Page 85 of Forever Cursed

“Sorry, haven’t you heard? You’re not supposed to look into Medusa’s eyes.” I glare at him as I reach for my phone.

“Ask nicely,” he teases.

“Fuck off.”

Malik holds my phone up in the air, like he wants me to jump for it. I’m not jumping for any man just like I refuse to smile for them.

“Fine, keep it. But my brother and his friends won’t appreciate this. Rome certainly won’t either.”

“You think I care what Rome or your brother can do to me? I’d like to see them try.” He hands me my phone back, and I wipe it off with a disgusted look.

“I could tell your professor, you know.”

“Tell her what exactly?”

“That you’re dating your mentee. I’m pretty sure it’s against the rules.”

“It’s a program, Malik. It’s not like he’s my actual patient.” I sigh in annoyance.

“Yes, but aren’t we supposed to be treating it as a real-life scenario? I could go to her now... tell her to switch you with Raina. I wanted you first, and I can still get you.” He takes a step forward, and I back away.

He doesn’t stop until my back is pressed against the lockers, and I’m seething up at him.

“Back up, now,” I hiss through my teeth.

“Make me,” he drawls with a gross smile.

Rome appears out of the corner of my eye. His jaw is tight, his fist ready. If he hits Malik, he could be benched. If I hit Malik, well, I’ll get what I’ve wanted since the moment I met him.

“I’m warning you.” I give him one last chance.

Malik smirks down at me, and he licks his lower lip. He doesn’t back away, so, per his request, I make him.

Adrenaline courses through my veins, my heart pounding it through my body.

Raising my hand, I allow my body to take control, and I slap him across the face. My palm and fingers sting from the contact, and a red mark forms on his cheek, almost in the shape of my hand.

I shake my hand off, and he winces while stepping away from me. No one warns you about the effects of slapping someone ’cause damn, this hurts.

“What the fuck was that for?” he grunts while massaging his cheek.

“For not backing up. Next time, give people their personal space, and they won’t have to make you.”

Malik scoffs through a chuckle before looking at me, and something sinister glimmers in his dark eyes. “That was hot. Do it again.”

“Do we have a problem here?” Rome’s voice is tight, stern, giving off “fuck with her and find out” vibes.

And I would be lying if I said it wasn’t doing something to me.

“Rome, there you are,” Malik casually says, almost like he’s playing off what just happened.

Rome keeps his eyes on Malik as he swoops in beside me, placing his hand on my lower back. He looks down at me and leans toward my ear. “Are you okay?” he whispers.

I nod. “I’m okay.”

“Were you just talking with Bradson?” Malik cuts in.

“I was, what of it?”

---