Lessons || MJ

Lessons || Chapter 12

Author's Note: Long chapter alert. Enjoy!

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LESLIE

Professors swamped me with homework that day. Yvonne hadn't returned from lockdown at the office just yet. Witness Protection still couldn't find a way to extend my term here at the university. I'd never felt so concerned and furious at the same time.

I'd occupied myself with another English paper. My finger typed away on the usual dinosaur of a computer. My glasses moved up and down as I glared at the screen, three pages in. Professor Elliott aimed student to write six pages in total by next week.

I wouldn't mind if anything distracted me from the anxious lunch earlier. Max and I ran into different directions for class that hour, but I made a point to still see him when English rolled back around. I'd greeted everyone but Darryl in class just hours before. This boy wouldn't understand restrictions if these boundaries hit him in the head.

I already saved my draft for the night and planned to snatch up car keys when someone knocked. My eyes looked over to find Max standing in the doorway. His pearly white smile forced a blush to reach my face. The keys still rested in my hand by now.

"Where you going?" Max stared down at the floor bashfully. I laughed to myself and put the keys back onto that desk.

I chewed my bottom lip watching the delicious boyfriend in front of me. It wasn't very long before I spoke up. "There's a Mexican place down the street and I'm hungry." Max already stared down at the floor and sat down on Yvonne's lower bunkbed. I never minded the top.

"Could I tag along, babe? You look fried." Max pouted as he bent from underneath the bunkbed. His eyes fixated on me across the room.

"Sure." I snatched up keys once more.

My baby followed out of here before long. A university sweatshirt replaced his favorite jacket, but I still noticed that somewhat worn-out hat topping his head. We passed leaving students down this hallway as expected.

I decided to tease him as we held hands in the parking lot now. Our gloved hands locked to hide from the fall air. "How come you rarely take this off, babe? I like your hair."

"I don't like it. Reminds me of my father and his dull business suits." Max almost whined. I giggled standing close to my white Audi now.

I pouted, taking his hand. "Baby, you'd look classy in a suit. And trust me, photographers can't always wear hats and leather jackets. What if you meet a celebrity one day?"

"Eh. That's a good point." Just when Max leaned in to kiss me, a loud voice ran through this crowded Friday parking lot.

"Max!" I gaped at the sight of Darryl.

Turk and Fredrick probably hid away somewhere off campus. I couldn't blame them at all in view of the impending drama right now. Students nearby stopped in tracks to observe everything. I would only focus on the people vying for me. Just as before, the parking lot hushed with curiosity and anticipation.

Before Max could retaliate, I held onto his shoulders. His shoes skirted back and forth as I tried to calm him down. Nothing worked. As I screamed along with everyone else around, Max charged toward Darryl with nothing short of anger in his usually soft brown eyes.

"Max! Stop choking him!" My voice croaked while tears sprang from my eyes. His words shouted lough enough for all to hear as a fellow student fought to hold me back. Max pushed Darryl onto the front of the Wrangler. A strong found its place around Darryl's neck.