Page 26 of Of Pranks and Passion

“No problem. It’s happened to me before. I thought I was going to die just from breathing wrong. It’d be a really embarrassing way to go.” She offered me her hand with a smile. “I’m Frankie.”

“Gary,” I replied, taking her hand. I hadn’t spoken to any of my classmates except for Easton before now, and I was awkward enough that I didn’t know what to say after that, so I focused instead on checking my phone. I had been too busy choking to reply to Easton, so I sent him a quick text before tucking my phone away.

Gary:That’s a little freaky

The morning lecturewas kind of dull. I’d already read the assigned chapters and got ahead in a few classes, so I wasn’t surprised by any of the material. I took diligent notes just to keep my mind focused and refused to let myself think about last night. If I did, I’d start blushing in class, and I didn’t want to draw more attention to myself than I already had with my coughing attack.

Class let out, and when I stood to leave, Frankie bounced along beside me with a smile. “I hope you don’t mind, but I looked at your notes. They’re crazy detailed. And sort of pretty, with all the colors. Do you always take notes like that?”

I nodded slowly. “Yes. After I got accepted here, I took out a few books on how to study better. I need to get good grades for my scholarship. One book suggested color coding so I could read through them easier later.”

She scrunched her nose and sighed. “Yeah, I probably should’ve done that. I swear, I write literally everything thatcomes out of the professor’s mouth, but when I look over them later, I can never figure out what matters and what’s unimportant. I end up just ignoring them and rereading the chapter instead.”

I used to do that. I was so determined to get good grades, but I had really bad study habits. Mostly because Brienna would randomly tear up my notebooks for the fun of it. But also because I didn’t know how to study right for me. After I got my scholarship, I figured if I could research accounting, then I could research how to study. Several books on how to be a better student later, I finally felt comfortable with the way I was taking in information. I didn’t write down everything the professor said, just the important bits, and I was careful to separate it with the colors. If I felt rushed, I’d color it in the library while reviewing my notes.

Frankie followed me after class, talking animatedly about everything from study habits to binge watching her favorite tv shows. When I mentioned that I’d never seen it, she looked at me like I’d grown two heads.

“Nope! Doesn’t compute!” she cried, waving her hands dramatically. “Give me your phone number. We’ll have a marathon sometime. Everyone has to have seen Brooklyn 99. It’s hilarious.”

It was a cop show, so I was doubtful, but I wasn’t going to say no to making a friend. I offered her my phone, watching as she typed in her number. A message popped up, and she must’ve seen it because she handed the phone back to me with a curious expression.

“Who’s Phantom?”

“My–” I was going to say friend automatically, but then I remembered the fake relationship. I appreciated him wanting to help me get rid of that stupid rumor, and I didn't want him tohave to drag it out forever. Still, I felt a little giddy when I said, “My boyfriend.”

Frankie gasped, slapping my shoulder playfully. “You’ve got a boyfriend? Tell me everything!”

I felt a blush tinge my cheeks, but I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. A boyfriend, a friend, a nice roommate. The positives were just adding up. Even if Brienna seemed determined to ruin it.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

EASTON

It wasfun messing with Gary. He couldn’t see me because he didn’t notice me out the window. His class was on the first floor. As long as the curtains were open, I had the perfect view. And his emotions were written all over his face. I wasn't actually a mind reader, but I could tell what he was thinking at that moment, and I couldn’t stop laughing when he started choking on his own spit.

I left him alone after that, mostly because I noticed him talking to the girl next to him, and it irritated me. I knew he was too shy to sleep with multiple people, he wouldn’t even have let me fuck him if I hadn’t been the one to bring it up, but the possessive side of me really didn’t give a shit. I felt a little smug when he took the time to reply to me before focusing on his class.

Gary:That’s a little freaky.

I smirked.My classes didn’t start for another few hours. I only signed up for morning classes if I couldn’t avoid it. I didn’t like waking up early. Which was how Gary managed to slip outwithout me noticing that morning. I wasn’t happy about it, he was still being harassed, and he said someone had approached him at his part-time job before, so when I finally realized he was gone, I got dressed and headed for his work, watching him from afar until he could head to class. I stopped long enough to get myself a coffee from his replacement before tailing him.

Playing on my phone kept me entertained until Gary’s class was over. He had a valid, if a little annoying, reason for not exercising before lunch, so I wasn’t going to approach him, but then I noticed that same chick from his class chatting with him as they headed out. I ground my teeth, fighting off a scowl. That bitch needed to back off.

When she took his phone, probably to add her number, I shot him a text just so she’d see it while she had the phone in her hand.

Phantom:Wanna make out?

Kissing wasn’t reallymy thing, I preferred the main act, but I’d do it to stake a claim. Except my message didn’t work like I thought it might. She slapped Gary playfully on the shoulder and chattered at him like it meant nothing to her. Bitch.

Gary blushed and shrugged, tugging nervously on his hair. He glanced down at his phone, and did a double take, the faint pink on his cheeks turning bright red. I couldn’t even enjoy it, I was so irritated. I ignored his response, stalking off toward the parking lot. I was pretty sure I had a joint somewhere in my car. Something to get me to chill the fuck out before I hauled Gary back to his room and reminded him who made him come four times in one night.

I foundGary in the library after I’d had a chance to chill out, but not in his usual spot. He was closer to the commotion, and it was written all over his face that he didn’t like it. He was being cautious, too nervous to sit farther away by himself.

Flipping his notebook closed, I tipped my head toward the shelves of books behind him. “Come on. You don’t need to avoid your spot while I’m here.”

Relief flooded his face, and he leapt to his feet, gathering my hoodie and his stuff. I grabbed his backpack because his hands were full, leading the way to his table in the back. The noise dialed down significantly the farther away we got from the lobby, and Gary sighed happily when he dropped into his favorite seat.

“Thank you. I know nothing really happened, but I felt uncomfortable coming back here by myself after yesterday.”

---