Taming the Beast

Chapter 12 (Caroline)

Gregg saw me and smiled as he started heading towards me. Before, I was excited to see Keegan, but

now I was dreading having to sit through a whole lunch period listening to him and Natasha flirt and

touch. I looked down at my lap as Gregg took the seat on my left and Keegan on my right. It didn’t go

unnoticed that Natasha planted herself on Keegan’s other side; practically sitting in his lap. Asher, Nick,

and Trevor filled in the rest of the seats at our table. My friends, John, Stacy and Mariana, all greeted

them. There were less looks today from the rest of the cafeteria. I flinched away from the butterflies

running amuck in my stomach. I tried to ignore the shocks of pleasure running up my leg from where

Keegan’s jeans were brushing against mine. Keegan smiled at me sheepishly; like he’d just been

caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Hey Caroline,” he greeted. I narrowed my eyes at him. Was he serious? He goes on saying that he’s

attracted to me, makes me feel some kind of way, makes me excited to see him, only to rub his

girlfriend in my face?

“Oh, Caroline, hey,” Natasha said as if she didn’t see me sitting there until now. Her hand rubbed up

Keegan’s arm. I wanted to rip it off. I watched as each perfectly manicured, candy-colored nail moved

up his chest then back down his arm. How dare she touch him! He was mine!

No he wasn’t.

I took a deep breath to calm myself He wasn’t mine. He was someone I could possibly be friends with,

but he wasn’t mine; not in that way. He said a few nice things to me and I let my imagination run wild.

Us being together was never even a possibility. Natasha always got what she wanted… and she had

Keegan.

“Caroline, I see you’ve met my boyfriend, Keegan,” she smiled indifferently. Keegan’s eyes shot to mine

as he blushed. He kind of reminded me of a shy young boy. I wanted to hug him and tell him that

everything was going to be okay, but that would be weird. I shrugged and turned back to my turkey

salami sandwich.

“Yeah, we’ve met,” I said. I sounded bitter. That’s not the way I wanted it to come out at all; although I

did feel that way. An awkward silence fell over the table as I ate my lunch quietly. Well, everyone else

was quiet while Natasha rambled on about something. I sighed ad decided to tune her back in. It didn’t

sound like she was talking about Keegan anymore.

“… so when we get married, I decided that I’ll change dresses for the reception,” she said. I choked on

the chip I’d just stuck in my mouth. Gregg pat my back gently. I’m glad it was him. It wouldn’t have

helped to situation any if Keegan was touching me. I gained control over my wind pipes again and

drank some water. Natasha continued on as if nothing happened.

Selfish bitch.

I let out a sigh of relief I didn’t even know I was holding as the lunch bell rang. I quickly stood and

rushed off to my next class.

“See you at practice!” Natasha called after me. I walked quickly until I reached the Science wing. I let

out a breath and took a step into the classroom. I felt a hand on my elbow and I was pulled out of the

classroom and against the wall beside the door. I knew who it was before I saw his face because fire

shot through my body. I sucked in a breath as I saw he had me boxed up against the wall. I was aware

of how very close he was.

“Caroline, I can explain,” Keegan started. I wanted to bash on his face. I wanted to yell at him. I wanted

to scream. Instead, I acted like it didn’t bother me.

“What are you talking about?” I said, blinking at him. He shook his head at me in disbelief.

“I saw you… I felt you, and you were mad at me. I should’ve told you about Natasha but it’s not what it

seems,” he tried to explain. I stopped him.

“What you do or don’t do on your time is none of my business, really. There’s nothing to explain. We’re

friends, you don’t have to explain your girlfriend to me,” I said. I was lying through my teeth. I wanted to

know so badly, but what I said was true: it was none of my business. Keegan sighed and tried to speak

again, but I brushed his arm aside and slipped into the classroom. Keegan slipped into the seat next to

me as the bell rang. This was going to be a long class.