EIRA'S POV
I dashed into the college, breathless. God, I'm late. Please, not today.
The classroom door creaked open, and my heart sank—Mr. Robert was already calling attendance.
"Sir, may I come in?" My voice shook.
"You're late, dear," he said firmly, though not unkindly.
"I'm sorry… may I?"
He nodded. "Take a seat."
Heat flared in my cheeks as I hurried to the only empty desk—right in front of Adrian. Our eyes collided. He rolled his, irritation clear, and I quickly dropped my gaze.
Class ended, but relief was short-lived.
"Romeo and Juliet!" our English teacher beamed. "Let's lighten the mood with a play."
The class roared with excitement.
"Romeo?""Adrian!" voices chorused."And Juliet?""Victoria!"
Perfect pair, everyone agreed. Except my chest tightened.
I was given no part, only backstage work. Tessy leaned against me dramatically. "Eira, run away with me!"
I sighed. "I can't. I'm too tired."
"Eira, help with the balcony!" someone shouted.
Tessy clasped her hands. "Please? Just this once?"
Her pleading eyes undid me. "Fine."
"You're the best!"
I climbed the narrow stairs and began decorating Juliet's balcony. But dizziness hit me like a wave. My vision blurred. My grip slipped.
"Eira!" Tessy screamed.
The world spun, the floor rushed up—then strong arms caught me.
Adrian.
For a moment, his eyes blazed with something raw, something I had never seen before—fear. Concern. For me.
And then—darkness.
I woke to antiseptic air and a blinding white ceiling.
"You fainted, sweetheart. Low blood pressure," the nurse explained gently.
"I… skipped breakfast," I admitted.
She frowned. "Skipping meals is dangerous. Don't do it again." Then her lips curved knowingly. "Do you know who brought you here?"
I shook my head.
"Your boyfriend," she teased. "He was very worried."
My heart tripped. "He's not my boyfriend."
"Not yet," she winked, leaving me breathless.
Adrian. Worried? No… impossible.
A knock interrupted my racing thoughts.
"Come in," I murmured.
Adrian entered silently, placed my bag on the table, and turned to leave.
"Wait!" The word tore out of me.
He stilled.
"Why did you help me?"
His jaw tightened. "I would've done the same for anyone."
"No," I whispered. "I saw your eyes. You were afraid… for me."
He turned, stepped closer, and in an instant, I was against the wall, caged by his arms. His presence stole the air from my lungs.
"Do you really think I like you?" His voice was low, dangerous, his lips curling into a cruel smirk. "You're just desperate for my attention."
The words sliced through me. A tear slid down before I could stop it. He pushed away and left without looking back—leaving me shattered.
Why does he hate me so much? What have I done?
ADRIAN'S POV
Her tears haunted me. I'd been cruel, sharper than I intended. But it was the only way. Distance was safer—for her, not for me.
Yet every time she was near, my resolve fractured.
I didn't hear Drek until he leaned lazily against my doorway.
"Hey, buddy."
"Hey," I muttered.
"You look like hell. What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Don't lie to me."
"I don't have time for this," I snapped.
"Fine. Where are Elisa and Mike?"
"Not today. A few days."
He smirked. "So what's your excuse for sulking, then?"
"Leave me alone."
"Not until you ask nicely."
"Leave!" The word exploded out of me, sharper than I meant.
Drek laughed, backing away. "Touchy."
Silence reclaimed the room. But my thoughts weren't silent. They screamed her name.
Eira.