GEMINI.
Ever since I crossed paths with the Morre twins, whispered rumors seemed to follow me like shadows. They spoke of a secluded room on campus, a private space the twins supposedly own, their family's influence granting them liberties others could only dream of. Some claimed it was a torture chamber—a playroom that Percy uses whenever someone dared to cross him.
Tormented and a bit intrigued, I couldn't help but wonder why the school would allow such a room to exist. My hands trembled slightly as I approached the door, an unsettling mix of curiosity and anxiety pulsing through me.
Typing a quick message into my phone, I sent him a reply.
"I'm here."
I took a deep breath, glancing around the empty hallway, the area is eerily quiet.
The specific instructions Percy had given me felt both thrilling and strange, and somehow I found myself adhering to every detail, as if guided by an unseen force. Was it fear leading me, or did obey him willing? I honestly couldn't tell anymore.
Moments later, his response appeared across my screen—simple yet electrifying.
"Come in."
My pulse quickened as I deciphered the command, a rush of adrenaline surging through my veins.
Stealing myself, I pushed the large door open, and my jaw dropped in disbelief. The room was immaculate, nothing like the menacing torture arena my imagination had conjured. Instead, it resembled a sophisticated office—with antique furniture and rich wood accents that screams nothing but elegance.
"Come!" Percy beckoned me, his tone casual yet demanding.
I found my legs moving toward him almost involuntarily, the sound of my footsteps echoing in the surprisingly serene space. Percy sat casually, still donned in the same outfit from this morning—dark jeans and a fitted shirt that accentuated his frame.
"Pick whatever you want." he said calmly, extending his iPad toward me.
I blinked, staring at the screen before me. It was a food delivery page, specifically showcasing Chinese cuisine, its presentation surprisingly upscale.
Did they even deliver here?
"Wait," I said, incredulous. "You want me to order food?" I couldn't fathom the logic behind it, caught in an amusing whirlwind of chaos and confusion.
"Is there a problem?" His perfectly sculpted eyebrow arched as he surveyed my bewildered expression.
"No, no problem!" I quickly replied, shaking my head more vigorously than intended.
He gestured toward the plush couch, and without hesitation, I obeyed, my heart racing a little faster. Percy returned to his phone, fingers dancing across the screen like they were born for it, while I sat there grappling with the absurdity of the situation.
What was happening? I couldn't for the life of me fathom his motives, or was this some strategic play to keep me off guard? Was he fattening the pig before slaughter? The thought made me shiver.
He wasn't really planning to fatten me up and then skin me alive later, is he?
"What exactly is going through that head of yours?" he asked, amusement dancing in his tone. "You've got some strange expressions on your face."
Caught off guard, I stammered, "I just…it's nothing!"
I realized he wanted his iPad back and extended my hand towards him, my palm clammy with nerves.
"Done?" he inquired, tilting his head slightly, and I nodded, handing it over, feeling a rush of adrenaline wash over me. Percy scrolled through my selections, nodding in approval before proceeding to order multiples of everything which struck me as excessive, speaking off...
"Is your sister joining us?" I asked.
For a moment, he looked at me as if I had grown a second head. "Do you want her to join us?" His confusion startled me.
"I mean… I just thought since you ordered so much food…" The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could hold them back, and as I spoke, I felt a creeping sensation that maybe I'd offended him.
"Pen is having lunch with our friends," he replied nonchalantly, stretching back against the couch. "It's just you and I today." He then asked, his voice relaxed, "Why? You think I really ordered too much?"
Why is he asking that? I could see the amusement glimmering in his eyes; he was playing with me, and I responded instinctively.
"Yes! No—I mean, I just think it might be too much! We shouldn't waste food." My tongue is going to put me in trouble. I hope i don't offend him again.
"It's fine," he said, his eyes running over me from head to toe, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You need to eat more."
Wait a minute. Did he just imply that I'm skinny? Instantly, I felt a wave of insecurity wash over me, and I wrapped my arms protectively around my body. I could've sworn I heard him chuckle softly, a flicker of mischief in his gaze that made my heart race.
What is happening right now? This is so odd—this was the most conversation we have shared since our very first meeting. There was a strange camaraderie lingering in the air that felt foreign yet exhilarating. I was torn—what were we to each other right now?
Friends? I think not!
The room settled into a comfortable silence, and for some reason, it didn't bother me at all. I wasn't drowning in the awkwardness I had expected.
When the food finally arrived, Percy began laying out the meals before us. I expected him to cut up my food for me like he did last time, but there was no steak this time. Instead, he told me to eat after placing meals in front of me, and I found myself getting lost in the moment.
Then came the moment that left me utterly speechless—he noticed me fumbling with the chopsticks, leaned closer, like he wanted to feed me, I honestly had no doubt that he would so I had to hurriedly mastered the act of holding it properly and quickly.
Percy relaxed into the couch and murmured, "Good boy." under his breath.
The words were so casual yet laced with something that sent heat flooding through me. He handed me an open bottle of water without me even asking, his thoughtful gesture a delightful surprise I wasn't prepared for.
"Uh, thanks!" I stuttered, struggling to align my thoughts as a wave of warmth washed over my cheeks.
What is happening to me? Why is my stomach fluttering and my face suddenly hot? Flustered, I could only attribute it to Percy's perplexing presence, an intoxicating mixture of fear and something I dreaded to acknowledge sparked within me.
This was not how I had imagined my day would unfold when I woke up today—not at all. I was here with someone who could have easily been deemed intimidating, yet in this moment, among the scattered takeout boxes and rich scents, I feel strangely at ease, as if everything around us had faded away, leaving just the two of us in this weird bubble of comfort.