Devil on the Rooftop [Book 1]

Chapter 88 - Arisa -

Goosebumps covered my arms and legs. Khaleel Abdul was carrying me around the school basement, and pacing back and forth in front of the student council room. No matter how many times I told him to put me down, he refused. No matter how much I struggled to be freed, his strength overwhelmed me. We were completely unmatched. I was sad to admit that he might be stronger than Loyal and Zander combined. I was able to bring the school legend down when I met him, I was able to block and fight off the playboy, but could I ever hope to do the same against the delinquent?

"How long do you think you will date Loyal for?" Khaleel asked, finally stopping. "Want to give us a try in a couple of years?"

My heart sank. "W-Why are you so difficult?"

"I don't mean to be," Khaleel replied. "If I can't have you now that doesn't mean I can't try again in the near future. I mean, think about it. How many high school relationships make it to the real world?"

The goosebumps slowly subsided. "Do you want to be in a relationship with someone who is afraid of you?" I asked.

Khaleel looked right at me. His grip loosened and I was able to push away from him and stand on my own two feet. "Do you think I want to be in a relationship with someone I'm afraid of?" I changed the question.

His stare was more daunting than usual. "Why would the great Arisa Hoffman be scared of me?"

"Why wouldn't I?" I retorted. "After everything I have seen you do? Forget the way you beat up my attacker at the house, but the way you kissed me, the way you hold me—it's scary because I feel like I can't retaliate."

He took a deep breath. "This explains a lot."

"Come again?"

"I assumed you were scared of me," Khaleel said. "Ever since your kidnapping, you've been looking at me differently, cautiously, and it upset me. I didn't like the idea of you being afraid of me, and now you're telling me it's the reason you don't want to be with me. It makes more sense than all the other bullshit you have been saying."

I blinked, trying to understand his words. "So," I drawled. "You promise to back off?"

Khaleel smiled. "Do you really want me to back off?"

"Yes!" I sighed, annoyed.

He nodded. "Fine, I'll back off."

"Thank you!" I complained, ready to leave the basement. I felt a warm hand grab the back of my neck and trick me into turning around. The goosebumps were back and they didn't come alone. Butterflies started fluttering in my stomach as I came close to Khaleel's face.

"I'll back off for now," he clarified. "I'll wait until you stop being afraid. I'll let time do it's thing and then I'll make you mine in the real world."

I was stunned, speechless, and completely flabbergasted. "Why work so hard for one girl? You really think I'm worth all the hassle?"

Khaleel's eyes almost sparkled. "Yes."

"Well, your confidence is something else," I told him, moving away again. "Good luck."

Before he could pull any more tricks, I hurried down the corridor and took the stairs to the first floor. My heart was pounding but I was going to ignore it. My palms were sweaty but I told myself it didn't mean anything. It wasn't important. His feelings, as deep as they ventured, as sincere as they seemed to be, I couldn't let them stir me. I couldn't acknowledge his commitment or his persistence to win me over. All I could do was appreciate his tenacity.

The real world. Just what was he thinking? That my relationship with Loyal would end before graduation and that, that would be his opportunity to swoop in and steal me? The nerve. I was happy with Loyal. I wasn't ready to lose him anytime soon. I would be crazy to leave the school legend for the school delinquent. I shook my head and took the left hall to my geography class.

The bell was going to ring soon and my teacher would definitely notice how long I had been gone. As I tried to come up with different excuses I could use to get out trouble, I caught Matilda monitoring the halls with another student council member. We walked by one another without so much as a greeting, and instead of feeling relieved after yelling at Khaleel for hurting her, I felt my heart weigh heavy with guilt.