Crystal's one escape from the pretentious life her parents want for her is the dreams that fill her mind as she sleeps. In those dreams awaits the same boy who comes to her night after night, filling her heart with hope that can only be a fantasy. T...
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My heart kicks into overdrive as I jump down from the table, each racing beat matching the rhythm of my feet hitting the ground. I could chase directly after her but that would be too noticeable. Besides, I'd much rather surprise her and watch those big blue eyes fill with shock for a second time.
So with that vision in mind, I run as fast as I can to the back of the girls' dorm. With Star...Crystal having to weave her way through the crowd, my chances of catching her are pretty damn good. I should be able to cut her off at the fire exit in the stairwell because there's no way McClay put his precious treasure on the first floor. He wouldn't dare make it that easy for me.
Reaching the outside steps to the fire exit, I slide under the railing before getting to my feet and grabbing the door handle. The whole time, my veins pump with excitement I shouldn't feel. This isn't meant to be fun. Crystal played me and I don't forgive people that stab me in the back. She's not my Star.
She never was.
Still, I can't deny that a part of me deep down is loving every moment of this. Call it adrenaline or the thrill of the hunt, but as much as I don't want to admit it, I know it's more than that.
Yanking the door open, I peek in just to make sure the stairwell is empty. It is, but not for long. I slip in and a second later my target appears. She doesn't even notice me in her blind attempt to escape until she runs face-first into my chest.
"Oof," she huffs, stunned for a moment. "Sorry, excuse me."
I place my hands on her shoulders, guiding her to take a step back while she keeps her head down, too out of it to realize she hasn't just bumped into a resident of this building. I don't know if that should worry me, please me, or piss me off. She should be more careful, but I like that I can surprise her now while also being irked that she can't just sense me the way I did her in the courtyard.
I guess the guys are right, I do have issues.
When I don't let go of her shoulders, she tries to simply turn for the stairs. I won't let her, tightening my hold on her.
Slowly, she finally lifts her head and those ocean-blue eyes meet mine, growing double in size as her full lips open with a silent gasp.
"C...C-Captain," she stammers.
I hate how that one word sends a jolt of energy through my body and makes the deep-down part of me rejoice in satisfaction.
"Star," I say, my gaze holding her in place as much as my hands are. But I know there's no warmth in my voice or the cruel twist of my lips, and that deep down part of me is pissed at me for that. "Or should I say, Crystal?"
I thought her eyes couldn't get any bigger but I was wrong. Her shoulders tremble beneath my touch and when she tries to back away, I follow, refusing to let go as my hands travel down her arms.
