Chapter 4 Creeps
~ Lina's POV ~
“Lexi, this whole thing feels so weird,” I said, adjusting the strap of my backpack as we walked across campus after our last class. “Bellamy made me breakfast again this morning. Like actual pancakes with fruit on the side. Who does that? It doesn’t feel right at all.”
Lexi flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and gave me a sideways look, her glossy lips curving into a teasing smile.
“Girl, you’re complaining because a hot rich guy is cooking for you? Most girls on this campus would cut off a limb to be in your shoes right now.”
I laughed a little but it sounded forced even to my own ears.
“It’s not funny. I keep telling him I’m not interested but he just grins like I’m playing hard to get. It makes me feel… off.”
She nudged my arm.
“Off? Or secretly excited? Come on, Lina. Stop fussing and musing over it. Any other girl would be posting selfies from his mansion by now.”
There it was... that tiny edge in her voice.. the jealousy she tried to hide behind jokes.
I’d known Lexi long enough to catch it. Like every other girl at Blackthorne, she had a massive crush on Bellamy Middleton. The star basketball player, the rich heir, the guy who walked around campus like he owned the freaking sun.
I kept my tone light.
“Look, I have zero feelings for him. Seriously. If you want, I can try to hook you two up. You’d be cute together.”
Lexi’s steps faltered. Her smile tightened and for a second I saw real annoyance flash in her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something but before she could, her group of friends appeared from the side path, laughing and chatting loudly.
Macie Middleton led the group, petite and striking with her dark hair and sharp eyes. Right beside her was Nathalie Doyle... Bellamy’s ex girlfriend... tall, stunning, with icy blue eyes and that model walk that made people stare.
“Hey, Lexi,” Macie called but her gaze landed straight on me and her smile turned sour. “Oh. You’re still hanging around with her?”
Nathalie crossed her arms, looking me up and down like I was something stuck on her shoe.
“So you’re the charity case living in Bellamy’s house now? How cute.”
My stomach twisted but I kept my face calm.
“I’m not a charity case. And I don’t feel anything for Bellamy. We’re not dating or anything like that.”
Macie laughed shortly and meanly.
“Unworthy is what you are. My brother has standards. You think because he's trying to fuck you right now makes you special? Please. You’re just temporary entertainment.”
Nathalie stepped closer with her voice dripping with fake sweetness.
“I agree with Macie. You’re nothing but a golddigger leeching off him. How long until you ask for money or try to trap him? We all know girls like you.”
The words stung like tiny needles and I glanced at Lexi, hoping my best friend would say something... anything... to back me up. But she just stood there, lips pressed together and eyes on the ground. Not a single word.
Tears burned behind my eyes but I refused to cry in front of them.
“Whatever,” I muttered and turned away, walking off before they could throw more insults at me.
Their laughter followed me down the path while my chest felt tight with the pain I was feeling.
Getting mixed up with the Middletons was starting to feel like painting a huge red target on my back. Rich families like theirs didn’t mix with girls like me without consequences.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t see the tall figure coming from the basketball court until I walked straight into him. Classic.
Strong hands caught my shoulders to steady me.
“Woah, easy there, Red.”
Bellamy’s voice was warm and teasing. He was sweaty, still in his practice jersey that clung to his muscular chest. His dark hair was damp and those tattooed arms looked even more defined up close.
Despite everything, my stupid heart did a little flip.
He smelled like fresh sweat and something woodsy that made my head feel fuzzy for a second.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, stepping back quickly. “I was just leaving.”
He didn’t let go right away.
“You okay? You look like you just ran into trouble.”
“I’m fine.” I tried to move past him but he shifted slightly, blocking my easy escape.
“Come on, talk to me. Did something happen?”
I sighed.
“Your sister and your ex happened. They made it very clear I don’t belong anywhere near you. Which is fine by me, because I don’t want to be near you anyway.”
Bellamy’s jaw tightened but before he could reply, I noticed something that made my words die in my throat.
His piercing blue eyes looked… different. They were deeper and sunken.. almost like the color had shifted slightly, darker around the edges.
“Your eyes,” I said slowly. “They look weird. Like… changed color a bit.”
For a split second, alarm flashed across his face and then it was gone, replaced by that easy smirk.
“It’s nothing. Just been training hard for the upcoming tournament. Eyes get tired, you know? Too much sweat and bright lights.”
He was lying. I could feel it in my gut. The way he said it too quickly and the way his shoulders tensed. It made me even more wary of him. What was Bellamy Middleton hiding? And why did it feel dangerous?
“Yeah… sure,” I said, taking another step back. “I should go.”
I hurried away before he could say anything else with my mind racing.
The more reasons to keep my distance until I could save enough money to move out. Living under his roof was already complicated enough without whatever secret he was carrying.
When I got back to the big luxury house, the place felt too quiet. I heard low voices coming from the living room and paused near the doorway, peeking in carefully.
Emmett was there, laughing about something with his warm hazel eyes and next to him stood another brother I hadn’t met yet... Martin, I guessed.
He was lean and quiet with messy dark hair and calm gray eyes.. Sitting in the big armchair was their father, Devon Middleton. Everyone on campus knew who he was... broad-shouldered, silver-streaked dark hair and an aura that screamed power.
I leaned in a little more, trying to catch what they were saying.
Suddenly, all three of them went silent at the exact same time and their heads turned straight toward my hiding spot with eyes locking on me like they’d known I was there the whole time.
A chill ran down my spine.
How the hell did they do that?!
I straightened up and stepped into the room, trying to act normal.
“Hi… sorry to interrupt. I’m Lina. Nice to meet you, Mr. Middleton.”
Devon Middleton stared at me from head to toe and back up again with his expression cold. He scoffed loudly and stood up.
“So this is the girl. Bellamy really can’t keep his dick to himself for once.” He muttered, heading for the door.
Disgust rose in my throat but I bit my tongue and said nothing as he walked out without another glance.
Emmett broke the awkward silence with a cheerful grin.
“Don’t mind Dad. He’s always like that. Hey, Lina! How was your day? Did my brother burn the kitchen down trying to impress you again?”
I managed a small smile.
“Not today.”
Martin just stared at me quietly with his gray eyes intense in a way that felt… creepy. Like he was studying me.
“I’m heading to my room,” I said quickly and escaped upstairs.
I locked the door behind me... the way I’d been doing every night since Bellamy barged in with that dinner tray. After a quick shower, I climbed into bed, exhausted.
I woke up gasping sometime later with cold sweat covering my skin.
The nightmare about Mom had felt so real again... her weak smile in the hospital bed, the beeping machines.. the way she sacrificed everything for Lexi’s family only for both women to die anyway.
My chest ached with the familiar pain.
I sat up, breathing hard and reached for the lamp.
That’s when I saw it.
The door I had definitely locked before sleeping was now hanging slightly ajar.
My heart launched into my throat as fear gripped me tight as I stared at the dark gap…
