And Then There Were Four novel Chapter 2

"Where is my dad?" I asked firmly as I approached them both, dragging my suitcases behind me. Their dark eyes looking down on me took me by surprise, and I couldn't help but notice how well they looked from the photos I remembered.

They had definitely been working out.

"Ivy?" The taller one with tattoos on his left arm that appeared below his sleeve questioned. His black hair messy on his head as if he had just gotten out of the shower and couldn't be asked to do anything with himself.

"Yeah. That's me." I retorted, pulling myself from the gaze I was in. "My dad?"

The man rolled his eyes, ignoring me, and quickly grabbed my suitcase, dragging it behind him towards the doors. "Sorry, Ivy..." The other said with an apologetic smile. Damian doesn't say much to many people. I'm James."

"Ivy!" Kate squealed from behind me as she came walking over. "I told you I knew the bag was somewhere. Glad I caught you before I got my cab. I just wanted to say thank you for keeping me company on the plane."

"Oh. It's fine. I enjoyed it." The idea she was taking a cab didn't sit well with me. She was a nice girl, and had treated me fairly while venturing here. "Don't take a cab. We can drop you off at campus. Isn't that right, James?"

The look I gave him as I said his name had him speechless. It took him a moment to grasp what was going on and then he smiled. "Oh yeah, of course. The campus is only, like, 10 minutes away. It's no problem at all."

"Awww, well thank you so much, sugar!" Kate squealed as she threw her arms around me, causing me to stiffen uncomfortably in the hug.

Pulling back, she looked at me slightly confused, “not a hugger?”

“Not really.” I replied with a chuckle, “but it’s okay. Don’t worry about it.” My eyes shot to James and a smirk played upon his mouth as if he found my reaction amusing.

"Here I will take those from you, and we will get on our way." James replied to Kate as he his eyes gazed over my body one last time.

Following James outside the last thing I expected was for Damian to throw a fit about us dropping Kate off. But after my firm placement on the manner, he gritted his teeth and agreed. "Get in the fucking car."

His reply irritated me but Kate and I didn't wait for him to ask us again. As soon as we were loaded up, the car began to move towards the campus where we would both be taking classes for the next four years.

The trees and brush passed by on the sides of the road, flying as if they had nothing in the world that could stop them. One thing I had been excited about coming to Idaho was all of the nature that would surround me. I had the urge to get lost within it, and explore things people never considered seeing.

Growing up, mom and I were considered free spirits, and tended to beat to the sound of our own drum. And just because she wasn’t with me right now didn’t mean I was going to stop. My particular ancestry would be heartbroken if I stopped doing what I was doing just because I moved across the country.

Eventually, turning off the main highway, we moved towards a more symmetrical designed street that held loads of vegetation and historical buildings.

"This is amazing--" Kate whispered looking out the window.

"Welcome to the University of Idaho." James chuckled, causing Damian to scoff in annoyance.

As soon as we pulled up towards an area that looked like apartments, Damian came to a quick stop, slamming on his breaks, jolting me forward. “Ouch.” I replied in irritation as he turned and looked at me.

“Pay attention next time then.” Damian snapped before jumping out of the vehicle, and making his way towards the back where James was helping Kate pull out her luggage. Groaning in irritation, I hopped out and walked towards Kate, “Do you have it from here?”

“Oh definitely. Thank you again for the ride." She called out as she waved, "I will see you Monday."

"Sounds great, I will see you at orientation." I called out before Damian yelled to James to hurry up and get in the damn vehicle.

I had not even been here that long, and Damian was already proving to be the biggest asshole I had ever met. That would be my luck though.

"Do you have to be so rude?" I asked as we pulled back out onto the highway, headed towards my dad's home. I wasn’t going to allow him to act like this towards me or anyone I associated with. It wasn’t needed nor welcome.

I watched as he looked at me from the rearview mirror, his eyes darkening as he glared. Most girls probably would have looked away and shrunk back from him but me... I would never.