Wicked Minds and Wicked Hearts

- Chapter 5 -

Pancakes and Life Preservers

Nina

     History, mathematics, basic science, literature, and two not yet scheduled training sessions later, Nina was free from the bondage of her class schedule. Her schedule was significantly easier to deal with than other students mainly because of the whole no powers thing. It made her life easier, but also more complicated and frustrating. As she walked through the third-floor south wing, more pressing matters were on her mind such as getting the journal back from Laurence. She really hated confrontation, truly, but she needed that damned thing back from him. She quickened her pace as she ran over how she wanted the scenario to go in her head. Perhaps it was wasted time creating these fake scenarios since nothing ever seemed to go according to plan. Still, she couldn't help but pray for a peaceful and happy ending. 

     The door to the Cobra Dormitory was left propped open. The common room was empty, the only voices to be heard were the other men hanging out in their rooms. Hopefully, Leo isn't back in his room yet. Nina crossed the threshold and prepared herself for the annoyance that is Laurence's presence. She knocked three times lightly. There was no answer. She contemplated just turning around and going back to her room for the night. Maybe she could bury herself under her covers to try and mask the shame of her cowardice. No. She wasn't going to do that. She knocked three more times, this time with more confidence and vigor. She looked behind her to see if anyone was watching. She was completely invisible to the other men in the dormitory. 

     The door opened abruptly. Laurence in all his tallness gazed down at her. He crossed his arms and leaned up against the door frame. His hair was tousled as if he had just been in bed. Light muscles showed themselves as he tightened the fold of his arms. He was wearing a black tank and grey sweatpants. Maybe he had been sleeping. Nina willed the guilt of her surprise visit away as she refocused on the task at hand. He tilted his head lazily, "And here I thought you'd never show up."

     "Where is it?" she didn't have time to play mind games. Okay, she did have time, but she didn't want to be around Laurence for longer than she needed to be. 

     "Where's what?" He feigned ignorance. She exhaled through her nostrils loudly. If this were a cartoon, she was certain steam would've appeared. She weighed her options. Either she could engage in another round of verbal combat with Laurence or she could search for the journal herself. Though invasive, the latter sounded better. She pushed past him into the room. Her forwardness seemed to take him back as he wasn't quick enough to hide the surprise on his face. He changed his position so he was leaning back against the wall. "If you wanted me alone in my room, love, you could've just asked."

     She turned her head and looked at him through narrow eyes, "Don't flatter yourself." He grinned, only to have it vanish a second later when he realized what she was doing. She started with the dresser not caring about being decent with his belongings. No journal there. She shuffled the stacks of sketchbooks and journals on his desk hoping one of them would be it. Nope. Her next task was the closet. He came up behind her when she slid the door open roughly. There was nothing but clothes and shoes. She slammed the door shut. She threw his two pillows off his bed and stripped it of its comforter and sheets. She even lifted up the mattress to check for good measure.

     He finally tried to stop her, "Is this really necessary?"

     "Completely. In fact, it would go faster if you would help me look." She pulled his desk drawer open and rummaged around. There was nothing but newly bought pencils and empty sketchbooks. She slammed the drawer shut and made a quick survey of the mess on the floor. It wasn't in here. He had to have hidden it somewhere else.