Page 37 of His Team

CHAPTER 13

Chemistry

Cameron

They finally changed my late afternoon chemistry class for a morning one. Thank God for Dakota. She’s been sitting in for me, taking notes for the last four weeks. The professor is super cool and understands the situation.

He even allowed me to take the two exams I missed during his office hours. He was actually the one who got me into his morning session. Friday was the only class I could get with him as my professor.

I’m dragging this morning because I was up all night talking to Kay. She’s really fucked up over her parents. I still can’t get my head around all the shit that’s come to light since my mama brought it all up a week ago.

I’m lost in thought as I walk to class with my hands in my hoodie and my head down. I never got around to calling Aminayesterday. I hope I get to see her in the science building this morning.

She has a class here around this time. I remember that from the morning I ran her down. I hope we can hang out this weekend. After all the shit going on with Kay, I could use one of our good talks and a few laughs.

“Maribel, wait.”

I lift my head as someone calls out. Looking ahead, I find Amina and the redhead she’s always with. The redhead runs up to her and hands her something, then they hug and Amina ducks into the class I’m headed for.

With a smile, I pick up the pace and head to class. I want to surprise her, so I pull my hoodie low as I slip into the room quietly. The small lecture hall is already packed.

This course has one hour for lectures and one for labs. I’ll have to make up a few labs in the next few weeks, but I’m not sweating it. Chemistry is one of my strong suits.

A grin comes to my lips as I find a seat a few rows behind Amina. I watch as she talks to another girl while she laughs. It’s like people gravitate to her light.

Others flock over and join their conversation. I watch on, observing how gorgeous she is. I don’t think she knows how effortlessly she holds everyone’s attention.

The professor enters the hall and puts his bag and coffee cup down. He looks up at the little crowd around Amina and shakes his head. A smile comes to his lips.

“Why am I not surprised my star student is the center of everyone’s attention. Miss Maribel Jones. Why don’t you come to the front of the room? You can hand out the pop quiz I’m sure you’re going to ace,” the professor calls out.

I knit my brow and freeze as Amina stands and heads to the front of the room. Everyone else groans as they go to settle in their seats. I can’t take my eyes off Amina.

“Hey Maribel, spill his coffee on the papers,” someone calls.

Amina laughs and shakes her head at the guy who shouts out to her. I narrow my eyes as my chest begins to tighten. I’m confused.

Why would she tell me her name is Amina if it’s Maribel? We’ve been friends for weeks now. I thought I could trust her.

Clearly, she doesn’t trust me if she couldn’t even tell me her real name. I feel sick. The one person I thought cared, the person I was beginning to trust and thought I could bring into my inner circle, is nothing but a fucking liar.

My eyes are glued to her as she moves up row after row, counting off quizzes and passing the stacks down. When she gets to my row, I push my hood back and stare right at her.

She freezes and drops the remaining quizzes to the ground. I get up and move to the end of the aisle to help her pick them up. She looks up at me nervously.

“Good morning, Amina. Or should I say Maribel?” I bite out.

“Cam, I can explain.”

“Don’t bother.”

I grab a quiz for myself and hand her back the others. For the rest of the class, I act as if she doesn’t exist. I turn my focus to my exam and keep it there.

When I’m done, I turn it in and head out of class. I’m fucking fuming. At least with Kay, I know what I’m getting.

How could she lie to my face for weeks? If she could tell one lie how many others has she told. All I wanted was someone to be real with me and who I could be real with.

“Fuck,” I roar as I head toward the parking lot to get into my car and head home.

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