"Bree...." Ashley said, grabbing her roommate's hands in hers and squeezing. "He won't make any trouble, I promise. I'll always be right there with you."
"No, it's not that." Bree squeaked in a tiny voice, her blushing face tilted down. "Let's just go."
Quickly, Ashley gave her a friendly rub on the shoulder and opened the door. Bree crept out onto the porch and limped over to the Cybertruck she'd been in yesterday. That had sneaked into her dreams too.
Timidly, Bree went in the back and sat there, watching Ashley go about for the other door. Man, she needed to distract herself fast or get lost in giving away her crazy feelings right now.
"Hey, Janny." Ashley said as she got into the vehicle, and Bree shortly saw when Alejandro winced and sent her a glare through the rearview mirror.
"Call me that again and you'll get out of my truck."
Unseriously, Ashley made a heartbroken pout and stared at the ceiling. Bree was dumbfounded and not sure what to think.
"Come on, Alejandro. I was going to say, GOOD MORNING to you."
"Good morning." Alejandro replied, not exactly into it. He then activated the vehicle.
Ashley reached out and shook him, and that made Bree almost scream in fear. She stared, ready for whatever Alejandro was going to do or say next.
Meanwhile, Alejandro had paused in what he was about to do and was now waiting for Ashley to give an account for what she had just done.
And Ashley said.
"Cheer up, brother. It's morning time."
Bree's desperately helpless and agitated eyes met Ashley's. But the black girl sent her roommate a quick wink that said that there was no need for worry.
"Greetings from Bree, too. We are both happy that you'll be driving with us each morning."
There was silence now, and Bree glanced at Ashley again, beginning to panic. Still, Ashley gave her a knowing smile and reached out to poke Alejandro in the rib.
"Stop being like this, Alejandro. It's such a beautiful day...."
"Ashley...." Her brother forced out calmly. "I want to stress some things here before we start this journey. You should let me drive in peace and not talk too much. Leave me alone. Are we clear?"
"No, we're not. Stop the drama."
Bree looked at Ashley, desperate to tell her to leave the guy alone but not sure if she had to. He didn't seem to be happy at all.
"Ashley, I'm not joking with you." Alejandro insisted.
And Bree guessed she took the cue when she sighed and sat back in her seat.
"Okay, sir. I understand. Don't be pissed, brother."
And Alejandro began the drive in silence.
★★★
★★★
When Bree got out of the car and waved at Ashley, she was surprised to see Alejandro come out and lock the vehicle. He wouldn't say anything to her, she knew. But still, she could see that he needed her attention.
So, she meekly stood still by the side of the car, head slightly sideways, till he walked over and grabbed her bag. Much to her surprise.
And all voices in her head began to speak at once.
"I guess he's going to be a good Samaritan today one way or the other, though. Haha."
"Just imagine he can read your mind. He might even be acting like he can't hear you."
"That's not possible cas' those crappy powers aren't real."
"Oh, really? What do you know? I meant, look at him and his friends. They all look like they're not human beings. They look like cosmetic creatures. Just think.... you kid...."
Alejandro was speaking to her now. So, she had to jolt back to real life and pay some more attention.
"Your hand."
Shocked, Bree looked at him from head to toe and even noticed his outstretched palm, but yet, her brain couldn't process his previous words on time.
So, Bree could only stare at his hand like a mannequin.
Then, Alejandro helped her in a cold and still voice that got her hurriedly wiping her sweaty palms on the sides of her jeans and slipping it into his.
"Your hand."
Soon, they were striding fast past the gardens and walkways and alumni navigating their ways about. Bree couldn't even get the time to look around at the beautiful landscaping and environment because she was suddenly enjoying the traffic they were getting.
Other people were looking at her and getting out of the way as they approached the mammoth building of the prestigious university.
The air spoke of inevitable impression and amazement for anyone who was seeing this.
Where on earth did some short, new brunette with full, all-over-the-place hair find a dumbfoundingly attractive companion or.... something?
Who were they?
Bree really tried to tag along and not act like she was shocked herself....
Alejandro paused in front of the staircases. Clearly, he wasn't minding any onlooker and seemed to be okay with the whole attention. Or maybe he didn't even know about it. Bree couldn't tell. But he was still his usual unflinching, cold self.
Alejandro was looking down at her now.
"What now?" The sassy part of her brain whined.
"What class?"
Bree blinked fast, blushing because she also didn't understand the question he'd just asked.
So, she shrugged and swallowed, melting and about to scream in embarrassment. After all, who could even bear to notice the look he'd flashed her due to her abnormal reaction?
But, really, Bree didn't know what was happening to her brain and her heart. She knew everyone would soon start noticing her sweat, but she fought on.
"I.… I didn't understand you...."
"What's your first class today?"
"Oh.... Uhm.... English."
Without another word, Alejandro resumed their journey, and soon they were in a half-crowded elevator.
Alejandro reflexively pulled Bree closer to himself and raised his chin up a bit. To Bree, it seemed like a suggestion of alert, but she really couldn't tell. And it was okay like that.
Quickly, she sneaked a glance at him and then blushed. Because Alejandro was making her feel protected. She always knew that he was capable of it, but now it felt so possible and so real and heart-racing.
The only problem was just that Alejandro wouldn't move an inch like a normal person would. He wasn't even going to talk to her. Yet, somehow, for Bree, this was enough warmth coming from him.
She glanced down at their joined hands and bit her lower lip. Her heart was swelling. She was happy. So happy....
Activities cut her imagination off, and she stood straighter.
It was time to alight, and she resumed her hurry. But it wasn't a long walk before she saw a vast classroom made of invincible glass. Bree quickly noticed the soft, spiraling green lights installed on the ceiling, and my, it was beyond beautiful.
"Wow." Her mouth formed.
"Hello and welcome to CLASS 1-ENGLISH FOR FIRST YEAR. Miss Brielle Stan Daniels. 9:24am. Present...."
It was a robot attendant. A soft yet serious feminine voice that recorded so fast, a plastered smile, and a pinning gaze. Bree was shocked. She glanced at Alejandro, not sure what to do next, but he was looking at the seats in the class, passing the awed stares by.
".... and former alumnus Mr. Alejandro...."
"I'm not a student." Alejandro said dismissively and pulled Bree along.
Girls fidgeted and smiled, and Bree nearly smirked. She was proud of being this....
"Sit here." They were in the middle of the class.
"Oh my God, I don't want to sit in the middle. Everyone's going to be looking at me...."
"No, I...."
"Sit here." Alejandro repeated it like she hadn't said anything.