Blackstone Academy: The Rogue

27. Jax Flores

Jax P.O.V

Date: October 16 , 2238

I stepped into the hallway, stifling a groan while pulling Nova and Stacy's door shut behind me. After a long and insufferable hour of Larry tutoring us, our session was finally over. Throughout the entire thing, I'd been waiting on pins and needles for him to bring up the bet in front of the girls, but he hadn't. In fact, he'd been surprisingly cordial throughout the session.

An act, I'm sure, given the girls' presence.

Spotting him down the hall, I rushed to catch up with him. "Hey!" I shouted as he neared the corner.

He glanced over his shoulder but didn't alter his pace the tiniest bit. The prick was ignoring me. There was no way he hadn't heard me in the empty hallway.

Now more determined than ever, I ran before him, blocking his path and forcing him to stop. "What's your deal, man?" I demanded, standing toe to toe with him. My chest nearly brushed his, but instead of backing up, I held firm.

What the fuck am I doing? I wouldn't have dared to confront Larry a few weeks ago. My new muscles must have boosted my confidence, while alternatively, all the additional sun exposure must have nuked my brain cells.

"What do you mean?" He asked, seemingly genuinely confused as if he hadn't ignored me moments before.

I hesitated briefly before squaring my shoulders and meeting his gaze. "I mean, why are you being nice all of a sudden? And why did you offer to help us study?"

"First of all, I didn't offer to help y'all study. I offered to help Nova."

"Why would you do that?"

He stayed quiet and stared straight ahead while the cogs in my head spun a mile a minute. A thought suddenly popped into my brain.

"Unless..." my eyes narrowed on him. "You have feelings for her, don't you?"

Still, he said nothing but the slightest tick in his jaw gave me all the answer I needed.

"You do!" I yelled, bouncing slightly on my toes before buckling over with laughter. "Oh my god! I can't believe it. Dude, it will never work. She doesn't usually go for assholes."

A murderous gleam appeared in his eyes while his jaw clenched even tighter. So tight I feared he might break a tooth.

"Ne-"

"How did your exam go? What were the results of your blood test?" He interjected abruptly, changing the subject.

I schooled my features, masking my confusion, and scoffed. "Fine, I'm completely healthy."

"Cool. Good luck at the games." He sneered, knocking his shoulder into mine as he strolled past me.

I spun around. "You're not going to call off the bet?"

He stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Why would I do that?"

"Your dad didn't tell you I saved his life?"

"Nope." He turned around with his head slightly tilted and looked me over through narrowed slits. "You know I've wanted to ask something for a while now."

"And what's that?"

"Just... Just where were you rushing off to?"

"When? What are you talking about, Larry?"

He raised one eyebrow, slid his hands in his pockets, and stepped forward once. "You don't remember?"

I shook my head. "No, please enlighten me." The dull monotone of my voice left no room for misinterpretation of my lack of interest in this topic.