CH18

Jackson left his math class with a satisfied grin stretched across his face. Today had been nothing short of amazing. Every class he had gone to felt like a breeze, and he'd powered through each one without breaking a sweat. He'd even managed to finish his work so quickly that he got to leave early, giving him time to wander around aimlessly.

Sometimes, being a prodigy had its perks. Getting the freedom to leave as soon as he completed his assignments was definitely one of them. While other students struggled to keep up, he was already off, enjoying the rest of his day.

Now, he was on his way back to their dorm room, his steps leisurely as he took his time. He knew Azalea wouldn't be there—she should still be in class, which gave him the room to himself for a bit. It was a rare moment of solitude, and though he enjoyed having her around, he didn't mind the quiet every now and then.

Still, the thought of her lingered in the back of his mind. Things between them had finally gotten back on track, and it felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest. They were on good terms again, and honestly, that was all that mattered to him right now.

But as much as he tried to focus on the positives, he couldn't ignore the ache he felt whenever he thought about her. Over the past few days, he'd been craving her—her presence, her touch, the feeling of her body pressed against his. It was driving him crazy, and no matter how much he tried to push those thoughts aside, they always crept back in, stronger than before.

"She's such a tease."

"Who is?"

Jackson came to an abrupt stop, his path blocked by someone stepping directly in front of him. His gaze flickered up, and his expression immediately shifted when he recognized who it was. Megan. The moment their eyes met, his smile vanished as if it had never been there in the first place.

"What do you want?" he asked sharply, his voice carrying a clear note of irritation.

Megan tilted her head slightly, a sly smile curling on her lips. "Well," she began, her tone light but loaded with venom, "you're planning to ruin my life, so I'm going to ruin yours."

Jackson frowned deeply, his brows knitting together as suspicion flooded his expression. "Elaborate," he said curtly, folding his arms.

Megan's smirk widened as she slowly opened the small purse slung over her shoulder. Jackson's eyes stayed glued to her movements, his body on high alert, ready for anything. He didn't trust her as far as he could throw her, and he wasn't about to let his guard down now.

From inside her bag, Megan retrieved a small item, extending it toward him with a look that dared him to dismiss her.

"I'm pregnant," she declared, her tone steady and her smile unwavering.

Jackson stared at her for a beat before letting out a dry, humorless laugh. "Pfft, good luck with that," he said, brushing past her without so much as a second glance.

But Megan wasn't about to let him walk away that easily. She shot her hand out, grabbing his wrist and yanking him to a halt. "I'm dead-ass serious," she snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a blade.

Jackson sighed in frustration, turning his gaze back to her with a skeptical glare. "Oh yeah? Prove it," he retorted, though his tone faltered just slightly, a hint of unease creeping in.

Megan's expression hardened. "The night in Quincy," she hissed, her grip tightening on his wrist. "You didn't pull out. And I just found out about this last week," she added, her voice dripping with exasperation.

"I wasn't even thinking it was yours at first, but when I recalled all the guys I've slept with the past three months it was literally only you."

Silence.

Still. Fucking. Silence.

It got so quite that he's sure he could hear ants talk. He doesn't want to believe this random claim since Megan is a compulsive liar amongst other things. Then again, would she really lie about it?

Megan rolled her eyes and flashed it closer to his eyes so he could get a better look at the two lines on the item.

"I would get rid of it but, that's not happening." She grins. Jackson snatched the pregnancy test from her hand and smudged the lines to make sure she didn't draw it on.

Megan crossed her arms at his doubt but didn't blame him.

"Well?" She asks. Jackson stared at her for a really long time before grabbing her by the upper arm, pulling her towards the exit of the building.

"Hey what the hell are you doing?"

"Taking you to the hospital to get rid of it."

Megan scoffs and pulled her hand back. "I am not getting rid of this baby."

"Since when were you pro-life?"

"Are you fucking serious right now?"

"Yes. I am not having a baby with you because I'm not ready for a fucking child, Megan."

"Well you should've thought about that when you didn't pull out in Quincy ." She taunts, wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing her body against his.

She grins, her fingers trailing through his soft black curls. "We went for hours didn't we?" She asks lowly. "I'd do anything to share that moment with you again."

Megan closed in and snuck a kiss, but Jackson quickly broke the kiss. He grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her towards the exit in frustration.

Megan couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. He is not going to take care of a child that's not his. Lines can say anything, but he wants to know what the tests say.

Azie left the classroom in a rush. For one, she's completely embarrassed, two, what is up with Thompson? He's a good looking mam, like very good-looking, but that entire encounter was inappropriate and risque as he said.

He was so close too, closer than he's ever been before. She could smell the sweet smell of cinnamon radiating from his breath, and his cologne. God damn that cologne.

"No, no thinking about him."

Azie shook her head and turned the corner, heading to the dorm to at least take a nap from all of this. Azie stopped and hid behind the corner when she saw Jackson, however, he's not by himself.

Azie peeked around the corner, not wanting to be seen by them. She watched as Megan wrapped her arms around the boy's neck, her fingers massaging his scalp.

Azie didn't catch what the girl was saying to the boy but what she saw next absolutely shattered her. Again.

Megan kissed him.

Azalea tore her gaze away from them and touched her chest. Her heart is racing and her vision blurred due to tears. Azalea heard a giggle and she felt bile hit the back of her throat.

She of course doesn't know that Megan was the one doing all the action and she didn't see Jackson push her away. And because of that, she felt absolutely stupid.

She knew it was a bad idea but she did so anyways. The kiss, then kissing him again as well as having him give her head.

He's Jackson Thompson, the school's prodigy manwhore. And it made her think,

Is he just using her?

Azalea choked back a sob and left the dorms the way they left. She skipped down the steps, wiping her eyes shakily. Azalea went wherever her legs took her. And after five minutes of a blindness run, she finally reached her safe haven.

The library.

The librarian, the same boy as always, shot her a glance. He noticed her tears but didn't question it. But he's glad she's here because he is starving.

"H-hey, I don't mean to bother you in a time that looks like you don't want to be bothered but, do you mind watching my spot for about five minutes? I just want to head down to the cafeteria for a snack real quick, I hadn't eaten anything all day and I feel like I'm about to pass out."

Azalea glanced around the empty library and nodded.

"S-sure." She croaks. Azalea cleared her throat and the boy was ecstatic.

"Thank you so much." He packed hid things and left her there. Azalea stood there for a moment, not knowing what to do or think.

The sun from the window ahead of her peered inside. It's warm and it almost calmed her down.

She had no idea how long it was she had been standing there until someone touched her shoulder. She jumped and spun around, taking a few steps back.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. It's just that I came here to drop off a few copies and saw you standing here."

Standing in front of her is Maddox Thompson. Her professor. God, when will she take a break?

He looks genuinely worried though and he's even standing about six feet away from her.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine just...got a bit distracted is all." Azie wiped her eyes and cleared her throat. It's only then she realized that the librarian is still out.

"Do you...have any idea where the librarian went?"

"Lunch, um...he should be back soon."

He nods, setting the four books that could pass as encyclopedias, onto the desk. There was silence and Thompson gazed at her.

He's seen this look on her face before and again he doesn't like it. Thompson eared his throat and Azalea rubbed her eyes. She seemed to have went back in thought.

"I want to apologize for my behavior earlier. I found another class that you could transfer into, but I just need to talk with her and the board to see if they could allow it," he explains.

Azalea shook her head. "No, no you don't have to. I don't want anyone getting into trouble."

"Ms. Moore, I shouldn't have asked. It was extremely inappropriate and I don't want you to feel unsafe."

Azalea exhales. Then she got an idea. Why is it that she's allowing Jackson to get away with this? Why is it that he could kiss her and kiss girls afterwards?

Azalea stared at Thompson as he made his way towards the door. Then he had the audacity to have sex with Megan just because she was talking to Tony?

Who says she can't play his game?

"Hey Maddox," she calls. The man stopped, looking back at her. He instantly noticed her shift in demeanor, and the look in her eyes held a different emotion.

"Yes?" Azalea said nothing as she strode over to him. Thompson watched her every move and when she stopped in front of him, her next actions took him completely by surprise.

Azalea cupped his face and pulled him into her, kissing him. His muscles tensed upon first reaction but he quickly gave in, kissing her back.

Thompson's hand set onto her waist, pulling her closer to him. Azalea inhaled sharply as the man slipped his tongue inside of her mouth.

The kiss is warm and bittersweet. Thompson moaned lowly and she was sure she felt butterflies.

Azalea stepped back, her breathing uneven as her hands rested on his shoulders. Their eyes met, an electric intensity passing between them. Thompson, caught in the moment, loosened his grip on her waist, his heart thundering in his chest. Just hours ago, she was determined to avoid him, running as though she wanted nothing to do with him. But now, here she was—closing the distance, pulling him in without hesitation.

Thompson couldn't help but wonder what had changed her mind. What had shifted inside her to lead her to this impulsive decision?

"And now we're even," Azalea said softly, her voice tinged with a mix of confidence and something else—something he couldn't quite place.

Before he could even form a response, she stepped back fully and turned on her heel, making a beeline for the door. The sound of her footsteps echoed faintly in the quiet room, and all Thompson could do was stand there, frozen in place.

He stared after her, his mind racing to process what had just happened. Slowly, a smile spread across his face, the corner of his lips curling upward as he bit down on his bottom lip to suppress the grin threatening to take over.

"Now we're even," he murmured, the words lingering in the air like a quiet promise.