RED NOTES AND KISSES-Chapter 64: FRIDA -

His warm hands held her trembling ones, and she looked around frantically, teetering on the edge of full-blown panic.

"Frida?" Laz’s voice broke through, but everything felt distant, blurry. Her chest tightened as her free hand clutched at it, gasping for air.

The sight of blood twisted her gut, sending her spiraling further into lightheadedness.

"Frida?" His voice sounded closer now, laced with urgency. "Goddammit, what’s wrong?"

She barely registered him cupping her face, his hands warm and grounding.

Did she mention his touch felt like heaven?

Even now, it was the most comforting thing in the world. His concerned eyes, warm and steady, melted her insides to mush.

"You make it so hard, Laz," she thought as he whispered, "Breathe in." His voice was a soothing rasp, his breath warm against her face.

She inhaled.

"Breathe out," he continued, his eyelashes brushing her forehead.

She exhaled, the tightness in her chest easing as her airways relaxed. She panted softly, her breaths shallow but steadying.

"Now talk to me, please." His tone softened into a gentle plea.

"T-that person... she was in the classroom we just left. She sat in the backseat." The words spilled out, she had the nauseating urge to throw up.

Guys like that are fucking disgusting.

The woman’s last words rang in Frida’s head like a bell.

She shivered, goosebumps crawling up her arms. She wasn’t sure she could sleep here tonight.

The air felt heavy, oppressive, as though the walls themselves were closing in around her.

The weight of something unseen lingered, pressing against her chest, making her breaths come shorter, sharper.

The place didn’t just feel unsafe–it made her skin crawl, as though invisible eyes were fixed on her every move, unblinking and relentless.

Maybe she could crash at Leah’s place, it shouldn’t be a problem, unless Leah was at Tyler’s again. Reg? Lexi? Anywhere was better than here.

Her chest tightened at the thought of spending the evening alone.

The sensation of those invisible gazes burned through her back, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Wanna go to my place?" Laz suddenly asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Her head shot up, and she stared at him. He looked genuinely worried, and it made her feel guilty for stressing him out so much.

"Isn’t it the boys’ dorm, though?" she asked skeptically.

He nodded, his face softening into a teasing smile. "Is that even allowed?"

"It’s pretty late," she added, frowning slightly.

"Aww, you’re such a good girl," he said, ruffling her hair.

"Laz!" She slapped his hand away, pouting.

He chuckled. "What, never sneaked into a boys room before?"

Her cheeks burned red as she pressed her hands to them. She didn’t want to answer that.

She didn’t want to tell him she hadn’t had a boyfriend since him.

That no one made her heart flutter like he did.

That no one else gave her butterflies or made her knees weak or turned her to jelly like he did with just his voice.

He cleared his throat, snapping her back to reality. "You’re so damn cute," he said, poking her arm.

She turned her back to him, trying to hide her blush. "Fine, I’ll stay at your place. But don’t you have a roommate?"

He slung his arm over her shoulder, pulling her close. "Well, my room isn’t really like yours, sunrise."

She refused to look at him, her cheeks resembling cherries. "Good, ’cause I don’t want to get in trouble."

"You’ll be fine, honey," he murmured, his lips grazing her ear. "I don’t bite."

She jumped at the delicious thrill that ran down her spine, sprinting to the car as his chuckle and the faint sound of sirens followed her.

When they arrived at his dorm, she was stunned. It wasn’t just another dorm–it was practically a luxury skyscraper.

The elevator alone hinted at the class divide on campus, and the designer-clad students walking around made her feel painfully out of place. Their cars, their clothes, even the air felt different.

As they reached his hallway, she gawked at the carpeted floors and ornate details.

Laz opened the door with a key card, and she froze.

Room? It was more like a penthouse.

The living room was massive, with brown designer tiles, crystal chandeliers, and an LED TV so large it could easily cost her three months’ allowance.

Four guys lounged on the sleek furniture, playing video games and eating popcorn.

She recognized them immediately–Jayce Rocks, a star footballer; Alvin Larko, the son of a Chinese tech mogul; and Mark Toppers, heir to Naps Oil and Gas. freёnovelkiss.com

They looked so goofy, laughing and yelling at the screen, but their heads turned in unison when they saw Laz and Frida.

"Holy shit! Laz brought a girl over?" Mark exclaimed.

"And she’s hot!" Alvin added, pulling off his headphones.

Jayce stood up dramatically, hands on his hips. "Hello, young lady. Is this nerd bothering you? Because I’d be happy to get rid of him for you."

Frida laughed, while Laz frowned, clearly unamused.

"Fuck off, Jayce," Laz snapped, pulling her gently toward his room.

Mark smirked, his mouth full of popcorn. "Well, aren’t you going to introduce us to this lovely damsel?"

Laz rolled his eyes. "This is my girl, Frida. Nice to meet you all. Now fuck off."

They snickered as Laz continued leading her away.

"Seriously, Laz, you bring a girl over for the first time, and you’re going to lock her up in your room?" Alvin teased.

Frida waved at them. "Nice to meet you, guys."

"Aww, she’s an angel," Jayce cooed.

"Damn, she had to end up with a beast," Alvin quipped, and they burst into laughter.

"I thought Laziel didn’t date, though?" Jayce said as Laz shut the door behind them.

Mark nodded, still chewing popcorn. "Yeah, he’s picky with his skirts."

"Do you think this one, is one of his picks as well?" Jayce asked, hanging upside down on the couch.

"Nah," Alvin smirked. "He’s so whipped."

Mark snorted. "Yeah, whipped as hell."

They laughed and went back to their game, leaving Laz and Frida in peace.