A few seconds of attention and silence was held in the hall, guest what? A guy looking like trouble came in looking effortlessly attractive, dark wavy hair, a low beard that framed his jaw and enough moustache 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 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, each syllable shaking its way out of me. I couldn't resist standing but I had 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.
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.
That was my first encounter with the mighty rogers, i couldn't focus more after that, to the extent that i gave out my orientation day 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 won'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 names 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 carelessly as usual, that air of someone who owned the very ground he walked on. He didn't even glance at us, 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, nobody touches her and nobody should intimidate her, she's mine and extend this threat to the entire college".his voice was firm, commanding,
I gasped, feeling like the earth could swallow me right away.
Then his eyes cut to me, "you, come forward"
I shivered, stood up weak 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 book worm type), "you" he said, you'll sit with her, be her friend and study with her, 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 too dangerous to comfort me
"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 me heard that part.
He rose looking at the boys row and said "am i undertood?" "Yes sir" with 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 am no more invisible because jordan rogers has chosen me, and no one in that room, not even me know how much it would cost.
I can't even remember how I walked out of the lecture hall after all that. My legs moved without my mind catching up on what I'm doing. All I can remember is his calm commands that refused to be disobeyed, asking myself in curiosity "why is his room the only one without a number?" "Why did he say before dinner? Is he trying to make me cook for him?"
There are so many ways for me to refuse. I could have told myself it is not compulsory, but my mind was not even thinking of not going. All I can think of is what is going to happen there.
As I walked into my hostel, the rumors had spread everywhere, countless whispers and fingers pointing towards me, but I didn't even bother with them because my mind was elsewhere.
The moment I walked into the room, the new roommate and friend he gave me (Jenny) turned to look at me. I should have expected it. She had been waiting, curious and restless. "So what did he tell you?" asked, with interest narrowing in her eyes.
"Nothing serious" I said quickly and pretended to be busy with my locker, dropping my bag and fumbling for books I didn't even plan to read.
"Nothing serious?" her voice echoed with a grin on her face. Then why did he kneel to talk to you?