Devil on the Rooftop [Book 1]

Chapter 75 - Loyal -

I stared at my reflection in the full-mirror and adjusted my school blazer. I was surprised by how well I slept after being so upset last night. I wanted to let Khaleel's actions roll off my back and try to sympathize with his situation, but I couldn't. It wouldn't reflect well on either of us.

I adjusted my belt strap and then did a quick breath check. "Passable," I told myself. I couldn't wait to see Arisa again, and this time, I was going to make sure our relationship was established. When word got out that she was my girlfriend then no one would dare to touch her. I exhaled. Except...someone already had. Dobberman and Khaleel. Who was next? What could I do for Arisa when I became her boyfriend? Would I be able to protect her properly? Would I be able to support her no matter what? Arisa proved to be a handful sometimes. I had to remember that.

The door to my bedroom opened. Tomasia stroll in, one hand holding an empty envelope, and the other a letter. "Loyal," she drawled.

"What is it?" I asked, checking my teeth.

"Did you send my driver to run errands for you again?" my sister asked.

"Sure did," I replied. "He's driving Arisa to school today, just to be on the safe side. I couldn't risk her walking to Jackheights alone."

"Did you apply to Brown University without telling me?"

My body froze. My eyes flashed up to catch my own terrifying reflection. I turned to look at my sister, who was holding out a piece of paper in front of me. I snatched it out of her hand and read it. How—? It was a photocopy of the same letter I took back from Arisa and ripped into confetti. Tomasia wouldn't know this, and neither would anyone else besides my friends, but I had also been accepted into Princeton and McGill. I was able to get rid of those acceptance letters fairly well, but for some strange reason, Brown was trolling me.

"Where did you get this?" I asked.

"One of the housekeepers found it in our mailbox," Tomasia replied. "You want to tell me why you would do something so risky? Are you trying to get kicked out of Jackheights?"

"Of course not!" I snapped.

Tomasia handed me the envelope next. "It's clear someone sent this hoping mom and dad would find it," she said, pointing out the name on the return address.

It read: FukYouLoyal

"Who would do that?" Tomasia sighed.

The only people who knew about my acceptance letter were Arisa and Khaleel. They would never do anything to jeopardize my position at Jackheights, would they? The entire week flashed before my eyes and the pieces started to fall in place. "Oh no," I sighed. "Arisa must have taken a photo."

I was ready to storm out the door when my sister stopped me. "What are you talking about?" she asked. "Why would Arisa take a photo of your acceptance letter and then mail it to our house?"

I shook my head. "She's not the one who mailed it," I assured her. "Arisa took the photo as a contingency plan against me. I threatened to throw her off the rooftop when we first met."

"You what?"

I couldn't be bothered to give my sister a run down but that didn't stop her from prying. "If she didn't mail it to us then who did?" Tomasia asked.

"Her phone was missing when she got kidnapped," I said in a rush.

"Khaleel found it though," Tomasia replied. "He brought it back and we used it to call her mother."

I forced a laugh. "But who had access to it before Khaleel got it back?"

My question was rhetorical but Tomasia couldn't help say his name. "Neal," she whispered, referring to Dobberman.

"Who else would write FukYouLoyal as the return address?" I reasoned.

Tomasia's eyes widened. "Oh my god," she breathed. "Loyal, what if he sent a copy to the school? If they find out you have been half-assing your tests and exams, they will definitely call mom and dad. You have to go."

I stared at her. "You think?"

"Go!" Tomasia rushed me out the door and then slammed it.