Devil on the Rooftop [Book 1]

Chapter 4 - Khaleel

I stared at my smartphone, my finger hovering over the contact name: Old Man.

I was too nervous to press the dial button, too anxious to know if everything Dean Cartwright said was true. Dad and I hadn't spoken over the phone in quite some time, and after I moved out of the family villa, I only ever communicated with him through text, or his secretary, Kumar Uncle. Dad was too busy investing in the stock market and start ups to make time for me. If I had to guess, I would say he never received any of the notice of suspensions or the letters of concern Jackheights emailed him. All the donations made to keep me in private school were probably arranged by Kumar Uncle too.

My eyes searched the sky, hopelessly, for an answer I wasn't sure I deserved. I always knew I wasn't a priority to him. I took advantage of it and acted out on purpose. I figured if I did enough 'unacceptable' things that he would pay attention to me. It was stupid, crying wolf to someone who never feared them in the first place. I could take the coward's way out and phone his secretary for confirmation, but if Dad was considering sending me back to the homeland, it might be better to bite the bullet and confront him myself.

"I've been reckless," I groaned, sitting cross-legged on a rooftop ramp.

"Yeah," Zander drawled from beside me.

We ditched second period together, determined to enjoy the cool breeze while it lasted. Spring was right around the corner, as were midterms, which meant accessing our favourite hang out spot would become more challenging in the upcoming seasons.

"As if he's threatening me with a plane ticket!" I complained.

Zander shrugged. "I don't know, it sounds like a smart move on his part."

I glared him down when he pulled a comb from the inseam of his blazer to brush what little chestnut hair he had. Leave it to the academy playboy to make light of my situation. This guy never took anything seriously. And why would he? A fan club dedicated to showering him with attention and gifts made him believe he was the centre of the universe.

"I need you to be on my side, asshole," I said.

Zander flashed his pearly whites my way. His chocolate complexion matched his eyes and his goofy personality dazzled girls in ways I refused to understand.

"Don't get your boxers in a bunch, Khaleel," the pretty-boy said. "Your dad knows you won't be stupid enough to risk a one-way ticket back to the homeland, so he's testing you with a new punishment. You might enjoy it more than you think. Also, having someone on the student council might benefit our business."

"You think we need someone on the student council?" I couldn't take his suggestion seriously. "With his little sister overseeing everything?"

"I'm a little pissed that you get to spend time with our beautiful Tomasia. I would give up my left arm for that kind of privilege."

I made a face, disturbed by his taste in women.

The rooftop door swung open to reveal my best friend, Hino, who was looking...concerned? My brows narrowed in confusion. I had only ever known the prodigy athlete to stress about soccer and keeping up pleasantries at school. Whatever had him worried couldn't be good. Zander must have sensed the tension too, because he was putting his comb away, and nudging me to get off the ramp with him.

The wind picked up as another friend of mine stepped outside. Loyal. The guy demanded attention and respect. It often rubbed people the wrong way, but they were quick to learn submitting to him was way easier than making an enemy of him.

"What happened?" Zander asked.

"We got a new target," Hino said. "A transfer student from across the Pond."

"What transfer student?"

"Her name is Arisa Hoffman," Loyal chimed in, sounding solemn and strict. "She's been asking how to access the rooftop."

"Isn't that a good thing?" I spoke up. "A transfer student will be behind on a lot in her studies--"

"She doesn't seem to be the type to take the easy way out," Hino interrupted me. "But she might be the type to talk."

"What's the plan?" I asked, pulling up the sleeves to my blazer. Hino took notice of the extensive henna design on the back of my right hand. It had worked its way up to my forearm since last week. Now, it was full of flowers and mountains with Celtic markings that even I wasn't familiar with.

"Sumaya still using you as her guinea pig?" the prodigy athlete smirked.

"Maybe."

"I can seduce her into backing off," Zander offered, addressing the problem at hand.

"It's not going to be enough," Hino said. "This girl straight up told me that her curiosity is insatiable."

Zander whistled. "I'm intrigued."

"Tomasia who?" I beamed, slapping his chest.

Zander's interest in the new girl fizzled as fast as it began. "No, no," he shook his head. "There is no comparison. Tommy is hands down the most beautiful girl at the academy."

"Speaking of which, Arisa said someone else already told her to steer clear of the rooftop," Hino added. "Has to be someone from the student council."

"They are tasked with showing transfer students around," I pointed out.

"I don't want to push this girl into a corner without knowing how she might react," Loyal said. "So, I will deal with her personally."