Touch Me While I Taste You
Chapter 45

Chapter 45

45

Arabella Rivera

Monday had rolled in quickly. I hated Mondays, in fact, I think that was the only thing the rest of humanityand I had i n common.

I also didn’t get much sleep last night, seeing that my parents were roaring at each other the entire night.The shattering of glass as it hit a hard surface, wasn’t something I could get out of my head.

The sound had replayed over and over in my head every time I tried to succumb to my exhaustion lastnight. Apparently, father worked overtime and had not bothered to inform his wife, my mother.

Something so little brought on such rage that they invoked insomnia in their daughter without evenknowing. Or maybe they did, and just didn’t care.

“Arabella.” A nudge on my shoulder has REDMI NOTE VS groaning. Another nudge and I

QUADCA vertemplated if to curse or kill the person

slowly.

I squeezed my arm around my face as I try to get comfortable on the desk. At any moment now, sleepwould consume me and I didn’t care that I was in the middle o fclass and was supposed to be jottingdown……what again?

Crap I can’t remember.

“Arabella.” Another nudge nearly has my head rolling off my arm. I hissed but refused to get up or sparehim a word. I was tired, exhausted, sleep-deprived and all the other words that resonated with it. Can’t agirl get some rest?

“If you keep this up Mr. Boyd would have you out of the class.” Christian grumble.

“Yeah what he said. Wake your lazy sexy ass up.” A slap on the back of my head had me snapping upand pinning Gwen with a nasty glare. She quickly points at the corner of her mouth and mouths drool.

I swiftly wipe the corners of my mouth, indeed feeling the wetness of my own saliva that somehowtrickled down the corners of my mouth.

Suddenly a heavy feeling of being

swidenly a heavy feeling of being watched laps over me. My eyes, without any warning, draw towardsthe piercing eyes I could sense from across the room. Brown. Deep. And calculating.

Something tightens in my stomach and snakes all the way down to my core. I knew that feeling

A feeling Haiden only seemed to invoke i n me whenever he is near. I suppose that’s a lie seeing that hedoesn’t have to be near me anymore to have the feeling affect me.

His eyes tear away from my face and settle on Christian who chose to sit near me today.

Haiden’s jaw ticked and the dark looming shadow of annoyance colored his eyes quickly. He snaps hishead to the front and for the rest of the class doesn’t spare me another glance.

His actions were confusing, irritating and very immature. I can’t keep up with his cold attitude then hishot. It’s like he intentionally wants to mess with my head and sadly my betraying body.

Why talk to me one day than the naut

neau anu saury my beraymy vody.

Why talk to me one day then the next, treat me like I was the spawn of Satan? H e was complicatedalong with chaotic.

Certainly those were red flags to stay away from.

Most of the students had packed up and left as soon as they heard the ding of the bell. But Gwen andChristian waited for m e to pack up. I could sense Gwen’s urgency as she wanted to get out of Mr.Boyd’s class as soon as possible. But I was too tired to move quicker in packing u p my stuff. Andprobably a little grumpy. But wasn’t I always?

“Come on slowpoke. I know the turtle won the race but that’s pushing it. I mean how is that evenpossible? Did Mr. Turtle magically grow a set of rollerskates under his belly or did he use some sort ofmagic trick?” She voiced out seeming to be getting lost in her head.

“You definitely lost the moral of the story. The turtle won because he used his brains. He was smarterthan the cocky

rabbit.” Christian shrugged.

rabbit.” Christian shrugged.

Gwen rolled her eyes, pursing her cherry glossy lips. “Great another genius like Arabella. Will I always benamed the dumb blonde in the group?” She exasperated

I narrowed my eyes at her face while swinging the bag strap over my shoulder. “No one calls you that.” Ipointed out.

She clicks her tongue. “How would you know? You never listen to anyone or pay attention!”

“Will you teenagers get out of my class! I don’t want to hear your teenage problems or your obtuseconversation. If I wanted t o hear drama and stupid talk, I’d go to the cinema or the bar.” Mr. Boyd snapsas he loads a stack of papers in his binder.

Both Gwen and Christian looked utterly lost and dumbstruck by Mr. Boyd’s use of words. Honestlyspeaking, it wasn’t the worse he could say.

His pinched face looks at me. “Arabella, come to this class when your last class is finished. I’m havingtrouble with the boy t o agree with the arrangement. Hopefully, by then, he’ll come to his senses.”

I nodded while walking towards Gwen and Christian, who stood beside the door. “Sure Mr. Boyd.” Ibarely got to finish the last words when Gwen’s fingers circled around my wrist quickly and tugs me outof the class.

“Jeez did you want to dislocate my arm from its socket?” I grumble, prying my hand out of her grip.

She turns to pin me with an impatient glare. “Well if you weren’t taking so long t o pack up then I wouldn’thave to.”

I rolled my eyes and began walking.” Then maybe you should’ve helped me pack up. Then we bothwould be happy.” I grumble. I wasn’t exactly in a cherry mood today. In fact, the sound of everyonewalking the hallways made me picture myself stabbing my own ears.

I needed therapy.

“Hey are you okay?”

I turn to Christian who fixed me with a look of worry. I tried to smile. I really did, but I swore I heard mymouth creaking like a rusty wrought iron gate as they forced to crack open.

Torced to crack open.

“Yeah just couldn’t really sleep last night. “It was partly true. But I rather keep most away from anyone. Idon’t think mother or father would appreciate me telling anyone that they were having problems.

Christian nods. “Oh, I’m in the same boat. I couldn’t get a wink last night or Saturday night. Something todo with Haiden coming home late and always spotting either a slash on his face or a bruised eye.Charlotte really let her anger known both nights.” He cringes.

My ears piqued in interest. Christian was right, Haiden did come home later than usual. In fact I barelyget a glimpse of him nowadays. Unfortunately, I found my eyes always looking for the tall brooding boy.

“Right I forgot you’re Haiden Cross’s step -brother. How’s it been living with the Cross’s?” Gwen’squestion piqued with curiosity. I was curious too, but I didn’t want it to be known.

Christian frowns. “Can I say I hate it so much that I’d willingly dig my grave?”

mucul uildLI VIDELN5oy

D

–

0–

“Wow that bad huh?” Gwen asked again. Why is she so interested in all of this? Didn’t she hate anythingthat had to do with Haiden?

Christian nods. “Yep. That bad.”

“What about your dad? Are you getting along with him at least?” She questions, furrowing her brows inthought.

“There‘s one thing I’ve gotten to know about my father. Is that he’s never home. I only saw him for acouple of hours and that was it. But from what I gathered, he and Haiden don’t exactly get along.”Christian answers.

Why was Haiden’s life sounding exactly like mine? Were we not so different after all?

“Are you sure you don’t want me to wait for you? I can wait-”

“No it’s fine. You need to babysit your cousin and besides, I can take a bus. I don’t think Mr. Boyd wouldkeep me that long anyway.” I interrupted Gwen while shrugging

Exactly! Which is why I should wait.” She huffs.

I rolled my eyes. “Gwen just go. I’m sure your cousin is running impatient since her shift is starting soon.I’ll be fine and I’ll text you when I get home.”

“Ugh fine. But promise to text me when you get home?” Gwen demanded.

I nodded. “I cross my heart and never to

die.”

She sighs, nods then turns around to walk to the entrance of the school. “I can

stay if you want?”

I lift my eyes to Christian. “She’s your only ride. Besides, I don’t think you’d enjoy riding the bus. A littlesecret. It always smells of perspiration and fart.”

Christian cringes. “Well in that case, adios.” He waves and starts walking backward. “Have fun on thebus. Oh and text me when you get home.” He sends m e a cheeky smile, winks and turns around tocatch up with Gwen.

I turned around to walk towards the literature class. Everyone had already left

terature class. Everyone had already left except for a few lingering teachers and students.

When I entered the classroom, Mr. Boyd had been packing up his stuff. He looks u p from his briefcasewhen he heard the opening of the door. “Oh, you’re already here. The boy should be here soon.”

I nodded and walked in further. Guess he succeeded in talking the boy into getting tutored.

The door opens harshly a second later, slamming onto the opposite wall with a loud crash. “Speak oldman.”

I know that voice.

A shiver snakes down my spine as I turn around to get pinned by the brown swirls that unnerved me inmany inappropriate ways. Haiden’s eyes gleamed with shock before he locks it away quickly.

“Fucking great.” He curses.