He woke up gasping for air, drenched in sweat, his heart drummed like a machine gun. The last thing he remembered was his dad choking him against the wall, he tried to pull his hand off his neck but his tiny arms gave way.
He hadn’t had those nightmares in awhile, not after Charlie. He curled up in his bed, feeling like a little boy again, all alone in the dark. Fear paralyzed him, when he looked at the clock on the bedside, it was only 10 minutes after 4 AM.
Tommy walked over to the kitchen to get a glass of water, he hadn’t even slept for thirty minutes, the dream had jolted his nerves in a shock. He put on his shirt and jeans, grabbed his hoodie and walked out of his flat.
**********
There was a knock on the door. She checked her watch twice just to be sure it’s five o’clock in the morning. She tip toed to the front door, terrified of what might be on the other side of it. She looked through the peeping hole and turned the key to open the door.
“Tommy? What are you doing here at 5 in the morning?”
There was a dark circle around his eyes, his stare was even darker. He stepped inside and closed the door. Without saying a word, he kissed her and pushed her to the wall. He stripped her off her night gown, took off his own clothes. He went down on her while she stood naked against the wall. She sighed, dug her fingers through his hair, it was a nice surprise.
He didn’t say anything. He stood up to kiss her, lifted her legs to wrap around him, he pushed in when she was ready. She gasped.
They banged against the wall, then he took her down on the floor. He had an intense look on his face that gradually soften as he stared her down. She was puzzled, but felt too good to ruin the moment.
He held her hips tightly to steady her, he was on fire, and he came in like a surprise raid. He fell on his back on the floor, panting. His eyes stared blankly at the ceiling. Charlie rolled over to him, kissed his shoulder. “Was that make up sex?” He rubbed his face with one hand. “You never did that to me before, but I like it,” she said.
He laughed softly, kissed her head. She snuggled in his arm. “I love you, Charlie, I’m sorry about tonight … do you love me?” he asked.
“You know I do.”
He glanced at her, “I know … but I need to hear you say it.”
She touched his chin, “I love you Tom Raven … now will you tell me what’s this all about?”
“I couldn’t sleep … I was so tired, but I couldn’t sleep … I have to be at the gym at 6 … and I wanted to see you so badly.”
She checked the clock and rolled over on top of him. Her hair fell on her breasts as she hovered over him. She took his hands and put them on her breasts, she moved her hips back and forth. “You’re not leaving so soon, are you?”
He chuckled, he was reacting to her movement.
“You can’t wake me up like that and just leave.” She leaned closer to him. She licked the side of his face, “Let’s fuck again,” she whispered.
**********
Maybe it was the stress. Maybe it was the nightmare. Maybe he missed her too much that drove him there. Or maybe it was guilt of what he was about to do.
When he left the apartment, he knew he would never have the strength to go through his day without sleep. That was exactly what he was facing. He took the packet Vicky gave him that was safely tucked in his pocket. He had been contemplating for a while, the day had finally come. He took out a tiny portion of the powder and snorted it.
**********
First day of University was suppose to be exciting. She was drained of her morning energy after a visit from Tommy. She tried hard not to fall asleep in the classroom, her new young professor noticed immediately.
“Did something kept you up last night, Miss … ?” he addressed her.
She jolted on her seat, there was a murmur in the classroom. “Me?” she pointed at herself.
The charming professor smiled, “Yes … you seemed very tired, and it’s only the first day … what’s your name?”
She cleared her throat, “Charlene Ludlow, sir, I’m sorry … I didn’t get enough sleep … nervous probably,” she defended herself.
Charlie sat quite far in the middle, but Professor Brad Winthrop noticed all of his students. He looked at the absence sheet and raised his eyebrows, he nodded and smiled, “Miss Ludlow … I’m glad it was just nerves … excitement, I hope, I was worried that my class bore you to sleep there,” he looked at her straight in the eyes.
The class buzzed with soft laughter. She could feel her cheeks warm. Brad Winthrop was a star teacher at Arch Institute, all the students wanted to be in his class.
She tucked her hair behind her ear, pressed her lips shyly, “No, sir, I’m sorry about that, it won’t happen again.”
The professor smiled and nodded, he moved on with his lecture, everyone paid attention.
When class was dismissed, Mr. Winthrop called on Charlie for a private conversation. She grimaced when he called her name, couldn’t believe she was already in trouble on her first day. Brad sat on the corner of the desk with his legs crossed on the ankles. He offered a handshake, then folded his arms in front of him.
“I’m Brad Winthrop, in case you missed my introduction earlier.”
She hated that he kept putting her in a spot, she forced a smile, “I know … I wanted to be in your class in my first semester.” She took a good look at him, he couldn’t be more than 25 years old.
“Really? That’s flattering … I noticed there’s a star next to your name in the absence sheet.”
Charlie didn’t know anything about it.
“Well … my absence sheet, anyways, it’s a mark for a full scholarship student, and there’s another star … so two stars …” he looked at her.
She was oblivious to what he was saying.
“Two stars means you were directly appointed by Maxine Roberts?”
“Oh? Well … I was … I am …” she stuttered. She was never told that she received a scholarship, Tommy was paying for her study, or is he?
“That’s okay … I’m just letting you know that I’m aware of it … but there will be no privileges in my class, you have to study as hard as everyone else,” he was firm.
“Of course, I will do that, as I should.”
He stood, “So … do you work for Maxine?”
“Yes, actually … I have to be at her office in 40 minutes.”
Brad paused for a moment, “That sounds like a very hectic schedule for a freshman, I hope you have good time management skill.”
She smiled stiffly.
“Okay … I’m gonna let you go now, I look forward to our next class … try not to fall asleep next time.”
“Yes, sir … thank you,” she said, avoided all eye contact and left the room.
Brad watched as she went, he can see why Maxine marked the two stars next to Charlene Ludlow’s name, the girl was beautiful.