Forbidden Fruit

Chapter 8

"So," Logan started on me as we ate breakfast together the next morning. We were both slightly hungover and it was apparent by our meals that we dealt with the discomfort in completely different ways. I for one was attempting to stomach a measly slice of toast, whilst Logan had gone all out and had cooked up a full English. The amount of food he had made me want to gag, but apparently if he didn't eat this much he'd be throwing everything up later. 

This didn't sound right to me, but apparently it worked. Americans were weird. 

Despite the dull pain, last night had been worth it. We stayed in the club till they kicked us out at one, just having a good time and acting like we were the only people there. Molly knew one of the bartenders as well so when I went up with her we could get alcoholic drinks, which was something I was glad about. I didn't know if it was just me but being sober in a club was not fun. 

"Hey," Logan clicked his fingers at me, and I came back to the present as I realised I'd just zoned him out. "You didn't answer my question."

"What did you ask?" 

He grinned at me. "Well it seemed like you and miss celebrity were getting a bit cosy last night? What's the deal? Did you get her number? Are you gonna ask her out?" 

"Whoa," I said, holding my hands out to calm him down. "Chill out okay. We just had a nice conversation. I'm not even sure I'll see her again."  

"Is that it? It seemed pretty intimate to me." 

I shook my head. It probably would've become more intimate if we both didn't leave, but at the same time I think I did the right thing. I wasn't gonna ditch my friend for a girl I'd been talking to for ten minutes, especially since Drake helped get everyone out of that flat for me. I didn't understand why she couldn't just wait; she said I had no patience but wow, talk about pot calling the kettle black. 

"Well I still think you might have an interesting day today." 

I gave him a look as if to say I was questioning his sanity. 

He laughed at me. "I'm serious. You were seen talking to the Victoria Grange, the one with the massive following at uni. People are gonna treat you differently because of it." 

This time it was my turn to laugh. "Please. People are surely not that obsessed with her. Besides, we barely talked: it was like for ten minutes! Why should I get dragged into it all?" 

"I don't know," he smirked evilly, as he finally finished his massive breakfast. "But I might have to ask you for your autograph before you get too big for your boots." 

I rolled my eyes and lightly smacked his head. What an idiot. 

However as I walked into uni half an hour later, it seemed like Logan's teasing wasn't just unfounded nonsense. I noticed that some people seemed to be giving me strange looks as I passed by, with one guy who I'd never even met before openly glaring at me. And, as strange as it sounds, it wasn't the only dirty stare I received as I walked to my first lecture.

Clearly I must've upset Vic's most avid followers. 

I couldn't help but feel irritated at how people were acting. It was just so childish. We were all adults now: I shouldn't be made to feel like the bad guy at high school, flirting with the it girl after she'd just gone on a date with the football captain. People could be so pathetic. 

I tried to calm myself down as I sat in the lecture hall. Hopefully I could just sit and listen in here without getting any grief. 

But today wasn't my lucky day, as one of the guys who'd been talking about getting with Vic yesterday turned around and saw me. He nudged his friends and they all turned around and started staring at me. 

I almost groaned out loud. What was it with Tuesdays? If there was ever a crap day going on, it would be on a Tuesday. 

"Hey," one of them called out to me, looking genuinely curious and not angry which was at least a start. "Is it true you hooked up with Vic Grange last night?" 

I rolled my eyes. "No." 

"Well how come my friend said you guys were getting close at Flares last night?" Another one piped up, and I felt like I was getting interviewed by the gossip squadron of the FBI. 

"We were just talking, I literally don't know what to tell you," I shrugged, hoping to put a stop to all the questions. 

They guys who had spoken to me looked satisfied. I supposed they expected someone who had slept with someone like Victoria to brag to the world about it, so it my answer must've appeared genuine. 

However, not everyone was convinced. 

Henry, the one who had tried to talk big about him and Vic yesterday turned his head around to jeer at me. "Well you could tell us the truth instead. Whatever. It's not like it matters. She only likes you because of your accent." 

I couldn't help but bristle slightly at the attack. 

"Mate I can smell your desperation from here. Why don't you chill out and mind your own business?" I wasn't one to back down from a fight: I was a big guy and I knew how to defend myself, which was another thing I owed to my dad. Fitness was something he took very seriously, and for a long time I picked up boxing so that both of us would be happy. 

He rolled his eyes and turned back around, clearly not wanting a fight. Luckily it seemed he knew how to control himself despite his petty jealousy; its not like I wanted any violence either. 

The lecturer arrived and once again he was a welcome distraction. But at the same time I was still annoyed. If one conversation with Vic caused this much disturbance in my life, was it even worth pursuing her further?