Black Sun Academy: The Next Generation (book 1)
Chapter 11

Blaise

What a day! After potions I go back to the dorm. Entering my room, I strip out of my current outfit as I head to the bathroom. Wanting nothing more than a nice long soak in a bathtub full of bubbles, I turn the water on. Once the water reaches a comfortable temperature, I plug the drain and drop in a bath bomb. A fragrance of strawberries and vanilla is released into the water and the air surrounding me. The scent is so relaxing I hurriedly remove the last article of clothing I still have on and slide into the bubble filled tub.

Slipping into the shell of the white porcelain tub an audible “ah” escapes me. The scathing hot water flows over my body as I sink beneath the foamy white bubbles. Just as the water reaches my neck, I stretch out my hand and turn the knob on the faucet to turn the water off. I lower myself once again so that my back rests against the white glass and then pile my hair by the nape of my neck and lean my head on the rim of the tub effectively pinning my vibrant red tresses in place.

I’ve no idea how long I had been soaking in the tub other than the water had cooled off considerably when I hear a knocking at the door. Did Clover forget her room key I question myself as I shout out, “just a second, be right there!”

Quickly I scramble out of the tub grabbing the bath towel I had sat on the back of the toilet at the same time. As I walk to the door, I wrap my towel securely around my body and tuck one corner over my chest, so it won’t fall lose. As I’m swinging the door open, I ask with a laugh, “did you forget your key card, Clover?”

To my complete and utter horror, the person standing in front of me is NOT Clover! “C-Carden? What are you doing here?” I stare up at him wide eyed in surprise.

“Well, HELLO,” Carden says a little too enthusiastically as he looks me over. Desire flashes in those beautiful honey-gold eyes of his. My cheeks turn red as I just remembered I’m standing in the doorway in just a towel! My eyes grow even wider, squealing, I whirl around and slam the door in his face.

“Shit!” I crack the door back open “sorry. Give me just a second. Let me get some clothes on.” Stars in the sky! I can’t believe I had slammed the door in his face.

A shit eating grin spreads across his face causing his eyes to twinkle with mischief. Rolling my eyes, I close the door and walk over to the dresser to grab a pair of shorts and a tank top. With clothes in hand, I go back to the door and open it. “You can come in if you want. I’m just going to go to the bathroom and throw these clothes on really quick.”

“Take your time. No rush,” Carden says as he leisurely strolls into my room. I watch him for a second and bite my lower lip as I question myself about letting him in instead of making him wait out in the hallway. After another second of staring at him I turn around and walk into the bathroom. A couple of minutes later I wander back out into our bedroom/lounge area trying to appeal casual even though my heart pounds against my chest like a drummer beating a bass drum.

Freezing mid-step my mouth falls open and I stare at Carden who is sprawled out on my bed, arms behind his head, staring at my ceiling. “Make yourself at home why don’t ya.” He turns his head in my direction, and I watch as his eyes slowly travel up my legs, over my cut off jean shorts, across my mid-drift where an inch of my toned stomach is exposed.

Carden licks his lips before his gaze continues upward. I can’t tell if he realizes that I’ve opted not to put a bra on, but his eyes widen slightly like he’d be curious to replace out.

Once his eyes lock with mine a grin slowly spreads across his face. I place a hand on my hip, “is there something you wanted? Why’d you come here?”

Carden’s grin turns sly, “oh there’s something I wanted all right... but for as to why I came over here, I thought I’d see if you’d like to join me for dinner?”

“I, uh, what?” The question has caught me off guard. “Well, I mean, I’ll be down in the cafeteria around five when dinner is going to be served. You didn’t need to come ask me to go down there with you...” I’m sure my facial expression shows just how confused I feel.

Carden shakes his head as I say this and then chuckles. “Ha, ha. No, I didn’t mean down at the cafeteria. There’s a dinner on the other side of campus in town. And I thought you’d like to go with me. They have the best milkshakes and cheeseburgers in a fifty-mile radius.”

“Oh, in that case, yeah. That sounds like fun! What time were you thinking and where should I meet you?” In my mind I’m doing a giddy happy dance that he wants to grab a bite to eat with me.

“I was thinking the common area around 6 p.m. if that’s cool with you?” He’s hovering near the door now waiting for me to reply.

Nodding my head yes, I add, “totally cool. I’ll see you then.”

“Yeah, sweet. See you then.” I can’t keep the stupid grin from spreading across my face as he leaves my room. And as soon as the door clicks shut, I squeal (not too loudly), and bounce on my feet excitedly. And then I wonder where in the world Clover is.

Lighting the screen up on my phone I realize I don’t have her number to be able to get a hold of her. I also see it’s 4:50. I scurry to the closet and flip through my outfits that I have hanging up. Does he consider this a date? I stare at the summer dresses as I ponder this thought.

∞

Carden

I didn’t refer to getting a bite to eat with Blaise as a date and now I’m regretting that fact. Not that we’re going anywhere fancy or anything, but I want to look nice for her. I left the blue jeans I had on, but I switch out the t-shirt I’m wearing for a black polo shirt. Spritzing a bit of my sandalwood cologne, I run a hand through my hair a couple of times to tame bits that might be sticking up. Briefly I wonder where Braeden is but at the same time, I don’t really want him questioning me.

I swing the door open to leave only to see Braeden standing on the other side. “Oh shit! You scared me bro!” He laughs for a second but then he notices I’ve changed my shirt.

“Where you going, Car? You got a hot date or something?” Braeden slaps a hand on my shoulder simultaneously pushing me aside so he can come into the room. Fuuuck! I think to myself.

“Huh? Oh, I thought I’d go off campus and get a bite to eat. You want me to bring anything back for you?” Pleading to the stars that he doesn’t think about coming with me, I glance at him hesitantly waiting for him to answer.

Braeden rubs a hand along his jaw as he thinks about it. “Yeah, I’d love it if you’d bring me back a burger, fries, and a chocolate shake. Sort of trying to avoid going to the cafeteria this evening. I’d rather not see Morgan if I can help it.”

I nod my head in understanding because I’ve already heard through the gossip mill about their ’break-up’. “Yeah, no problem, dude. I’ll be back in about two hours or so.”

As I shut the door behind me, I hear Braeden shout from the other side, “Thanks Car!”