Devil on the Rooftop [Book 1]

Chapter 77 - Khaleel -

Spending the day in the student council room proved to be effective in more ways than one. Not only did I secure a solid hiding spot from teachers and students, but I managed to scare Matilda away. I was on a fucking roll. It wasn't easy passing time down there. My phone could only provide so much entertainment until I got bored. So bored in fact, I started doing push-ups. After that, I wandered into the archive room and inhaled a gross amount of dust. The only thing that managed to lift my spirits was a phone call from Zander. He sounded well for someone who was suspended.

"My mom won't even let me go to the grocery store to pick up gatorade," my friend complained. "I'm on total lockdown."

I shook my head and claimed a chair . "When was the last time you went to pick up your own gatorade?"

"I would like to have the option, dick," Zander complained. I heard him grunt on the other end, as if he was stretching. "So, things kind of fell apart with you and Loyal, huh?"

I rolled my eyes. "What did you hear?"

"Stuff," came the casual reply. "Not really interested in your guys' drama. I only called to ask about Dobberman."

I scoffed. "Kumar's men are still looking into it."

Zander made some inaudible sounds. It sounded like he was struggling to ask for a favour. "I probably shouldn't say this, but I feel like I have to or I might lose more sleep over it."

"What?"

"I want to take care of Dobberman on my own," Zander's voice dropped. "For Tommy's sake. Can you give me the update before Loyal?"

I wasn't surprised by my friend's request. In fact, I sympathized with it. "Seeing how I'm not on speaking terms with him right now, why not?

"Thanks, Khaleel."

"Uh-uh. Not so fast. I have one condition."

Zander groaned. "What do you want?"

"To be there when you kick his sorry ass," I replied. "I'm not about to let one of my boys face that asshole alone again."

"Deal," Zander agreed.

My phone vibrated. I took it off my ear and checked the screen. Arisa was calling me. I couldn't believe it. Why would she be reaching out to me? I wasn't ready to talk to her yet—I wasn't even sure how to answer the call. Should I pretend not to know who she was? Should I let my voicemail pick it up? No, I should just be as casual as possible. I shouldn't let her know I was still into her.

"I'll talk to you later," I told Zander. "I have another line."

Zander was quick to fuck off. "Alright, bye."

I quickly answered Arisa's call. "Hello?"

Yeah. That was good. Just a short and basic response, as if I hadn't checked to see who was reaching out.

"Do you know where Loyal is?"

My heart dropped. Was this girl fucking serious? I had to ask her, and when I did, she was bold with her response. "Yes," was her reply. Here I was worried about our next encounter and she was busy asking about Loyal. It was so annoying, it made me want to hang up on her.

"I don't know where your boyfriend is," I spat. "If this is the kind of shit you're going to use my number for, lose it."

That's when it happened. Arisa went on a long tangent about how Tomasia threatened to get her expelled, and how Loyal's acceptance letter into Brown University was compromised. I couldn't believe how much trouble one woman could cause. No matter how mad I was at Loyal, at the end of the day, he was still my friend. He asked for me help with the acceptance letter long before my feelings for Arisa developed. I had to stay true to my word and look out for him. "Where are you?" I asked.

"Girls bathroom, first floor," Arisa replied.

I rolled my eyes. "Come to the student council room," I said and then hung up on her.

"Fuck!" I jumped off the chair and paced the room frantically. "Calm down," I lectured myself. "Calm down, calm down. So what if you kissed her? Was it that magical? Are you that eager to do it again? Wake up, call. You fucking can't! Don't even look at her lips. Maintain a three meter distance at all times!"

I held my head, antagonized by my selfish desires. "Think of what Kumar will do if he finds out you messed with her again," I rambled on.

Fear struck me.

I nodded. "Yeah, this feeling. You have to hold on to this feeling."