Thirty Six

***Ruby***

Not in a thousand years would I have imagined that Jake would say something like that. Or maybe I heard him wrong. I should probably clean my ears or something.

My eyes narrowing out of confusion, I made sure I wasn’t making eye contact with Mr. Klaus who I was certain would either be looking amused or wearing a blank look.
“What are you saying Jake?” I asked carefully as I met his eyes which failed to stop staring at me.

“You heard me Ruby. I do not have any other reason. I am being so persistent because I love you. And I really don’t sit well with you being so cozy with someone like him.” Jake pointed towards the man behind us. “I won’t allow it.”

“But I can’t return the love you claim to have towards me, yet you’ll ruin my chance of being with someone I actually like.”

Jake didn’t look like he was ready to give up. “What if you don’t actually like him? What if it is an infatuation? It can easily happen because he is quite good looking. I-”

Sighing hard as he was beginning to seem more disappointing than reasonable, I brought up my right hand and made him pause his words. “Jake, I really like you being my friend. Not once have I seen you in a romantic way. I-”

“Do you have to be so cruel?” he asked soberly. “You could have just said a simple no.”

“Me liking Adonis is me teling you no, but you seemed so adamant to ruin what we have.”

“You might also be in danger Ruby.” Jake tried to reach for my hand but I took a step back. “I don’t want to see you being troubled greatly because of him.”

My eyes went on to train on the cemented floor. “I know.”

“Uh?”

“I know I am in danger.”

He wore a deep frown. “Yet you wish to be with him?”

“He will protect me.”

“How?” Huge hands gripped my shoulders firmly and I was forced to look into his eyes. “Tell me how he will protect you.”

“Jake let go of me,” I calmly said as his eyes began to burn with a different emotion. “You can’t do anything about the situation, Adonis can and I also like him. You can’t do anything about that either. ”

“What do you mean?” My eyes closed briefly as his hold failed to disappear. “I can also protect you.”

“How?” I don’t know if it was the air or something, I was already feeling tired and I would give almost anything for a bed to appear at the moment. But first, I needed to get Jake to stop acting like I had chosen death or something. “How do you intend to protect me?” I asked him further.
“Does protecting me have to do with the fact that you are doing something shady?”

“What?”

“I heard everything you guys said. I had my doubts but I am certain you are hiding something.”

His hold relaxed and he stood straighter. “Don’t listen to everything he says. I am not up to anything.”

I nodded slowly as my arms crossed. “I hear you.”

“Stop dating him Ruby.”

“I like him.”

“He is trouble.”

The side of my lips pulled into a slight smile as I managed a small shrug. “Well, I guess I like trouble. Isn’t that fantastic?”

“I really hope you don’t regret this,” Jake said with defeat hidden in his voice. “You should take care of yourself too and do not let him walk over you, he is still suspicious to me.”

“Thank you and I am sorry.” I can’t imagine liking someone who doesn’t like you back but Abby’s image came to my head and I had a hint of how devastating it could be. “Does Abby know that I am the one you like?”

“No. I didn’t tell her, it would have caused a rift.” He eyed me carefully before he asked, “Have you told her you are dating a teacher?”

“Now you are making it sound terrible,” I protested.

“It is terrible. Oh sorry, should I have added the word *substitute*? “

“Okay….” I rolled my eyes. “Now you are being a bitch.”

He let out a small chuckle. "I can't help it. The girl I like doesn't feel the same way."

I don't know if that was supposed to hit me in a way that would bring forth some kind of reaction but it didn't so I ended up throwing him a short smile.
"You'll be fine right?"

"Yes." He sighed deeply as his hands went into his pockets. "I'll take this rejection as payback from the universe for also rejecting someone. But Ruby, I won't stop reminding you that he is danger because he is."

"Prove it and I'll listen to you." I sounded kind of pissed. He was being repetitive despite me telling him I am fine with my decisions. "You can leave now. Let's all meet before the week runs out to catch up."

Jake scoffed. "You definitely have made up your mind. See you later."

As soon as he left, I let out a really long exhale which had me closing my eyes so I was oblivious to what was going on during those few seconds. By the time I opened my eyes, Mr. Klaus was in front of me, arms crossed, eyes watching me with care.

"Mr. Klaus..."

"Adonis," his voice instructed and for once I found my myself complying. I have been calling him by his name anyway, it wouldn't hurt to say it to his face no matter how weird it seemed.

So, I swallowed the weirdness and said as gently as possible, " Adonis. "

He didn't smirk like I expected him to. " You know you friend is not wrong, right? "

" About what? " My eyes leveled with his chest which my head wished to be leaning against at that moment.

" How dangerous being with me is. You can't-"

" Can you guys please stop trying to make me regret making a decision?" My forehead knitted firmly. " You of all people should be in support of my decision. I have decided to be with you despite the craziness around the idea. I decided not to tell my parents because you could go to jail and-"

" You didn't know me that well when you decided not to tell your parents, why exactly did you make that decision at that point in time? "

What was he trying to drive at?
Something inside my head whispered that he was probably trying to break things off.
I shook that thought away instantly.

"I don't know Adonis. Before then, you kept speaking about kissing me and all that, I guess you found a place in my head that I couldn't get rid of you. And when the situation of things became clear, I couldn't get rid of you either."

" Ruby..." I almost groaned. " I need to make sure nothing is amiss here. I like you and I need to be certain you feel the way but without it being because I manipulated you or something. "

" Wait? Are you being worried about being caught? Do you think I would tell people you forced me to be with you if we are caught?"

Adonis shook his head. " That's not what I mean. Don't try to bring strangers into this."

" What do you mean then?" There was definitely something in the air. I was beginning to feel so worked up, I knew it was only a matter of time before I lashed out at him. "You know what... I need to leave."

"We are not done talking Ruby," he said, his hand quick to grab mine.

"Well, Mr. Klaus..." Our eyes met and he seemed to understand that there was some incoming chaos being cooked in my head.
"I think I am done with you for today."

I pulled my hand out of his hold and made for the exit but huge arms wrapped me from behind and my steps were halted.

"Listen carefully to me Ruby. I am not doubting you, I don't think I'll ever doubt the person who has decided to be with me despite the dangers around. But I need to make sure you feel safe. I need to make sure you are not regretting choosing me. I need to be certain you-"

I turned abruptly to face him, the anger in me quenched a bit. "I am not a fool Mr. Klaus. I was fully aware of what I was walking into when I said yes to you protecting me. And now that I feel something, I..." I took a pause to search for the right word to express myself. " I... I really can't be disappointed in my decisions. I just can't."

" Really?" I nodded and my arms went around his body to get that hug I had been yearning for.

" I like you Adonis. I can't help it," I said and I realized how I sounded so unlike me. I sounded reckless and stupid. I am certain the version of me from a month ago wouldn't hesitate to slap sense into me. I barely know him yet I am saying stuff like that.

But it wasn't a lie, it was how I felt.

"Listen..." He was really talking like he was about to end things and that had my head sparking. Our eyes met again and instead of words flying out of his lips, our lips connected again and I forgot the speculations in my head.

It was slower than usual. It was gentle. It was assuring, I couldn't help but guess that was his way of giving me a response.
My body shifted to have proper access to his sweet torture and my hands pulled him closer as much as I could.

"Let's meet here later," Adonis said against my lips as he put a pause to the kiss.

"Why here?" I couldn't take my eyes off his lush lips which I needed against mine in soonest.

"We seem to have a greater connection here." He smiled. "It has a great view in the evening too."

"Evening? What do I tell my parents? I need a solid reason to be out of the house so late."

"You can tell them that you are meeting your boyfriend."

*Boyfriend*.
Is it weird that that word made me smile?

" Don't worry Adonis. I will make sure to tell them that you are a gang member and my English teacher who is going to protect me at all cost."

He chuckled before his face wore a pondering look. " How about I call them and tell them I gave you detention?"

My eyes bulged instantly. " That's like inviting my parent's trouble. They know I don't like the idea of detention."

" Well Ruby, you had better think of an excuse, else I will actually call them."

My eyes squinted dramatically. " Don't you dare sir. "

" Or what?" He dared my words. "What would you do little peanut?"

*Peanut?*

I found myself cackling hard at his supposed word of endearment. " Little peanut? Why would you call me that?"

" Because..." His arms hugged me even closer as he wore a smile that made him look more handsome. " You are so small in my arms. As small as a peanut. I-" His lighted face became dim instantly as he observed something from afar.

" What is it?" I searched the surroundings and found nothing but, by the time my eyes landed on him, a small thud came from behind us.
It was unclear what happened but when Adonis turned, I followed his line of sight and I saw the situation.

Someone had shot a bullet into the wall.