Page 7 of Feel Free to Scream

Besides, someone like Darius Keller does not need to buy anyone's affection. Not with his looks and the clear appearance of wealth.

I find myself entering the name in my search bar on impulse. None of what I see, or read, is all that surprising.

He's the son of Arlo. Yes,thatArlo, the top model. He might have peaked about twenty years ago, when he was in his twenties himself, but he occasionally features on the covers of magazines, and he's still drool-worthy.

I see it in him, the golden blond looks, the confidence, the camera-ready smile.

Predictably, both he and Octavia have modelled for his father's brand since they were in diapers. I follow toddler, children, teenager, and more recent ads, growing sexy, moody, topless in the last few years.

When I close the browser, I am certain the two-hundred-dollar gift was spare change, inconsequential to someone like him.

Noah sent another few demanding messages in the meantime. But after a break, he finally wrote one last text.

Noah: I'm sorry. I know it's probably nothing. But it's hard, you know? You're so far away.

Me: I get it. I wouldn't want a pretty girl to buy you things, either.

Noah: Wait. Is he pretty?

I sigh.

At least, it's the last I've seen of that man. Top models and heirs to fashion empires do not hang out with the likes of me. It's a miracle we existed in the same space for a while. He might as well be from another planet.

* * *

Oh, fuck.

I stare in disbelief at the man in front of me, leaving the campus library just as I enter it, a steaming cup in hand.

"You're here," I say dumbly.

"Evidently." He smiles. "Claire, wasn’t it?"

I make myself swallow, willing my brain to kick into gears. "Darius, right?"

"Most people call me Keller. Which is highly confusing, as there are two other Kellers on this campus, but whatever."

I nod like it makes sense. "Keller."

"You're new here?" he guesses.

"Yeah, starting next week. Accounting. You?"

"I'm on my last year. MBA."

It occurs to me that we're blocking the entrance when someone has to circle us to get into the automatic doors.

"I should get going. I figured I should familiarize myself with the place before school properly starts."

"Make sure you familiarize yourself with the cafe first. They make great coffee. The library's a bit of a maze, but the digital indexing helps. Make sure you askWalter to show you how it works."

"Walter?"

"The main librarian working today. He's a nice guy."

"Right." I clear my throat. "How's Octavia?"

"A menace to herself and society, as usual." He smiles again. "Thank you for asking, Claire."

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