Devil on the Rooftop [Book 1]

Chapter 85 - Arisa -

Halfway through the second period, I found myself in the girls' bathroom. I had been drinking a lot of water that morning to get through the questions Krish and Paulie had about my relationship with Loyal. I also wanted a break from everyone else in the classroom. They were giving me dirty looks all morning. What was the big deal? It wasn't like I was in a relationship with Zander Easton. No, I was sure dirty looks would be the least of my concerns if they thought I was dating the playboy. I walked out of the stall and went to stand in front of the many sinks. Just as I reached my hand out to turn on the tap, Matilda Hawkins came in. I was too nervous to greet her, too afraid that she was still mad at me about the whole Khaleel thing.

"Hey," Matilda said on her own.

"Hi—" Before I could say any more than that, she waltzed into one of the stalls to pee. I swallowed my pride and finished washing my hands. By the time I got to the dryer, Matilda was outside again and moved towards the furthest sink from me. I cringed a little. Even though she said hello, she was still mad.

"For what it's worth Matilda," I said, retracting my hands from the automatic dryer. "I still want to be your friend."

Matilda refused to look at me.

"I'm sorry for not being honest about Khaleel," I went on. "But you have to know that his feelings really are one-sided. I'm dating Loyal."

"I know," came the quick reply.

I moved out of the way, as Matilda came to dry her hands under the automatic device. I waited for her finish before asking, "You do?"

"The whole school knows."

"Then why are you still mad?"

Matilda sighed. "I'm mad because, in a really fucked up way, you and Khaleel are two peas in a pod."

I was officially confused. "What?"

"Do you know that every time something happens between the two of you, he comes to me for advice?" Matilda asked.

My blood boiled. "He what?" I couldn't believe it. He was the biggest idiot out there. How could he do that? Why? How could he think that was okay?

"And I bet you do the same with Loyal," Matilda went on. "And sure, he knows you like him more, so it probably hurts less, but can't you see what you're both doing? Your friendship, one-sided romance, whatever it is you want to call it, is going to hurt people. It's already hurting me."

I didn't know what to say.

"I'm mad because he made me feel like the second choice," Matilda admitted. "And even after coming to terms with that, and telling me that he doesn't want me to push him away, I could tell that the only thing on his mind was you. You're the only thing that will continue to be on his mind because he can't have you. Because you're not easy, and that simple fact is crippling, Arisa. So, I'm sorry but for the time being, I can't accept your friendship."

My heart plunged. "Matilda," I said her name quietly. "I didn't know he was coming to you with that stuff. I'm sorry. I never meant for you to get hurt hearing all the details. That's why I was cautious about telling you he confessed."

"It doesn't matter anymore," Matilda said, stepping away. "Just know I can't befriend a rival. Not one I can't hope to beat."

I watched her walk out of the bathroom, leaving me with my brewing emotions. That little Assdul was going to hear from me if it was the last thing I did. He was the worst! The absolute fucking worst! When was he going to stop acting like a spoiled, selfish, little child and start considering other people's feelings? How could he put Matilda through that? How could he run to her after every encounter we had? I didn't do that to Loyal! Matilda was wrong! But Khaleel, that jerk. Was he trying to hurt her? Was he trying to rub his feelings for me in her face? I was ready to kill him for it!

I pulled out my phone and called him. He was quick to answer. "I'm this close to blocking your ass," he said.

"You and I need to have a little chat," I said, pacing in the girls' bathroom. "Right now! This insistence!"

"And what if I say no?" Khaleel asked.

My eyes widened. "Then you better hope I don't track your ass down because the way I'm feeling, I might put your head through a wall!"

"Please go ahead and try," Khaleel laughed. "I'm right where you left me."