Be My Mascot

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Bailey's POV

Early the next morning, I got dressed in workout shorts and a blank tank after waking up in the quiet dorm room. I slipped my Nike sneakers on and grabbed my phone, collecting my thoughts for the day together. Aubrey and I were going to the gym before our 10:00 class.

I wasn't quite convinced if volleyball was the best idea. I had no clue how many practices there would be, along with games and tournaments. I was just hoping that homework wasn't going to be a problem. It may not be so bad, though. I mean, Aubrey will be there so I'll be fine.

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud knocking. I traveled over to the door and opened it, revealing a smiling Aubrey.

"Hi!" She warmly grinned.

Her outfit consisted of spandex shorts and a Nike shirt.

"Ready to go?" I asked, grabbing my key from the sidetable.

"Yup."

She backed into the hallway as I swung the door behind me, joining her. My key slid through the hole, locking it.

We talked the whole time while walking to the gym. She was very excited for the try-outs. I tried to stay positive, but honestly I was a little nervous. What if I didn't make it, but Aubrey did? Or what if I made it, but she didn't? It would be embarrassing both ways.

We passed some other students on our way. Each one carried a heavy backpack on their shoulders.

The door of the gym was pulled open by me and we walked inside, a gust of cool air hitting our bodies. Everything was just how it was two days ago. The only difference was that there were barely five people here. All were men and none of them were familiar to the eye. The overwhelming smell of testosterone filled my senses.

Aubrey and I made our way to the corner where the treadmills sat. My body bent over and I collected my long brown hair into my right hand. It was pulled up to a high ponytail. The hair swung from left to right once I started on the machine.

I had placed earbuds in my ears and took out my iPhone the moment I got on, the music shuffling. The first song that played was Little Bird by Ed Sheeran. I closed my eyes for a moment, singing the song in my head. Aubrey's attention was towards the television that hung above the treadmills. It was playing the morning news. She was intent on watching that while keeping a steady pace of running.

My arms moved with my body as I mirrored her actions. I always enjoyed running. In my seventh year of school, I was on the track team. I wouldn't say I was the best, but I could earn a medal at meets. That was enough for me.

My eyes had momentarily opened when my music stopped. The song had ended and I was choosing another one when the door opened. I looked up to see the next visitor.

My head shot right back down once I saw who it was. Chase Michaels had come in with that Niall Horan boy. God, they're inseparable. My breath hitched in my throat when both of their eyes pierced my own.

Chase was the first one to look away and pick up a set of weights. Niall held my gaze for a moment longer. His watch on me was emotionless, just like yesterday. Did he ever smile? Niall dropped his duffle bag to the floor, continuing to intently stare at me. I was the one to look away, feeling uncomfortable. I frowned, focusing on my pace.

After running, Aubrey and I left the gym to return to our dorms and take a shower. We got to class just in time. I noticed that Niall and Chase were already sat in their seats, both staring at us. No smile or wink like before. Just a dead stare.

I bit my lip, looking down. We shuffled to our seats, setting our books down on the table. I pulled my hair to one side in an effort to control my shakiness. There was something about their presence. It was eerie, dark, and creepy. Their muscular body frame didn't help their appearance.

I tapped my pen on the table many times before the professor finally came into the room. He started the lesson by writing a famous paragraph of speech on the chalkboard. I could feel eyes burning in the back of my head. The only part I wasn't sure of, was if the eyes belonged to Chase or Niall.

******

Class finally ended and Aubrey and I were the first ones to leave the room. My next class was in one hour. I had some homework to do for Law. Aubrey was coming with me to my dorm room so we could do the work together.

As we walked the path to Western Hall, I turned my head around. It was quickly whipped back forward and I tugged Aubrey closer to me.

My lips harshly whispered in her ear, "They're following us."

I turned my head straight to look at the resident building. We were so close. A short sprint could distance us quite well.

"I think they live in Western Hall, too."

I frowned at her words. These creeps live here?

And Aubrey was correct. While we went to my floor, Niall and Chase silently made their way to the fifth floor.

Huh. I've never met quiet jocks. I thought they were loud and obnoxious. I had a feeling that they're keeping that part of them hidden.