Thirty Seven

Ruby

There was no doubt, it was a bullet that was shot.

And I didn't need anyone to tell me that the Xylem Gang was responsible for it. Well, unless my established enemy, Bryan Lockwood, has found a way to make my life tougher.

"Ruby, you need to leave," Adonis said, his voice hoarse while his arms did the opposite of letting me go.

"But-"

His head snapped in my direction, our eyes met in a rather explosive manner. I tell you, my heart thumped as his darkened orbs shot stares into my eyes.

"They just shot at us, Ruby. And they missed on purpose." His brows arched slightly. "Trust me, they won't miss next time."

"So, are you going to just stay here and-"

"Yes. I'll speak to them. I have my way of getting into their head."

I tried to shift my head and look behind because curiosity kept getting the best of me but Adonis was quick to stop me.  "Don't look, just leave," he said.

"You'll be fine, I guess," I replied with a small smile.

There was no use trying to persuade him to not stay back. As I turned to leave, I noticed his teaching materials laying somewhere on the ground. I was about to offer to get them for him when I recalled I shouldn't be seen doing stuff for him.

"Leave, Ruby," his voice instructed again and I took solace in the fact that we were going to meet later in the evening.

"Okay, okay." Without looking up or around, I rushed out of the space and I was soon downstairs, my eyes sharply watching my surroundings. I already have an issue with Mrs. Cook, it would be terrible to get nabbed for skipping class.

If that happens, I'll probably get the detention Adonis suggested earlier.

As I resumed my walk toward a secluded area at the end of the corridor, a soft voice whispered Adonis's name into my mind and I instinctively looked up at the ceiling as if I would be able to x-ray the hurdle between him and me.

There were no loud, strange noises in the air yet so I assumed he was handling the situation well. But I recalled how the earlier gunshot was fired with no immediate sound.

What if that happens again?

I was about to hurry back to the rooftop when something told me to be confident in Adonis's choice to stay back. But I couldn't help but worry that he could be hurt already.

And to make matters worse, if I do go back there, Adonis will glare at me so hard, I'll feel intimidated while wondering how he could be so hot.

A small, dreamy smile planted itself on my face as I walked towards the place I intended to stay in hiding till the next period. It was then I recalled that I had English class next and that made everything easier for me.

I'll get to see Adonis so my worry will be quenched. And as a plus, I will get to observe the teacher side of Adonis. I never did that before because I was still getting used to the absurdity of the words he said to me when we first met.

But now... Things have changed.  I bet he looks hotter in his tucked shirt while he takes short paces while explaining stuff about concord and what have you.

Oh...

I smiled hard.

... I really can't wait.

~

He didn't come.

The bell for the next event had just been rung and my eyes couldn't tear off the entrance as I wished within me that he would make a grand entrance followed by a quick exit like he did on his first day.

My earlier state of worry came back and my hands began to attack each other as I wondered whether to call him or not. After shutting up the voice within me that kept saying that I should be calm, I grabbed my phone and proceeded to dial his number.

I could feel Jake's inquisitive eyes on me as I got up to get rid of the noises coming from the back of the class.

Once outside the room, I dialled his number which was eventually said to be switched off.

I sighed hard as I knew there was nothing else I could do. If I were to decide to search the building, that would take ages.

All I can do was wait.

"Hey you," Abby's solemn voice intruded my thoughts and I found myself smiling briefly.

"Where have you been?"

"Mr. Grassi was helping me with something, I told you." I nodded, my intention to ask her if something was wrong, dangling. "I need to meet him later today so I won't be going home with you."

" Again? Why do you need to meet him that much? "

" The scholarship program closes in two weeks. I need his guidance now more than ever. "

I nodded even though something still felt fishy. " I have to meet someone after school so I won't be home early. So, in case my parents call... "

"I understand. " Her swift nod transformed into a teasing look. " Who are you going to meet, uh? "

My eyes darted to the ground briefly and I contemplated what my response should be.

" Hmm..." I decided to choose the response that would yield a less violent response. "I am meeting my boyfriend."

Abby scoffed and smacked my shoulder lightly. "Come on, be serious. Do you have some practice after school?"

"What? No. I am going to meet my boyfriend."

Her face had disbelief written all over it.

"You are serious? " she asked and I nodded. "Wow. I am surprised. Who is he? "

" You'll know eventually. "

" Is he a student in this school? " she pressed further.

" Abby, you'll find out later, " I replied calmly.

" I'll find out later? " she looked up at me with a small pout, you'd think knowing the facts would put an end to her life's troubles.

"Yes, you will. Can you stop bugging me with those cute eyes of yours? I have to go to the library."

She suddenly summoned her dramatic side. "Yes, you should my baby girl. You are so grown up now and I can't believe it."

"Fuck off," I playfully said as I began my journey to the library.

As my steps advanced, my earlier thoughts about Adonis's whereabouts came rushing back and questions kept mounting questions.

At the end of my journey, I managed to shake off the thoughts in my head and  I hoped strongly within me that Adonis was fine.

~

Without wasting a second more, after ensuring almost everyone had left the school, I rushed to the rooftop where I expected Adonis to be waiting already.

I almost caused chaos with the door as I barged into the space.

And there he was... His back facing me, his hair dancing rhythmically with the breeze while he firmly stood over a setup that I couldn't ignore.

A huge blanket that combined so many hues of blue in a patterned manner was laid out on the ground with a huge McDonald's bag seating comfortably on it.

Placed at the end of the covering were two chairs that would give us a nice view of the city when nightfall gradually approaches.

"Adonis..." I called softly and I walked toward him, my eyes darting between him and the disturbing bullet mark on the wall.

"You were worried, weren't you?" he asked without looking back at me.

"Is this another date?" I asked a question different from the one in my head.

"You were worried," he simply said. And once he turned to face me, the fresh look on his face caused me to halt my steps.

I know that it is established that he is a good-looking man but at that moment, he looked breathtaking.

He was surprisingly donning a new hairstyle which was styled in a way that made his facial features pop out more. The glow on his face brought me to a state of bafflement. The more I observed him, the more I was baffled. I guess that can be called the law of Adonis Klaus.

"Wait, did something weird happen when I left?" I asked.

"Something weird like what?" his brows cocked.

My eyes narrowed a bit. "Did-" I tilted my head a bit because my approaching question made no sense to me. I still asked anyway. "Did the men that tried to shoot us do a makeover for you?"

"Are you hallucinating?" Adonis chuckled lightly before he grabbed my hand and walked me to the laid sheets.

"No, I am not. But, I swear you look very different from the last time I saw you."

"You should sit down and eat, " he ignored my words and helped me onto the very comfortable covering. Once he sat beside me, I found it really hard to take my eyes off him. "Ruby, you are staring," he stated.

"I can't help it. You look more handsome in a baffling way." I adjusted my position so I was fully facing him. "What happened after I left?"

"I talked with the men that the gang's boss sent. So, they won't be disturbing us for a while."

My brows arched. " So, after the talk, they did a makeover for you?" Adonis let out a tired sigh. " I have to know, I need an explanation for-"

His lips cut me short.

Fiercely, he captured my wanting lips. He sent some heat into my system as his tongue slightly yet intensely felt for the flesh of my lower lip. I was about to pull him closer for more when he pulled back and observed me with a smile.

" I guess kissing you equals shutting you up. I love that."

My face was already wearing a shy smile. And my senses were absolutely alert so I picked up the squeaking sound the door made.

" Hey," I called to him while my gaze trained on the entrance.

" Yes?"

" Are you sure this is a safe place? Anyone could walk in on us."

"Nowhere is a safe, Ruby. You just have to be willing to make any place your safe place," he subtly said and a small frown helped itself onto my forehead as I ruminated on his words.

After a few seconds, I faced him and asked, " How about we make this our safe place by closing that door?"

Adonis chuckled. " Good call. I'll go and do that, help yourself to-"

I let out a yelp that halted his words. My hands clutched the fabric that covered my chest area as I felt a loud bang in my heart.

" Ruby?" Adonis called out in concern.

I let out a gasp that communicated the pain I was in. The heavy thud in my heart intensified and somewhere inside me, I cursed that moment. I never wished for Adonis to see me in such a state and now he has and there is a high chance the only thing or the major feeling he'd have towards me is pity.

And I don't want that.

So I itched to tell him something. I was about to tell him that I was fine but I was starting to feel suffocated and it was so much torture.

The feeling of death came again and for a second I wished it would come but the faces of the ones I care about flashed through my mind and I knew I had to fight for my life.

I could feel myself being lifted off the ground, hopefully, that was not my ghost leaving my body.

As motion became initiated, I wished to open my eyes to see what exactly was going on because I could barely hear Adonis and I couldn't gauge the situation. But my wish was crushed when I felt dizzy.

I became so dizzy, my head felt like it could split into two. So, for a brief moment, I prayed for a temporary solution to my torments.

Thankfully, the heavens seemed to be very much around as a huge force hit me and I was soon falling into a deep slumber.