Bibliophile - a person who collects or has a great love of books.
* * * *
Nicholas loves to read. It is his passion, his source of air, his world. He'd lose himself among the pages of an alternate reality. It is his daily routine, so getting a job...
Dina lightly banged her head against the desk, overhearing some of their classmates' conversations, more specifically their debates. She muttered under her breath, the action caused a smile to spread across Nicholas's lips as he watched her. Noticing his gaze, she scoffed in her seat.
"Oh, come on," Nicholas grinned, "it's not that bad."
"It's horrible. Listen to them," she urged.
Nicholas did. He never found the girls in his class to be attractive, and he probably never would after meeting Dina. The girls that surrounded them were obnoxious with materialistic dreams. They fell down on their knees for the men, begging for their love with the hopes of one day being 'the one' for a devil disguised as an angel. It disgusted him as much as their filthy conversations did.
Perhaps, that was the reason why these girls never liked Nicholas. He was an outcast, a loser, a nobody. Nicholas had no one, except Elijah.
He was alone in this cruel hearted world, yet as he gazed at Dina, the world didn't seem so lonely anymore. They lived in a world where popularity raged and prevailed, and those who were not popular were thrown to the side, wallowing in self-pity for all that they could have had.
Nicholas cringed as a sudden shierk came from the group of girls beside them. "I think I'll lose my hearing if I stay in this room any longer," he said as he delicately touched his ear.
"You haven't even heard the worst of them," she sighed, leaning back against her seat. Dina pulled out her notebook and began to write her name at the top of the page. "They act like the world revolves around them."
She was referring to the group of girls.
The room had quieted down as footsteps echoed in the hall. The girls began whispering to each other as Anthony and his group of friends walked in, sporting their jerseys' for an upcoming game. Nicholas rolled his eyes when the girls started fanning themselves, staring lovingly in Anthony's direction.
Nicholas leaned over towards Dina, his deep voice barely above a whisper. "Tell me those girls aren't actually attracted to that sorry excuse of a man."
She turned to him, smiling. "I wish I could confirm that, but sadly, they are attracted to him," she whispered back.
The two of them broke into silent laughter from watching the foolishness of their classmates. Dina covered her mouth, stifling a giggle that bubbled through her, causing her cheeks to redden. These were the moments that Nicholas cherished because even if he couldn't have Dina, at least he would always have his memories of her.
Anthony seemed to notice Dina and Nicholas, laughing together, his green eyes blazing in anger. He stalked towards them, a frown deeply embedded onto his lips. Nicholas had no idea how any girl could see him as attractive.
Beyond his looks, Anthony had nothing. His soul was void, incapable of emotions, stuck in a supercilious state. He had nothing but falsehood; there was no truth to men like Anthony.
Stopping in front of Nicholas's desk, he firmly flattened his palms against the cool surface, his muscles bulging. Nicholas glanced up at Anthony with a bored expression, wondering what his deal was.
"You think you're so funny, don't you, Nicholas?" he seethed. His friends were behind him, crossing their arms against their chests in an attempt to look bolder. "Why don't you actually pick a fight with me than talking shit?"
The class was silent, watching the scene in front of them with greedy eyes. They were hungry for drama, for fights, for hopeless arguments. They strived off the inner conflicts that were shown. Nicholas could not say the same.
"When did I talk shit about you?" he questioned, keeping his voice calm.
Anthony's jaw clenched. "Why the fuck were you laughing when I came in?" he growled.
Nicholas opened his mouth to talk back, but Dina was already on Anthony's case. She stood up, facing Anthony, who seemed more amused than angry. He raised an eyebrow at Dina.
"What is your deal?" she questioned, angrily. "You don't run our university. You don't run this class. You don't control me or Nick. You're just an insecure coward, who gets his confidence from bullying others," she hissed.
Anthony's amused expression changed into fury. Stepping away from Nicholas, he towered over Dina's small frame, but she didn't back down. Dina glared straight into his eyes, her brown orbs swirling with infuriation.
"Did you hear that, boys? This little Muslim actually thinks she can talk back to me," he chuckled, darkly.
The guys behind him laughed, making Nicholas clench his fists. He had to do something before their professor came in.
"I don't try to make students' lives a living hell," she argued.
"Living hell? Sweetheart, you got it all wrong."
"Don't call me that," Dina said, slowly emphasizing each word.
Anthony grinned, walking closer to Dina. "I can call you whatever I want. You're nothing but a deranged Muslim, who thinks she has a say in our society."
"News flash, idiot. I do have a say. We live in America, not Anthonyville."
Anthony chuckled even more, enjoying her retaliation towards him. "You sure do have a mouth on you," he mused. "I wonder what else it could do."
Nicholas didn't like the way his green eyes glimmered as he gazed down at Dina. Nicholas was repulsed by Anthony's lustful eyes that eyed Dina's body. A deep hatred grew in Nicholas's heart. He had no right to look at Dina as an object of sexual pleasure.
She was worth more than that, she was priceless, a woman with beliefs and morals. Dina was precious and Nicholas did not want her innocence to be tainted by a man who made palaces out of broken hearts.
"Get away from me!" shouted Dina, backing away from him.
Dina's brown eyes were wide with panic as Anthony placed his arms on either side of her, trapping her body against his and the desk. Immediately, Dina wildly searched for Nicholas, her face pale. Through her nervous facial expression, Nicholas knew that she was begging him to help. She needed him.
Nicholas had enough. He was done being afraid of worthless men, who didn't know a thing about self-respect. He was done feeling helpless in a world that wanted to swallow him. He was done being a coward, who ran away from every difficulty and obstacle that threatened to destroy him.
At that moment, Nicholas knew only one thing. Dina wasn't a toy to be played with and Anthony would not treat her like one, not if Nicholas had anything to do about it. All he saw was red, unable to calm himself down. When Anthony touched her hip, Nicholas raised his fist, willing all his demons to go back to their mental prisons because Nicholas would not listen to his despair any longer.
He punched Anthony.
----
I'm a terrible person for ending it there, I know. BUT LOOK AT HOW MUCH NICHOLAS HAS GROWN. I'm so proud of my little Nemo *wipes tear*
Anyone out for Anthony's blood? I know I am.
Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow! (Like when you're not out to kill a fictional character).
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