The summons
It was our orientation day, the atmosphere buzzing with laughter and joy from different angles of the lecture hall. But what seems to be the same is the topic almost everybody is talking about: Jordan Rogers, the hostile, arrogant yet brilliant final year student. Aside from being all that, he has a reputation for being impossibly charming because of his looks, not because he tried, but because he didn't care to. It was the carelessness in his walks, the deep voice and the half smile that never seemed intentional.
I didn't know then that the man everyone warned us about would be my entire life remote holder, my silence, my obedience, my weakness all in his hands. People hated him, feared him and couldn't stop talking about him.
A few seconds of attention and silence was held in the hall. Guess what? A guy looking like trouble came in looking effortlessly attractive, with dark waved hair, a low beard that framed his jaw and enough mustache to make his smirk dangerous. A suit with no tie and two upper undone buttons described him as they should, walked down the aisle and stood alone facing us on the stage.
After some seconds of a nonchalant yet confident stare at us," You!" he said, looking at my side, the echo and rage in his voice made me shiver and almost drop to my knees, my hands pointing at myself with "me?" my voice cracked, "Yeah you" he said locking his fierce eyes into my tears craving eyes. I stood up softly, weakly and tried to approach him, then he said "What's your name?" R….rue James" i said with shivers down my spine, each syllable shaking its way out of me. Kept quiet a little and said "I thought so", i couldn't resist standing but i have no courage to sit without his permission," sit" he said with effortless authority, and walked out of the hall, leaving me trembling yet tethered to him forever.
That was my first encounter with the mighty Rogers. I couldn't focus more after that, to the extent that i gave out my speech to someone without a second thought.
Back on campus, I tried to wash him off, freshen up and laid on the bed because that was enough for me to end my day, but as I closed my eyes every second of it, my mind kept on replaying the echo in his voice, the order and the way i obeyed like i was possessed, "why were you so obedient and soft out there?" Of course, I was possessed, I knew the answer, and I hated myself for it.
And yet even in my hatred i couldn't stop craving it again.
The next morning, I walked into the lecture hall with heavy eyes and a heavier heart, hoping that he wouldn't be there, that i could smuggle into the back row and pretend yesterday hadn't happened, but before i could do that, the whispers of his name and the fingers pointing at me was screaming in my head and every corner of the room.
And then, as if summoned by the noise, he appeared, Jordan rogers. Walked in careless as usual, that air of someone who owned the very ground he walked on. He didn't even glance at me at first, firstly approached Professor Victoria, our anatomy lecturer who is standing on the podium sorting out notes.
"Ma'am", his deep voice cut through the chatter and every head turned "permission for a word."
Professor victoria was startled but respectful. "What brought you here, Rogers? He used to be one of my favorite students, "Miss Victoria said, smiling at him. "Thank you ma'am" he said, returning with the usual half smile.
He turned, scanning the entire hall and locked those burning eyes on me again. My heart fell into my stomach, and i held my table so hard as if i could break it.
" This girl, rue James," his voice was firm, commanding, "nobody touches her and nobody should intimidate her, she's mine and extend this threat to the entire college".
I gasped, feeling like the earth could swallow me right away.
Then his eyes cut to me, "You, come forward."
I shivered, stood up weakly and moved forward.
Heart slamming and every gaze burning my skin." Here" he pointed to the very first middle row desk he ordered, brushing the books on that desk with his own hands.
He scanned the class again and singled out a chubby girl with glasses (the bookworm type). "You" he said, you'll sit with her, be her friend and study with her, just make sure that she's never alone.
The girl nodded quickly with a fearful portrait replacing her face.
And then, to my unexpected surprise, he knelt one knee before me as his eyes softened and landed on mine with a teasing smirk and said "Is everything alright?" I could only nod, too ashamed, too afraid and too surprised.
"Good", his lips curved almost like a smile but more dangerous than comfort.
"Tonight" he said, "before dinner, come with your books to my hostel, third floor, the only room without a number". That's mine. His stare burned like a brand, "don't be late" only I heard that part.
He rose looking at the boys' row and said "am i understood?" "Yes sir" with an obedient chorus.
And just like that, he marked me, claimed me and gave me a companion no one could mistake, not even miss victoria because of how she was left stunned by the show.
That was the moment I understood I was no longer invisible because Jordan Rogers had chosen me, and no one in that room, not even me, knew how much it would cost.