why the president and every other student in college refused to intervene while he was about to mark_ ahem, I mean, kiss you," She coughed slightly which made me turn to her.

"You're coughing. Are you sick or do you need some water?" I asked.

"Water would be great," she chuckled nervously. "I’m not sick—just thirsty and starving. Why didn’t we go to the cafeteria for food?" Her eyes lit up with the idea.

Oh no, Aunt Karissa would soon be here to pick me up. I don't think I can go with her.

"Come on! What are you thinking? It would be fun, and I can also introduce you to some people and show you a few places at college while we go there, hmm?" She hummed happily. "And by the way, I am Lisa Herring. What about you?"

"Um, Sapphire Walters. But you can call me Phire for short. That's what they always called me at home," I said as she pulled me out of college.

On our way, Lisa pointed out some beautiful sights that caught my attention like the basketball court but the moment she mentioned that that's where Aleric and his biker gangs usually stay when they don't want to be in class, it made me dislike there instantly as I rolled my eyes, remembering what happened this morning between him, Lisa and me.

When we reached the cafeteria, we placed our orders at the counter, and I couldn't help but giggle at nearly everything Lisa said—she was such a sweet free spirit. She was chatty, funny, and so easy to connect with.

We found an empty table, set our trays of food down, and pulled out our seats.

Lisa started to dig into her meal hungrily and I couldn’t help but laugh at how she looked as she stuffed her mouth with rice and chicken sauce.

"Calm down, Lisa. The food isn't going anywhere, is it?" I chuckled at her flushed face.

"Let her be. Lisa's a glutton when she's hungry," a male voice chimed in as he pulled out a chair.

"Cameron!" Lisa shot him a glare, smacking his arm, which made me laugh even more.

"You know him?" I asked, and she nodded.

"Yeah, he's my dickhead annoying brother. Cameron, this is Sapphire Walters, the one I mentioned earlier," she introduced us before turning back to me.

"Phire, this is my older brother, Cameron Herring. He’s in his third year of college while I’m still in my second, but don’t worry—we’ll be good friends, I promise!" Her bright smile lit up her face, radiating warmth.

"Hey there, Phire. It's nice meeting you," He said, smiling as he stretched out his hand for a handshake, and I accepted.

"Nice meeting you too, Cameron." I noticed Cameron had the same features as Lisa but in a masculine way due to his sharp jawline and thicker brows than hers.

"Lisa told me what happened this morning, Phire. Thank you for standing up for the dummy head sister," My lip curled up, about to let him know that it was nothing. Nonetheless, his next word hit me hard in my guts. "just don't try that next time." My jaw dropped open.

"Wh-what?" I stuttered.

"You’ve caught Aleric's attention now. He’s going to be watching you from all corners of campus—and probably even outside it. As long as you’re in Lykoria, you’ll be one of his targets," he warned, and my heart raced.

I gulped nervously but tried to laugh it off, fixing my hair to distract myself.

"Haha, whatever. He can be mad all he wants. I don’t care about him as long as we don’t cross paths," I shrugged, then hurriedly dug into my meal so I could finish up before Aunt Karissa called to check on me.

Cameron exchanged a glance with Lisa, who rolled her eyes at him and then began eating the rest of her meal silently.

I felt Cameron's gaze on me while I ate my meal, his gaze somewhat calm but also intense till he broke the silence between us.

"Phire, there's some sauce on the side of your lip," he whispered, gesturing to the exact place.

"Thanks," I laughed, picking up my napkin to wipe it off, but I struggled to get the spot correctly.

"Let me help," he said softly, leaning in over the table. He took a napkin and gently dabbed at the side of my lip, but then a hard blow landed across his face, sending him off the table with a deep groan.

Blood trickled from his lip as he wiped it away with the back of his arm.

"Brother!" Lisa cried, her eyes filled with tears and worry as she rushed to Cameron's side, trying to help him up.

Meanwhile, I was still frozen, too shocked to let out a word or react, when I was suddenly yanked out of the table and dragged into a secluded, dark area, my heart racing as I screamed my lungs out.

"Hey, stop it!" I commanded but he didn't stop, furiously dragging me behind him. "What's wrong with you, Aleric?! Can't you just let me go? Let go of me!"

A sharp moan escaped my lips as my back was painfully slammed against the cold wall, Aleric's brooding figure towering above me, his breath ragged and his gaze deadly like I had committed the most unforgiving sin.

I was trapped on both sides like a little mouse by his veiny, muscular arms with tattoos drawn on them.

I felt scared, his golden eyes piercing into my soul as his face grew darker by the second. I had the urge to scream out for help, but I doubted anyone would want to intervene, not after everything I had heard about Aleric and how everyone on campus feared him.

I gathered the courage to demand why he had hurt my new friend and why he took me here, in this air-tight place without a space for ventilation.

"What did my friend do to you, Aleric? Why did you hit him like that? Why are you so brutally heartless that you always go around hurting everyone and why did you bring me here!"

"How dare you let him kiss you, Sapphire?" He snapped back at me, and I forgot how to breathe.

Kissed me? Cameron didn't even try to kiss me. And how did this Biker Devil get to know my name? This is getting out of hand.

"What the hell are you talking about? Cameron didn’t kiss me! And even if he did, it’s my choice to let him! Why does it matter to you?” I shot back, my voice rising.

Then, without warning, Aleric closed the gap between us and captured my lips in a fierce kiss, stealing my breath away as my eyes bulged right out of their sockets.