The Monster In Me

Chapter Nine

Nalea

"Need a study partner Thomas?" he asked. Zaiden placed his arms over my shoulder as we exited the lecture hall. He wasn't Mr. popular, but he had the whole mystery vibe going for him, girls like that sort of thing. At least that's what I'd assumed, I could feel them staring into the back of my head. Or maybe that was his friends, curious about his new one.

I don't let it bother me though, I had one thing they don't... the ability to not give two flying fucks and mind my own business.

Did I need a study partner? I have been doing fine on my own so far... did he need a study partner? This could just be him trying to spend time with me.

"Are you offering?" I retorted.

"Is that a yes?"

"Yes," I sighed, if I don't accept defeat now, we'd probably spend the whole afternoon answering questions with questions.

"Great, meet at the library in an hour?"

"Zaiden, my bestest... acquaintance? While I would love to spend my Friday afternoon studying with you, I have plans..." I paused, thinking it through, "What about tomorrow morning? That way the library will be almost empty, most students either have plans or will be nursing a hangover. It'll be me, you... and the nerds and overachievers."

"Makes sense, but I've not seen you talk to a single person here besides me, I literally heard you trying to negotiate with one of the professors to let you present solo."

He made an excellent point there, I did do that, yes.

I rolled my eyes, "I have friends, best friends actually... they don't go here, one's a stripper and the other is... well, she's alive?"

'Barely'

I watched as he eyed me with confusion. I sucked my lips between my teeth, trying to hide the smile itching to cross my lips.

"Thomas, I want to say that's the weirdest thing you said..." he trailed off.

I gave him a playful punch on the shoulder and he ruffled my hair.

Great, I'm going to look like a puppy on my date.

"Well, I-"

My voice trailed off as a set of ice-blue eyes connected with mine, Grayson. He was looking right back at me, Zaiden must have noticed because the smile on his face faltered a little.

"Who's that?" Zaiden asked.

"My plans," I offered.

"Mhmm, is he the stripper or the one that's alive?"

I broke Eye contact with my blue-eyed mate and locked eyes with the golden ones that gives me comfort. He looked a little uncomfortable... like he knew my answer. Maybe it was his empath ability and he felt how I did when my eyes met Gray. Or maybe because he didn't know how to react, but I answered anyway, "neither."

Was it because of our talk yesterday? A part of me knew that I should wait until we talked this out, but another part of me felt as if total honesty would be the answer. Well not total, but what they need to know.

I'll talk to Grayson first.

I took his hand, brought it to my lips, and planted a reassuring kiss that seemed to bring him out of his head. He gave me a light smile... it was fake, he was pretending... for me. I hugged him saying, "I'll see you tomorrow."

Zaiden nodded in response.

This was getting messy, I knew Gray didn't see me kissing Zaiden's hand as I had my back turned to him, but I knew he heard me. I knew he must have seen us walking, he must have seen Z's hand around my shoulders, my hand resting on his lower back, us laughing and talking.