TWO

NORA

I groaned as I shuffled down the street, my shoulders hunched and my steps hesitant. The two paper bags of pepperoni pizza in my hands felt like lead weights, and I could feel my back aching from the strain. With each step, I felt myself getting more and more frustrated, cursing myself for making such a stupid decision.

Unable to help it, I smacked my hand against my forehead in frustration, wondering how I had gotten myself into this situation. All I wanted was a nice, relaxing night after such a hectic day at school but here I am, delivering pizza to the school’s bad boy- Jordan Hill- who has remained stuck at our threshold, refusing to leave until I get him his cravings in the form of a pizza.

“A punishment for daring to lock me up in a classroom, an empty one at that.” He had said and I remembered having no choice than to give in. Not wanting the ‘ I miss you’ word to escalate into something I’d rather not imagine, I had to bolt out of the classroom and lock him up.

“Here it is” With a huff of exasperation, I thrust the pizza bag forward, the momentum almost causing it to hit the pavement with a thud. "Now, get out." Gesturing towards the street, I said, my tone cold and clipped.

“Gladly.”

Ever so slowly, his eyes gazed around leisurely and within a blink, he was gone.

I exhaled in relief. Besides, it been a year and it wouldn’t end well if my parents happen to see him. I rushed back inside, only for my feet to get tangled up in the doorway. I stumbled, my heart racing as I tried to catch myself. I managed to steady myself, but my hands were shaking and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn't believe how close I had come to falling. My whole body was trembling, and I felt like I could barely breathe.

I closed the door behind me, and leaned against it, trying to slow my racing heart. He’s a walking disaster. Now that am going to be seeing him around quite often, one thing is for sure; not to get vulnerable, I’d better tame this heart of mine before it’s too late.

~

As time ticked by, I began to puff in annoyance, the hem of my Versace shirt tightly fisted into a ball as my gaze stayed rooted out the car window, straight at the doorway.

I heard the door been swung open with a sudden, sharp movement, and I snapped my head in the direction just in time to see my mother storming out of door.

“You haven’t been taking your pills, for goodness sake, Nora!” Mom bickered, a storm of rage on her face but before she could strode her way over, I dumped my backpack across my shoulders and bolted out of the car. I could feel my heart thumping in my chest as I ran, my stomach clenching in fear.

“You’re in for some shit when I get back, Nelson.” Panting heavily as I hail down a cab, my knuckles trembled alongside my body. Even though Nelson hasn’t been a good driver, and I have been managing him all these years, I think it’s high time he gets fired. For his lateness has got me into trouble with my mother, he shall also receive his own portion of punishment.

Lucky enough, I was able to get past the third class without any sight of Jordan. Too exhausted to walk to the cafeteria, I simply laid my head on the desk. Few minutes of sleep didn’t sound that bad. Ignoring the hungry rumbles my stomach continues to make, I managed to drift into slumber, or so I thought.

A loud knock on my desk snapped my closed eyes opened but then it came again, this time even more aggressively.

With an anger ready to be unleashed on whoever the disruptive fellow is, I sat up and instantly scoffed unbelievably when my eyes met with the sight of my assistant- Amanda, who stood before my desk, fist raised in the air and with eyes gazing down on me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked and before she could even reply, different staffs from our mansion shuffled in, and sighting my medicine box clutched right in the arm of one of them, panic sets into my skin. And this time, not because of the hypersexuality pills I’ve come to loathe so much since the incident last year, but because Amanda would be doomed when it turns out to be what am thinking.

“Don’t tell me you just revealed my…” The rest of the statement got shoved down my throat by the impact of my trembling lips.

“It couldn’t be helped. Mrs Spencer threw a fit when she found out you haven’t been taking your pills so she ordered us down here. And yeah, unfortunately, we are not to leave until you take the pills. Truly sorry your identity has to be revealed in the process.”

I sat there, trying so hard to control my temper. I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms. "Gosh, you guys are making me want to pull my hair out.”

Then, suddenly, I felt a sharp tug at my scalp. I looked up to see what looked like a cheerleader standing in front of me, her hand still on my hair. "I can help you with that," she said, her voice strangely sweet.

The cheerleader's smile turned into a smirk as she stood there, her eyes boring into me.

"You know, you really shouldn't let yourself get so worked up," she said, her voice taking on a mocking tone. She leaned in closer, her breath hot on my face. "I could help you relax, if you want." I felt a surge of anger course through me. She was toying with me, and I knew it. But I couldn't find the words to push her away.

Not when I can feel camera flashes on me. I’ve grown to know and could feel a paparazzi even through hundred of miles. And if anything, my father’s status was to always come to my mind. How any small mistake from my side could dent his reputation. But am I to consider that too and sit still while she continue pulling at my hair, all out of the blue?

“Amanda…” My eyes began to scrutinize every single one of them. “Are you all going to keep standing there?” I ignored the high pitched murmurs and blabbers from the crowd that had gathered round, my teeth grounded as I gave Amanda a burning glare.

“Ms Spencer, I…”

I’ve had enough. Slamming my fist against the desk, I shoot up my feet and inflamed by fury, I also gripped onto her hair and barked, “ You infuriating daredevil, who the hell sent you here?!”

“Give a detailed explanation of how you spent the night with my possession?” She yelled back.

Possession? Coming from someone I don’t even fucking know! But as my brow furrowed and I began to wonder, she banged her phone over the desk and a footage of last night with Jordan at my doorstep displayed on the screen. I snorted, so she owns him now or what was it she just blurted?

“Can I know what’s going on here?”

There comes the talk of the devil.

The room fell silent as his figure strode into the room, the air around him crackling with an unspoken power. The gossiping students immediately fell silent, their eyes wide with shock and fear. The cheerleader immediately let go of my hair, her eyes now fixed on the Jordan.

The school's infamous bad boy, stepped into view. The crowd parting as he made his way through, his head held high and his eyes fixed on the cheerleader who now has her eyes allocated with a beam rather than the fear I catch a glimpse of earlier.

Casting my gaze away from her direction, I could see why they are all so intimidated - Jordan had a certain aura about him that was both magnetic and terrifying. His presence was undeniable, and the room seemed to darken around him. I felt like I was being pulled into his orbit, unable to resist his magnetism.

Snapping my eyes off him, I shook my head, beads of sweat forming over my forehead.

“You like that expression on her face or would you like me to make her tremble, in utter terror?” I almost jumped into the air in fright, at the feel of his breath against my neck. He gave me a lopsided smile, “Of course, on your behalf.”

At first, wanted to shake my head in refusal and be the bigger person but soon as I sneaked a peek at her to see her glaring holes at me, I couldn’t be more glad to nod my head. “Sure, I’d so much love to witness it also.” I faced him.

But it’s the devil we are talking about. I should have known he would want something in return.

“In return…” He began and I instantly grew conscious of the current state of atmosphere. Most importantly, by the perks of gleams across his eyes, I could bet it’s a matter of just. So I shifted closer, leaving no inches left, not even a tiny space for air to convey this secrecy.

“Talk now, before I change my mind.” A bit flustered, I found myself unable to wait any longer. Nora Spencer, why hath thou foresake cleanliness and welcome lust?

His twisted into a sly, lustful smirk. His eyes glinted with desire, and his lips curled up into a knowing smile. It was an expression that spoke of pleasure and secrets, one that sent shivers down my spine. He looked at me with such intensity, I felt as though he could see right through me. I was frozen, unable to look away from his captivating gaze. I felt like I was being drawn into his web, unable to escape.

“A bed deal, is all I want.” He whispered, his words tickling my ears.

Is this good or bad? He should never have noticed me. But then again, there ain’t no harm in this. Moreover, his type would never fall for someone like me.