Page 29 of Afterglow
Chapter 13
Jazmine Allen
Sleeping has become easier as the days pass, but the party and its aftermath are on repeat in my mind.
I only told Sofia and Athena the real reason my panic attack started. Theodore asked but he didn’t push any further. Judging by the look in his eyes, he would have broken the guy’s jaw.
I have banished the random guy to the back of my brain in hopes to forget it ever happened, while Theodore Knight remains frontand centre.
His Lakewood Devils sweatshirt is hanging over the back of my chair, begging to be worn. I’ve considered wearing it again but the last thing I want is to give him the satisfaction of seeing me in it. Especially after his comments before he left my place three days ago.
I should return it, shouldn’t I?
“Argh,” I groan into my hands, covering my face with them.
This is ridiculous. Theodore has been nice for ten minutes and my touch deprived body wants to climb him like a tree. Go fucking figure, that’s not happening. Ever.
Jayden hasn’t stopped messaging me over the weekend after Theodore told him what happened. It’s extremely annoying, although I am thankful for both Jay and Theodore, they are becoming borderline annoying.
It’s even worse in Knight’s case, as I am running out of reasons to dislike him. And if I stop holding a grudge against him, there is no telling what my traitorous heart might do. I promised myself junior year would be about me healing from anxiety and insomnia while earning an internship with my dream company.
Nothing will stop me, not even an attractive boy.
I reply to Jayden, reassuring him for the one-hundredth time that I am fine.
My oversized shirt falls past my hips, while my black leggings hug my figure to highlight my curves. Slinging my tote bag over my shoulder, I leave for campus. Mondays are my busiest day with one class in the morning and work in the afternoon.
‘Psychology of Physical Activity’is the class I have today and it's stirring every anxious feeling in my bones. Professor Hart is assigning our project partners leaving us with no say in the matter. I spent my weekend reading over the email he sent us with the guidelines and areas we can focus on for research and subsequently, the thesis paper.
According to Dr Gray, I have control issues. As in, I hate when I can’t control the outcome and people try to offer me help. Probably not ideal since this project is with a partner. But I’m persuasive when I need to be so, I should be able to get my partner to agree with my idea.
Plus, this class is a common elective for people who major in sports-related fields since the psychology component isn’t as content-heavy as usual. So, other students will hopefully let me take the reins as this is my area of expertise.
My mind wanders back as I approach the entrance of the lecture theatre. I run my gaze over the room, focusing on the back rows of seats. My face scrunches, annoyance carved into my features. Theodore Knight is sitting next to my unassigned seat, smiling and laughing without a care in the world. I clench my fists, cracking my knuckles one by one.
It’s as if golden rays shine and reflect off him, infecting anyone that comes close to him. I hate it. All I want to do is scowl at him, pushing down any sort of attraction that has bubbled to the surface over the years.
My body melts into the chair, while my tote bag sits in front of me. A shiver shoots up my spine, goosebumpsrunning along my arms. My attention turns to Theodore, whose eyes are drinking in my body. I ignore the desire building in my core.
“Can I help you, Theodore?”
His blinding smile disappears, his face twisting into a solemn facade. “Are you okay?”
Jesus Christ. My heart wants to dissolve into the chair, but somehow, I manage to keep my brick walls intact. “I’m fine,” I cleared my throat. “I’m excited to see who Professor Hart assigns as my partner.”
Changing the subject doesn’t seem to bother Knight, his face softening. Our professor interrupts him before he can reply.
“Good morning, everyone. I hope your weekends were relaxing because once I assign this project, you might not have a social life for a while.”
That won’t be my problem. I will be living in either my bedroom, the library or Strong Beans Cafe. I hear a slight sigh leave Theodore. Maybe he is worried about football?
Instinctively, I snap my hairband against my wrist. I’m not thinking about him. Although faint, the pain forces my attention back to Professor Hart.
“Hopefully you read my emails and have some ideas. But I won’t drag it out any longer,”
He continues to read out the names of other students. Some I recognise, some I don’t.
“Jazmine Allen,” my eyes perk up at the sound of my name. “And Theodore Knight.”
