Blackstone Academy: The Rogue

6. Troy Roman

Troy (Male P.O.V)

Date: September 14, 2238

I sprinted across the field, using my arms to shield my head from the sudden downpour of rain. My boots splashed in muddy puddles, sending the brown water flying with each of my footsteps.

"Come on, get inside!" I glimpsed through my blurry vision the security guards holding open the doors to the coed residential building. One of their arms swung madly, beckoning us inside while holding umbrellas in the other hand.

"Aaahhh!" 

Blinking rapidly, I glanced over my shoulder at the sound of the high-pitched scream behind me.

"Shit!" I turned around and jogged towards the girl sprawled in the wet grass surrounded by loose papers.

"You alright?" I asked when I reached her while quickly collecting her stuff.

"Yeah, I'm okay." She lightly chuckled as she stood to her feet. "Thanks for the help."

I nodded and handed her the stack of damp papers as a guard appeared by our side, holding an umbrella over our heads. Together we made our way to the building and out of the rain.

After leaving the umbrellas by the door, she starts for the right hallway but stops halfway and turns back.

"Troy..."

My brow furrowed while trying to place her voice as she retraced her steps back over to me. She pushed the sopping black tresses clinging to her face back and looked up from underneath her lashes.

Fuck! I knew I'd run into her sooner or later, and honestly, I preferred later. Much later. This was my retribution for trying to help someone in need. In an attempt not to let my annoyance show through, I waited for her to continue with a blank expression.

"Would you like to dry off in my room?" She offered a slightly husky undertone to her voice.

Hell no! I was never going there again. I had meant what I told Nova. Karla and I were just sex buddies, and there was no need to rekindle what we had. Our relationship, for lack of a better word, had ended peacefully between us and only lasted for a month at the end of our first year. But after breaking up, everyone labeled me the "bad guy" when news broke out. And while I don't give a damn what they think, there was no need to repeat past mistakes.

"Nah, I got towels in my room." I cooly replied before turning for the elevator.

The makings of a smile appeared on my face while crossing the stained linoleum floor and trying, unsuccessfully, to avoid the two vents blasting cool air on each side of the entranceway. My clothes clung to my shivering body, but it didn't dampen my mood as I stepped around a yellow 'wet floor' sign and into the elevator.

The ride up to the fourth floor didn't take long, and soon I stood before my dorm room. After fishing the plastic keycard from my pocket, I slid it through the card reader over the door handle. The tiny lights in the lock flashed green as it chirped, disengaging before I entered.

The bright glow from Jax's computer screens filled the room and illuminated my path across the clothes-strewn floor.

"It's pouring out there. Why are you sitting in the dark?" I asked, flicking on the light switch before grabbing a towel from the bathroom and standing in the doorway.

"I didn't notice," he said while I dried myself off.

Classic Jax. It wasn't unusual for him to get so immersed in his work or whatever task he deemed imperative that he blocked out things.