Strength |✔️

eleven

Neil

My pencil scribbles words as I copy down the notes from math. I'm sitting at my dorm room on a Tuesday night, where most people would be partying, drunk, having sex, or all of the above. Speaking of parties, there is a club downtown and my friends were asking if I wanted to go, but I rejected. The math final is tomorrow and I can't afford to get a bad grade on this; my parents would KILL me. I take a deep breath and turn the page to work on a new set of problems.

When I finish that page, I push up my glasses and stretch. I need to take a break. I text Alisha, asking if she wants to meet me in my dorm so we can study for the final tomorrow. Once it sends, my heart starts to beat a little faster. What if she rejects me?

Ok, take a deep breath, Neil. It's just to study. Nothing more.

Right when I'm about to delve into my math problems again, my Dad calls me. My heart beats fast again, but for a different reason. I pick up and answer shakily, "Hey, Dad."

"Hello, Neil," he says. He sounds a little bit stressed and angry, I guess, but I may be overthinking. Damn, I really need to chill. "I heard what happened to you at football practice the other day."

Oh shit. He knows.

I gulp. "You know about what happened?"

I could see him nodding disapprovingly. "Neil, I have no idea how many times I tell you. College is not the time to fool around. You need to concentrate on your studies and-"

I snap. "Dad! I can't control fights! My friend just jumped at me and I pushed him back so he wouldn't do anything harmful to me, but turns out he did and I got a big bruise on my jaw but it's better now and I need you to stop stressing me out, okay?" I take a deep breath. "I am doing everything that you want me to do. I got into one of the best colleges in Virginia. I am studying for this math final tomorrow. I rejected a party for studying. Isn't that enough for you?"

Pause overtakes the line. "Neil, calm down. I understand that as well, but, see, this is the thing with football. It causes you to become more violent than necessary and it produces further issues in the future. This is why the coach called me to let me know. He says that you are an amazing player, and I appreciate that, I really do. But, I hate to do this, but in order for you to not be distracted, I requested the coach to not have you play football for the rest of this week."

My throat dries. What the hell did he just say? Football is my damn life, he can't just take it away from me! "Dad... what..." my words are lost in my throat. "Dad, how could you?"

He replies, "Sorry, Neil. I need to make sure you are top in all of your subjects. I know you must be very mad at me, but it is the best thing to do." And then, he just disconnects.

I lay against my chair and put my feet up on my desk. All I hear is my breathing. I know he didn't exempt me from the football team, but from the whole week! That's actually messed up.

And I won't be able to play in the first game of the season, which really sucks. I sigh and play with my hair, since it kind of causes me less stress to do so. Then, I look at my phone and see that Alisha hasn't texted me back yet. I can't ask my friends to give me company, since most of them are at parties, and Alisha hadn't told me if she was going out anywhere, so I might as well call her.

I huff a breath as the phone rings. It rings and rings and rings and rings. Finally it goes to voicemail. Her voicemail is her saying, Hey, it's Alisha! Sorry I couldn't make it to the phone. Make sure to leave a voicemail!

I sigh as her sweeet, sing-songy voice plays against my phone. Then it makes that beeping sound, which indicates that the voicemail has begun. I clear my throat. "Hi, Alisha. It's Neil. Sorry to bother you, I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out. Bye."

I clutch my phone against my chest and stare at the wall. What I am doing just sitting here like a total loner? I can't be studying all the time; I need to carry on my social status as well.

My mind immediately changes to Alisha, and thinking about how I called her and texted her, and she didn't even reply. But, her beautiful body and flawless face images into my mind. I think of her eyes, which are so gorgeous and grey. I think of her lips, which are so luscious and pink. I think of her rubbing her soft and small hands on my jaw, making sure I am okay. I think of her long, soft hair. I think of the way her lips move so gracefully when she speaks. I think of the way she walks, so gracefully and so attractively. I think of her smile, and how sexy her dimples are. I think of the way of how much strength she has, trying to get away from her past and starting a new life. And I couldn't be happier that I ran into her.

Literally.

A small, goofy smile places on my face. I miss her. I really do. I grab my phone, which is clutched to my chest, and call her again, which she doesn't pick up. The smile gets replaced by a frown. I don't think she's okay. She should pick up by now.

I quickly put on my JV FOOTBALL EAGLES sweatshirt and wear adidas sweatpants, just in case it's cold outside. It gets cold really easily here in UVA.

My roommate is in the bathroom, probably taking a shower, so I leave a note for him that I have left to go somewhere. Not like he's going to care anyways, but it's worth a shot.

I step out of my dorm room and go down the stairs. Boys and girls are separate, so Alisha is basically on the other side of the college for me. I literally had to run to her dorm when I wanted to meet her yesterday.

I step out of college and inform the dean that I am going to go on a run. He mumbles something, which he indicates that I can go.

I step into the chilly, night air. Okay, Neil. Time to find Alisha.

The small, town in front of us has a Pizza Hut, a tattoo parlor, a bar, and some other stores in this area. I see some people walking on the sidewalks, laughing, doing some crazy shit. Huh, they look like the people from UVA.

Then, I see something suspicious near Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut is near a dark corner, or alleyway, so something must've gone wrong there. But oh my God... Alisha... she might be in that alleyway... in danger...

I start to walk faster and jog a little. I need to be slick about this so people don't get suspicious that i'm about to go inside of an alleyway. Once I am safe, I run.

But, before I can go for a full sprint, I hear noises. Once they become familiar, I immediately recognize who the voices belong to. I hide behind a trash can, which is several feet away from them. I can't hear exactly what they're saying, though.

I just knew that Alisha would be here. But I am confused. She's talking to a man, whom I presume she's not having an enjoyable conversation with. Huh.

I continue listening. Then, the conversation starts to get a little violent. The man, who seems a little bulky and muscular, yells at Alisha. Alisha yells back and says something incomprehensible. Then, the unexpected happens. The muscular and bulky man grabs Alisha, and she screams.

And I jump out.

*********************************************************************

A/N:

Whoooooa. The drama and suspense is really starting to build up. Chapter 12 sure is going to be something to look forward to, I can tell you that....

Sorry if the last few chapters are a bit short. I am just now getting used to the "Writing atmosphere" so please excuse my errors, haha. But I can assure you that this story is going to be really amazing, so I won't let yall down!

Also, I am really trying to get this story to be popular on wattpad. So, if you like this story, please let people know about this story and to read it, I would very much appreciate it! And if you do, please message me. I will follow you and, if you have stories, I will read them and give writer's feedback, if my tight schedule allows, haha!

And as always, make sure to stay tuned for future chapters!

-ru <3