Once again, Ren shows up late to class.
The math professor stops mid-lecture and sighs.
«Come on, at this rate, by the end of the semester, you'll manage to arrive on time. You can do it, Ren. I believe in you!» he says with dry sarcasm.
At least this time, Ren is only fifteen minutes late.
Better than the usual half hour.
«Another car breakdown, I imagine...» Rebecca mutters as Ren drops into his usual seat beside her.
«At least this time you cleaned yourself up before showing up.»
She smirks, clearly referring to the lipstick stain from last time.
The one that made Ren turn red for an entire day.
She can't help but picture the kind of twisted morning games he might've been playing.
~He must be having fun with Brianne every morning!~
But then a thought hits Rebecca.
~Wait... I've never seen her wear lipstick. Could it be from the Crimson Fury instead? No way! That idiot is hooking up with the strongest vampire in the world?! ~
The idea shocks her.
~If someone that powerful gave herself to him, then Ren isn't weak or stupid at all. Maybe... maybe he's just pretending to be clueless so no one suspects him. Grandpa was right. I shouldn't underestimate him!~
The car really did break down, but Ren can't pull the same excuse twice in a row.
Before he can even come up with a decent lie, Rebecca cuts in.
«I was joking, doofus. I know you came in late on purpose to avoid Christian.»
She says it with real concern in her voice.
«Christian... and who the hell is that supposed to be...?» Ren asks, completely lost.
His mind comes up blank.
«You really are a doofus! Christian Pileggo—the guy whose hand you broke two weeks ago! How do you not remember?!»
~That idiot again? Didn't he learn his lesson last time?~
Ren was almost suspended for that fight in the school courtyard.
The only reason he wasn't was because Principal Ginevra Arcara stepped in.
Witnesses backed him up, and Christian's reputation as a troublemaker helped.
But if something like that happens again, no one will save him.
And just the thought of Isabelle's reaction is enough to keep him in check.
«Ah, yes... now I remember. What does he want from me again?»
«He didn't say it clearly, but you don't need to be psychic to figure it out. This morning he stopped every student, and even some teachers, asking about you. People who talked to him said something was off. But no one could explain what. He looked emotionless. Like he wasn't even there. Empty and detached. Maybe he took more drugs than usual before showing up. That's what everyone's assuming. I think it's safer if we spend break time in the classroom today.»
«Why do certain people never learn?» Ren sighs, resigned. «I'm not going to stay locked up in here and rot because of that lunatic!»
«That's not like you. All this sudden urge to go out...» Rebecca says, clearly annoyed.
«I bet you just want to be with that man-eater, Daphne Lyros!»
She throws him an accusatory glare.
Daphne Lyros is a fourth-year student.
She's stunning—long wavy black hair, amber eyes with a slightly slanted shape that Ren finds dangerously sensual, and sun-kissed skin.
Her figure is athletic and slim like Rebecca's, but she's shorter and a bit curvier.
She transferred from Greece just a day before Ren's fight with Christian.
After watching him show off his strength, she didn't waste time.
She approached him, and since then, she's stuck to him like glue during every break.
Her flirty behavior has made her Rebecca's number-one enemy.
They argue every day.
Rebecca calls her a tramp, and Daphne fires back with lines like: 'You can't expect others to wait just because you're too scared to act!'
«Before, I had to drag you out of class when the bell rang. Now, ever since that girl joined us, you're the first one out the door!»
«It's obvious from a mile away—you can't wait to see her during break! You're such a pervert!»
«That's just your imagination,» Ren mutters, avoiding her eyes.
Classic move.
The kind of reaction someone gives when they know they're lying.