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I’m smoothing out my hoodie as Hayzel comes bursting into the room.

“Christ. Hayzel, don’t you ever knock?” I ask as she makes herself comfortable on my bed.

She shrugs her shoulders, looking up at me. “Why would I? It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked before.”

I glare at her reflection in the mirror. “Perv.” I pause before continuing, “I shouldn’t be long, I didn’t want to leave him alone in case he starts to get restless.”

Blue decides to greet Hayzel by trotting over towards the bed. He pounces on her, settling himself in her lap and she starts stroking his fur mindlessly as she continues talking to me, “Rey, I love the little guy.”

I grab my wallet and keys and hand over a twenty-dollar bill. “Here, dinner is on me tonight,” I say out loud.

Hayzel snatches the cash out of my hand as a slow smirk crawls up her lips. “Don’t mind if I do!” I scoff as she adds, “Also, Rey, don’t forget we’re going out for my birthday.”

“Do you know where we’re going?” I ask her, and I pray she doesn’t say the words I think she will.

“There’s a new bar downtown, I think we should check it out.”

I resist the urge to bang my head against the wall. “A student bar?” I bite out the words, and Hayzel narrows her eyes, fixing her gaze on me.

“Birthday girls get whatever they want, Rey. It’s the rule.”

I throw my hands up in surrender before dropping them by my sides. “You’re right, you’re right, it’s the rule. I gotta go now, but I’ll text you when I’m heading back, and be safe!” I yell as I make my way out of the door.

“Have fun!” Hayzel calls out to me.

I’m downstairs just in time, and jog over to the cliffside. The air feels thick and fresh as it blows through my hair.

I rake my hand through my curls as I come closer towards a parked car. That’s when I notice him leaning against the back of the car, looking at the ocean whilst having a phone to his ear.

“You’re not scared of heights?” I call out to him, and his head snaps to mine, meeting my gaze.

He hangs up the call without a word before speaking to me. “No, I’m careful.”

I glance behind me one last time before looking back. Mr Caldwell already has the passenger side door open for me, and I walk towards it. “Nice to know that chivalry ain’t dead after all.”

He chuckles as I slip past him into the seat, and closes the door once I’m settled. My eyes roam over the leather interior as he slips into the driver's side.

“So, do you know where you want us to go?” He asks, starting the car.

I snicker before glancing over my shoulder at him, “You know I keep forgetting that you’re not from here.”

“I don’t really have the luxury of touring the island,” he replies with a small smile.

I press my head against the glass, allowing the coldness to seep into my skin. “We can go to a cafe not too far from here,” I say, giving him the directions on where to go and for a moment I drown out the noise.

31

Damien

Play - Medicine Bottle By Red House Painters

Be still

My student sits beside me quietly, one hand resting near the window, the other curled around her own sleeve. She hasn’t spoken since she got in. Neither have I. But it isn’t uncomfortable. She simply watches the campus disappear as I start the engine.

“Do you have a CD somewhere?” She finally asks after a few minutes.

“Yeah, you can pick one in there,” I say, pointing at the center console.