𝙃𝘼𝙉𝘿𝙋𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙎 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙎𝘾𝙍𝙄𝘽𝘽𝙇𝙀𝘿 𝙒𝙊𝙍𝘿𝙎; 𝙃𝙊𝙊𝘿𝙔

Chapter 30

        I couldn't sleep that night. The thought of everything that was happening kept me awake. I wanted to sleep so badly, even as I listened to Katie's soft snores as she cuddled with Carrie across the room. Even with Hoody's arms wrapped securely around me, his chest pressed to my back.

He was definitely awake, probably waiting for me to fall asleep. I dreaded the class I had that morning; the thought of having to go to one of Mr. Harrington's lectures made me wish I was asleep.

It would get me some time to think, though. I stiffened as I thought about how much my grades probably dropped with being kidnapped and everything. I balled my fist tightly, my nails digging into the skin of my palm.

Hoody's larger hand covered my own, trying to pry my hand open. I did the best I could to resist him, yet he was stronger than I was. I pulled my hand from him in response, causing him to let out a huff.

His arms pulled away from me, and I nearly sighed with relief as he shifted onto his other side. I was slightly colder now, but with a stubborn look, I stayed facing the way I was. "Get some sleep, Starlight." I barely heard him whisper. He shifted, pressing his face onto my shoulder before moving back to facing away from me.

It felt like hours before my alarm went off. My hand shot out to quickly silence my phone, and I noticed Katie's also going off as well. I sat up, running a hand down my face with a sigh through my nose.

Light barely streamed in from the curtains, and as I glanced to my side, I saw liquid eyes staring at me. Hoody was frowning as he watched me, but I ignored that, opting to get up and cross the room.

My hand landed gently on Katie's shoulder, shaking it gently. She barely opened her eyes, looking at me. I could practically see her thought process as she registered her alarm. She reached over to her nightstand, shutting off her alarm. "I'm up." She whispered, her fingers rubbing at her eyes.

Carrie stretched, signalling that she was awake. A soft groan left her lips, and I smiled at her before walking over to my closet. I looked at my clothes and sighed, grabbing a pair of sweats and a hoodie.

I changed as quickly as I could, throwing whatever I previously had on into my hamper before dropping the yellow hoodie onto Hoody, who was still laying in my bed. He grumbled as he reached up to pull it off of where it landed on his face, and I turned around, ignoring him entirely.

The soulmates on the other side of the room noticed the tension, heading out of the room to presumably the bathroom or Carrie's room, judging by the clothes in Katie's hands. They left quietly, the door clicking shut behind them and leaving the room silent.

I froze as I stared at my backpack, realizing I had missed so many classes that would probably be kicked out at this rate. Running my hands down my face, I sat in my desk chair, trying to ignore the memories of Stacy from last night as I bit my tongue.

"Talk." Hoody commanded quietly as he sat up in my bed, his eyes steely and not wanting to deal with any type of bullshit I could come up with. I didn't care, though, as I stayed silent, staring at the carpet on Katie's side of the room. "Starlight."

His voice was firm, the rustling from my bed telling me that he was getting up from his spot. He kneeled in front of me, his hands on my knees as he gazed up at me. I allowed myself to make eye contact, watching as his eyes grew from steel to liquid mercury.

So toxic.

So deadly.

If I let him have me, it would be like I was drowning in the element. I would slowly lose my mind and my sense of self.

But who's to say I haven't already started that process?

I could never know if it was the soulmate connection doing this to me or my twisted taste in men.

He had to have known the effect he had on me, especially as my name fell softly from his thin lips. His posture was making himself seem smaller and more comforting, which was throwing me off a bit.

"Hoody..." I muttered, unable to look away from his eyes as my hands fell to rest on his. He didn't move, acting patient as he waited for me to speak. "Everything with Stacy is still in my head, and the fact that I'll probably be kicked out of university because of my absences and low grades."

His eyes fell slightly closed, the blond eyebrows above them furrowing ever so slightly. "I'm sorry." The apology made my eyes widen as I sat up straighter. It was the first time he had properly apologized to me, and here he was, basically on his knees, acting as if he was beneath me in this situation.

I felt bad, but at the same time, part of this was also because of him.

I just didn't know how to feel or what to say.

He shoved his face into my knees, his grip tightening. His shoulders were tense, and I couldn't tell if he was trying to make me feel bad or not.

Our moment was interrupted by a knock on our door before it slowly opened, Katie and Carrie quietly making their way in. The former of the pair glanced down at Hoody, raising a brow, but I just shook my head with a small shrug of my shoulders.

Inhaling, I ran my hand through his hair, noticing it was shockingly soft for how he lived. "I need to get to my lecture." He popped up immediately, his eyes back to the steel gray they usually were as he stared up at me.

"I'm coming with." With that, he stood, moving over to my bag and grabbing it before I could ever begin to protest.

I stood up after him, following him over to my bag as I grabbed onto his arm. "No, you aren't. I doubt there's even enough seats!" He grabbed his hoodie, pulling it on before taking out his pistol to make sure it was loaded and made sure the safety was on. Carrie yelped quietly from behind me as I pushed it into his pocket. "You cannot come with me."

"There are enough seats. I need to protect you. I'm fucking going to be there whether you like it or not. It's either I'm in there next to you or I watch you from afar. Your choice, Starlight."

I faltered as he stared down at me, his hand still gripping my bag as I held onto his arm. Katie cleared her throat from behind me, and I looked at her, knowing Hoody was still staring at me. "There are enough seats, and I think it's fine if he comes with us. I also want you to be safe, and if he's your best option, take it." A slight glare settled on my face as she took his side, feeling slightly offended as I turned back to him.

"Fine." I grumbled, hating the fact that I had to agree as a smug grin overtook his face. The urge to punch him right in the face was strong at that moment. "Let's get going."