The Imperfect Girl

Chp. 15 - His Daily Routine

(Third Person)

Adeline had gotten used to Damon's constant presence. 

Well, 'used to' was pushing it—more like, learned how to tolerate him. 

Barely.

 But today, something felt off. There was an odd energy about him, like he was simmering under the surface. 

His usual cocky grin was in place, but she could tell there was more he wasn't saying.

[Later]

"Addie!" His voice rang out across the quad. 

She groaned internally, quickly burying herself in her notes. 

Maybe, just maybe, if she pretended not to hear him, he'd lose interest.

Of course, she was dreaming, Again.

Within seconds, he was there, sliding into the seat next to her with a grin that screamed trouble. "You've been dodging me, Addie."

Her pencil stilled, and without even glancing at him, she sighed. "Dodging? I think you're confusing 'dodging' with 'avoiding'."

Damon chuckled, though it seemed less vibrant than usual. His usual spark was dimmed.

 Instead of the flirty comeback she expected, he just stared out at the sky, a little too serious for her liking. 

His shoulders were tense, his leg bouncing as if he were holding something in.

Adeline frowned. It wasn't like him to be so... broody. 

She didn't want to ask. She really didn't. 

But, for some reason, the question slipped out before she could stop herself. "You okay?"

He glanced at her, amused, as though her concern was a foreign concept. "What? Concern from you? This is a new development."

Adeline rolled her eyes. "Forget I said anything."

"Nah," Damon smirked, though it didn't reach his eyes. 

"I'm fine. Just... thinking." He replied more seriously to her question this time.

She waited, expecting him to elaborate, but he didn't. 

Instead, he quickly shifted the focus back onto her, his usual tone slipping back into place. "But enough about me. Let's talk about your 'tragic love life'."

She snorted, shaking her head. "You're assuming I have one."

"Well, considering I'm here, it's tragic for sure."

Their banter felt like routine now, though today it didn't quite hit the mark. 

Before she could press him further, a group of girls passed by. Adeline felt their eyes burn into her skin before they even opened their mouths.

"No wonder Damon's always around her. Must be some kind of charity case," one of them muttered, her friends giggling in agreement.

Adeline clenched her jaw, ignoring them like she always did. She had thicker skin than that. 

But what she didn't expect was Damon's reaction. He was up in a flash, his whole demeanor flipping as he took a step toward them.

"What was that?" His voice was low, dangerous.

Adeline stood quickly, grabbing his wrist. "Damon. Let's just go."

He didn't move, his eyes still locked on the girls, who were now looking more nervous than amused. "I'm serious. Say it to her face."

They mumbled something incoherent and scurried off, but Damon was still tense. Adeline tugged him back, shaking her head. "Not worth it."

His eyes flicked back to hers, his expression softening, but his jaw was still tight. "I can't stand them looking at you like that."

She blinked, taken aback by the rawness of his voice, the depth of his words. 

Damon, 'Mr. Nothing-Bothers-Me', sounded genuinely pissed off. 

For her.

"Well, get used to it," she muttered, her grip tightening on his wrist. "I have."

They walked in silence after that, the playful banter temporarily on hold. 

**

Over the next few days, Damon's mood didn't improve. 

He tried, oh how he tried, to annoy her like usual—calling her 'Addie,' sneaking into her classes, loudly disrupting her peace. 

But something else was bubbling underneath, and she could feel it. She just didn't know what to do with it.

Damon kept hovering, constantly by her side, especially when those same girls would pass by. It was like a silent agreement. 

He wouldn't let them get too close, and she wouldn't comment on his weird mood.

**

Damon had made it a daily routine to crash into her classes. 

Every time she looked up, there he was—sitting in the back row, smirking like 'he owned the place.' 

Adeline buried her face deeper into her books, feeling the familiar burn of embarrassment creeping up her neck.

"Addie, you're going to miss the best part of the lecture," he whispered, leaning over just close enough for her to hear. (what do you think that is?- obviously, according to Damon, it's him)

Adeline shot him a withering glare, but he only chuckled, reclining back in his chair as if this were his domain. 

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