Chapter 13: Chapter 13

June

I avoided his call last night because I was so pissed with the man who called himself my uncle. I banged the door in his face and refused to speak with him.

Damn him!

How could he expect me to receive that slut into the house? Did he expect me to smile at her as I shook her hands?

To hell.

“What's wrong? You look like you are getting ready for a fight,” Mark pursed his lips, staring at me with an amused expression on his face.

He tapped his fingers on the table in front of him, looking to all like someone who has no cares in the world.

“Family war, that's more like it.” I packed my books in my bag, getting ready for my next class for the day — Philosophy.

I just needed the extra credit, that's all.

I will drop it in my third year. But for now, I will have to endure all the boring talks about dead men and their views of the world.

“Trouble in paradise? Still grounded?” He looked entertained.

“You bet! That damned old man is serious this time. He watches me like a hawk!” I zipped my backpack, "I won't be surprised to discover that he placed a camera in the house, to monitor me."

“Why is he too strict on you? You are nineteen!”

“But he thinks I'm freaking seven,” I rolled my eyes. “Always treating me like a damned baby when I need him to see me as an adult.”

I can't seem to get rid of the image of the woman who visited him last night. I wondered what was so special about her. It's not as if she's as curvy and beautiful as I am.

Yet, I can tell that it's either my uncle is fucking her or he plans to do so. I have noticed that expression in his eyes countless times to count.

That's how he stares at women he thought attractive. If only he will look at me that way. As a woman and not as a niece.

Hell, I don't wish to be his niece, damn it!

“That's how parents see us,” he shrugged. “My old man is still treating me like a kid.”

I sighed, “Kristin's is too much.” I slung my backpack on my back and smiled at him. “See you later, chap. I have a class to catch up with.”

Unlike the lazy boy, who hardly attends all his classes, I'm expected to be the first in everything, just to please Kristin.

“Wish I'm as nerdy as you,” he relaxed on his chair and closed his eyes. “My father is always singing your praises.”

“As he should,” I winked at him. “Have a nice day staring at those cute girls in short skirts.”

“None can compare to you, June. You are my best buddy,” he winked at me.

“I know I am,” I leaned down and pecked him on his cheeks. “See you later, Mark. That's if my uncle doesn't call me first.”

I know he will since he was the one who drove me to school. He's serious about having me keep my distance from Mark. I bet he thinks I'm somehow sleeping with him.

I don't even know how he got such an idea into that thick head of his, but he did. And now, he's hell-bent on keeping me away from Mark.

Though that means I get to spend as much time as I could, with him, I can't help the strained silence between us.

I waved to Mark as I ran towards my next class. I hate and love the class because of the clown there.

Phillip.

He's the bad boy on the campus and the boy I hate the most.

I weaved through the students who were either rushing to class or chatting with friends. Sounds of lockers being closed, assaulted my ears, same with the squishing of their shoes on tiles.

I slid into class, and straight to my favourite seat by the window. I placed my backpack on my table, waiting for the other students to arrive.

As always, I was the first one to arrive here. The professor entered three minutes after I did.

He's dressed in a black shirt, which he tucked into dark blue slacks. His white hair is slicked to the back with a gel, giving him an elegant look.

His green eyes immediately went to my spot, like they do all the time. “Miss Halloway, early as always,” he smiled at me.

I shrugged, “had nothing else to do.”

He pushed his glasses up the brim of his nose, “if the others can be as diligent as you, I bet the world will be a better place.” He strode over to his table and placed his black bag on it, rummaging through it, for books.

The class gradually got filled until Phillip strode in, looking like the bad boy he is. He has his red hair tied up in a male bun, accentuating the features of his face. His piercing blue eyes racked through the class until it landed on me.

With his mouth pulled up in a smirk, he strode towards me. His muscles bulged under his tight black Polo as he walked towards me, looking like he escaped from a gangster movie.

The girls in class gaped at him as he strode past them. He dramatically winked at one of them, and she almost died, melting on the spot.

Inserts an eye roll.

“Beauty,” he smiled at me as he sat on the empty chair next to me. “Wondered why the sky was so dull, until I stepped in, and saw the sun in here.”

“Lame.”

I focused on the professor who was still fixing his books. Most of the time, he wastes half of his time setting up his books because of how dull he is.

It makes me wonder why the school still kept him despite his age.

“Your daddy is a thief, you know?” He leaned towards me but shrank back when I shot him a dark, freezing stare.

“Your dad is the thief. Is he out of custody yet?” I smiled sweetly at him, batting my eyes. “Tell me, does it run in the family?” I stared hard at him.

He forced a smile, “you know why I don't take your words to heart?” He leaned in once more.

“Because you are a damned fool,” I said, with my focus on the professor, who has started teaching.

Phillip didn't disturb me until the end of class, which I'm grateful for.

I rose from my chair, with my backpack slung on my back, and made to leave, but he stopped me by holding my right wrist in his.

“Let me go!” I glared hard at him with my teeth gritted.

“And if I don't do that?”

I smiled, “seems you wish to join your father so badly, Maribon.” I smirked, “it won't be a tough thing.” I removed my hand from his and turned.

This time, when I made to leave, he didn't stop me because he was too stunned to speak.

Talking about his damned rapist and criminal of a father always keeps him grounded.

With a smile on my face, I left the class and headed towards the bleachers, to track down that Lazy friend of mine.