Chapter 8

Hannah

I walked through the rest of the day in a contented daze. When the bell rang, I slowly rose and walked out of the class, actually taking the time to stop by my locker and drop off my books before leaving, now that I didn’t have to make a mad dash towards the exit. This was the problem with this situation with Jeff. I didn’t think he was always looking for me, stalking me, but knowing that he might be is what kept my pulse racing and urged me to get home as quickly as possible.

I pushed through the front doors of the school and, pathetically, wondered if I would hear from Nikolai again today. It was an indication of how empty my life was that I was becoming so consumed with my non-relationship with Nikolai.

As if I had conjured him with my thoughts, I was stopped by the now familiar ping of my cell phone.

Nikolai: I need to talk to you. Meet me at the back door by the gym.

My heart rate jumped as I re-read Nikolai’s text. I knew he wasn’t asking me to meet him in order to make out, or something like that, but I still felt a thrill course through my system at our continued communication.

I turned around and headed back into school. I felt like a salmon swimming up-stream as I fought against the tide of exiting students. My slow progress gave me time to think about our text exchange. Would he be flirty in person? Or would he be cold? I didn’t know which possibility made me more nervous. I rubbed my perspiring palms on my jeans, barely noticing the bodies colliding into me as I made my way towards the heavy door at the back of the building.

This area of the school campus was fairly deserted, as all the parking and main exits were on the other side of the building, therefore we were mostly safe from anyone seeing us together.

Nikolai was leaning against the brick exterior of our school, wearing an impatient frown. In an attempt to avoid his surly expression, I found myself focusing on how his folded arms made his t-shirt pull tightly across his muscled chest and biceps.

“What took you so long?”

I guess I wasn’t going to have to worry about Nikolai flirting with me. “Everybody was leaving, it was hard to get back here,” I said defensively.

Ignoring my comment, Nikolai popped off the brick and pinned me with his wintry gaze. “That hit Connors took today should sideline him until at least tomorrow, but if I’m going to take him out for the week, I need to know exactly how extensive I need to get with him.”

I frowned in confusion.

“How much does he harass you? Does he still follow you home, or does he just follow you around school? Basically, do I just have to deal with him when he’s at school, or do I need to do something more…immobilizing.”

I gulped at that language. I didn’t want to make Nikolai do more than the absolute bare minimum

“Well, he’s sort of inconsistent. Usually, he just bugs me here, but this year….” Nikolai nodded his head in understanding.

“Okay, I can figure something out. Jesus, I wish I could just beat the shit out of this kid and be done with it,” Nikolai grumbled.

I started to feel guilty about how much my problems were eating into his time. I didn’t want him to get sick of the hassle. “Look, Nikolai, I know I said before that I didn’t want you to have to hurt anyone to deal with this, but I understand if that’s the route you want to go. I mean, if you think that will get rid of him…” I could hardly endorse this plan if it wasn’t going to get rid of Jeff.

Nikolai cocked his head stared at me for a moment, then shook his head. “No, I can’t do that anyway. All I’ve done at this school for the past three years is fight. Connors’ old man is looking for a reason to expel me, and I made a promise to finish high school.”

I was surprised at his unexpected candor. Made a promise to whom? The mysterious Katya?

“Wouldn’t Principal Connors be too afraid to expel you?” I didn’t want to directly bring up Nikolai’s dad again, since he was obviously a bit touchy about that subject.

Nikolai leaned back against the building, hands in his pockets, and tilted his head back. I held my breath to see if he’d respond to my question.

“You’d think that, right?” Nikolai spoke, though he was still looking at the sky. “When I was a freshman, my dad was brought into the school because I got in another fight. I knew he didn’t care about me fighting; Christ, it’s practically mandatory training for the mob. I knew I wouldn’t get in trouble in the traditional sense. The principal threatened to expel me if I didn’t settle down. I could tell he was nervous when he said that—I could see the sweat on his forehead—but I think his aggravation towards me got the best of his sense of self-preservation.” He smirked, briefly reminiscing about the harried principal. “But my dad…he just laughed. He said it didn’t matter if I graduated or not, he had a job waiting for me. If I got kicked out of school, I could start my career earlier than expected.”

“How did you feel about that?” During the course of our conversation, I had pushed my glasses to the top of my head so I could take in his expression. Normally, my glasses had a weak enough prescription that they didn’t interfere too greatly with my ability to see. Additionally, I usually liked Nikolai a little fuzzy so he didn’t seem so intimidating.

He grinned in a way that transformed his features and made me grateful for my clear vision. He looked younger, almost boyish for a moment, and freakishly handsome. I thought brooding Nikolai was the hottest Nikolai, but I was wrong.

“Well, I was happy as hell, at first. I could fuck up as much as I wanted, and my dad didn’t give a shit. It made me feel powerful, fearless.” I slowly walked over to the brick wall and leaned my shoulder against it, fearful that any sudden movements would stop this unexpected moment between us.

“Then what happened?”

He looked at me for the first time since he started talking about his past. His head jerked back slightly, his eyes narrowing. What the hell was his problem? I raised my brows and moved my hand in a keep going motion.

Nikolai frowned and shot me an irritated look. “Why am I even talking to you?”

I was taken aback at his sudden harshness and nearly jumped when he turned and planted his hands on either side of my head, his eyes roving my features. I felt heat rush to my cheeks. What was he looking for? His close inspection was making me self-conscious.

“Why did you take off your glasses?”

“Wh-what?” I squeaked in surprise.

His icy stare darted between my mouth and my eyes. His expression, which had been so open a moment ago, appeared hard and closed.

“Your glasses.” He nodded his chin to where they were resting on the top of my head. “Don’t you need them to see?”

“N-n-not really. They’re only for distance.”

“More of the disguise?”

I nodded my head mutely, unsettled by his unexpected closeness. The feel of his breath on my face was causing chills to break out across my entire body. I was thankful for the thickness of my sweatshirt to hide my hardened nipples. Jesus, this is what he could do with only a look.

Nikolai’s gaze lingered for a moment longer on my face, then he dropped his arms and stepped back.

“So, Connors? How do I need to go at him?” His arms were folded again. He looked as unapproachable and menacing as the minute we met.

I cringed. “I hate to say it, but I guess go hard?”

Nikolai’s lips quirk.

“What?”

Still smirking, he shook his head. “Are you asking me or telling me?”

I started to pace back and forth, feeling uncomfortable with whatever fate I was handing to Jeff, even though he sucked. I covered my face with my hands and wailed, “I don’t know! I’m not used to this kind of plotting!”

“Okay, settle down. Jesus.” Nikolai grunted in exasperation. I knew I sounded like Lady Macbeth. “I’ll take care of it. You won’t have to worry about him for the rest of the week.”

I heard Nikolai’s phone chime with an incoming text, so he pulled out his phone and checked his message. He frowned lightly at whatever he read, then tucked his phone back in his pocket. “I gotta go. Later.”

Before I could respond, he pulled the door open and disappeared through it. I sat there gaping at his sudden departure. I pulled out my cell phone to look at the time.

Shit, I’d missed the bus.