Page 43 of Reckless Dare

But you are alone now.

Biting her lip in nervousness at that thought, she more or less ran into the library.

When she reached inside and saw it occupied by students, she let out a sigh of relief.

Oh God. How long am I supposed to keep trying to escape the devil?

*****

She was in the library working on the last of a report for one of the classes when she felt someone walk up from behind. Unlike the other times when she felt her tormentor’s eyes on her, she didn’t feel the intense awareness.

She turned to find Neeraj coming towards her. “Hi, Ava.”

“Oh hi, Neeraj,” she greeted.

Although Neeraj Batra was a final year student, he was very helpful and friendly. She hung out with him a few times after classes when they discussed the Eagles strategy for the upcoming competitive events.

“Did I catch you at the wrong time?” He dragged out a chair and sat across from her.

She shook her head. “Not at all. What’s up? Are we having a team meeting again?”

Neeraj smiled, sheepishly. “No. Not a team meeting. This is personal.”

Ava was surprised. In the last two weeks, Neeraj had casually asked her out for dinner a couple of times. But she had turned him down with the excuse of assignments.

Although the guy was handsome, charming and friendly, she wasn’t comfortable or in the right mindset to date anyone. She was too nervous and worried.

But Neeraj’s attention did boost her confidence. Especially after witnessing her tormentor’s anger and disgust at her simple touch.

“Don’t touch me.”

She still recalled her tormentor’s dark, intense eyes flaring at her touch.

How can I be hurt that my tormentor finds me disgusting and unattractive? I need my head examined.

Once again, she mentally shook her head to push away thoughts of her tormentor.

“Don’t worry. I’m not asking you out for dinner again,” Neeraj said with a slight smile.

“Oh.” Ava didn’t know what else to say.

“It’s my birthday today,” he said.

“Happy birthday,” she wished him with a smile.

“Thank you,” he said. “But I want a special gift from you. I want you to join my birthday party tonight.”

Ava was about to find an excuse when Neeraj shook his head. “Come on, Ava! You can’t say no! It’s my birthday and most of the Eagles team will be there.”

Ava hesitated.

Although she was skeptical, a part of her encouraged her to agree. It had been close to a month since the university started and she couldn’t keep hiding in her room. She needed to make friends and also have fun like other students.

And most of all, Neeraj had mentioned that most of the Eagles team would be there. Since her tormentor was from the Viper’s team and also wasn’t a close friend of Neeraj’s, she was sure he wouldn’t be invited.

She let out an internal sigh of relief.

“Thank you for inviting me,” she told Neeraj. “I’ll join your birthday party.”

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