Jackson scowled when I walked out of the room.

"What?". I asked.

"We need to talk about what happened at the warehouse". He held my gaze for a second before looking away.

I sighed. "I-I know but...".

He walked towards me. "But?".

" But...". I didn't know what to say. I certainly couldn't say what I wanted to say which was, but I don't know what happened.

I don't want to believe Jackson is a monster.

"You do have a nice butt...". He smirked at my blush as his eyes traveled down to my backside.

He grabbed it with his palm. "Fits perfectly".

" Stop it!". I slapped his hand away. My cheeks —face cheeks— burned and I knew they were just about the same color as a tomato. Why did I have to change into these shorts anyways? Oh right,

I was covered in blood!

" Aww, Is cupcake embarrassed?,". He cooed. "Did I almost give you an orgasm just by touching you?".

"What do you want from me?". I snapped.

" I want you to stay home today,". He ran his hand through his hair, I bet it's really soft..."You're too shaken up".

" I'm fine". I muttered, not even believing myself.

" Well, until you admit—".

"Did you kill them?". I asked, my voice trembling.

He froze, taken back. "I killed one of them, yes".

Monster.

"Who killed the other one?". I felt my back press firmly against the wall.

He couldn't meet my eyes anymore. " My...Boss".

"Who is your boss?". I pressed.

"You know I can't tell you that, vanilla bean". He met my eyes this time. His beautiful hazel orbs were filled with sadness and it trapped me. I wanted to walk up to him, wrap one arm around his waist and play in his hair with my other hand. I wanted to pull him close and tell him I don't think he's a monster. I wanted to say, I know his boss was there so he probably had to kill the guy.

But I couldn't.

I couldn't say it because all I can think about is his pleading eyes, the man on the floor. The man with the pleading eyes was beaten to pulp and I knew Jackson did it. I knew he did it because whenever he gets mad his eyes turn black and cold. It's like someone flips a switch and he's completely a different person. That's what I saw at the warehouse, for a few minutes it wasn't my sweet, egotistical jerk face anymore....it was a monster.

I walked pass him, and he let me leave.

~

"There you are!". Sadie chirped when I walked on campus. Her blonde hair was pulled up in a neat ponytail. She had one earbud in her ear and the other one swung wildly by her side. She pulled me in a quick side hug and took a selfie of us before pulling away. She posted it on her social media with the hashtag 'no filter'. Sadie might not have needed a filter, but I certainly did.

Have you ever taken a picture with your friend who basically looked like a goddess and then you're in the background looking like a troll from Hansel and Gretel?

That's basically what I looked like.

Sadie's ponytail fell softly on the right side of her shoulder. She made kissy lips at the camera with her head tilted slightly to the left and her icy blue eyes held the attention of the guys that were walking past us. I was standing next to her in my light blue jean shorts and a thin black button up shirt with nude flats. My eyes weren't trained on the camera but instead I was looking at something in the distance off guard and deep in thought, my teeth biting my chapped lips softly.

" O-M-G you look sexy in this picture". Sadie squealed.

...Yeah right.

"Please,". I rolled my eyes, sarcasm clear in my voice. " Don't make me blush".

"My first class is physics today what's yours?". She asked ignoring my comment.

"Um...". I pulled out my schedule. " Same! I only have two classes today, after physics I have a business lecture".

Thats one of the main things I was looking forward to in college. You get to pick how you want your classes to be. Since Richwood's classes are three hours long, I decided I only want to take two classes a day —some people take as many as four— and I stay home on fridays. I hate doing work on weekends so I might as well take a weekday and do them.

" Oh I have an english lecture after physics,". Sadie pouted. " At least we have a class together".

I smiled at her as we headed to our classes. It still surprises me that I've actually made a friend here. Before now I was sure that I'd be a big loner again. I shook the thought out of my head. There are bigger things I need to worry about and one of them includes a certain jerk face guy named Jackson. Do I have any classes with him today? do I have any classes with him at all?

I'm not sure if I can face him.

My heart regrets walking out on him when he was in such a vulnerable state. Maybe he would've let me hug him if I hadn't walked out. Me of all people should know how it feels to be walked out on. How it feels like you're a failure because the one person you cared about a lot, left. What am I talking about? Jackson doesn't care about me.

" Good Morning ladies and Gentlemen I'm Mr. Wood".

When did I get in class?!

" Good morning Mr. Wood". The class replied in sync.

Someone snickered behind me. "Wood".

"Will you shut up?". Sadie snapped, turning around and slapping Aiden on the arm.

" Ow, bitch". He glared.

Wait Aiden?

I pushed back the surprise disappointment in my chest. "How long have we been in class?".

" About ten minutes,". Sadie answered. " We were a little early and you didn't seem to feel like talking to me anymore so I had to result in conversing with him". She motioned to Aiden.

" I'm so sorry, I was...thinking". I apologized.

"About the dic—".

Sadie slapped Aiden again.

" What the fuck?!". He snapped.

"Stop cursing, you know Ashley hates that". Sadie scolded him.

"It's fine sadie". I muttered turning around and beginning to take notes.

" Yeah, it's fine sadie,". Aiden moved in the vacant seat next to her. "Besides you curse all the time, sweet tits".

She blushed. " Don't call me that".

" Your tits do look pretty sweet". Aiden added on a side note.

Sadie squirmed in her seat. "Shut. Up".

" Make. Me.". He mocked.

Before I could do anything, Sadie grabbed Aiden by his shirt and pulled him to her. She pressed her lips against his and just like that they started making out. Now, I can't describe it because I wasn't trying to be creepy and stare, but it was pretty heated. No one could see them but me because we were in the back and the lights were off due to a video on reproducing animals.

How appropriate.

They pulled apart panting like they were one of those animals in the video. I couldn't bring myself to look at them. One, it was embarrassing how lonely and...desperate that made me feel and two, I felt like I was watching live porn.

Okay I watched them...There, I said it.

Aiden cleared his throat and I finally met his gaze. He leaned over Sadie's panting body and whispered with his husky voice, "What happens in physics, stays in physics, okay?".

"Okay". I blushed.

Dang it Ashley, now he knows that you watched!...wait the lights are still off. I pulled out my phone and checked the time. Two more hours of awkward silence...

Great.

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