Page 26 of Reckless Dare

The words felt crude and the guys around burst into laughter. Her face burned with embarrassment. Her tormentor watched her but didn’t say anything. He only put up a hand a moment later that stopped the chuckles of the other guys.

Her tormentor’s eyes then fell on her mouth, making her lips tremble. Whether it was fear or awareness, she didn’t know, but she tried desperately to stop it. She was sure her tormentor could see as well. She bit her bottom lip, trying hard to control the trembling, so she wouldn’t show him her weakness. But all it did was make his eyes flash.

There was a dark look on his face.

Her breath caught in her throat at the dark anger she saw in his eyes.

“Don’t,” he snapped.

“W-what?” She was confused.

His nostrils flared and his jaw was clenched as though he was controlling himself. She didn’t understand why he was so angry.

“Leave,” he ordered. “Get out of here.”

She didn’t know whether the order was for her to leave the place or to leave the university. Not wanting to ask him, she hurried away.

She more or less ran as though the devil was chasing her.

*****

She continued to try and hide from the devil. And it was getting exhausting.

Classes and assignments kept her sane. She somehow managed to finish her first week catching up with all of her assignments. The course work was hard but she was enjoying the subjects. The one she enjoyed and found challenging the most was pharmaceutical sciences. In spite of her tormentor being in the same class, the subject fascinated her.

She felt his dark presence always next to her, but she stuck to her promise of ignoring him.

But she couldn’t always ignore him. He snuck into her dreams or rather her darkest nightmares. Even her nightmares tended to get oddly confusing where she was terrified yet drawn to her tormentor.

Stop thinking so much about him.

She hated that even though she managed to avoid him, he still haunted her thoughts.

Shaking her head, she focused on the task at hand. She was at the library right then, finishing up her last assignment. Although she spent most of her time holed up in her bedroom, she also spent a significant amount of time in the library. It had become her solace where she blended with the rest of the students. She unconsciously pulled her black hoodie lower on her head.

“What are you wearing for your date tonight?” one of the students asked her friend.

The girls were seated at the next table.

“Oh. I’m thinking of wearing my green minidress.” The girl giggled. “I think Rahul will be happy with it. Easy access to you know what.”

There was laughter.

Ava’s cheeks heated and a smile broke on her face.

It was Friday evening and she knew students let down their hair during weekends. It was a much-needed break from intense courses and assignments that kept them busy during the week. She wished she could explore the beautiful beaches and scenic spots that Simha was famous for. But she didn’t dare to step out anytime soon.

The library was bustling with students eager to get started on their weekend plans.

She looked up at the large antique clock on the library wall and saw that it was close to six thirty pm. She was almost done and just had to submit her work for the assignment.

Suddenly the energy around her shifted. From eagerness, she sensed an excitement among the female students. She looked around, only for her to be shocked. Abhiram Simha was walking into the library with a group of guys.

Her first instinct was to freeze. But with her heart thudding, she dragged herself up and quickly walked away to disappear into one of the nearby aisles.

She could still hear and see him from the aisle.

“Hi, Abhi!” a group of girls greeted him eagerly.

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