Ceaseless (Existence Trilogy 3)

Chapter Fourteen

Pagan

I managed to wake up with my alarm clock this morning so I had time to make the quick stop to the coffee shop. I would also be more awake during class. Miranda was still sleeping when I left. Her first class of the day wasn’t until eleven so this was her morning to sleep late. Unfortunately, I hadn’t been blessed with one of those on my schedule.

After spending Saturday morning with Dank, I’d gone to the library and found the other books I need for my Literature class. Then I’d called it an early night. Miranda had gone out with Nathan and not returned until seven on Sunday morning. I’d once again been woken up entirely too early for a weekend. She’d insisted we spend the day shopping for new underwear and shoes.

I’d texted back and forth with Dank some and he’d called once but I hadn’t seen him. Not that he hadn’t tried. Miranda had just consumed my entire day Sunday. Then that night when she had gone out with Nathan again, Dank wasn’t around. At least I got to go to bed early.

The line at the coffee shop was not moving very quickly. I glanced down at my phone for the time; I had fifteen minutes. The walk from here was about five so I should be good.

Finally, the blond guy in front of me moved. He was holding two cups of coffee and smiling at me. I returned the smile and waited for him to actually walk away so I could step up and order my morning caffeine, but the guy wasn’t budging. He held out one of the coffees to me. What was he doing? Sharing? Um, no thanks. I was picky about my latte.

“Caramel latte with whipped cream. Just for you,” the happy stranger said. How had he known what I was going to order? And why did he order it for me? Was he a stalker? Should I call the police?

“Next, please,” the guy behind the counter said in an annoyed tone. We were holding up progress.

“Take it. The guy just made it. I can’t drink two of them.” The sincere kindness in his eyes sold me. Maybe he was just a lucky guesser. Or maybe I should really call the cops.

I took the cup from his hand and stepped out of the line. The girl behind me sighed loudly and mumbled, “Finally, Thank you.”

I took a sip of the coffee and realized it really was exactly how I liked it. I should at least thank him and be polite. I’d think about the restraining order later. “Um, thanks for the coffee. Not sure how you knew what I wanted but thanks. I’m gonna be late for class so this helps out.”

“Can I walk you?” He asked moving with me as I made my way to the door.

“Uh, yeah, I guess. Do you go here?” I asked as he fell in step beside me.

He chuckled softly and the hairs on my arms stood up. Not a good sign. I stopped drinking my coffee. Something was off here.

“I’m just a local,” was his reply. A local serial killer whose clutches I may have just walked into. “I have to admit I took an educated guess with your coffee and got lucky. I was trying to impress you with my chivalry. It looks like I’ve scared you instead. I didn’t mean to.”

He was observant. I’d give him that. Nodding I still didn’t take another drink of the latte. This entire situation was beginning to annoy me. I didn’t have a coffee I could safely drink and I was going to be late for class if this guy didn’t leave me alone.

“I was curious. Do you have a boyfriend?” Well he was straightforward. I could lie and send him packing or I could answer honestly and run toward my building.

“Um, not that it is your business, but no.” Now should I run?

“So, you and Dankmar, I mean Dank Walker aren’t a thing?” Wait…. What? How did he know about Dank? Was he a fan? Maybe this was Dank’s stalker.

“Uh, no. I just met Dank Walker,” I replied stepping up my pace. The guy paused and I thought I was going to get away from him until I heard him jogging up beside me.

“You didn’t know him before college? Like in high school?” What was with this guy’s questions? Oh. Questions… he was one of those gossip magazine reporters. That had to be it. I didn’t realize Cold Soul was that big yet. I was being harassed by the paparazzi.

“Listen, I just met the guy. I know nothing about him. Leave me alone,” I snapped and shoved my coffee back at him before turning and breaking into a run to get across the street before the light turned. I’d have to tell Dank about this. Or Dankmar… was that his real name?

“Whoa, Peggy Ann. Who ya running from?” Gee asked stepping in front of me as I reached the Science building.

“Some whacko nosey guy. I’m thinking he was a gossip reporter. He was asking me about my relationship with Dank. Or Dankmar, as he called him.”

Gee’s amused look vanished and she turned her head back toward the street I’d just crossed. A snarl appeared on her face. I glanced back and sure enough the guy was still standing there watching us, both hands holding a coffee cup.

“You know him? Because he seriously creeped me out.”

Gee shook her head, “Voodoo boy doesn’t know when to quit.”

“Voodoo boy?” I asked confused.

Gee turned her gaze back to me, “Nothing. Water under the bridge and shit. Come on, we actually have a class together. This will entertain me. Oh, and here take this. It’s from lover boy.” She shoved a backpack in my arms.

“What’s this?” I asked confused.

“You needed a laptop and Dank delivered. Come on,” Gee said and spun around in her black leather combat boots and stalked toward the building. I had to hurry to keep up.

I’d forgotten he’d mentioned letting me use his other laptop. This would make my week so much easier. Mom still hadn’t gotten enough money to order one for me. I would be sure to thank him properly as soon as I saw him.

I’d been hoping to see Dank this morning but there was no way we had more than two classes together. At least I had Gee in this one. Well… maybe that wasn’t a good thing. She might end up being more distracting than anything.

Gee had actually flirted with the professor. Heavily. As in made him blush bright red several times. The man stammered all over himself through most of the class. It was more entertaining than anything. I hadn’t learned one thing. At least he had given us some references and a website with this week’s assignments.

“I can’t believe you,” I said, laughing as we walked to the dorm. I had three hours before Calculus with Dank.

Gee shrugged, “What? He was a cutie. The quiet nerdy kind. I like to fuck with their heads. Besides that shit is boring in there. I got better things to do.”

“If you want to pass this class then you had better pay more attention to what he is saying than how to make him blush.” Although, it was funny to watch.

“Subject change. The guy this morning. Stay away from him if you see him again.”

Did she know him? Her comment about ‘voodoo boy’ had bothered me but Gee was weird and said off the wall things. I’d blown it off. Now, I was concerned. “Is he dangerous?” I asked glancing back to see if we were being followed. Maybe that call to the cops wasn’t such a bad idea.

“He won’t hurt you. Trust me. Just avoid him. He’ll disappear soon enough.”

Must be paparazzi like I’d assumed. Cold Soul’s lead singer couldn’t hold their interest long. Not when they had movie stars behaving badly to chase down.

When we turned the corner and the front of our dorm came into view, I saw Dank leaning against his motorcycle with his arms crossed over hic chest talking to a couple of girls. He looked very uninterested and his eyes immediately found mine. He didn’t say anything to them as he straightened up and walked away from them toward me. That was the way I wanted a guy I was considering dating to act when he was being flirted with by other girls. I couldn’t keep the silly smile off my face.

“Looks like Romeo was waiting for your return.”

Dank

If my time was limited before Pagan’s soul began connect to Jay’s then I was going to make damn sure that she couldn’t get me out of her head. I’d spent all morning planning our evening. Now, I just had to get her to agree.

Gee muttered, “Pagan got some Bourbon street coffee this morning,” as she walked past me on her way to the dorm.

I didn’t need an explanation. I had warned Leif but I was ready to put some action behind my warning. She didn’t remember him. His time with her was over. His staying around was only going to confuse her.

“Hey,” Pagan said in way of greeting. She had stopped in front of me. She didn’t look upset or scared. Whatever Leif said to her hadn’t made an impact. Ghede really needed to get his kid a hobby. Pagan was no longer available for his entertainment.

“Good morning. How was class?”

She shrugged then an amused smile broke out on her face, “Gee had the professor a blubbering nervous wreck with her flirting.”

Leave it to Gee to cause a stir wherever she went. “Is that so? I take it you enjoyed the show.”

Pagan let out a small laugh, “Yes, I did. I probably shouldn’t but it was too funny to ignore. But it was so much easier taking notes on the laptop you sent me. Thank you so much. I promise to take good care of it.”

“Dank Walker! Oh wow, I saw you last week at Club Butter. You were amazing,” a girl stepped in front of Pagan and laid her hand on my chest as she began to prattle off some more. I reached for her wrist and removed her hand from my body then reached around her and grabbed Pagan’s hand and pulled her toward me.

“Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the show. If you’ll excuse us we were having a private conversation,” I informed her. She shifted her eyes from me to Pagan and an unimpressed smirk distorted her face. I slipped my hand around Pagan’s waist and pulled her closer to my side. She came willingly.

“Oh, well, when you want a little more excitement I can be found right back here,” she pointed at the dorm. Pagan had to live in the same building with her. I needed to make Gee aware that this one could be vindictive.

“I’m sure that will never be the case,” I replied.

The girl spun around and stalked off angrily. She wasn’t used to being turned down.

“What is it with her? Every guy I date she goes after.”

Pagan’s response caused me to tense up. What other guys had she been dating? I wasn’t aware she’d been out with anyone other than Jay. Had Gee been keeping something from me?

“Really?” I managed to ask in a normal voice. The anger and jealousy rolling through me was tamped down. Pagan couldn’t see that.

“Yeah, really. But at least you didn’t set up a date with her right in front of me. Jay made plans with her while on a date with me. I didn’t care exactly but it was a little embarrassing. Did nothing for my ego.”

He was an ass. How could he be her soul’s mate? They didn’t match up. He was far from worthy. “The guy is an idiot. There is no comparison between the two of you. She can’t compete.”

Pagan inhaled sharply then turned her face up to look at me, “Okay, yeah, you’re real good at this, Dank Walker. Real good.”

“I’m glad you like your laptop. Feel free to use the bag it’s in to carry your other books. Does this mean you’ll ride with me to our next class?” I asked pulling out her helmet.

The corner of her mouth turned up and she reached for the helmet. “Thank you. I’ll do that and, yeah, I think I will take that lift.”