Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Confrontation

Hallie’s POV

I haven’t seen River since we went out for brunch on Saturday. I’ve been secretly hoping that I’ll run into him in the kitchen late at night when I’m up studying or even just in the communal bathroom. But there’s been nothing. I haven’t seen him since.

I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed because I have no reason to want to see him, but ever since Abby gave me a little insight into who River is, I have been wanting to get to know him better. Knowing that he doesn’t normally act this kind or caring around other girls has me feeling a little special, even though the feeling is likely premature. I don’t know what River’s intentions are with me yet, which is exactly why I want to find out.

This guy has me lying awake at night thinking about him. I see those d*mn red-speckled eyes every time I close my eyes. I mean, I have never seen such eyes in my entire life. They’re captivating and mesmerizing whenever I look deep into them. I’ve convinced myself if I were to look close enough, I’d be able to see further into River’s soul.

Sure, River’s exterior is a sight to see – his beauty is unmatched from any guy I’ve seen before – and I understand why every girl on campus has a crush on him. But what I’m more interested in is seeing what is underneath the surface layer – the side of him he doesn’t want others to see. I want to know why he looks at me as if he is trying to dissect every inch of my soul and why I always run into him at the most convenient times. My curiosity is driving me insane.

I want to know more about the mysterious River Knight.

The sun is beginning to set below the horizon and I’m still in the library studying. I have been here for a couple of hours since my last lecture of the day. I already have a lot of homework to complete before my next class and it’s only the second week. I knew college was going to be hard, but I didn’t think it would be this much work.

The view from the table I’m sitting at overlooks the entire lawn area out the front of the building. I use the sight as a distraction for a moment when I need to clear my head from looking at equations for my biology class. A distraction is very much needed.

I turn my head to the side and watch as students walk by with their friends. I can see their mouths moving, but no sound. My mind goes to another place as I watch a group of friends sit down under the largest tree on the lawn and pull out what appears to be beer cans from a backpack.

I laugh because it’s only Wednesday and people are already needing a drink to get through the rest of the week.

My phone vibrates on the table beside me and I look down to see a text from Abby.

Abby: Are you still studying? You should come grab a drink with me.

Hallie: I can’t, sorry. I really need to get this homework done otherwise my professor will be so mad. She already scares me.

Abby: Boo, you’re no fun. Let me know if you need anything while you’re studying. I’ll be just down the road with some friends.

Hallie: I appreciate that, thank you. Have fun and be safe.

I smile as I put my phone back on the table beside me. Abby really is a wild one. I like that she pulls me out of my comfort zone and encourages me to try new things and experience what life has to offer, but sometimes I like to retreat into my shell and do things my way.

I empty my brain of any lingering thoughts and get back to studying. As my eyes scan the screen, it feels as though the numbers are coming alive and dancing in front of my eyes, making it more difficult to concentrate.

“D*mnit,” I curse under my breath and shake my head.

The light tapping of shoes hitting the hardwood floorboards as they inch closer to me makes my head snap up in the direction of the sound. My eyes widen when I see Giselle walking toward me. Her brows are furrowed, and her lips are set in a tight line as she beelines toward me.

Her curvy hips sway with each step she takes, the mini skirt she’s wearing flicking at the ends as she walks. Giselle appears to be dressed as though she has just gotten off the runway with her tight tank top, mini skirt, and short heels. Her blonde hair is loose around her shoulders with make-up done to perfection.

“Oh, sh*t…” I breathe softly.

“You’re Hallie, right?” Giselle spits out when she reaches the table, towering over me as I sit pin straight in the chair.

I stare up at her, my heart pounding in my chest, unable to say anything. I’m not one for confrontations, never have been. And what makes it worse is that I have no idea why she is acting this way or even talking to me in the first place. I want to guess it has something to do with River, but I haven’t done anything to upset her when it comes to him.

“Y-Yeah,” I stammer, swallowing hard. “Why?”

Giselle crosses her arms over her chest, accentuating it further, and tilts her head. “You need to stay away from my man, got it? I don’t want to see you any near him.”

“River?” I ask, confused as to why she would be saying this to me when I barely know him. “If this is because he took me home on Friday, he was the one who offer –”

“I’m not talking about that,” Giselle snaps, cutting me off mid-sentence. “I overheard him talking about you to his friends when I went to visit him during practice today.”

My brows shoot up in surprise and my eyes widen. Why would River be talking about me to his friends? We have only spoken to each other a few times and went out for brunch once. That isn’t something worthy of mentioning to his close friends in my opinion. If anything, I thought I made a fool of myself in front of him.

“I don’t know why he would be talking about me,” I say truthfully, hoping it’ll derail this situation a little. “I wouldn’t even say we’re friends…”

“Cut the sh*t,” Giselle snaps as she slams one hand on the table and uses the other to point a perfectly manicured finger inches from my nose. I gasp as all the breath in my lungs evaporates. “If you don’t f*cking stay away from him, I’ll be coming for your a**, got it? He’s mine.”

I swallow hard and nod frantically because this girl is scaring the crap out of me. The deranged look in her eyes is a warning not to cross her and I should listen to it. I don’t need this type of drama over a guy I barely know, and someone I wouldn’t even say is a friend.

“Loud and clear,” My voice is barely above a whisper as the words leave my lips.

“Good,” Giselle snaps as she pushes off the table and pops a hip out. “You couldn’t get a guy like River anyway with your…interesting looks, so you may as well save your breath.”

And with that last fleeting comment of nastiness, Giselle spins on her heels and walks away from the table. I was feeling a little scared by her threat, but now I’m annoyed. I’m annoyed because I don’t understand why she thinks she can threaten me like that when I clearly stated that nothing is going on between me and River.

I’m annoyed because I should’ve stood up more for myself when I know the truth, but I’ve never had to deal with something like that before, so I didn’t know how to.

And I’m annoyed because I care more about what Giselle overheard River saying about me than anything else.

I frantically pack away my belongings on a slight high from the intense interaction I just had with Giselle and leave the library. My heart is racing as I clutch the strap of my tote bag tightly as I walk toward the dormitory.

Giselle seemed so sure that I’m trying to steal her boyfriend, so I’m sure there must be a reason for that. I hope River has an explanation for this because I’m not leaving his room until I get one.

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