Devil on the Rooftop [Book 1]

Chapter 4 - Khaleel

I stared at the contact information on my smartphone. My finger hovered over the number, scared to press the dial. I couldn't remember the last time I spoke to my old man. He was always too busy running his business to make time for me. The notice of suspensions and letters of concern Jackheights emailed, my old man never dealt with it personally. All communications were made through his secretary, Kumar Uncle, including the added donations to keep me at the private school.

"I've been reckless," I groaned, leaning my head against one of the rooftop ramps. My eyes searched the sky, hopelessly, for an answer I wasn't sure I deserved. I always knew I wasn't a priority to my old man. I took advantage of it and acted out on purpose. I figured if I did enough 'unacceptable' things that he would start paying a little bit more attention to me. It was stupid. I was crying wolf to someone who didn't fear them.

"Yeah," Zander drawled from beside me. We were ditching second period together, determined to enjoy the cool breeze while it lasted. Spring was right around the corner, as were midterms, which meant accessing the rooftop would become a lot more challenging in the upcoming seasons.

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

"It's a smart move on his part."

I glared at my friend and watched him pull a comb out from the inseam of his blazer to brush what little chestnut hair he had. Zander Easton was the academy playboy; the guy who had a fan club dedicated to showering him with attention and gifts. His chocolate complexion matched his eyes and his goofy personality dazzled girls in ways I refused to understand.

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

Zander flashed his pearly whites. "Don't get your boxers in a bunch, Khaleel." he 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? With his little sister overseeing everything?"

Zander pouted. "I'm a little pissed 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 girls.

The rooftop door opened to reveal my best friend, Hino Matsunaga. It was rare to see him look so discontent; he never worried about anything except soccer and keeping up his friendly facade. Something must have happened. Something serious. I glanced at Zander, who sensed it too. He tucked his comb away and we got off the gravel floor together.

The wind picked up as another one of my good friends stepped through the door. Loyal Wilson had a presence that demanded attention. I had become accustomed to it fairly easily because of our similar upbringing but others had a more trying time. Especially Zander and his family, who didn't approve of the way Loyal's family threw money at the academy.

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

"What transfer student?" I asked.

"Her name is Arisa Hoffman," Loyal stepped in. His voice was deep for a high schooler and unquestionably firm. "She's been asking how to access the rooftop."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Zander 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. "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.

My friend stifled his laugh. "Is your cousin still using you as her guinea pig?"

"Maybe."

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

"I don't think seducing her is going to be enough," Hino interjected. "This girl straight up told me her curiosity is insatiable."

Zander whistled. "She easy on the eyes?"

"Tomasia who?" I joked.

Zander glared at me. "No, no. There is no comparison. Tommy is hands down the most beautiful girl at this school."

"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."