Page 9 of Redeeming the Villain

Making the way to one of the dark cobblestone pathways that connect all of campus, I stay to the right side, out of the way of the bustling students. Some flutter past in a rush while some lackadaisically pass by—both groups stealing glances at Sunny. I knew she would draw some attention from my fellow students, but I’m honestly surprised no one has approached us yet. She is wearing her pink service dog vest, but that hasn’t stopped people before.

The wide walkways are lined by four-foot vibrant green hedges, perfectly trimmed into sharp rectangles with no gaps between them. The chilly morning’s only reprieve is the sunlight warming my back. Birds tweet in the trees scattered around us while squirrels race up and down the branches.

This campus really is breathtaking in every way possible. It’s like stepping into a fairy tale. The buildings are all structured like old castles, and there are flower gardens spread throughout the grounds, tall grassy hedges lining the walkways, white marble fountains, and even a hedge maze.

I take a right at Hubert Hall, where I have Economics class. I might have created the path based on where my classes will be so I feel more comfortable with getting to them when the time comes.

I’m a master planner with everything I do. I like having control as much as I possibly can. I like habits, patterns, and routines. It helps with my POTS and my mental health.

Malik was not part of my vision. He is a very unwelcome addition, catching me completely off guard. I wish I had punched him in the face yesterday just to make myself feel better, although I’m sure my hand wouldn’t feel the same way after colliding with that annoyingly sharp jaw.

Turning the corner toward the Student Union, I slam to a stop with Sunny when I spot the devil himself twenty feet away from me with a group of other tall and obnoxiously well-built guys, and a brunette girl. He laughs at something one of them said, his head tipping back and eyes squeezing shut before slapping one of the guys on the back of his head.

I’ve never seen him look so …happy. It’s unnerving.

As if he can sense my stare, his head turns my way, that piercing gaze locking with mine. I suck in a sharp breath at the intensity.

Even from here, I can feel his stare like a physical touch, pinning me in place.

His jaw clenches, and every joyous feature he just had hardens to stone. His black-and-white-inked arms cross against his muscular chest, as if he’s standing his ground.

Stomping my right heel lightly on the cobblestone, I do the same, quickly covering the shock and fear on my face with confidence and annoyance.

He turns his whole body to face me, ignoring the group of people he’s with, and a shiver twists down my spine, goose bumps erupting. He’s intimidating and good at using it as a weapon.

But I’m not backing down. I take a step forward, Sunny following suit—completely unaware of the game she is tied up in. His eyes narrowing as he takes a step toward me. As childish as this feels, I won’t let him win. I take another step.

With thirty feet still between us, this will take quite a while.

But we’re already out of time.

One of the guys next to him pats his chest, eyebrows furrowed and head cocked to the side.

The dark-haired guy follows Malik’s stare—right to me—and his confusion only deepens.

Like dominoes falling, one by one, everyone else in the group does the same until they’re all staring at me.

But they aren’t looking at me with disdain, like Malik; they just seem utterly perplexed. I don’t blame them.

It’s probably odd to see your friend in a stare-off with a girl across the courtyard.

One of the other guys mutters something to Malik, and a second later, he hesitantly retreats from his post, turning his back to me. Only now, I can see just how fast he’s breathing, his shoulders rising and falling rapidly as he storms off in the opposite direction. Two of the guys follow after him, but the rest of the group hesitates, studying me for a moment more.

The brunette girl with a bow in her hair tugs at the biggest guy’s hand, and he lets her lead him away. The rest of the group follows behind them.

A smile tips my lips up, and a sense of pride blooms in my chest.

I interpret that interaction as a success. He didn’t charge over here and dump his drink on me. Or have everyone around us start laughing at some obscene rumor.

He just left.

And I just won. For once,I won.

But as fast as the giddiness appeared, a gloomy eerie storm settles into my bones. He won’t let it end like that. He’ll find a way to get back at me.

Malik’s a sore loser, and he’ll make sure he comes out on top, no matter the cost.

“Malik, for the love of God, don’t do anything stupid.” Griffin Hawthorne—a HEAU Hockey Legends defenseman and my best friend—sighs, dragging his hand down his face.

---