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Paul could barely contain the scowl that crossed his face. He was back in the American history class he shared with Amy, and to say he was pissed would have been an understatement.
He couldn't believe she was dating that lanky blond pretty boy, Adam Copeland. What the hell did that guy have that he didn't? For the life of him, he just couldn't figure it out.
And then there was the little matter of Amy having treated him like trash... He'd done nothing to her, nothing at all. Unlike Shane with Stacy, Paul had actually respected the redhead enough to get to know her, and he certainly hadn't tried to make any moves on her. So, how dare she yell at him and make a big to-do over him trying to talk to her?
"Mr. Levesque, are you paying attention?" Professor Calloway's voice suddenly cut in, interrupting his bitter, angry thoughts.
The quarterback cursed inwardly, unable to believe his bum luck. What the hell was Calloway's problem, anyway? It was as though the man had it in for him.
"Yeah," he replied.
"Is that so? What was I just talking about?"
Levesque glanced around the room, his gaze briefly falling on Amy, who appeared still as a statue, her back to him. Apparently, she was not going to turn around like every other student seated in front of his row.
"Err... American history," he replied.
Pretty much everyone in the class burst into collective laughter. That was, everyone but Amy and Professor Mark Calloway - and Paul himself.
"If you're trying to be funny, I'm not amused," the big professor stated. He gave the burly football player a stern look before continuing on with his lecture.
Levesque sat back a bit more, lowering himself in the chair at the desk at which he was seated. He was feeling humiliated. He didn't like being viewed as the class clown... No, he didn't like it one bit.
He spent the majority of the remainder of the class alternately taking notes and staring at the back of Amy's red hair. Somehow, he also noticed, all too well, that Calloway was keeping an eye on him. It seemed every time the teacher addressed the class, he would shift his hard gaze his way, as though monitoring him.
Finally, the class came to a close, and Levesque felt as though he could breathe freely again. He glanced at Amy, but not too long, as a lingering stare would surely alert Professor Calloway. He wanted to be as inconspicuous as he possibly could, or he wouldn't get his chance.
Calmly and quietly, the quarterback left the room, making certain to do so before the redhead had gone. He knew exactly what he had in mind and was relieved when that buttinsky Calloway didn't stop him. He felt the man's eyes on him as he exited the classroom, but not a word did he speak to him.
Amy let out a small, audible sigh as she realized Paul had just stepped out of the room. She had deliberately idled a bit, hoping he would just leave before her and not do the same as her and just so happen to "coincidentally" be leaving at the same time. The guy was trouble, plain and simple. Not for the first time, she mentally cursed herself for ever giving him the time of day, even though it was just as friends.
As she rose with her belongings in tow, Professor Calloway's voice stopped her.
"Miss Dumas?"
She looked up at the big professor, a questioning look on her face.
"How is everything?" the teacher asked, his normally gruff voice softened to a vast degree. There was concern in his face.
"It's going okay."
"Mr. Levesque isn't giving you a hard time anymore?"
Amy shook her head.
"No," she replied. "Thankfully, he isn't."
Calloway nodded at her.
"Good," he said. "But remember... If he starts up again, you know to ask for help." He offered her the slightest trace of a smile.
The redhead nodded, somehow managing a tiny smile of her own.
"Thanks, Professor," she said, grateful.
He nodded cordially at her, and Amy left the room.
She headed down the stairs, not thinking of Paul anymore. She wouldn't have to deal with him since he'd already left several minutes before. She smiled to herself as she instead thought about Adam, and about Stacy and Jay.
The redhead stepped through the exit and out onto the campus. Her good feelings abruptly dissipated, however, as a figure suddenly stepped out from one side, and she felt her shoulder being grabbed.
She let out a gasp of surprise, startled. Of course, it was none other than Paul Levesque... Her emotions quickly shifted to anger.
"You? What do you want now?" she snapped. "Leave me alone!"
"No," Paul replied. "Not until you let me explain something." He tightened his grip on her, now with both hands holding both her shoulders.
Amy shook with all her might, pushing at him as she attempted to free herself. He was so strong, she couldn't even budge him. On top of that, she felt herself beginning to quake with anger. She could literally hear her pulse hammering in her ears as well.
"Let me go!" She shoved at his big, burly chest with as much force as she could muster.
"Only if you agree to talk!"
Amy nearly snarled in rage and frustration.
"We have nothing to talk about!"
She wasn't even aware that they suddenly had garnered a small audience. Students milling about began to gather to watch the scene. Fortunately, one of those students happened to be someone most welcome to the redhead.
"What the hell? Get your hands off her, you bastard!" Adam ran over and easily tugged Amy away from Levesque.
"This is between her and me!" the outraged Paul yelled.
"No... It's not... You leave my girlfriend alone - got it?" the taller young man demanded in a dangerously low tone, a challenge gleaming in his widened green eyes. He might have been giving up a good thirty pounds of weight and muscle to Levesque, but he wouldn't hesitate to beat the crap out of him if he had to.
Paul merely glared daggers at Adam, who didn't even notice at this point. He
was too busy tending to the redhead and getting her out of there.