Chapter 48: I Would Do Anything For You

~“Nothing feels better than this.”—Khalid.~

Chapter Theme Song: “Better” by Khalid.

HARMONY

The sun’s warm rays wake me up, streaming through the window of Blaze’s dorm room. I’m nestled in his arms, my back snug against his chest. His breath is steady and relaxed, tickling the nape of my neck.

I turn my head to look at him, a soft smile playing on my lips. He’s a sight to behold, sleeping peacefully. I’m glad the sun has risen and he’s still here with me.

Suddenly, the dorm door swings open. I jerk up onto my elbows, meeting James’s wide-eyed stare.

Blaze stirs awake, blinking in confusion. “Harmony?”

His voice is deeper than usual, a sound that would normally make my heart flutter. But right now, with James standing there, all I feel is embarrassment.

“Shit. I swear, I didn’t see anything!” James quickly turns his back to us. I scramble off the bed, my face burning.

Blaze rolls his eyes and flops onto his back with a groan. “Why are you here so early, James?”

“Blaze, you could have texted me and told me that you have company.” James’s voice is laced with amusement. “I would have gone straight to class instead of walking right in.”

Blaze scowls. “Stop acting like you just caught us fucking or something.”

He glances at me, his eyes half-closed and sleepy, as I slip my feet into my ballet flats. He frowns and grabs my arm, pulling me back onto the bed. “Don’t leave yet, Harmony.”

“I...I have class and James is—"

“James, get to class,” Blaze interrupts, shooting his roommate a glare.

“No problem, right away.” James exits, closing the door behind him. I can hear a faint chuckle as his footsteps fade down the hallway.

“Good morning,” Blaze murmurs, wrapping his arms and legs around me, pulling me closer.

“Good morning.” I’m now completely enveloped in his embrace, his legs trapping me so I can’t move.

“We have English this morning. Do you want us to go together?”

I smile, looking up at him. “Okay. But let me get to my dorm and take a shower.”

He frowns. “Mm, no...shower with me.”

I stiffen, my face flushing. “Y-you’re kidding, right?” I ask softly.

He laughs, the deep sound echoing around the room.

“Yeah. Of course I am kidding, Harmony.”

I let out a sigh of relief, and he grins. “Look how red you are.”

“I am not,” I protest, but my voice wavers. “I normally get really flushed in the mornings.”

“Oh, you do?”

“Yes.”

“Ooh.”

His eyes are dark, and I can tell he doesn’t believe my feeble lie. The fact that my face is getting even redder under his gaze doesn’t help my case.

“I-I need to get to my dorm,” I mumble, managing to wriggle out of his hold.

I hear a sigh behind me, and I turn to see him squirming on his back like a petulant child. I can’t help but giggle at the sight.

~God, he looks so cute.~

“Why are you laughing? It isn’t funny.” He props himself up on his elbows to watch me put on my shoes. “I’ll wait for you at your dorm door so we can go to class together, all right?”

“Yeah, okay.” I smile at him, still amused by his earlier antics. He smiles back, but I can tell he doesn’t want me to leave yet.

“I won’t be long,” I assure him before grabbing my knapsack off the floor and heading out of his room. He nods, a lopsided smirk on his face.

***

When I get to my room, April is already dressed and ready for class, putting in a pair of pearl earrings by the mirror.

“Hey.” I smile, closing the door behind me.

“Hey.” She grins at me. “How was your weekend away from here?”

“It was great. I caught up with an old friend and visited my dad’s grave,” I tell her, smiling. “I even saw Blaze at the graveyard.”

She turns to me, her eyebrows raised as she pulls her brown hair into a quick bun. “You saw Blaze at the graveyard?”

“Yeah...”

She tilts her head in confusion, her hands on her hips. “So, you know what happened to his mom then?”

I nod. “Yeah. He told me everything last night.”

Her eyes widen, and she holds up a hand. “Hold on. Blaze told you about his mom last night?”

“Yeah.” I walk over to my suitcase to grab a clean pair of clothes for class. “He told me why he can’t feel certain emotions too.”

She gasps. “Wow. That’s strange. Blaze never tells anyone his secrets—ever.”

I smile softly, feeling a sense of pride and...~specialness~.

“Could it be that he likes you?”

I give her a nervous chuckle. “I don’t know...”

~I really don’t. He hasn’t exactly told me that.~

She grins at me. “I can tell. There’s something going on. Did you two sleep over?”

“Yeah, but we just watched a movie.” I give a nonchalant shrug.

Her jaw drops, and I can’t help but chuckle.

“Now I’m sure there’s something.”

I laugh. “I’m going to shower.”

“Should I wait for you?”

“No, it’s fine,” I reassure her, and she smiles.

“Okay. We’ll catch up at lunch.”

I nod. “Sounds good.”

***

I pull on a denim jumpsuit and pair it with a light pink long-sleeved shirt. I leave my hair down today, not wanting to be late for class.

I grab my backpack, and as soon as I step out of the room, I see Blaze leaning against the wall across from my dorm.

He’s now in black jeans and a white T-shirt with the Canadian rapper Drake on the front.

His black hair is combed, but I can tell he’s been running his fingers through it while waiting, making it slightly messy.

“Hey.” I smile, walking toward him. “I didn’t know you were waiting for me.”

He flashes a wide smile as he pushes off the wall to meet me halfway. “Didn’t I say I’d wait for you?”

He’s so close now that I can smell his shower gel and the fresh scent of toothpaste on his breath.

I nod. “Yeah, you did.”

A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he nods toward the hall in front of us. “Ready to go?”

I nod again and he stays close as we start our walk down the hall to class.

Most students haven’t arrived at the lecture hall yet, and I check the time—it’s only 7:56 a.m. After we find our seats, I start to pull out my materials from my bag while Blaze does the same.

“I heard we have a new teacher today,” I say. “Since Mr. Jones isn’t here anymore.”

He shrugs, his face unreadable. “Oh, okay.”

I watch him as he digs through his bag for something and decide to confirm my suspicions. “Um...it was you, wasn’t it?”

“Me what?” He looks at me, now unwrapping a Snickers bar with his teeth.

“Mr. Jones...” I lean in to whisper, “You’re the reason he left, aren’t you?”

He looks at me, a smirk playing on his lips as he feigns ignorance. “Why would you think it was me?”

“Because that day you came back for the,” I lower my voice, “knife and then you were gone all day—”

“All I did was ~politely~ ask him to leave. The rest was up to him. Want some?” He offers me the chocolate.

I hesitate before leaning in, and just as I’m about to bite into the chocolate, he leans in and gives me a quick peck on the lips instead.

I gasp and he chuckles, licking his lips. “Tastes better from my lips, doesn’t it?”

I look around, mouth agape, to see if anyone saw that inappropriate action just now.

“We’re in class, Blaze,” I mutter, feeling my cheeks heat up.

“So?” He laughs. “Who cares? I’d do it again, even in front of the lecturer.”

I chew on my lower lip and look away from him. I need to change the subject, or my nerves will get the best of me.

“Um, thanks anyway,” I say, rubbing my hands on my jeans. “For whatever you did to make him leave.”

“I’d do anything for you, Harmony,” he replies almost instantly, running his fingers through his hair.

I look at him and smile.

~I hope he means that.~

**

“You two coming to lunch together, I like it. I like it.” James grins at us, waggling his eyebrows.

I think because he saw us lying together this morning, he’s getting some pretty wild ideas—even though Blaze and I did nothing more than sleep next to each other.

April is quietly smiling as she eats a fry, and I take a seat next to Tia while Blaze heads to his usual spot in the corner. “Did you get the burger for me, April?”

She slides his lunch over to him, and he smiles. “You’re the best cousin ever.”

She rolls her eyes. “Whatever.”

I remember that Blaze can’t feel ~love~ or ~care~ for anyone and wonder if he really means those compliments he gives his cousin. Probably not, and she knows this but also knows that he can’t help it.

“Are you two together?” Yuna whispers to me.

“Who?” I ask.

“You and Blaze.” She smiles, and I blush terribly.

“Um, no...”

“Good morning!” The voice above me makes me look up to see Kite and Dustin standing there, both grinning widely.

“Hey, guys.” Tia waves.

Blaze rolls his eyes. “Don’t you guys have class?”

“It’s lunchtime,” Kite retorts. “And I need to see ~my~ Harmony so I can survive the next period.”

Dustin sits next to Tia while Kite pulls up a chair, asking Yuna to scoot over before he slides in and sits next to me. “Hey, Harmony.”

I smile awkwardly but look up to see Blaze clenching his teeth, his eyes as black as coal—glaring at Kite. I swallow and pull away slightly.

“Some guys from Jaxton and I are throwing a pool party this weekend. You’re coming, right?”

“Oh, it’s this weekend?” April furrows her eyebrows, playing with a fry on her plate. “I haven’t even gotten a swimsuit yet.”

I’ve never been a ~pool~ person. The thought of wearing a swimsuit makes me cringe. It’s like parading around in your underwear.

“Uh, I’m not really—”

“Please, I want you there.” He pulls me into a half-hug, and my eyes go wide.

I glance up at Blaze, his stern look sending a chill down my spine. His finger taps against the desk, a sign I know all too well.

“Okay, I’ll come,” I agree quickly, hoping he’ll back off. But my response leaves everyone at the table stunned, Blaze most of all. It seems my agreement affects him more than Kite’s proximity to me.

“Yes!” Kite pulls his arm away to punch the air in celebration, and I subtly scoot my chair a few inches further from him.

“Don’t forget to pack an overnight bag, okay?” Dustin reminds me, and I manage a forced smile.

Haylee Skye would never let me go to a regular party, let alone a pool party. That would mean showing up half-naked.

Suddenly, Kite’s arm is around me again. “I can’t wait to see you in a swimsuit, Harmony. I—”

“Move. I need that seat,” Blaze interrupts.

Kite squints at him. “Why?”

“Don’t question me. The A/C is too high over here. Give a Homewood student the seat.”

The girls exchange knowing glances and soft smiles while Kite frowns. “Man, I was here first.”

“Doesn’t matter. I’m the one paying tuition.” Blaze strides over to my side. “Move.”

Kite shakes his head, stands, and takes Blaze’s old seat. Blaze drops into the seat Kite just vacated.

He grins at me. “Much warmer.”

A smile spreads across my face and I lower my gaze to my lunch, my cheeks turning pink.

Kite grumbles. “What the hell? The A/C isn’t even on over here.”